MULTIMEDIA IN THE

CLASSROOM

The
Importance
of Delivering
Technology
Infused
Curriculum

Prepared by Christine A. Hagerman

for GCU TEC-538
April, 2015

WHAT? WHY? HOW?

What exactly is multimedia?
What is technology?
Why is it important to incorporate multimedia in my
classroom?
Why is technology infused learning so important?
How can I incorporate multimedia in my daily
instruction?
How can I add technology-based activities to my
classroom?

MULTIMEDIA
When I say, Multimedia, you say??????

movies

MULTIMEDIA
Multimedia is simply, multiple forms of media
integrated together. Media can be text, graphics,
audio, animation, video, data, etc., (
h t t p : / /w w w. t e c h - f a q . c o m /m u l t i m e d i a . h t m l) .

TECHNOLOGY
When I say, Technology, you say??????

computers

TECHNOLOGY
Technology in the classroom is really any tech-based
process or resource, used or created to facilitate
learning and improve student outcomes . ( A E C T ,
h t t p : / / o c w. m e t u . e d u . t r / fi l e . p h p / 1 1 8 / m o l e n d a _ d e fi n i t i o n . p d f )

This can include computers, cell phones, tablets,

interactive whiteboards, Internet, software
applications, etc.

WHY MULTIMEDIA MATTERS

Research suggests that multimedia content
delivery has the power to:
Increase student attention and engagement

Vary delivery of content for students with

multiple learning styles

Increase student outcomes by supporting

synthesis, analysis, and recall of
information and concepts

University of Southern Florida. http://fcit.usf.edu/multimedia/overview/overviewb.html

WHY TECHNOLOGY-INFUSED
LEARNING IS IMPORTANT
Studies show that tech-based classroom
learning activities can:
Increase stud ent focus, attention, and
engagement
Increase use of critical thinking skills
Facilitate student-centered learning
and discovery
Provid e varied options for student
performance and assessment
Increase collaboration and
communication b etween peers
Strengthen presentation and speaking
skills
Provid e key practice in real-world skills
University of Southern Florida. http://fcit.usf.edu/multimedia/overview/overviewb.html

HOW CAN I INCORPORATE

MULTIMEDIA IN MY INSTRUCTION?
Incorporate text, graphics, sound, video, and/or
animation in daily instruction, student learning
activities, and assessment tasks.
Heres an example:
Lets look at two presentation slides created by a
science teacher, to deliver content regarding
lightning.
Although they both deliver the same content, think
about which one is more engaging and helpful to you.

What Causes Lightning?

Lightning is an electric current. To make this electric
current, first you need a cloud.
When the ground is hot, it heats the air above it. This
warm air rises. As the air rises, water vapour cools and
forms a cloud. When air continues to rise, the cloud
gets bigger and bigger. In the tops of the clouds,
temperature is below freezing and the water vapour
turns into ice.
Now, the cloud becomes a thundercloud. Lots of small
bits of ice bump into each other as they move around.
All these collisions cause a build up of electrical
charge.
Eventually, the whole cloud fills up with electrical
charges. Lighter, positively charged particles form at
the top of the cloud. Heavier, negatively charged
particles sink to the bottom of the cloud.
When the positive and negative charges grow large
enough, a giant spark - lightning - occurs between the
two charges within the cloud. This is like a static
electricity sparks you see, but much bigger.

What Causes Lightning?

Lightning is an electric current. To make this
electric current, first you need a cloud.
When the ground is hot, it heats the air above
it. This warm air rises, the water vapour cools
and forms a cloud. The cloud gets bigger and
bigger, and the water vapour turns into ice.
Now, the cloud becomes a thundercloud. Lots
of small bits of ice bump into each other as
they move around. These collisions cause a
build up of electrical charge.
The whole cloud fills up with electrical
charges. Lighter, positively charged particles
form at the top of the cloud. Heavier,
negatively charged particles sink to the
bottom of the cloud.
When the positive and negative charges grow
large enough, a giant spark - lightning occurs between the two charges within the
cloud.

HOW CAN I ADD TECH-BASED

ACTIVITIES TO MY CLASSROOM?
Use technology to fi nd technology!! Take any topic and
search the web for resources.
Use hardware like your computer lab, laptops, iPads, or
even student cell phones in BYOD schools.
Search for activities like web quests, simulations,
interactives, and games.
Use assessments like PowerPoint or Prezi, student
blogs, iMovies, Quizlet, etc.

BACK TO THE LIGHTNING!

By searching for lightning simulations, I was able to
fi nd this activity in a little over one minute!!!

RESOURCES
For more multimedia and technology-based learning
activities and assessment resources, see these
fantastic sites!