In schools today, multimedia usage has expanded drastically, although there are some institutions who are still behind in technology (Hefling 2013). In my classroom, students can use computers to create different presentations of many types. They could create a mind map using Poppit.com which will allow them to present how they've brainstormed a topic and linked it to another or reach a conclusion on a thesis. Another application they could use would be Prezi, where they could create a slideshow presentation that can allow them to interact with the class while they present the material. Another way they could use multimedia would be to create and edit a video on a computer and download different effects and graphics off the Internet (Flanigen 2013). These items can also be used in a Powerpoint presentation, which is a staple for creating slideshow presentations. The problems with some of these programs is that some students don't have computers or Internet access at home, so they're only able to work on technology projects while at school. I would give the option of how they would like to present their material. The applications available for creating a multimedia presentation are almost limitless. Here's a list of some that I'm familiar with.
-Prezi to create slideshow presentations, available at prezi.com.
-Poppit to create interactive mind maps, available at poppit.com.
-Blogger for creating online blogs, available at blogger.com.
-Weebly for creating websites, available at weebly.com.
-Discovery Education for teacher presentations and interactive student projects and assignments, available at discoveryeducation.com.
Every school I've subbed at has a strict cell-phone policy mainly for the teachers and students safety. One problem that's arisen lately in the district I'm at are students using the Snapchat application, they're taking pictures of themselves during school and sending it to whomever they're chatting with through the program. Some pictures that students take or receive are innappropriate. Students even go so far as to take pictures of the faculty while they're not looking and post them on the internet without their knowledge. Videos of classrooms are posted on Youtube without the teachers consent, and in some extreme cases the teacher lost their job because of what they said in the video. Also with computers being used more often, many students use them to play games. Therefore the teacher has to monitor their use, and there's a new program one school just implemented where the teacher can see what a pupil is doing on the computer. They can then exit the student out of the program if it is not being used appropriately. There are some students who are speaking out against the restrictions on smartphones and tablets (Deruy 2013).
Bibliography:
Hefling, K. "80 percent of schools lack sufficient Internet" December 5, 2013 published by the Associated Press. Retrieved from: http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Family/2013/1205/80-percent-of-schools-lack-sufficient-Internet
Flanigen, R.L. "Multimedia Journalism Emphasizes Real World Skills" Printed February 6, 2013 as Digital Storytelling. Published online February 7, 2013 by Education Week. Retrieved from: http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2013/02/06/02video.h06.html
Deruy, E. "Students, Teachers Clash Over Internet in the Classroom" June 11, 2013 on Fusion.net. Retrieved from: http://fusion.net/american_dream/story/students-schools-stop-limiting-technology-11779
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