Instructional Media

In the recent years that technology has been increasing, so has the use of it in schools. Instead of teachers writing words on a whiteboard, or reading off a sheet of paper, kids are being introduced to lessons through instructional media. This week we learned about multimedia. According to the pdf file given to us, multimedia is a program that can contain still pictures, moving pictures, sound, animation, text, motion pictures, or video, and is considered multimedia as long as any two are combined. This is a very different way of teaching kids, because back in the day teachers never had this type of technology that could benefit students. Instructional media can appeal to many different students who have specific learning styles, and it also helps develop their critical and creative thinking skills. Students can learn how to put presentations together, make websites, create videos, etc. I remember when I was in school, I learned how to make PowerPoint’s, and we would give presentations in front of the class which helped us learn many skills. This week, I learned how to make an appropriate instructional media. Before I read this, when I made PowerPoint’s I used a variety of colors, gave each slides pretty backgrounds, and never organized it well. Reading this pdf file that explains how simple pages are better for learners made me realize there was a lot more to creating PowerPoint’s than I thought. There are four key guidelines that must be thought about while creating the instructional media: contrast, repetition, alignment, and proximity. Simple colors, like black and white, work perfect together. There is no need to have a rainbow of colors on each page, consistent colors work better together. You want to keep it simple by using key phrases instead of complete sentences, and use a lot of white space. Boxes will keep your pages organized, and size font 28 will be the best view for the learners. Looking at a simple, organized slide will be easier for them to follow because it will be clear. In the end, more skills are being taught through using the technology, and it makes the classroom more exciting.

I found this video on YouTube.com called “Media Smarts: Kids Learn How to Navigate the Multimedia World.” It starts off by saying how the average American kid spends more than 6.5 hours on the computer or in front of a screen each day. Kids are used to being put in front of a screen, which is why technology in schools is beneficial to children. When they go to school and listen to a monotone voice for a couple of hours straight, their focus will begin to fade. On the other hand, having computers in the classrooms is second nature to most kids these days, and they will be able to follow along well. Not only can you teach old lessons with technology, but new ones as well. A group of 4^th graders learned how to create an animated short, and some kids in high school have learned how to make video biographies. The video also talks about how students use their creativity to write and tell stories through film. Ultimately, this video is adding on to the opinion that technology in schools benefits children by teaching them important critical and creative thinking skills and more. 

As an education major and future teacher, I am going to need to be able to make suitable PowerPoint’s for my students, and know how to teach with technology. I don’t want my students to be bored every day; I want them to be excited to come to class to learn new things. My mom tells me all of the time how much her students love when she shows them videos, or goes on the internet with them. It is a new way of learning that can relate to this generation. I want to be able to put together instructional media lessons, whether it is a PowerPoint, or a video. Once I am able to make my own, I can teach my students how to do it themselves. All throughout life multimedia can be used, and I am going to need to teach my students what it is, and why it is important.