EDUC 422c Blog 2

Blog 2

 Beyond Words

What:  In the article Beyond Words: The Craftsmanship of Digital Products, written by Bernajean Porter we learn about how expressing effective technology allows for students to be successful in our day and age.  It is important for our students to have multimedia skills as well as narratives skills because digital skills combine images, text, sounds and communication. Digital storytelling allows students to use specific multimedia to really enjoy what they are reading. It is explained that in order for an author to have effective communication, he/she has to have something worth sharing. An author also, decides how to put together their thoughts by knowing the purpose of the content, understanding the audience that will be reading or listening to it and then putting together the content from that information. It is a known fact that people remember images better than any narrative they hear. It is more effective for a student to see something as compared to hearing it. The author states that “Visual literacy is the key” for students today. The author continues to talk about how important it is for each of the four pieces of digital skills to be put into place with thought and meaning. The most important quote the other states is “a digital product should be remembered for its soul, not the bells and whistles of the technology tools”(page 31). 

So What: I really enjoyed this article. I believe that this article is very significant for students, especially now in the 21^st century because incorporating digital learning is such a big part of their life. It is important that we provide all of the necessary tools for students to gain knowledge from and excel in all aspects of learning. Understanding that providing visuals for students learning will only benefit them and  increase their memory is something  every educator should understand. 

Now What: Using digital storytelling and multimedia resources in my classroom with be something I truly incorporate. It is important for students to learn through images, sounds, text and communication.  Providing students with all of the necessary materials to learn will only prompt their knowledge. I hope I always remember the quote from page 31 stating, a digital product should be remembered for its soul, not the bells and whistles of the technology tools” and that I can incorporate it into my classroom. 

Porter, B. (2006, May). Beyond Words: The Craftsmanship of Digital Products. Learning and Leading with Technology, 28-31. Retrieved November 10, 2012, from ISTE. www.ISTE.org