Using Digital Media in the Classroom

I enjoyed reading about all the positive reasons for using digital media in the classroom. I’m a big fan of using digital media in my kindergarten classroom. I was glad to see the importance of how it addresses multiple intelligences. It stated that by using video in the classroom it is able to accommodate a wider range of learning styles for the diverse group of students’ whose educational needs need to be met in the formal educational setting. I also found this interesting “Visual messages of multimedia are processed in a different part of the brain than that which processes textual and linguistic learning.” They went on to say that the part that processes multimedia is the emotional part and in turn memory is influence by emotion.

The articles just reinforced for me the benefits of using digital media in the classroom. I have always been aware of multiple intelligences and have seen the importance of delivering the curriculum in many different ways to accommodate the different learning styles in my classroom. The way a student learns has always interested me and for many years I have been interested brain research. I’ve found that simple exercises and music with 60 beats per minute can greatly influence a student’s learning.

Cruse, E., M.ED. (n.d.). Using educational video in the classroom: Theory, research and practice. In Library Video Company [Article]. Retrieved February 22, 2010, from http://www.libraryvideo.com/articles/article26.asp?mscssid=DKGD53CXPDPB8HA3X7RJP76VAK1L7BXF

I hope I am using Noodle Bib correctly. I might want to know more about that.

Animal Video Sounds

In the Kindergarten Kingdom we are getting ready to travel to the farm. Here we will learn about who lives at the farm; and the sounds that the animals and things found on a farm make. I will show this video to introduce the farm unit and build background for my kindergartners.

Learning

Ever since I’ve been in education I’ve found it important to make learning meaningful and fun! Most of my teaching experience has been in the primary elementary grades. It’s important as a teacher to make sure that you recognize every kind of learner. Therefore, I have always used teaching strategies that target the different learning styles. Of course, in the primary grades it’s always important to incorporate movement and use many visuals. Manipulatives are always essential for the kinesthetic learner. I believe in using background music with different beats depending upon the subject and assignment to increase the students’ productivity.

Several years ago I became interested in how the brain works and how it affects a student’s learning. This has made me incorporate brain gym activities into my daily classroom routine. A student can’t learn if their body and brain is not ready. I use a series of brain gym activities called PACE to get the student ready for learning. These activities allow the student to de-stress and cross their midline so both sides of the brain are working. I also believe it’s important to have the student drink water throughout the day because their brain can’t function without water.

Learning must be fun! I always tell my students’, ”If you do your best you have done your job!” As an educator it is important to make sure you are teaching to all your students, your students are learning, and they are becoming thinkers.

It's a 21st Learner