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.