Multimedia in the Classroom

I used my textbook to help me understand multimedia in the classroom. By reading through chapters five, ten and eleven, I was able to learn about new cutting edge uses of multimedia in the classroom and how to use audio and video media in the classroom to enhance my instruction. The book discusses the use of palm pilots or blackberries in the classroom. Many up to date schools are using there to teach students how to plan and have responsibility for their work. Schools are now trying to teach students how to be technologically advanced so that when they get out into the real world they will be ready. Some teachers uses these individual handheld computers to have students turn in their assignments. On the other end, teachers are using computers to help them keep accurate notes on their students. This gives them the ability to improve on the individual instruction and learn the needs of every child. The book also talks about audio and video media in the classroom. If the use of this media is used right then it can greatly enhance how a child can learn and what they will remember. An example from the book is having children make their own video project. I thought it would be a good idea to have the children research a historical event and create a news broadcast about it or recreate a scene from that time in history. By allowing the children to use this type of media they are able to make things hands on while still learning about the historical event. Multimedia can be very affective in the classroom to help enhance what the teacher is teaching. Each year as technology advances so does the way that children learn.
Reference: Smaldino, Sharon E. Lowther, Deborah L. Russeel, James D. Instructional Technology and Media for Learning. 9th edition. Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall. 2008.