Reflection Two - Digital Media

 

During my time as a student, I witnessed the beginning of the evolution of the contemporary classroom. My teacher would incorporate images videos and diagrams into presentations to engage the ever evolving. This digit media that is utilised by teachers is constantly improving the learning outcomes in our classrooms today. For example, in classrooms in 2023 we see; video clips, social media posts, news articles and even virtual reality set ups. This blog will narrow down to video clips, in particular, Youtube. 

Youtube is an online platform where people from across the globe can post and share videos with each other to their own privacy digression. The platform also allows users to post lice streams, like, comment and share others videos. Youtube is very diverse, if you can think of a topic or a tutorial I am almost certain that theres a video for it. On top of that, Youtube is extremely user friendly with additions such as age restriction and parent controls. Youtube was originally created to be an entertainment platform, however progressed to an educational space as well. To full access of the content provided on Youtube, the platform offers a free account system that only requires a user to enter their email and verify it.

Digital Media are extremely useful within the classroom as they are often high speed, high quality videos that can explain in-depth, key concepts and complex ideas in a short frame of time. When this is effectively and safely exercised in the classroom, digital media is a great tool to develop students understandings and learn concepts in fresh and engaging ways. As an educator it is important to understand that students fall into three categories of learners.The categories are Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic(Ibrahim, 2016). Youtube is an exceptional digital media as it has the ability to cater to the three types of learners within one singular platform. 

Seen in the image above is Youtube's home page once signed in. It has a clear and easy to navigate display. It allows a user to browse a variety of already trending topics as well as a side menu of different categories of videos. There is also a customisable icon displayed in the top right corner, beside that a small camera icon which allows a user to begin to create a video. 

Once this icon is selected it will take you to the screen shown above. From here a user can upload a video, customise their profile, sort already existing content into playlists or even go live. To ensure safe and ethical practice, a users video will then progress through a variety of stages. The video will go through a copywriting filter to ensure the material is not plagiarism. Secondly, the video will be checked to see if it meets the terms and conditions and community guide lines. The community guidelines ensure that the content is not inappropriate or explicit, giving students a safe and protected learning space.

Following this process, the user is able to select the privacy of the video being posted. The creator of the video is able to dictate the visibility of the video which is essential when considering safe and ethical practice in the classroom. Private videos can be shared to other students via a unique link which is distributed to the video creator.

Youtube is a very versatile form of digit media and can be directly translated into the SAMR model as seen below.

Tribble, D. (2022) SAMR model: A practical guide for K-12 classroom technology integration.

Substitute - One of my chosen teaching disciplines is Health and Physical Education. Instead of a written list of how to shoot a basketball in steps written on a whiteboard, students could substitute in a youtube video with steps. The youtube video allows students to pause and view each step at their will.

Augmentation - Instead of creating a power point and a script. A student is able to augment this production with a youtube video. The youtube video is able to contain visuals while the student can provide text and audio over the top of the images or video to enhance the presentation. 

Modification - With the ability to access millions of Youtube video's students are able to do research on in class topics to further enhance students learning. From this learning students are able to modify assignments or class projects and build on their knowledge further through the use of Youtube.

Redefinition - Due to the variety of styles of videos on Youtube, including youtube shorts, the platform allows students to redefine a traditional approach to tasks. For example a youtube short could be created in place of a regular video. This allows the topic ti be more engaging, capturing and fast paced. 

In summary, Youtube is something that I have had interactions with more many years. However, it was not until reflecting on the platform from an educators perspective I have not realised how it is able to enhance learning for a learner. Of course it must be monitored and used within the the safe and ethical student guidelines. 

References

Ibrahim, R. H., & Hussein, D. A. (2016). Assessment of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning style among undergraduate nursing students. Int J Adv Nurs Stud, 5(1), 1-4.
Tribble, D. (2022) SAMR model: A practical guide for K-12 classroom technology integration, PowerSchool. Available at: https://www.powerschool.com/blog/samr-model-a-practical-guide-for-k-12-classroom-technology-integration/#:~:text=The%20SAMR%20model%20consists%20of,Redefinition%20are%20%E2%80%9CTransformation%E2%80%9D%20steps. (Accessed: March 29, 2023).