Journal #2: Finding Students Who Learn Through Media

Bull, G. (2010). Finding students who learn with media. Learning & Leading with Technology, 37(5), Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Publications/LL/LLIssues/
Volume3720092010/FebruaryNo5/L_L_February_2010.htm doi:
ISSN 1082-5754

In the article, "Finding Students Who Learn With Media," by Glen Bull, Curby Alexander and Bill Ferster, they discuss the significant opportunities for engagement and learning though student-created media. Over the years web-based authoring tools have been explored in order to find ways to implement them into the classroom. One of the tools being PrimaryAccess MovieMaker, which allows students to combine their own text, primary source images, and audio narrations to create an online documentary films. This program has been implemented in many schools allowing students to embed facts and events in a narrative context that will enhance their retention and understanding of materials.

Ultimately students who author media are much more engaged in the classroom. Most students retain information best by visualizing different subject matter and associating it with relevant issues. Through web-based authoring tools students are able to demonstrate a higher-order of thinking and creativity in their work, that they may not be typically received in a traditional classroom environment. Also, PrimaryAccess can automatically collect information on students performance, through tasks performance rather than the traditional assessments and interviews.

Question #1: Is PrimaryAccess Movie Maker a good way to assess students?

I believe that standardized test are good for some, however some students are simply not able to be tested in that manner. Through task performance assessments students are able to be held accountable for their participation, knowledge , and creativity. Therefore assessing their abilities according to their performance rather than their test taking abilities.


Question #2: Are web-based authoring tools good for student engagement?

I believe that anything that allows students to be involved in creating a project will inspire them to be engaged. Allowing students to make things their own gives them a sense of attachment to the project. Web-based authoring tools gives students a greater world to explore.