Multimedia in the Language Arts Classroom
Multimedia lesson plans are a way for students to explore language arts in a creative way.
By Amy Wilding
If you have read any of my previous commentaries, you would know by now how I feel about the evolution of “best practices.” Today, it is believed that to be an effective teacher, we must incorporate new ideas and technology to fully prepare our students. I enthusiastically believe that to achieve this goal, it is necessary to incorporate cooperative group work and multimedia projects in every lesson.
The language arts classroom is probably the easiest place to find examples of multimedia projects. I frequently design these projects to not only expose my pupils to different forms of technology, but to allow their specific talents to shine. Here are some projects that work well and can be adapted to almost any topic.
Poet Display
Originally designed as the final project for a poetry unit, this multimedia activity requires learners to design a presentation focused on one poet of his or her choice. They use the Internet to research information about the poet, find a poem and select several pictures/images that illustrate specific poetic techniques present in the poem. I give them several days in class and in the library to do their research, as well as time to practice their peer editing skills. The final product can either be a PowerPoint presentation or a poster/collage. Part of the final grade is the actual presentation to the rest of the class.
Public Service Announcement
This activity is for the technology-savvy student. I typically use PSA’s for higher-level classes, or twelfth graders, or at the end of the course as a final what-did-you-learn culminating project. In this example, students work in small groups and create a one minute PSA that will be shown to the ninth grade English classes. The directive is to evaluate everything that they (the group) has read over the past four years and then choose one major theme that had the greatest impact on them. A common subject is to incorporate images from Romeo and Juliet to discourage teenage suicide. Using prior knowledge and experience, the group then writes a script, explains their theme and constructs a commercial. To be successful, the groups should have access to a camera and some sort of filmmaking/video equipment. Prior to viewing, I meet with each group and discuss their ideas and vision. Every time I have assigned this project, students have remarked that although the assignment was challenging, it was a fun final project.
Mystery Film Project
This activity can be used at almost any grade level and the directions are very simple. Break the class up into small groups. Each group is given a bag of mystery items. The number of items is up to you. The groups are then given some kind of mystery to solve. The students are then required to write a script, assign rolls and film their mystery. The final project is turned in with the script. The groups are responsible for finding all the equipment needed. I typically give them time in class to brainstorm, and to write the script, but all filming is done on their own time. Here are some more multi-media lessons you could use in your classroom.
Multimedia Language Arts Lessons:
This resource incorporates written work, Internet research, and a final film report. It can easily be adapted to other units.
English Literature: An Overview
This is a lesson for higher grade levels that provides a way for pupils to do research and produce a final project. They complete research, formulate ideas, and construct a PowerPoint. The final format could be adapted to reflect individual creative strengths.
This is a good beginning project that will allow your pupils to familiarize themselves with the Internet as well as basic researching skills. The lesson is very flexible in that it is easily adapted.
Young scholars are responsible for completing an outside reading project, collecting research about a specific theme and then presenting the material to the rest of the class. It is a great opportunity for them to experiment with PowerPoint, blogs, or filmmaking.
