Integrating Media Into the Classroom Debra L. Haar Copyright © 2005 Cambridge Educational®

Pre-Program Discussion Questions Why is media useful as an educational tool? How might you use media to bring together life experiences, feelings, and opinions of diverse student populations? What media tools and technologies do you use most often? Why? What are your biggest challenges in integrating media seamlessly into your lessons? What are your greatest successes?

Fast Facts Over 40 years of research shows that film and television can facilitate leaning and be a powerful tool for the classroom teacher. Mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, instructional resources must demonstrate evidence of effectiveness.

Successful integration of information technology involves: The use of software to create, manipulate, and enhance student learning The use of problem-based assignments Establishing constructive learning environments (Johnson and Liu [2000] cited in Woodbridge, March 2004) Students receive information visually and verbally and, in general, retain twice as much information when it is seen and heard together as opposed to when it is seen or heard individually.

Multimedia can encourage cooperative learning and student collaboration through shared experiences. Studies show that viewers apply their own experiences and understanding to a viewing experience rather than simply absorbing what is being shown. Format and delivery options may change and evolve, but the use of media in the classroom will continue to be a proven and powerful learning tool.

Program Overview The purpose of this program is to demonstrate some of the many ways in which media may be integrated into the classroom. It includes support for the use of media, how to choose, prepare, and incorporate media into lesson plans; as well as how to use media before during core lessons.

Why Use Media There are several compelling reasons to use media in the classroom: to project positive images to students; to use images as role models for students; to help with retention; and to get students excited about what they are learning.

Choosing Media When choosing media remember that you’re looking to “accessorize” your lesson. It’s important to start simple, build on success, and work with your librarian or media specialist. Be sure to use media that is pertinent and age-specific.

Preparing Media for the Classroom Start with a standards-based lesson, and find out what media you already have available to you. As you write course objectives and form activities, use media to bring together life experiences, feelings, and opinions to start the lesson.

During and After While showing media, extend the experience by using different clips. Be sure to listen to your students; they will tell you if you’re going too fast or too slow. Afterwards, begin the process of re-teaching, if necessary. Debrief the students to evaluate the effectiveness of the lesson.

Case Studies Social Studies-High School Social Studies-Middle School Exceptional Student Education Science-Middle School Mathematics Science-High School

Integrating Media Into the Classroom

Post-Program Discussion Questions How do you think media integration in the classroom can positively impact hundreds of thousands of negative media images that students are exposed to over the years? How can media and technology complement rather than compete with the teacher? After seeing this video, what specific media tools or approaches have you learned that you plan to employ immediately? Why? How?

After seeing this video, what specific media tools or approaches are you unlikely or unable to incorporate into your teaching? Why? Is there any way to adapt these tools or approaches to make them usable to you? If so how? If you were teaching this course, how would more effectively integrate media into the classroom experience?

Educational Standards Teachers plan and design effective learning environments and experiences supported by technology. Teachers implement curriculum plans that include methods and strategies for applying technology to maximize student learning. Teachers use technology to enhance their productivity and professional practice. http://cnets.iste.org/teachers/t_stands.html

Additional Resources International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) www.iste.org North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL) www.ncrel.org Technology & Learning-The Resource for Education Technology Leaders www.techlearning.com Copyright © 2005 Cambridge Educational®