Recently, CISD
teachers (PK-12th grade), administrators and students (3rd – 12th grade)
participated in the beginning of the year Clarity – BrightBytes technology
survey. This data collection was the first time CISD (district-wide) utilized Clarity-Bright Bytes to survey and measure how our technology program(s) are impacting student
learning.With the first set of data collected, the district technology plan
will be reviewed and modified to better support the development of 21st Century
Learners; and hopefully, measure progress overtime.
Clarity reports collected survey data by distributing data across four domains:
Classroom, Access, Skills, and Environment or CASE. The district along with each
campus then receives scores in each of the four domains (see below for the CISD Fall 2015 domain or CASE data summary).
As
I explore the data for each elementary campus, I have identified that all three
campuses scored proficient in the area of Skills: Student Multimedia Skill Frequency.
There are many possible factors that could lend itself to this scoring:
- Are
teachers using technology vocabulary in context? As teachers we tend to
focus on the core curriculum content versus the technology content. Do our students know
the definition of multimedia? Can students identify, name, and implement
various forms of media?
- Have
we as teachers acknowledged how multimedia has evolved? I know personally,
four years ago when students created multimedia products it usually was
contained in a PowerPoint. But now with video creation, editing, and
sharing at our student’s finger tips, are we taking the time to identify
its many facets?
- Are
we building opportunities within our lessons for students to reflect? When
students create a product that incorporates multiple forms of media, it is
likely to include the application of new learning through an ongoing task
or project. The product that is created should naturally lend itself to
reflection by encompassing summarization, producing opportunities for
feedback, and providing platform to share newfound knowledge.
There
is a plethora of web tools, programs, software and apps that allow for students to easily and quickly communicate knowledge through multimedia (Educreations, Showme, ScreenChomp, Skitch..). I would like to
share three with you from FlyLabs (all are located in the Elementary Student,
Teacher and Librarian AirWatch App Catalog).
Great
news, FlyLabs has just been acquired by Google, so this means that both will
only enhance each other. Bad news, FlyLab video editing
apps are only available in the app store for three more months and
there will not be any more updates to their apps.
4th Grade – Teacher
Literally
the easiest video editor that I have come in contact with.
4th
Grade – Teacher
Does
everything Clips can do but involves using mutli-touch gestures to edit video,
gets easier with practice.
Pros
of Clips and Fly:
- There is no login required,
- Features include (from the Apple app store description) import of photos and video, adding music, text slides, voice over, trim clips and play with fast and slow motion.
- Saves to Photos (camera roll), can be shared over AirDrop, posted to multiple social media sites, emailed or saved to your Google Drive.
- Saves your work and can be edited even after sharing/publishing
Cons
of Clips and Fly:
- Difficult to use on iPhone or iPod screen
- No login, work can’t be accessed form multiple devices
- Upload time – I would recommend keeping videos under 5 minutes
PK
– Teacher
Take
or import video and speed it up or slow it down, that is it. Has the same
saving and sharing features as Clips and Fly and music can be added. Yes, it is
that basic and simple.
What multimedia programs and apps are your
students proficient with?
Do you have any lesson ideas for using
multimedia to enhance student learning and/or deepen student knowledge?
