Journal #2 - Finding Students Who Learn With Media - NETS 5

As a member of ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), I read Learning and Leading With Technology, an online journal published bimonthly that contains articles about the effective use of existing and emerging digital tools. I evaluated, reflected, and wrote Journal Reflections on this current research and professional practice on a regular basis. Teachers and researchers write articles in the journal sharing what is effective for educators using technology in the classroom in support of student learning. I summarized and evaluated the articles as well as posed and answered two questions relating to each article.

Bull, G., Alexander, C., & Ferster, B., (2010). Finding students who learn with media. Learning & Leading with Technology, 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

This article is about student-authored media and how to incorporate it into the classroom to increase student engagement. This media furthers the educational experience and can be created in the classroom during one to three classes. PrimaryAccess MovieMaker (www.primaryaccess.org) is an application that allows students to make documentary movies using audio and photo images. The Smithsonian American Art Museum uses PrimaryAccess to give students the ability to create movies in their Picturing the 1930s virtual exhibit. The authors' use of PrimaryAccess as a tool for students to create and share historical content has been a successful way to engage students. The application can automatically assess a child's performance with the use of traditional multiple choice exams.

Question #1: How does this PrimaryAccess MovieMaker software available online differ from Microsoft's MovieMaker installed on computers and how does it differ from Apple's iMovie?

It seems that it is a specific application for social studies learning. Are the other above-mentioned movie software programs used in today's classrooms as well with as much ease?

Or are they so time-consuming as to be prohibitive? In the article the authors discuss the time constraints. This sounds like a great alternative to traditional movie making software.

Question #2: Are there other online film making applications available to students and teachers that target other subjects?

The application described in the article cites the historical short movies that the students make. What about movies that focus on science or technology that is being created today? I plan on being a social studies teacher, so I am very enthused about this PrimaryAccess tool.