Embedded Files
Throughout this blog, I have been exploring media in the classroom, as well as how to use it effectively; films, YouTube, social media, even video games. I would be remiss however if I did not offer some context for which the media can be effectively applied and delivered to students.
Below I have including some applications that I use often in my own practice in conjunction with media, below I have included my own person take on the applications.
Kahoot!
Kahoot!
Kahoot is an amazing application, you can build quizzes and tests for class that students love, and have a ton of fun with them. Since I started building these for my students I’ve seen a marked increase in my student’s success when it comes to their quizzes. Kahoot! continues to innovate it’s products, and now has an assignment feature, as well as being able to integrate YouTube clips into your assignments or into a quiz. Best of all, it’s free!
Canva
Canva
Is a fantastic place to send students to create a variety of visual medias. It has templates for everything from infographics, to social media banners. Teachers can use these templates to assign homework that is a little more inventive and creative. I used it this year to have my students design a CD cover for the 1960’s was a lot of fun. It has many free templates, but there are some in app purchases, be wary, but there is plenty of free stuff.
iMovie
iMovie
Hands down this is the best video editing software there is going. It’s intuitive for the students, anyone can use it, and if unsure there are also fantastic tutorial videos on YouTube that can show you how to use some of the more complex features. Students can record and create make professional looking videos. It also offers a mobile app, but the desktop software boasts more features. The upside as well is iMovie is free to Apple products, however it only works on Apple products will not work with PC’s.
Podcasts
Podcasts
I am a huge fan of Podcasts, and there are so many of them out there, on every topic imaginable. There are even podcasts put out on university lectures. I have been working on incorporating them into my class more, it’s a great change of pace, and even having the students making their own podcasts is great. For any teacher, podcasts are a good media tool to have in the back pocket. Many podcasts are free, a few you have to pay for but mostly the content is free.
This is a list of great education podcasts for teachers;
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/best-education-podcasts-betty-ray
Here’s a list for some great podcasts to use in the classroom;
Google Classroom
Google Classroom
I love the G Suite, the applications are great, especially Google Classroom. I have been using it for the past couple of years, as I have been moving towards a paperless classroom. The great thing about Google Classroom is its integration with various forms of media, you can embed YouTube videos, upload audio files, the works. It can even integrate with Google Sites if you so choose. Google if of course free when you sign up for an account.
Adobe Spark
Adobe Spark
Free video editing software that works on both Mac and PC’s, also graphic design application as well. It has both a desktop and mobile application that can be used, and has a good variety of different content available. There is of course a pay aspect as well to unlock more of the advanced features, but as it is free, and across multiple platforms it’s a great alternative.
Pixlr
Pixlr is free photo editing software, and it does a lot of the things Photoshop can do. It’s free and can be downloaded for both desktop and mobile app. I like it, because it doesn’t add a watermark to the photo like so many of the other editors do. It’s a great manipulation tool for visual media.
I have looked at a variety of sources that can be used to put some of the media use into context, and it can also effectively help teachers to use the media in an innovative and creative way.
Sources
Guido, M. (2018, July 15). 25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom | Prodigy. Retrieved from https://www.prodigygame.com/blog/ways-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom
Google Sites
Report abuse