Thursday, November 20, 2008
Rich Media Reflection
I found chapter 30, Using Rich Media Wisely, extremely informative. There are several rich media ideas I will take to my classroom, one of which is using more visuals to effectively teach while maintaining cognitive motivation. I already use some visual aids such as YouTube and on-line animations in my classroom. After reading, I realize I can use an assortment of visuals to communicate instructional ideas to my students. PowerPoint is a useful visual aid I need to utilize. It is cost effective and quick to create. PowerPoint can incorporate audio such as narrations that relate to the visuals. It can also use text along with graphics for learners to refer to as they follow the presentation. I need to remember to choose simple and clear images, label important parts of each graphic, and use clip art in moderation while creating visual aids for my students. PowerPoint slides, animations or videos must support the attention of students while avoiding sensory overload. Visuals must provide interest and motivation for students while increasing retention of information. Students retain more when information is related to their world. For example, analogies will help build mental models for students to draw from. Additionally, I will bring structure to my students by making printed copies of the visuals that will outline the lesson. I feel students like to see the big picture at the beginning of a new unit. I will also ask questions along with the visuals to guide students in the right direction. Outlining the target goals by the use of visual aids will help students stay focused and motivated. Furthermore, I will concentrate on lessening the use of seductive details. On occasion I tend to perseverate on useless trivia when teaching. Students have learned they can pull me off topic easily by bringing up a side-bar idea related to the topic and off to computer I go to find a visual aid. Sometimes the visual aid is helpful, but I need to distinguish between useful visuals and seductive details. I am going to be more conscious to use visual aids with text whenever possible to cognitively motivate my students.
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I felt as if I were reading my own writing in your post. You mentioned, "I need to remember to choose simple and clear images, label important parts of each graphic, and use clip art in moderation while creating visual aids for my students," and I felt the exact same way. I use a lot of powerpoint on a day to day basis, but sometimes I do get to that sensory overload point and have to watch how much I am putting on there. The big problem that I have found with powerpoint is that it's hard for me to find a happy medium. Slides either look really basic and blah.... or they look crowded, overloaded, and busy. I have been making a big attempt to find where that happy medium lies, and use it. Good reflection on that reading this week!
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