Tips for Incorporating Technology and Multimedia Into Lesson Plans

Today's students feel comfortable with technology because they have grown up with it as a major part of their lives. Most have acquired the ability to use multiple technologies at once. For instance, students can ask their friends questions over instant messaging services and research a term paper through a search engine, all while listening to music in the form of mp3 files. Since students have the ability to utilize technology, more teachers view technology as a way to reach out to their students.

Online Research

Many students use the internet to research topics, especially those they are unfamiliar with. If you would like to incorporate online research into the classroom, you should begin by teaching your students how to determine a source's credibility. This lesson is essential because your students may stumble across questionable information and not question its credibility because it's published by someone who sounds important or who has the capabilities to post information on the web. Develop research assignments that involve going to websites of credible organizations such as government organizations (.gov), educational institutions (.edu), and non-profit organizations (.org).

Using Multimedia Elements

Often, school computers are loaded with presentation software such as PowerPoint and Keynote. This software allows students to utilize various forms of media elements in their presentations. For instance, students can incorporate video and audio files into their presentation along traditional elements like visuals and text. Presentations with video and audio files have the potential for being compelling, eye-catching experiences. Ensure that all students have access to the same, or similar, software packages. You wouldn't want to make students who don't have access to a computer or a computer with this software to feel that other students have an unfair advantage.