Researching Digital Media

 Digital Media usages within the Classroom

Image source: https://www.edx.org/course/disability-and-digital-media-accessibility-represe 

This blog is my second peer reviewed piece which will be utilised in my final assessment for EDSE12024 Digital Pedagogies. I am required to explain digital media available to students within the classroom, then explore, create and elaborate on one.

Today's contemporary learners are immersed in the digital world outside the classroom. To engage todays' learners the classroom needs to change, incorporate all learning styles and compliment learning with digital media. I chose video as my digital media focus and explore the features within Canva.com.

Image Source: https://www.stickpng.com/img/icons-logos-emojis/tech-companies/canva-logo

Canva.com

Canva.com has a lot of free content, or you can pay to upgrade to PRO. PRO members have access to additional images, objects and audio files. On completion of the design, there is an additional cost to PRO members of $1 per object every time you download. I have used this platform for work related presentations, and found it easy to use. However recently they added a video component to it, so I was instantly intrigued as this was new to me. Also very interesting to me, in 2020 a new "Education" platform was added. All teachers and students can access all content for free. When you sign up, utilise your education email address, which will be verified before setting proceeding with your account. There is also a virtual classroom feature available. 

This video is an advertisement for Canva Education.

If you are interested in Canva's education platform, here is the link to join: 

https://www.canva.com/education/ 

My experience making a cooking video in Canva.com

I did look at a couple of YouTube videos to learn how to make a video. Time was a critical factor in
completing my own video first before writing my blog post.  I liked the concept of putting my video inside a frame, so I modelled my video on the below tutorial.

Once signed into Canva.com the dashboard will appear.

Dashboard options

From the dashboard there are multiple templates in a variety of formats to choose:

• For you (recommendations based on your previous usage)
• Presentations
• Social Media
• Video
• Print Products
• Marketing
• Office
• More (14 more options)

Select Video icon.

There are 2 choices: 

1. Scroll through the 14 video format options where I selected the YouTube Video option and you will be taken to a blank workspace or,
2. Type in the search bar "YouTube video cooking" to view all the cooking related templates, click on the template that appeals to you, then be redirected to the workspace containing that template.

Your blank workspace will appear, or the template you chose. Templates range from 1 page to a set of pages. These can be modified to suit the theme and content of the intended video.

I recommend laying out your template first before duplicating multiple pages, this will make less work for you. I designed four different slides which I duplicated to show cohesion.

Decide how you are going to create the video

There are several choices to making a video in canva

1. Presentation: Embed several short videos onto a presentation pages. This is the option I chose.
2. Stop Motion: Insert multiple pictures over multiple presentation pages, with written text and an audio file
3. Present and Record: Record a video of your self in a small round window with your audio script over a presentation.

Image Source: https://toppng.com/the-general-purpose-icon-for-the-video-medium-should-scalable-vector-graphics-PNG-free-PNG-Images_443242

Choosing a feature to add to presentation

There are a variety of feature to choose from. You can search elements you want to use, or peruse the variety of options until you find something that appeals to you and aligns with your message.

I chose the following features :

1. Template - I utilised a single slide template to start my design and changed it to suit my needs
2. Uploads - I uploaded all my videos, photos, and screen shots of the blogger who published the recipe I baked
3. Photos - I utilised a cupcake stack image from canva to frame my videos
4. Elements- I liked the idea of putting my video inside a frame, leaving space for words on the side.
5. Picture - I sourced a cupcake stack image to support my cupcake video
6. Text - I added text on most slides, changing fonts, size, effects, colour
7. Audio - I deleted the audio file attached to template. Unfortunately the file is generated for entire presentation and could not be shortened to cover the two initial slides. 

The final video

I chose to make a cupcake video because my son (8) loves to cook and I had Connor (15) staying over. Connor was my camera man, and I learnt some video literacy terms from him. Connor is anaphylaxis to eggs and nuts with an intolerance to soy, so I utilise one of my go to recipes from Bellofthekitchen.com. 

Originally I thought my son would like to be the main star 🌟but he said he was shy, his personality does shine through eventually.

Did you know vanilla can fart? Well apparently it can.

Enjoy the video. . . 

Positives I had when making this video

1. It was fun creating
2. Quality time spending with the 2 boys
3. Lots of bloopers and funny moments
4. I learnt a few media literacy terms from Connor
5. Learnt new features on canva.com
6. Appreciate time and effort that goes into making a video
7. I am now the owner of a blog, a website and a YouTube channel - who knew this would happen?

My pitfalls when making this video

1. The video is only 6:48 minutes in length and took me 7 hours from the time I removed the flour from my pantry until I finished my 7th edit. 
2. It is easy to move presentation slides out of sync without noticing
3. It is easy to overlook items that need editing. My video has a random "N" dead centre of my presentation, did you notice?
4. Bloopers in the middle of a take, is frustrating, I decided not to reshoot and left them in to show authenticity and how things can be dynamic.
5. My video file was huge.
6. I couldn't utilise audio files, as they spanned the entire video. There is no option to shorten these, only to delete and add.

Recommendations when making a video

1. Design your slides as templates first, then duplicate them. Spend the time designing presentation layout first, and save time amending later. 
2. Write a DETAILED action plan. This will ensure you have everything. I had Thomas put on an apron, but I forgot mine. I had the salt there in front of me, but its missing off the video.
3. Create a script, write them on some prompt cards so everyone knows the sequence of events and topics being discussed. I had nothing and made it up on the spot, can you tell?
4. In a classroom setting, there should be limits set on time and quantity of slides. I spent a lot of time on my video and it still needs more work. 
5. I followed Glenda's advice on zoom to upload my video onto YouTube, then embed video into Blog. This was easy to do. Glenda also suggested ensuring video is unlisted in the privacy settings and accessible by link only (Hobdell, 2021).

