I think it's really important to select the appropriate multimedia tool for whatever it is that you want your students to learn. For example, I think it would be useful for students to use graphics and storyboarding tools in order to develop and plan a story (plot, characters, etc... ). In my classroom I have students use a storyboard before they start writing. I typically have them start by brainstorming story ideas such as characters, climax, plot, and setting. Once they have the ideas they can then begin to draw pictures of all of these great ideas. Students can even use preexisting pictures in Kidspiration, Word, Picture Maker, or any number of tools. Students can get realy creative with this and sometimes they develop very elaborate stories. It is a lot of fun.
3 comments:
Great comments, Cean. With the type of kids I teach, I see a really broad lack of imagination, and I think that using the right tool and introducing kids to multimedia and technology can get them excited about learning and help them to generate imagination, which often gets stymied in the old ways of paper and pencil thought.
I think it's great that you were able to see why your story wasn't working for your students and then find such a creative way to present the background they lacked.
I agree Cean! We shouldn't choose it just to say we're integrating it...it has to have meaning and make sense. I read something a couple of weeks ago...can't think of where...but your writing example reminded me of it. It talked about how important it was to put the keyboard in front of the younger kids...they can type it before they even have the skills to write it. These students can begin writing much earlier now!!! The pictures are so important too...some kids can't express themselves in writing, however, their drawings emphasize so many details that they meant to say and couldn't. We need to move those kids from where they are and celebrate those successes as they become more proficient. :O)
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