In this module, I delved into the theories of multimedia learning and Mayer’s principles. As a demonstration of my newfound knowledge, I produced a brief video focusing on physical activity, showcasing my skills, and subsequently engaged in thoughtful reflection on the entire creative process.
I made my screencast on a video editing website called Powtoon. This site was recommended to me by another teacher, and I wanted to use something other than PowerPoint that was new to me because I thought it would be a good learning experience. I struggled a little bit just because I felt like it was pretty time-consuming, and I probably could have picked an easier option, but overall I am happy with how it turned out. I struggled to work with something I was unfamiliar with, especially when it’s something that is technology-based, but overall, I think it turned out alright.
I would say that the redundancy principle and the personalization principle resonated most intuitively with me. Personally, I’ve found that I absorb information most effectively when it’s presented in a combination of visuals and narration. Conversely, I sometimes feel overwhelmed when slides are inundated with excessive text that merely duplicates what’s being spoken. Through this module, I’ve come to realize that this preference aligns with the broader understanding that many learners, like myself, benefit more from the synergy of graphics and narration, or graphics and concise text, rather than an overload of all three elements. The personalization principle also struck a chord with me. Often, I find that lectures and teaching styles can appear overly formal, potentially detracting from the learning experience. Personally, I thrive in educational environments where information is conveyed in a conversational manner as opposed to strictly formal discourse. This approach makes me feel more engaged and enables me to extract greater value from the teaching process. These are also things I tried to focus on when working on my screencast.
When I created my screencast, I imagined my target audience to be pretty broad. Although my video was animated, which gave it a child-like feel, I think that the information is still useful to any age group. The concepts I included in the video were simple and easy to understand, and the lesson was both intuitive and interactive.
I currently work as a physical literacy leader, actively engaged in instructing and crafting physical education classes for schools throughout Victoria. My role frequently brings me face-to-face with students possessing a wide spectrum of abilities and diverse learning styles. While I don’t employ technology in my teaching methods, I consistently tailor my approaches to accommodate the specific needs of the students I work with. This often involves implementing the personalization principle to establish a more relatable and engaging rapport with the children.
In addition, I frequently integrate visual aids and hands-on demonstrations into my instructional methods. This multi-faceted approach ensures that students have multiple avenues through which they can grasp the concepts presented in my classes. This amalgamation of strategies has had a profound impact on the learning experiences of the children I instruct. I eagerly anticipate gaining further insights from this course and discovering additional techniques that can enhance my teaching skills.
I hope you enjoy my screencast!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEJYn1DvxCs
Mayer’s 12 Principles of Multimedia Learning. (2023, June 2). Digital Learning Institute. https://www.digitallearninginstitute.com/blog/mayers-principles-multimedia-learning/
Comments on classmates’ blog posts:
Hi Addi! I really enjoyed reading your Module 1 post and watching the screencast. I really agreed with your point that when the personalization principle is used in lectures, I feel more relaxed and can advance my learning. I find professors that use that approach are easier to talk to and I find myself being able to learn better. I also understand feeling overwhelmed when there is too much text on slides, which goes against the redundancy principle. Text and narration of the text is hard for my brain to process as I am trying to read the slides and listen to the professor. As for your screencast, I loved it! I did not use PowToon so this gave me great insight into what a potential end product could be. I absolutely loved your use of the personalization principles. Having a character look like you throughout the video allowed me to picture you presenting the material without too much distraction. Additionally, the video used the signalling principle effectively by having words appear as you spoke. Lastly, the video used the modality principle as you had limited text and used images, your voice, and animation effectively.
Thank you so much for sharing and I am looking forward to working together,
Maya El-Lakany
Hello Addi,
I thoroughly enjoyed your analysis of Module 1 and your screencast presentation. Prior to your demonstration, I had not had the opportunity to explore the functionalities of Powtoon. However, your screencast effectively showcased its latent potential, sparking my interest and prompting me to contemplate experimenting with the platform. I particularly commend your presentation for its visual clarity, rendering complex ideas accessible to a diverse audience—an essential quality in effective communication.
I agree with your assessment of the advantages inherent in the personalization principle for learning. It is impressive how you seamlessly integrate this pedagogical approach into your current role as a leader in physical literacy. It is evident that this module, as well as the overarching course, holds immense promise and be useful in terms of bolstering your future career prospects. Great job!
Nicole Campbell
Hey Addi!
Loved reading your first post! This was definitely a great module to gain new knowledge and skills in. The screencast you made was amazing! It was a fun video to watch and also great to learn with. I found the redundancy principle stuck out to me as well as I also like a mixture of visuals and narration as it is not overwhelming to the eyes as heavy text is.
It is great that you can use these techniques going forward in your teaching! I wonder if you have any ideas on how children can be more engaged directly with regards to screen casting and if any of the principles would stand out more for their learning?
Skye
Hi Addi, I find your screencast to be both engaging and informative. I was especially impressed with the use of an avatar to guide viewers through each section of the screencast. While I have never used Powtoon before for presentations, your screencast has certainly piqued my interest. The use of animation made the video fun to watch and the narration was clear and concise, making it easy to understand each point of the topic presented. I completely agree with your thoughts on the personalization principle, and it is evident that you have successfully applied that in your screencast.