Video within the classroom

Benefits to teachers

Teaching pedagogies are changing to include digital pedagogies. If teachers are not including ICT in the classroom then students are requesting it, as they have access to this in other classrooms. Miller et al (2012) quotes research proving an increase in computer being made available in classrooms, but still a large percentage of teachers are not incorporating this into their lessons.

Teachers can flip the classroom, and issue homework that is only for foundation knowledge of a new subject. The classroom then can become the stage for scaffolding, undertaking assessments, experimentation and student lead learning.

Digital media allows the teacher to moderate the lesson and support the student in their needs, as they create their own learning, research and document what they have learnt in their way. The classroom will have moved toward multimodal delivery allowing them to express themselves authentically.

Delivering a multimodal lesson incorporating ICT, you capture all learners and their learning styles. 

Learning styles theory

There is a learning theory that states students fall into 3 main groups of learning styles:

 Auditory                     Visual                     Tactile

There are 7 documented styles of learning all together:

Visual         Kinaesthetic        Aural        Social         Solitary         Verbal        Logical.

Image Sources: http://www.bchmsg.yolasite.com/learning-styles.php

 https://letshomeschoolhighschool.com/2013/11/04/seven-learning-styles-for-high-school/

What learning style are you? Take this 5 minute quiz and find out.

This quiz will evaluate your learning style percentage between Auditory, Visual and Tactile. Then it will determine and explain your dominant learning style

I am a visual, tactile, logical and solitary learner.

But. . . am I always those things, all of the time?

Learning style theory is just a theory. Other theorists have debunked this type of pigeon holing of student's learning. Instead utilise multimodal or differential learning within the classroom.

Carol Tomlinson theorises that students may have a preferred learning style, but students are dynamic learners choosing to change how they learn new information, based on the actual information being learnt. Carol encourages teachers to differential learning within the classroom. This teaching pedagogy captures all learners. Carol states that depending on a student's interest, previous knowledge or skill level, learners can shift into a different learning style (Tomlinson, 2005).

Image source: https://www.slideshare.net/jeremyvrtis/a-look-at-differentiated-instruction

Sourcing a video making programs

A google search will list a variety of free video making apps and websites that can be utilised. I looked at Vimeo, Powtoon and Simplevideo before choosing Canva.

Commonsense.org is a website that teachers can review and provide comments on how they utilised the digital media within their classroom. You can filter the choices by learning area, year group and free content.

Teachthough.com list 100 video sights for education that can be utilised.

Scientificamerican.com lists 6 sites to source free images.

Ensure to include digital media literacy into your pedagogy as it will meet the ACARA general capabilities. Access a glossary of production terms here with PBS.com.

SAMR Digital Model

Terada (2020) states that the issues is not what ICT to utilise in the classroom as there is so much available, its how teacher's integrate the ICT into the classroom so it is productive. Terada suggests utilising the SMAR model as a toolbox to help educators utilise technology in the classroom and avoid viewing it as a mountain you have to climb.

SAMR within Biology:

Designed by Dr Ruben R Puentedura the SMAR shows how to integrate ICT into the classroom. Duwelius (2019) describes SAMR as "a framework designed to help educators get a crystal clear idea of what their goals are for implementing technology, as well as the specific outcomes the technology can provide." 

Be mindful of pedagogy over technology.

Substitution:

Digital Media acts as a direct substitution with no functional change

Augmentation:

Digital Media acts as a direct substitution with functional change

Modification:

Digital Media allows for significant task redesign

Redefinition:

Technology allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable.

Legal, Safe and Ethical protocols

Educators have a duty of care towards their students.

When choosing a platform, or allowing students to share their work, privacy settings should be restricted to the classroom.

When utilising imagery and audio from other artists, it is imperative that student's recognise and reference these original artists. There are laws on using intellectual property for educational or personal use. Students and teachers can check the Smart Copying website for all educational licenses and how to attribute third party ownership.

There are creative commons license websites available, like Flikr.com where students can source free images.

When I utilised Canva.com, I paid for the use of their catalogue imagery and audio files by being  a member. You can access additional images and audio files with payment when upgrading the PRO account, or by registering to the 100% free Education account.

Benefits for Students

Contemporary learners are immersed in the digital world. The digital world is where they live. Bringing this world into the classroom will make learning more enjoyable. Student's absorb knowledge that is interesting to them, and allowing them to lead the learning is best done when technology is utilised within the classroom.

Allow students the tools to create original pieces of work surrounding the topic of the day so that they may lead their own learning. Sharing these to their peers creates more understanding of the topic and generates questions. How did you do that? Where did you find that? I didn't know that. That was interesting. CAN you show me that?

When students are allowed to create, they control their learning, and become better at understanding and expressing that information.

References 

Australian Curriculum (n.d) Information and communication technology (ICT) capabilities https://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/f-10-curriculum/general-capabilities/information-and-communication-technology-ict-capability/

Duwelius, Parker (2019) Integrating technology in the classroom using the SAMR model.

https://medium.com/age-of-awareness/integrating-technology-in-the-classroom-using-the-samr-model-efbc35caad43

Jeremy (2012). A look at differentiated instruction. https://www.slideshare.net/jeremyvrtis/a-look-at- differentiated-instruction

Miller, S; McVee,Mary (2012) Multimodal composing in classrooms: Learning and Teaching for the digital world. Routledge, New York.

Terada, Y (2020). A Powerful Model for Understanding Good Tech Integration. https://www.edutopia.org/article/powerful- model-understanding-good-tech-integration