Integrating multimedia and applications can greatly enhance any curriculum. Effective use can deliver quality content and help maintain the attention of learners while engaging them in their own learning process. Today, there are a great number of applications and multimedia that are available for educators to use in the classroom. I have chosen two which I believe will aid students.

Dropbox  - ltlatnd.wordpress.com

Dropbox is a file storage app that can be accessed from any mobile device: computer, phone, and tablet. Dropbox also works across various platforms. This means that a file from a Windows computer can be modified on a Blackberry, Mac, Linux, iPhone, or Android device. Students are able to do various things like edit a document, add or share pictures, and even play videos from anywhere. Various Dropbox accounts can be set up for public or private viewing. Anything that is saved in a Dropbox folder automatically gets saved in the “cloud” and any other electronic device which is connected to the Dropbox account. This ensures that files are backed up and one does not have to worry about carrying around a bulky laptop or a tiny USB which can be easily misplaced.   

I selected Dropbox because of its versatility. Adult learners are busy people who usually have to juggle between work, school, and family. Due to the fact that Dropbox can be accessed anywhere, adult learners may have some precious time to work on a paper or assignment or to post to a blog, all while on the go.

I will incorporate the Dropbox into my classroom by encouraging students to create an account for all their assignments and classwork. They can then find time during their busy day’s schedule to quickly read or edit a paper. Dropbox can also be used for collaboration. If students are working on a group project, they can collaborate using a Dropbox account.

Digital Storytelling - http://www.storytell.com.au/digital.html

            Digital storytelling is a short movie of about 2 to 3 minutes long where still photos, documents, music, and sound effects are used to tell a story in the voice of the storyteller(s). a digital story does not require expensive tools or materials and once made can be burnt on a DVD and viewed on a DVD player or the TV. A digital story can also be projected on a screen or even uploaded to a website like YouTube or Vimeo. Digital stories can also be embedded in a blog.

            I selected Digital Storytelling because of the fact that it is inexpensive and the fact that it will enable students working together on a project to sharpen their creative and collaborative skills. Storytelling has long been a medium of teaching. It is believed that stories not only teach, but also empower, motivate, and make difficult or confusing material easy to understand.

            I will assign students to choose a community project to work on and tell the story of the particular project through Digital Storytelling. The groups will then share their stories in class after which there will be a class-wide discussion of what was learned. Digital Storytelling can also be used as a way for students to tell their story to the class. Students could interview family members and friends and ask them specific questions about the family history.

            There are so many different and exciting ways that multimedia and applications can be used by educators in all disciplines to enhance their curriculum and keep their learners engaged. It is by engaging learners that facts and information will be transferred to their long term memory which assures that learning has taken place.