Video and Education: A Sign of Our Culture

It seems that the use of videos as an educational technology is becoming more popular as educators explore the possibilities they hold for the classroom. Educational videos express lessons and learning though the stories that they create in visual media; they show rather than tell. Digital storytelling can be used as a form of education as well, not only for the one viewing the video, but for the creator of the video as well. There are great debates as to whether educational videos are positive learning tools, and some argue that using film as a educational device encourages a lazy and unfocused mind. Both sides seem to agree that attention to quality is paramount to the success of a educational video.

I believe that using videos to teach students is a fantastic idea that relies on the preparation the teacher has made beforehand. A teacher may prepare a video for the class, but if it isn't well put together, or the teacher fails to incorporate a lesson or exercise to back it up, the idea will be lost. In the same way, if a student is assigned a project to make a digital story, the teacher must guide the student through the process so as to get the most out of the project. This is exactly the same for any lesson or project. I think that the new format is simply scary to those who are unfamiliar with its style. Stories are an integral part of our lives; we make decisions and formulate our ideas through them. Using these technologies are part of our culture now, and visual media has become a dominance in our entertainment and social lives. I think that using these technologies to our advantage as teachers will be a given in the near future.

Works Consulted

Demaria, S., Fuhrman, C. (2011, June). That's a Wrap! Telling Stories with Video. Learning and Leading, 32-34.

Lawless, C. (2008, September). Bloggers Beat: Unseen on the Screen. Learning and Leading, 28.

Assistive Technology: A Way to Give Everyone a Chance to Thrive

Assistive technology seems to be a rapidly expanding field that is allowing people who have disabilities that inhibit their lives to accomplish things we never thought possible. I felt devices that enabled those who were once unable to communicate verbally or with sign language was one of the most astounding accomplishments of these emerging devices. I recently discussed an amazing individual named Amelia Baggs in another class that I am taking. Amelia was diagnosed with low-functioning autism at an early age, and it was believed that she would never speak. From the use of Assistive technology, Amelia Baggs has accomplished more than her doctors ever thought she could. Amelia is extremely intelligent, writes several different blogs, and is an autism rights activist. She believes that she has been judged constantly throughout her life due to her disability, but now that she has a voice she can prove them wrong.

Using technologies such as these will greatly benefit students who were once believed incapable of learning. The first video we watched, “How Assistive Technology Enables Dreams,” showed how many students were incredibly intelligent, they just need the proper tools to help them bring out their talents. Students who were once unable to communicate their thoughts and ideas, much like Amelia Baggs, are suddenly given a voice to express themselves. One of her more well-known videos can be found here. I hope that we continue to explore assistive technologies and can find the funding to support students of all ages in our classrooms. I imagine that as we continue our exploration of these tools that we will see them more and more in our schools. I think that it would be a bit daunting at first for a teacher to have a student with an assistive speaking device, but as educators we must adapt to educate all our students.

Works Consulted

Ahrens, K. (2011, November). Build an Assistive Technology Toolkit. Learning and Leading, 22-24.

Bowser, G., Cochrane, D. (2014, March). Mind the AT-IT Overlap. Learning and Leading, 36-37.