Pearson Write Up
I’m excited about the incorporation of multimedia into my classroom curriculum. This year I looked forward to helping my students take their research to a new level. After they spent a week with the Pearson Foundation, I discovered how quickly their minds could absorb new technology, as well as how their final product can be altered by the addition of the audio-visual component. Before the kids began their digital slide shows, they each chose an animal to research. They spent weeks in class collecting data, writing and revising rough drafts, and creating illustrations. They polished their work, I typed their text, and they published books. Afterwards, I recorded their narratives in preparation for the digital dimension of the project. The enthusiasm had been rising throughout the process but it reached its peak when the Pearson Group arrived and students began translating their standard animal research reports into computer slide shows. As they realized that their audience suddenly broadened, they gained a deeper understanding of the importance of accuracy, presentation and story continuity. Putting their stories onto timelines enabled them to more immediately recognize where they had holes in their text and where they lacked fluency and they learned how easy it was to manipulate their stories and make additional edits. Naturally, they also learned new technology and production skills. I was amazed at the level of sophistication second graders could achieve. The student motivation bursting from digital integration gave me many ideas for future possibilities with technology in the classroom.
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