In this class we talked a lot about how multimedia can support us in the classroom. This is because people learn more deeply from seeing words and pictures together, rather than just words alone.
We started by discussing how various types of videos can be used in teaching. In my own experience I can recall Bill Nye videos in my early schooling, Khan academy lessons that saved me throughout university, and fun Kurzgesagt videos that I watch all the time. These and more have all helped me a lot in my own learning and continue to do so today. Videos are so awesome because they can show more than a person can tell. I can talk a lot about what atomic orbitals look like and I can even show static images that are great representations of them, or I can show this video by minutephysics on YouTube.
This particular video utilizes computer simulations that you could never come close to replicating by drawing on a white board. It is also something that students can rewatch on their own, replaying over the bits that interest them the most. Other useful video applications include time lapses to show events that happen slowly or using VR to do a tour of someplace you can’t take students.
There is still still a lot to be said for the role of still images in education. An image like this is a fantastic depiction of atomic orbitals and can can be refered back to quickly by students.
We also discuseed PowerPoint briefly. It is a fantastic tool for making my own graphics. You can do a lot with the ability to remove backgrounds, and adding text to images. I remember using PowerPoint extensively while working on my undergrad thesis.