Multimedia & the Classroom

Today we talked about the benefits of using multimedia in the classroom. According to Multimedia Learning Theory, we learn best when we can see visuals (images) that clearly relate to what we are learning in combination with spoken words. Providing excessive amounts of written text and reading the text aloud verbatim impedes learning as it overwhelms learners’ cognitive loads. In line with this topic, during this class we reviewed different types of videos that can be utilized as learning tools and created our own H5P interactive video to learn more about the process.  Please see the following video which references my Free Inquiry on Meal Prep.

I think that H5P videos have potential to be useful in some classrooms, but as with all videos, should be used sparingly and intentionally. If misused, videos as part of lessons can allow students to disengage from material and add to the cumulative screen time that children and adults view daily. I think that if a lesson can be taught in person by a teacher with real life manipulatives and live interaction with students, then that is the ideal teaching approach. On the other hand, videos can be an excellent tool to share things that would not be possible to visit on a field trip or bring into the classroom. Watching humming birds in slow motion to better see how they fly, visiting environments or landmarks in other countries, exploring simulations of tsunamis or earthquakes, and watching construction or plant growth through time lapse are all worthwhile uses of video in the classroom. In addition, connecting with experts in the field through video calls is an extremely exciting opportunity now available to teachers which can increase representation and diversity that students are exposed to and/or widen student’s appreciation of different fields of work.

One organization that I am already familiar with is Live It Earth which offers online learning about the natural world from sea to space through engaging blended learning resources. Teachers or schools can subscribe to gain access to their extensive library of hundreds of hours of videos, resources, and education challenges. What I find really exciting about Live It Earth is that they go to different areas of the world to visit scientists where they are doing their research and they not only offer short kid-friendly documentaries but offer live Q&A sessions with experts actively in the field. As a teacher, I would feel confident using a resource such as Live It Earth to expand and complement the content I could create and provide on my own. I think that this is an example of a successful integration of multimedia learning in the modern classroom.