Session 3: Multimedia in the classroom

In our third session we learnt about three multimedia programmes that can be used in the classroom:

• PowerPoint
• Prezi
• Clicker 6

PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a slide-show based presentation program created by Microsoft. It is widely used in classrooms, meetings, work places, and events. Barber, Cooper and Meeson outline that PowerPoint 'offers some particularly good features that support effective and interactive teaching' (Barber, Cooper, and Meeson, 2007, p.66). However, a poor use of this program can  become boring and tedious for the audience, thus it is important to balance the information overload with interesting, interactive activity especially, for children. 

During the seminar we learnt about the main features of PowerPoint:

• The different views that are available
• How to apply a design and to change the design.
• Add shapes and add text to shapes
• How to add buttons
• How to use ‘action settings’
• Adding animation and transitions
• Adding pictures

Different views

Designs

Shapes

Text

Buttons

Action buttons

Animation

Transitions

Pictures

Prezi

Prezi is a free, web-based software which can be used to present and share concepts and ideas. 

Prezi does not follow a linear slide show presentation like PowerPoint, it allows users to differentiate and present the way they wish to, gaining more engagement from the audience. 

'Prezi is a great presentation tool for spicing up the mundane PowerPoint that you’ve been using for the past 10 years. It allows for new kinds of visualizations and opportunities to link imagery to motion, which in turn creates a deeper understanding and retention duration.' (Jeff Herb)

This is an extract from an article, Prezi - Advantages and Disadvantages, click the link to acquire more information about the web-based software.

After an introduction of both programs, we created an 'About Me' factfile, either using PowerPoint or Prezi. I used PowerPoint as I am familiar with the program. 

My quick fact file 'About Me'

In my presentation, I chose the theme, animations, picture and action buttons.

Clicker 6 

Clicker 6 is a reading and writing tool that helps children to gain effective literacy knowledge. Below is a video which summaries the purpose and the advantages of Clicker 6.

The software includes a variety of tools such as:

• Text
• Pictures
• Paint
• Pop-up text
• Recording

Adding picture and text, also you can turn on a predictor to guide children

My exploration with a picture and text

In the classroom I could use nursery rhymes like Humpty Dumpty, to encourage rhyming words, developing speaking and listening skills.

Painting a picture

My exploration using the painting software

My exploration of adding pop-up text

This type of activity is a great way of developing children's literacy skills in describing an object. They can use their senses and think about what they see, hear, smell, feel, and taste. I also created a similar activity but this time with a picture of a cake; I would probably use both activities to highlight the difference between both food item; one as healthy (apple) and the other unhealthy (cake).

Cake activity

Record - children can record their voice and playback

After, experimenting with Clicker 6, in pairs we retold a fairy-tale, Goldilocks.

Hope you enjoyed reading my blog, stay tuned for my next post, Interactive Whiteboard assisting a phonics lesson!

Reference List:

Barber D. and Cooper L. and Meeson G, (2007) Learning and Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards: Primary and Early Years, Exeter: Learning Matters

Jeff. H, Prezi - Advantages and Disadvantages, Available at: http://instructionaltechtalk.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-prezi/ (Accessed: 27.03.14)