Digital Blog Post #H

Chapter 9 Expressing Creativity with Multimedia Technology brought up a few points that inspired me. I love reading through this text book Transforming Learning with New Technologies because I feel that after every chapter I'm inspired to integrate different technology strategies into my future curriculum.

The first point that I read about that struck me was all the information about PowerPoint. I found it interesting that the book went so in depth about it, I guess I found this curious though because I've been using PowerPoint since elementary school. The book explained positive and negative effects of using PowerPoint, but one negative effect that it didn't address was one that I've witnessed time after time. I believe one of the biggest negative attributes of PowerPoint or Prezi, or any visual slide show is the tendency to read word for word what is on the screen. I believe that more students and educators need to be taught that technology tools such as PowerPoint should be used as visual tools that aids to a presentation or project. In my experience the strongest presenters are the individuals who put key points and pictures on their slideshows and further explain what we're looking at in their own words. The only time I feel that it is acceptable to have paragraphs on PowerPoint is when a teacher is having students copy notes. Overall though I enjoy using PowerPoint as a tech tool, although I love Prezi, I personally believe that Prezi is visually more appealing then PowerPoint.

The Second point I was interested in was the concept of using video recorders in the classroom. I thought this was such a fun idea, not only are students able to learn with it, but they are also given the chance to be creative and work as a team. "...Making videos had not only helped the students learn history, but also promoted a spirit of participation and teamwork that lasted long after these skits were completed" (Maloy). This past week I was given the chance to observe a seventh grade science teacher at Oasis Middle School. The day I observed her students had been divided into groups and created volcano models that they would later fill with baking soda and vinegar. I loved the effort that the groups put into each unique volcano and all of their excitement as they were able to watch their volcanic creations erupt. The teacher allowed her students to use their phones to record the eruptions, and the kids were so excited. After reading this chapter I would've loved to have seen what the students would have done if they had to make a video depicting the volcanic eruption of Pompeii or Mount Hellena. As a future teacher the only part I would be worried about is if the problem arises where a student is not allowed to be recorded or photographed. I guess I will deal with that though if the problem arises.

The third and final point I enjoyed reading about was the concept books. Just another outlet that gives students the chance to be creative, which I love. "Staging the photographs reinforces the meaning of the vocabulary and the concepts for students, particularly those learning English as a new language" (Maloy). The concept book was suggested for young students such as kindergarteners or first graders, but older students could even use concepts books especially if they needed to learn their vocabulary words.

Within the textbook it talked about a website called "Glogster" I decided to use it as my tech tool, its basically a website that helps you make interactive posters to share with your class.




 (Edward) (Learning) (Mali)



Resources:

Edward, A. (n.d.). My First Glog. Retrieved November 2, 2015.

Learning Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2015.

Mali, T. (2013, February 10). Miracle Worker by Taylor Mali. Retrieved November 2, 2015.

Maloy, R., O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Woolf, B. (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education Inc.