Kozma states that Clark is perhaps asking the wrong question - rather than asking IF media "cause" learning we need to look at HOW, do media affect learning (Kozma 1994). He goes on to show how textbook (a "media" many of us would fail to recognize as "media" in a "media" discussion) enhances, and so changes, the ability to acquire new knowledge by students, and then how pictures add to that ability. Video and audio presentations are then explored as a step further, and he finally explains that gaming and computer programs also build a higher ability to interact with acquiring new knowledge. He cautions that much more research is needed to confirm this, but I think that our everyday observations of our students go a long way to support his theories.
Thirty years ago educators were presented with Howard Gardner's game-changing idea of multiple intelligences. Gardner does not fully support either side of this debate, he believes that media along with teacher guidance and instruction is what is best for students (Gardner, 2000). He states that there are a growing number of innovations that will help students get more from lessons by giving them the opportunity to explore subjects in ways that are in tune with their mode of learning (Gardner & Veenema 1996). We as educators understand that we must meet each child where they are and provide instruction in line with the ways they learn (Moffat 2013). Technology and other media enable educators to meet these needs in ways that would have been difficult at best, impossible for most, in the past.
I think Mann states it best, “Instructional technology only works for some kids, with some topics, and under some conditions – but that is true of all pedagogy. There is nothing that works for every purpose, for every learner, and all the time (2001)." So, while I believe that media does enhance student's learning I also believe that the teacher instruction that accompanies it is vitally important to student success.
References
Becker, K. (n.d.). The Clark-Kozma Debate in the 21st
Century. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from
http://www.academia.edu/462857/The_Clark-Kozma_Debate_in_the_21st_Century
Gardner, H., & Veenema, S. (1996,
November/December). Multimedia and Multiple Intelligences. Retrieved November
19, 2016, from
http://prospect.org/article/multimedia-and-multiple-intelligences
Gardner, H. (2000). Can Technology Exploit Our Many
Ways of Knowing? (D. T. Gordon, Ed.). In The digital classroom: How
technology is changing the way we teach and learn (pp. 32-35). Cambridge,
MA: Harvard Education Letter.
Kozma, R. B. (1994). Will media influence learning? Reframing the debate. Educational Technology Research and Development, 42(2), 7-19. doi:10.1007/bf02299087
Mann, D. (2001). Documenting the Effects of Instructional Technology, A Fly-Over of Policy Questions. In W. F. Heineke & L. Blasi (Eds.), Research methods for educational technology ; v. 1: Methods of evaluating educational technology (Vol. 1, pp. 239-249).
Greenwich, Conn.: Information Age Pub.
Greenwich, Conn.: Information Age Pub.
Moffat, D. (2013, April 17). Clark and Kozma Debate is
it Still Relevant. Retrieved November 18, 2016, from
https://dcmoffat71.wordpress.com/2013/04/17/clark-and-kozma-debate-is-it-still-relevant/
The media debate. (2012, August 30). Retrieved
November 18, 2016, from http://edutechwiki.unige.ch/en/The_media_debate
APA formatting by
BibMe.org.
I think today's educators can definitely see the interest students have in gaming and love how you used this example. I try to keep up with each game to relate it to teaching and projects, but there's always something bigger and better by the time I wrap my mind around the current game or trend! Kids will be much more willing to learn and work hard if they understand the expectation and appreciate the media used to present information. Awesome job on your blog post! You had some great sources!
ReplyDeleteI agree, there is no one fits all when it comes to learning and without the proper guidance technology can be obsolete.
ReplyDeleteI was so set to disagree with you, and then you mentioned the simple textbook. Often overlooked as media, it IS something students learn from; it's more than just the vehicle.
ReplyDeleteThe quote you ended your post with is great. Media, just like any other means of delivering information, is certainly not a one size fits all deal, but, for some learners it has certainly been a huge game changer!
ReplyDeleteI also believe that the right media is beneficial for different students learning abilities. Children are learning how to read using video games because they feel the urgency to read the directions on the games they love playing. I believe that we need to plan for the different students in the classrooms that we have and choose the best medium to deliver instruction that will be most beneficial.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about how the teacher's instruction that accompanies technology and media is also important to student success. I enjoyed reading your viewpoint.
ReplyDeleteYou are true, as educators we continuously see how media influences our students. I personally use YouTube videos and DVD videos to teach my students and have seen their growth in reading.
ReplyDeleteI also remember reading Howard Gardner's theories and I like the way you incorporated them in your blog. Media is important, but it is how we use it that matters.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is no one size fits all for students and technology help with learning. You made some good points. Great job.
ReplyDeleteYes, I think the same way. Media on its own doesn't get the job done, but media and the teacher along side each other will facilitate the learning experience for the students.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, the best technology or teaching method put into effect by an inept teacher is not going to be effective, whereas a captivating lecturer may have to do nothing more than speak to get the information across. It has just as much to do with the educator as the media used.
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