ISTE Article 422C: "Lights, Camera, Learning!"

In the article "Lights, Camera, Learning," Glen Bull and Lynn Bell discuss the shift that we, as a society, have made toward using digital technology in our everyday lives. The authors note that youth are on the top of this trend, "the 10,000 hours per day posted on YouTube are the equivalent of 400 continually broadcasting channels." The power of digital technology is present in our youths' lives and it is growing. As educators, we can ignore or embrace the change toward the digital video world.

In Social Studies, digital film is replacing other historical archives. Because of this, teachers are able to add life and motion to lessons about the past. In the sciences, teachers are able to open students up to opportunities to "engage in scientific inquiry." It allows students to slow things down and look in more detail, or get involved. In mathematics, teachers are using digital video to give students opportunities for problem solving, visualizing math topics, and analyze mathematical relationships. In English Language Arts, digital learning has to do with "creating multimodal compositions that include images, sound, and digital video." No matter what the curriculum, this up-and-coming technological advance offers educators a way to enhance student learning.

I have noticed that with my students, videos provide examples for visual input. Since several of my students report that they benefit from visual learning, this gives a way for them to access the curriculum in a different way. I have begun using "Khan Academy" with my students and have seen improvement! My students (even those who do not have parents at home to help with assignments), can get assistance from the videos. They are able to pause, rewind, and watch multiple times in order to master the concept. Another example is using Next Vista Learning to show students some examples of potential careers available to them. This website has an expansive collection of videos that I use weekly to show students in the Workability program some jobs that they may want. I have also told the rest of my department about the videos so that other Special Educators can make use of the resource.

This article applies to the #3 Standard for NETS, "Model Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments." By using these types of media to support students, we, as teachers are promoting fluency in technological systems. If we model using technology appropriately, we are setting the tone for our students to do the same.

Bull, G., & Bell L. (2009). Lights, camera, learning! Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(8), 30-31.