Big Idea: Multimedia + Learning Design
Video from ASAP Science on YouTube.
This week, we discussed the benefits of using videos in education. Videos can make learning more accessible and digestible for students who may be struggling with a concept or who find the usual pace of instruction too quick. Additionally, videos can be helpful to ensure that students who had to miss class stay caught up on material. We discussed the different types of videos that could be used in the classroom: videos created by teachers, videos sourced by teachers, and videos created by students. In my experience at school, I had primarily only encountered videos curated by teachers, so it was interesting to hear about other possible applications.
I was also interested to hear about the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning, and it is an idea that I definitely want to keep in mind as I develop material for my lessons. It’s nice to know that something as simple as including visual elements in a PowerPoint can help so much with understanding a concept.
Reflecting on my own time in middle and high school, there are definitely many examples of videos I was shown that have stuck with me. Most of the videos that I found especially impactful were those relating to math or sciences, since I often needed a bit of extra help in those subjects. One resource that I found especially helpful was Khan Academy, and I would often use it as I completed my math homework to review concepts I hadn’t fully grasped in class. I also loved the Periodic Table song (linked above).
As I develop my own lesson plans, I definitely want to use videos to supplement or reinforce concepts that students may find difficult or boring, such as grammar or essay-writing skills.