Using Multimedia Design for Real

Well, Educ 525, this is it. Maybe I'll continue blogging (sometimes), we'll see. Anyhow, before I go:

Of all the things I learned in Multimedia in Instructional Design, I am most excited about learning about the resources that Web 2.0 can offer. While before this course I new what a blog, social networking site, and wiki were (and had used them all in some form or another), I had never before heard the term "web 2.0" and had to go home and look it up on wikipedia. Lo and behold, I knew what web 2.0 was without knowing it. Anyway, I think the point about what web 2.0 can really do that I found most exciting was when Dr. Kozloski showed us that website "all things web 2.0." The list and the amount of resources that were there was amazing! In fact, the site that I am using for my final project presentation (www.formatpixel.com), is one I found on the "all things..." webpage. While it seems like I could spend days and days investigating the website and all the resources it has to offer up, I can't wait to delve in and find the websites, widgets, and programs that will be useful in enhancing the education of my students. Not all the programs that are listed on the site are free, and that's ok, because for everyone that costs money, I am sure this is a similar one that offers the same service and experience for nothing. Family tree programs, blog servers, social networking sites, webpage creators, presentation programs... the possibilities are endless. At the very least, these sites will give me ideas for projects, lessons, presentations, and ways to go about all of them. I feel that using web 2.0 in the classroom provides endless lessons and invaluable experience for both students and teachers. I can't wait to start using it!

R-Directed Thinking

R-directed thinking has never been particularly easy for me. I love for things to be pretty and neat and perfect, and while there isn't anything in that that prevents me from being R-directed, it turns creating visual aids, powerpoints, and any type of multimedia into a long and tedious process. I think that to become a better 21st Century educator, I definitely need to more fully embrace the right side of my brain and further incorporate it into any and all activities and lessons that I design. However, I also need to try to loosen the grip on the left side of my brain and let things get a little bit messy sometimes - perfection can be good, but it is not always the best result. Sometimes results can mean more when they turn out imperfect!

As a current pre-school teacher, please don't think I don't let my students get messy. Please - when we paint it can become a child dipped in green and pink. But, I still think that I need to find the empathy portion of Daniel Pink's analysis of R-directed thinking a little bit more. In order to best meet the needs and interests of my students, I need to become more apt at seeing the lesson and activities from their perspectives, and include more and also new forms of multimedia, visual points, and fun activities and projects to enhance the lesson. I think my left brain has a very rightful place in being a 21st Century teacher, but, like I said, I need to loosen the grip over there and reach a little harder for the right side of myself.