Reflection #5 How Multimedia Tools Support 21st Century Learning

I could not believe how much fun I had using animoto in class last week. These and some of the other sites like the comic strip making site really blew me away as I started thinking of how I could incorporate these forms of media into my classroom and curriculum. Every book I teach in 10th grade English could have assignments similar to the one we had last week connected to them.

For example, I just finished teaching Catcher in the Rye to my honors students. How awesome an assignment would it be to have students write an alternate ending to the story, or add another chapter to the ending (which is left wide open with the main character in a mental hospital where we have no idea what happens to him down the road) using of of the comic strip websites or a photostory where they design and narrate their own work. It would get students excited about learning, and can clearly demonstrate their knowledge of author style, events, and characters.

This could apply to many classes outside of English. Students could use similar tools like the comic or photo story or animoto to create a world or town from a certain time period with particular important historical figures for a history class. This would still require students to design places and people accordingly, and it is a great way to broaden the way we assess students. Some are so much more motivated and able to demonstrate their knowledge through hands on creating type activities, versus rote memorization and writing. I think the more we can integrate and develop assessments and assignments around these type of media creation tools, the more excitement and productivity we will see from students of all ages. The assignments can still test the same knowledge and abilities, and students will enjoy being able to design a product or save an online activity they they created themselves and can display and use for as long as they want.