Writing with Multimedia Tracking the Evolution of Language

What is Writing in 2007? Traditionally we have focused on reading and writing as the only benchmarks of literacy. However, it is obvious that as communication takes new forms, we also have to encourage the skills necessary to use new technology to share ideas and demonstrate understanding.

What is Writing in 2007? Remember that students today are exposed to more information than ever before Information is coming from numerous types of media – print, Internet, television, radio, and beyond. Multimedia applications and devices are dominating our world.

Generation M Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds, Kaiser Family Institute, 2005

Technological Tools Multimedia Resources to Represent Ideas Multimedia Computers: video editing, desktop publishing, photo editing, presentation software, audio mixing and editing, and Internet access. Digital Still Cameras: capture, edit, and package visual information to communicate ideas. Digital Video Cameras: film motion and sound, edit, and present to a wide audience.

What is Writing? Students are taught the “technical” aspects of writing starting in elementary school. By the time students get to us, we can focus on composition and content. However, as multimedia technology is not a big part of this early education – middle school teachers feel the pressure of teaching the technology over the content, composition and style.

What is Writing? As we know, students are digesting most of their information through multimedia technology. As educators, it is best to show them the effective, responsible use of these tools rather than dismiss them as an obstacle to writing. The strategies we use to teach traditional writing composition can be transferred to writing for multimedia.

For Example – Image Composition Focus on Subject When composing an image, we want to avoid anything in the background or foreground that distracts the viewer from the main subject in the picture. Clarity Students are taught to focus on a particular subject or storyline with detail that adds clarity, not confusion. Like a bad photo, a piece of writing that has too much information can confuse the reader and the main idea is quickly lost.

For Example – Image Composition Contrast and Colour Colour and lighting can be used to highlight your subject by using a sharp or low contrast of colours. It can also set a mood based on the intensity. Setting Mood Instead of colour, a writer will use a combination of language and setting to create a mood for their writing. Rich, descriptive language will create a picture in the reader’s mind.

For Example – Image Composition Perspective A good photograph will place the viewer in a unique position to view the subject. This may be at a different angle or even environment. Perspective A good piece of writing will provide a unique point-of-view, sometimes a narrator or character with inner monologue. Readers want an experience that is new and makes them think.

For Example – Image Composition Zoom A good photo will capture human emotion by focusing or zooming on the details that will create a connection, such as the eyes and face. Detail Good writing will provide detail of thoughts, actions, and other elements that allow the reader to make inferences and connections with the characters.

For Example – Planning Good writing starts with good planning. Finding a compelling idea and organizing a structure or plot that engages the reader does not usually happen without developing a plan.

For Example – Planning Planning a multimedia project is no different. We need to plan how we are going to use visual and auditory elements to get our message across to the audience. The structure or plot doesn’t change, just the tools – words or visuals.

For Example – Structure Setting Mood Foreshadowing Climax Resolution Symbolis m Theme Conflict Protagonist Rising Action Implied Judgment Perspective Minor Character

For Example – Structure Tone Quotations Context Research Point of View Emphasis Thesis Characterization Lead Biography Transitions Narrator Anecdotes

Photo Story Multimedia technology is becoming more user friendly. For example, could we do video with students ten years ago? As technology as a tool becomes easier to manage, more focus can be placed on the content. We will take a look at Photo Story 3 as an example.

Resources and Opportunities cours_ins_ados.shtml