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Here is Science Virtual Christmas Tree so  Merry Christmas!

Using multimedia to engage students in interactive learning

Many web learning resources are now created such that information is presented online in websites and enhanced with multimedia features and interactivity. In my blog I have posted lots of examples of online resources that could be used to support and improve learning.

YouTube videos –expert performance allowing students to observe the task before it is attempted and to access the modelling of processes. Cleapss video on microbiology.
We could record our own video and post it on YouTube so students use it as revision on preparation to class. My YouTube video

Links to existing forums, blogs and online communities to allow students to have a place to discuss and learn the topics taught in the module. Forums and blogs allow students to voice their opinions in discussion, further allowing students to make use of the knowledge they have gained for example: PINTEREST,box.com

Activities and quizzes in the module encourage students to reflect on what they have learnt e.g. Google form, Quizlet, Webquest.  They have clear and concise explanations to help guide students through the module. The teacher merely observes the student and provides support and feedback when necessary.

Multimedia applications engage students and provide valuable learning opportunities. I have just given few examples of how traditional educational content can now be transformed into interactive multimedia content.

Although some of my students don’t have access to internet and computers at home they could easily use IT facilities provided by either the college learning centre, local library or during the class where we supply the IT equipment e.g. laptops, cameras etc. On the other hand that is the only time they could access our online resources. That is why we have to take into account that all lessons content and activities are easily accessible via simple devices such as smartphones or notepads.

Cleapss videos on microbiology

Cleapss videos on microbiology it is an example of my playlist on YouTube. This one is about microbiology techniques. I have created it for BTEC students as they start microbiology experiments this year. These videos enable students to prepare to the practical experiments and also they can refer to them at any time.

I have chosen Cleapss videos because it is an advisory service that gives the desired support in science and technology for different regional bodies and learning institutions. 

What is push technology? - audioboo

Using push technology in education

As a teacher I can ask my students to sign in to a  "feed reader", which can be web-based, desktop-based, or mobile-device-based, present RSS feed data. Users subscribe to feeds either by entering a feed's URI into the reader or by clicking on the browser's feed icon.

By doing so it removes the need for students to manually check eg. my blogs, audioboo or youtube. Instead, their browser constantly monitors these sites and informs them of any updates I have made. The browser can also be commanded to automatically download the new data.

THE ‘ONE MINUTE PAPER’ gnowledge.com

My Gnowledge Test

Google form

Useful tool to create quick starting or closing test. I can set students a time limit and add progress bar at the bottom so they can see how much they have left plus I can press no more accepting responses on the page and stop students from answering.  

sodium hydroxide + aluminium foil reaction

I have used my smartphone to record the video of sodium hydroxide and aluminium foil reaction. I have Magisto app that provides a free automatic video editing service for amateurs. It allows me to add frame, animation, title, music as a background and its take minutes to crate video.  

The only down site is the fact that you cannot save it onto your gallery without paying for this but you can share this straight form your mobile on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook etc.