More on digital tools

This week we have been asked to look at more digital tools that may be of use in the classroom. While there is a need to remember that technology is pointless for its own sake, it would be equally pointless, perhaps more so, to ignore its use due to personal prejudices. The tools we look at this week are digital images, podcasting/audio and digital video. Of course all these could be taught in their own right as part of an IT subject, at this time however, it is how they may be used to assist teaching across a more general range of subjects that is being looked at. Before starting though, everything mentioned below needs to answer this; like any classroom tool, if the teacher, and therefore the student, are unable to identify a clear purpose for its use, why use it?

Images have long been used in the classroom. Whether it be photography, paintings, digital art or even using graphs or other imagery to illustrate a point, the use is well established. The secret of their use has not changed. Students are not interested in watching a slide show of one irrelevant image after the other. The added challenge that digital images offer is that this is a much easier trap to fall into, as there is a whole internet full of quality images, each one better than the last. The key to this remains the same. What is its purpose? What point are you trying to make? I should not have to mention, is it appropriate? There it is though, just in case. The picture below could be used to start a conversation about domestic violence.

I have discussed in an earlier blog post how video has the potential to change how teaching is conducted. With that in mind, I will feel at liberty to discuss them in the same breath as podcasts and the like. Keeping with the idea that these tools should only be used to add to learning, something like this podcast from Radio National could be utilised. A series looking at multiculturalism, this could be used either as homework or broken into sections within the classroom then form the basis of a class, learning experience, conversation, or prompt for further research.

There is a great deal of material already available online, though that should not stop enterprising teachers and students from creating their own, unique material. A teacher could use a podcast or clip to explain a task or outline a topic. Poetry could be recorded so that individual interpretation would be able to be heard. Students could use recorded interviews with town elders as part of a local history assignment. In this manner, not only is the story recorded, the language and rhythm of the locality is captured as well. There are a wide range of tools to play with, including a variety of apps from the various players in the market. Below is something incredibly stupid I put together with the basic video maker that came with my laptop. Even with my ridiculously slow internet, this took only minutes to have this uploaded to youtube. With some thought, really cool things could be developed. Obviously this is not the case here, proving my earlier point that a purpose for learning should be clear.

Apart from not wanting to use these tools for their own sake, my only other real concern for having students use them, is the problem of getting caught up in the process. As cool as these things are, it is possible they can become distractions from the learning experience that the teacher is attempting to create. This too can be managed with a small amount of care and perhaps some restrictions. All in all though, these three tools are yet more to add to the teacher’s digital arsenal.