Tuesday 15 October 2013

Module 4 (web2.0 online course)

Module 4 of the web2.0 online course required us to investigate podcasting and vodcasting as elements of digital storytelling. Feeling like a digital native, I had already investigated both of these tools prior to engaging with them through the course. I remember creating a video for some of my students last year, more as a proof of concept that vodcasting could work.



I enjoyed the process - and feel that there is room for the use of such resources, particularly because they can engage and audience readily, especially an audience accustomed to rich online content. Younger generations are used to dedicating attention to things that stimulate it, and all too easily, a classroom can become a place where a students attention is lost by the teacher. Commanding a student to focus, to dedicate their attention, is not going to easily undo the countless hours of training they subject their attention to through digital media in and outside of school.

However, creating rich, engaging, and more importantly, effective (in an educational context) digital media, when a teacher is often time poor, seems to be the typical catch-22. As a committee member of the Early Careers Chemistry Network, I have been involved in producing some digital resources for chemistry teachers, videos of demonstrations, that seek to be rich, engaging and effective as learning resources. And they take a lot of time! Given the scope of what chemistry courses at VCE level cover, there is no effective way to provide quality digital content of the course when teaching is my day job.

Any suggestions?


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