Challenges with Implementation of Audio and Video Resources in K-12 eLearning.

Using audio and visual media in the classroom has many advantages in PreK-12^th grade education. As we know it helps those leaners who have a variety of different learning styles, such as visual and auditory learning. However, at the same time, there are challenges to the implementation of audio and visual learning; misinterpretations or lack of understanding of the video meaning, a variety of paces of learning, and monitoring attention to certain students. 

More than likely we will be teaching to students of diverse backgrounds. When we choose a topic or objective we will be teaching, we want to assure that not only our delivery of the content we give but as well as the audio and visual of the content makes sense; that is, it is developmentally appropriate.  Often teachers find great podcasts or documentaries and the verbiage is difficult for these students or just not age appropriate. This then leaves students scratching their heads instead of feeling more confident on the subject/objective. Teachers really need to evaluate and decipher each piece of audio/visual content, is this age, developmentally or language appropriate for my students?

Another challenge is the pace of learning. So you have students that can catch on quickly or understand content quickly, but often students need to stop and discuss the content or podcasts that are being listened to or shown. Teachers again, find a great tool to help with students understanding of the content but are they really getting ALL of the messages that are being taught. By using the stop, discuss, and comprehend important facts help not only student’s comprehension, but it helps the teacher evaluate his/her students to see that they are getting the BIG picture.

Last, some students learning styles aren’t auditory or visual that it’s hard for them to understand be attentive to the content. Often, students who are not auditory don’t “hear” the podcast because it just doesn’t suit their learning style or vice versa with watching media online. It is important that as teachers we change up how we deliver the content to assure we are hitting all the different modes of learning and that it suits are leaners of diverse backgrounds.

Teachers should plan their lessons based on the different learning styles of their students as well as their diverse backgrounds. The audio and visual media we choose should be age appropriate as well as be meaningful for our students.

Media in the Classroom

Using podcasts in the classroom can be very beneficial for students learning.  With the vary styles of learning in the classroom, a teacher can use a podcast to assure they are meeting the needs of their learners.

As we know there are visual, audio, kinesthetic, and reading/writing learners. Podcasts really assist those who are more auditory. By listening to podcasts, those learners can listen and visual “see” by hearing what the speaker is saying cognitively. A lot of time, students are more visual because of the technology that’s out there, so they rarely listen to what’s being said. By implementing podcasts for those non-visual learners, we can stop and talk about what the speaker is saying by discussing the content mentioned. This helps those other leaners that may struggle with learning through listening.

Another advantage of using podcasts is that it allows students to work and listen at the same time. It may hard for some, but for those who find this way of learning beneficial, they can work on other assignments, take notes, tasks, homework or even draw while listening to the content. It changes up the learning in the classroom.

Implementing instructional technology and media can assist students with the content teachers want to teach. Say if you want to teach a topic of about the Fourth of July, you can show your students a video of what the signing of the Declaration of Independence may have looked like and then implement a podcast on what the document said. This would be a perfect way of using both media and differentiating learning styles for your students.

Last, instructional media is engaging and fun! Whether it’s videos or listening to an audiobook with sound effects or the reader reading aloud, it’s just a different way of learning other than learning through text. Technology and media is what students are used to (at home whether it’s phone, television or computer) and why not implement it in the classroom? It helps prepare them for the future whether it’s middle school, high school or even as adult learners.