My identity has been completely transformed by new media. As an undergraduate student, I took a class titled "Education and Computers". The task of the entire course was to start a website and manage it. Without knowing it, the class completely changed my life. Without that class, I would not have been able to find my passion and hopefully my career. I started a brand about five years ago that is based solely off of new media, mainly social media and blogging. Since I started it, my skills have only grown to now include video editing and production. Clearly, I am a big fan of new media and its capabilities especially in the classroom.
Integrating multimedia programs into the classroom seems like a logical step in today's digital world. Almost every student with access to a computer knows how to use it. Nothing will ever replace exams and essays in school, however, multimedia allows teachers to add to the learning process. Nothing is being taken away, but instead teachers can add to the learning process. Being "literate" in 2017 means more than just being able to read and write printed text. Why can't a student-produced film convey the same meaning as a written essay? "It may be the case that the power of digital stories for creators and viewers has to do with a happy melding of old and new genres and media," (Hull and Nelson, 252). Multimedia allows students to express their thoughts in new ways. In their findings, Hull and Nelson talk about how simply adding music "adds an important emotional element to digital stories," (253). Something as simple as background music can elevate a student's project and that should be what all teachers strive for. Being open to the changes going on in technology can make the difference for students and how they learn.
Blogs and websites can be a great project for students to have to create and maintain. As seen in Halverson's research study, "Film as Identity Exploration- A Multimodal Analysis of Youth-Produced Films", organization are encouraging young people to document their own life story using multimedia. "In the case of documentary filmmaking, stories often gain credibility
through their use of original, unplanned footage," (Halverson, 2372). Journalism and news reporting has taken a huge hit in terms of credibility since the past presidential election. Teaching adolescents to create original content from their perspective is a great way to fight against the credibility issue.
Work Cited
Halverson, Erica. "Film as Identity Exploration: A Multimodal Analysis of Youth-Produced Films." Teachers College Record 112.9 (2010): 2352-378. Web.
Hull, Glynda A., and Mark E. Nelson. "Locating the Semiotic Power of Multimodality." Written Communication 22.2 (2005): 224-61. Web.
Hi Ashleigh,
ReplyDeleteI really like the point you brought up about the implementation of technology into schools. Almost every student in the 21st century has access to a digital device/computer therefore it is important that they are knowledgable on how to use them but also that they are given the opportunities to use them. It is our job as educators to be just as or even more knowledgable on these technology devices so students learn about the technology that is being utilized. When you added the point that although nothing will replace exams and essays the use of multimedia allows teachers to add to the learning process. This is important to state because although some teachers may find that technology is changing education I don't think the old ways of learning should be completely replaced with what technology has to offer. A good educator would be able to implement both mediums equally into the school day and into his/her lessons. Overall, I really enjoyed reading your post, thank you for your insights on this weeks post!!
Ashleigh,
ReplyDeleteI also took the course Education and Computers. I am so happy to learn that the course influenced your life in such a positive way! I am curious to see your website. When I took the course we did not build a website and manage it throughout the semester. We had four smaller projects: Prezi, Wiki, Google Site, and I cannot recall the third. I did not continue to modify these projects after the semester ended, but I have since used the skills I learned while creating them. I agree that it is very important to be "literate" with technology. We produce more technologies, the technology competency gap forming between older and younger generations continues to widen. I think it is fascinating how intuitive my sixth grade students are with the computer. If I give them a new digital tool they do not wish to read the directions or watch a tutorial--they just go for it! Younger students are not afraid to explore and click around; meanwhile, my mom thinks that anytime she clicks the wrong button her computer will get a virus!
Hi Ashleigh,
ReplyDeleteI love how you mentioned that multimedia allows teachers to add to the process of learning, and is not meant to completely replace traditional methods of teaching. I think that this point needs to be emphasized to the many teachers who are apprehensive about integrating technology in their classroom. You are definitely right about the definition of literacy changing, and by incorporating new tools such as blogs or websites in the classroom, students will be able to use their knowledge for their future as well. Thanks for sharing!