Making a Real world Connection & Defining and Planning a MM Learning Project

Hello All!
This week blog is about chapter 3 and 4 of our text book, and let me start saying Michael Simkins and collaborators suggest great ideas to create those real life connection that we need for the planning of a multimedia learning project.

Chapter 3:
It is so true that in order to motivate our students to participate in a multimedia learning project they must have a connection with the real world. The text book provides ten examples but that doesn't mean that those are the only one. The connection that as a teacher we choose to use depend on so many variables. Among those variables are, your curriculum, the audience, the purpose of the project and so on. We just have to keep in mind when designing the project the real life connections has to be meaningful to the students, therefore they can succeed in their performance. The type of connections that the author presents are good examples, because in some way or another it incorporates all types of learners. For example when using real connection that deals with relating to clients or interacting with assessors, those type of projects are very beneficial for those students that are social learners, those projects that focus on adult work and life skills are good for students that are visual, logical or for instance tactical learners.

Chapter 4:
Planning and designing a multimedia learning project can sometimes be a challenge. First is important that we make an inventory of the different tools that we will have to make such project available to our students. Although sometimes there is a situations that there are more students than computers, one idea that I will provide is don't panic there are many ways of getting a project done. If for instance there is a school in the need of computer for their students, perhaps they can go to the nearest public library and get them to collaborate with the project. Another idea could be talking to the local universities, they usually are interested in working in collaboration with school, specially when these have fraternities and sororities and they provide community services.
Another point I will like to discuss is the importance of selecting a good topic, one that will be useful for the learning experience. What I mean by this is that there is no point on selecting a topic that can be taught in the classroom, and the project is being use to substitute the teacher, my opinion, I don't believe in this.
When planning on we have to make sure that we keep in mind the following questions: How will I involve students in decision making? What forms of collaboration will I include? What resources will I need? These are some of the questions that will help defined the project. The objectives of the project should be reflected in the answers to these questions.

Conclusion: Designing a multimedia project base is not rocket science. Yes!, it's challenging but everything can be achieved with a little of creativity and perseverance.

Truly,

Wida

Earth in the Universe

Looking for something that I will like to teach, I found this awesome explanation and simulation of why auroras occurs. Why am I choosing this topic? Well this is going to sound very child like, but few weeks ago I watch the movie Happy Feet, that by the way I loved it! There was one part that caught my attention, yes!, the beautiful aurora. If you have not seen this movie, watch it is great, specially if you have kids. Anyway back to the topic. :) For more information about auroras go to the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurora_(astronomy)

I find that auroras is a good topic to teach because it not only introduce astronomy but chemistry and physics. Therefore, students can understand that all science have to coexist in order to have a balanced planet. Some of the challenges that I see are those of creating misconceptions. Although students will be taught with a model and a simulation, they often tend to get on their mind what they find more easily to "understand". One other challenge will be to reach those students that need to have hands-on experiment to learn. This class is design more for logical and visual learners, but what about those that are skill learners?
The opportunities that this can provide are those of exposing students to chemistry, for example, the explanation of the aurora mechanism and how the collision of electrons has big influence on the colors observed on the auroras. Sometimes, when teachers talk about collision among electrons, or particles, it can be so difficult to grasp because it is an abstract picture that one has to imagine. At least the simulated part of the lesson, can ease the transition of the abstract to the visual. In this case it will be targeting those students that are visual learners.
Below is the link of to which you can go and get the whole lesson plan for the topic.
http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmsc/6/d/simulation/simcontent_6d.shtml

Truly,

Wida

Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants

Hello digital readers!
I first have to start admitting that I classify myself as a Digital Immigrant. As a digital immigrant you can imagine how frustrated I could be sometimes working with today's technology. At first was very difficult, but after few trial and error I found my way. Now days I consider myself well trained on computers, at least the necessary. I have adapted myself to the new environment.

While reading Mark Prensky article I was not amazed of his statements. I have notice the difference between today's students way of thinking and their information process. With my experience with undergraduate students I have seen how today's students depend on their tech gadgets. Students are usually around with their laptops, i-pods, MP3's, cellphones and so on. They can't live with out them, at least I am so hook up with my cell. :)
Although I recognize the importance technology has in our culture, I have a concern about how much technology is being used. I believe that everything in life has to be in balance. Being this said, teaching and learning can be done with old and new methodology. The new methodology helps connect the gaps between ideas.

Let me be more specific, I teach Chemistry, and sometimes it can be a very abstract topic. Multimedia as become a great tool for teaching some topics, because it can illustrate in 3D some of the abstract pictures that student might have problem to understand. I myself finds that when using molecular modeling or simulation, it help me gain a better understanding on a molecule and all its properties. Yet again, I have to go back to my book to obtain the theory behind the ideas or concepts, because when being test in college, test are concept base. This is why I believe on having a balance on old school methodology and new school technology.
I also have to admit that the challenge that a today's teacher, specially the digital immigrant, is much greater than those native teachers. It takes more time to me to come with a creative idea that includes technology to teach some topic.

I agree that some subject are a easier than others, in the sense that multimedia can be use more as part of the lesson. The issue here is being creative and making the best out of it. Use multimedia and new technology the best possible to teach and prepare our students for the future.

Truly,

Wida

Dear Diary

Dear Diary,
This is my first night of multimedia class. Things I already know about technology are:
Technology, what a WORD and what a WORLD!.
I have never consider myself a technology person. I learn to work on a computer when I was doing my undergraduate studies. I purchase my first computer after graduating from college in June of 2000. To be sincere, I have no idea how I even survived my undergrad college experience with out a computer, but I did it!!!!!
I was force some how to learn about computers, and all of its tools by doing it myself. I have very funny stories about it. I know what a PC and a MAC is, but I have no idea what are the differences among them. I know that I am more familiar with the PC.
I know how to work with
1) Power Point, which I love to use for presentations and other things like party invitations
2) Publisher-good tool to use for banners, invitations, brochures and crafty stuff
3) Words, Paint and Adobe are some of the other tools I have use
4) Cellphones, I-pods, Plasma TV, etc....


Things I WANT TO KNOW about technology are:
1) I want to know how to incorporate all of these known tools and new tools in a science lesson.
2) I want to know how technology is use to teach K-12.

Things I hope to LEARN about technology are:
1) I hope to learn how these technologies will help me assess my students.
2) How they will help me reach each individual learner in a classroom.