Hi Dona,
Good point. And I agree that we need to take time to plan, think about, and visualize what media resources are available that add variety as well as inform and instruct. My best classes and the ones I enjoyed the most were enjoyable and interesting largely due to the planning my teachers did to provide a lively, upbeat and fun learning environment.
Barry Westling
I think a number of factors must be considered when selecting media for content delivery. One is: What media most effectively communicate the concept? Some concepts, such as how parts of machine fit together to function may be best suited to visual media, such as photos or diagrams. However, it is also important to remember that different people learn in different ways, for some a full scale model of the machine, which they can touch or feel may be a better method for delivering content.
Dona
Hi Abigail,
As a long time medical professional myself I can appreciate the value and abundance of procedure or topic-specific video or DVD, especially as compared to what preceded that mediium - the film (that required a projector and limited availability of titles). The drawback I've experienced with video's is availability of a working TV with VCR attached, missing remote, and either DVD or video is static in that they require no real engagement other than viewing.
With DVD or video, I've stopped or paused the presentation and discussed a portion of it, then resumed. I once had a B/P video that literally showed the mercury manometer rising and falling, and students were asked to record what they saw and heard. I had a master sheet that accompanied the video and couyld replay the video with students now having the actual readings to compare. So here is an example of taking a static activity and engaging students.
Now, with the latest versions of PPT, it is very easy to "insert video" into a slide. So, using a very short (which I recommend) video segment within the PPT obtained from YouTube or some other linked resource or DVD, we can make our PPT slides more interesting. This suggestion allows one to view the slide, click on the video, stop the slide show, and discuss. Discussion always brings more engagement into the activity.
In general, the more participation and activity we can prepare for our students the better the retention will be.
Barry Westling
I very much like the videos from JAMA - they are produced by professionals for medical and nursing students. The problem that I am facing is much smaller - a simple lack of equipment: no speakers for the projector. I agree with your idea of approaching other instructors asking them to work with me to request new equipment.
Hi Abigail,
Well, don't feel too bad. Some schools forbid (and prevent) viewing You Tube videos at school! The thing with You Tube also is controlling the content - sort of a version of video WiKipedia (reliance as to accuracy can sometimes be problematic. That said, there are certainly an abundance of resources potentially out there that could enhance the learning process. Perhaps you could arrange for a sharing protocol with other teachers or classes?
Barry Westling
I have found some great educational videos on you tube but we don't have speakers in our classrooms. so sad to miss out this valuable resource.
