Making Multimedia Meaningful

To be taught Spring 2009 for Plymouth State University

An in-depth, hands-on experience with multimedia technology and the power it brings to student learning. Educators will discover how multimedia tools enhance project-based learning and authentic assessment while: (1) producing a multimedia presentation based on an integrated curriculum theme; (2) using computers, information technology and telecommunications for powerful teaching and assessment of student work; and (3) creating a project through teamwork with new technologies. As educators explore the significance of student-centered learning and teacher as coach, they will see how these new paradigms for teaching connect to their classrooms and schools.

Syllabus

Expectations/Learning Outcomes
Guiding Questions
Course Structure
Working Ideas
Planning Materials
Developmental Models
Tools for Assessment
Activities
Readings & Resources

Expectations/Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the learner should be able to:

Define multimedia in current terms
Identify appropriate applications of multimedia in their own praxis
Create a multimedia presentation based on an integrated curriculum theme
Identify and employ ICT appropriate for teaching
Identify and employ ICT appropriate for assessment
Co-create a presentation using appropriate socio-collaborative tools
Connect tools to their praxis

Guiding Questions

What is multimedia?
Why do we seek meaning, and what role does visualization play in meaning creation/understanding?
How does the multi-modal approach support project based teaching & learning?
When is multimedia appropriate?
What is the role of the teacher in the connected classroom and how does this apply to multimedia projects?
How does one effectively assess, on a holistic level, multimedia works?
How do multimedia tools enhance authentic assessment?

Course Structure

Week 1 - Intro to the course: Tools & Terminology
Weeks 2 & 3 - Module 1: Defining multimedia and its applications
Weeks 4 & 5 - Module 2: Designing & Creating Multimedia
Weeks 6 & 7 - Module 3: Developing multimedia projects
Weeks 8 & 9 - Module 4: Assessing multimedia projects
Weeks 10 & 11 - Module 5: Collaborative
Week 12 - Presentations & Wrap-up

Working Ideas

Why are you using multimedia?

To share
To teach
To demonstrate
To learn

Concept of the narrative and digital storytelling

Creating connections

Getting beyond the content

The two sides of the multimedia coin:

Presentation (sending the message)
Decoding (receiving the message)
Assessment

Thoughts from a faculty member:

"Since the course seems to be focused on meaningfulness, I'd probably want to know what kinds of things can be done better using Multimedia technologies and what is not really worth the effort. Bonk's discussion of timers on Faculty Day comes to my mind--I'd want to know in which situations a multimedia timer is more effective than an egg timer."

While this example is not really about multimedia, the idea is the same. Technology should be used because it is the most effective tool for a specific situation, not because it is cool or new. Along the same lines as "a strength, overused, can become a weakness/liability," technological solutions should be employed appropriately

Kathy Sierra's 10 Tips for New Trainers/Teachers as applied to multimedia

Brent Muirhead's Creating Concept Maps article about "integrating constructivism principles into online classes"

Employ a tracking approach:

Digital storytelling
Creating meaningful teaching
Other options?

Planning Materials

Define multimedia in current terms (Wikipedia link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multimedia)
http://bknittle.pbwiki.com/Multimedia
Webspiration mind map - click on the CE5150 link

Process model - Propose, plan, prepare, package, produce, practice, present, ponder, perfect
Presentation Zen (PZ) - Creativity, Limitations and Constraints (p. 31)
PZ - Hara Hachi Bu (p. 204) - Leave them hungry for more (http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2007/06/one-secret-to-a.html)
Slide:ology (SL) - (p. 220-1) - Constraint, 3 R's of Letting Go: Reduce, Record, Repeat (http://slideology.com/)
SL - 10-20-30 Rule: 10 slides in 20 minutes using no less than a 30 point font (Guy Kawasaki - http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2005/12/the_102030_rule.html)
Inclusion of critical analysis/critical thinking skills applied to decoding media (media literacy)
Use/engage inherent curiousity
- Employ the scientific method - give learners a chance to test their new learning against a problem and enable them to see/hear/feel its validity (or lack of)

Developmental Models

Scaffolding a multimedia project (add new page and put contents of brainstorming session on 10/31 at PSU)

Tools for Assessment

DigiTales (http://www.digitales.us/evaluating/index.php)
- Scoring Guide - http://digitales.us/evaluating/scoring_guide.php
- Peer Review - http://digitales.us/evaluating/peer_review.php
RubiStar (http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php)
Kathy Schrock (http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schrockguide/assess.html)
Iowa Video Rubric (http://soli.inav.net/~rpmic/iowa/rubrics/vidrub.htm)

Activities

Reflective authorship
Pecha Kucha Assignment - 20x20 Pecha Kucha is a presentation of 20 images, each image up for 20 seconds, for a total presentation time of 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
Individual multimedia presentation assignment
Examples
- Flash project (simulation, interactive app, etc.)
- Video (DVD, vodcast, YouTube, etc.)
- Slidedeck (PowerPoint, Google Presentations, Sliderocket, Slideshare, Voicethread, etc.)
- Livecast (UStream, Mogulus, etc.)
- Be creative, use your imagination
Collaborative multimedia project