Journal #4- NETS I, IV, & V

Bull, Glen. (2010, February). Finding Students Who Learn With Media. L&L, 37(5). Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=February_No_5_4&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4495&ContentID=25255&DirectListComboInd=D




In the article “Finding Students Who Learn with Media”, written by Glen Bull, Bull discusses PrimaryAccess MovieMaker. According to him, “student-created media offer significant opportunities for engagement and learning”. PrimaryAccess MovieMaker is a web-based authoring tool, which allows students to use their own creativity and imagination to the fullest. It is a fun way to learn, in which it lets students create their own “text, primary source images, and audio narration”. Therefore, the children interact with one another, to come up with various short online documentary films on their own. Not only does this get students engaged, but it motivates them to want to learn; At the same time they are learning more about what they can do with technology, they are also learning about Social Studies. Another tool Bull discusses in his article is: PrimaryAccess Storyboard. This allows students to create a visual historical narrative in a single class period. Again, at the same time the children are learning more on how to work technology, they are also bettering their English and Writing skills as well. In reference to Bull, “student disengagement is an immediate and persistent issue for many students and teachers. With careful planning, it is possible to increase student engagement by incorporating student- authored media into a formal classroom setting without increasing the amount of class time required to complete the projects. Students who were engaged by both content and media demonstrated greater higher-order thinking and creativity in their work.”



Question #1: As a future educator, do you feel this would be a good way to help engage students in your classroom?

Yes, as a future educator, I feel that this would definitely help students become engaged in a classroom. I, myself, was once a student myself, and know that using computers, and working with fellow classmates, would keep me more engaged and encouraged to want to learn more. I feel this is a brilliant opportunity to expand a child’s mind; Like I stated in the summary, the children are learning two things at the same time, rather than just one.

Question #2: What would be one con of having this available to students?

One con I feel would be keeping the students at work. From experience, especially while doing my observations, with younger grades, when children are put into groups, some children always end up doing more than others. Therefore, as a future teacher, I need to take charge of my classroom, and make sure everyone is participating and on task.