Audio and Video as Teaching-Learning Resources in the Student-Centerd Classroom

Introduction to Audio

Audio,includes anything you can hear-a person's voice,music,mechanical sounds,noise,and so forth.

Audio as a teaching -learning resource adds a dimension to classroom environments that expands and depends student learning experiences.Classroom  audio is not meant 
to be simply a fun passive addition to the classroom;classroom goals in working with audio should be the same as any goal that uses teaching-learning resources in the class room:to give students the opportunity to actively engage in learning.

EXAMPLES

*A poetry unit might include recordings of professional poets reading their work,followed by students recording their own poetry and playing it back to analyze their poetry readings.

*A commence unit on marketing and/or branding might include recordings of commercials from television and/or radio as basis for discussion and analysis.

*A government.civics unit might include prominent politician's speeches.The same audio could be used in a language course to explore rhetoric,persuasive argument and 
the like.

*An English Language unit(or other foreign language unit)could use audio of native speakers for enhancing cultural understanding or practicing skills of comprehension and production/

Advantages and Limitation of Audio

Advantages of Audio

*Stimulating-Audio media can provide a stimulating alternative to reading and listening  to the teacher.Audio can present verbal messages more dramatically than text can.

*Repeatable-Students can reply portions of the audio material as often as needed to understand it.This can be particularly useful in student groups where members can 
make sure all group members understand the material or with students with special learning needs who may need more time with the audio.

*Inexpensive-In the case of audio,one the media formats/storage devices(discs and tapes)and equipment have been purchased,there is no additional cost because the 
storage devices are erasable and reusable.

*Reproducible-You can easily duplicate audiotapes and digital files in whatever quantities are needed for use in the classroom.

*Provide verbal message to enhance learning-Students who have limited reading ability can learn from audio media.Students can listen and follow along with visual text 
material.

*Ideal for teaching foreign languages-Audio resources are excellent for teaching foreign languages because the not only allow students to hear words pronounced by native 
speakers,but allow them to record third own pronounced for comparison.

Limitations of Audio

*Doesn't monitor attention-Some students have difficulty in studying independently,so when they listen to recorded audio their attention may wander.They may hear the 
recorded message but not listen attentively and comprehend.

*Difficulty in pacing-Determining the appropriate pace for presenting information can be difficult if the students have a range of attention spans and experiential 
backgrounds.

*Need for digital equipment and software-Digital audio requires software and equipment designed to play or record the specific digital format.For example,to record 
CDs,you need a CD recorder and the software to convert audio to digital format.

*Difficulty in locating segments-It is sometimes difficult to locate  a specific segment on an audiotape.Counters on the recorders assist retrieval,but they may not be very accurate.(CDs give much easier accessibility to specific selections)

Introduction to Video

Video(and television)is a form of multimedia that conveys information through two simultaneous sensory channels:aural and visula.The richness of these combined forms 
of information benefits learners by enabling them to learn through both verbal and visual means,to view actual objects and realistic scenes,and to see sequences in  motion. Therefore,while the benefits of video-where much of the content is conveyed visually-is obvious for visually-oriented students,video also benefits auditory learners,with its inclusion of sound and speech,and can provide demonstrations not otherwise possible in classrooms for tactile learners.

According to current research,educational video(and television)has the following positive effects in the classroom:

-Reinforces reading and lecture material
-Aids in the development of a common base of knowledge among students
-Enhances student comprehension and discussion
-Provides greater accommodation of diverse learning styles
-Increases student motivation and enthusiasm
-Promotes teacher effectiveness


EXAMPLES

*A history unit might include dramatic recreations of historical events and actual recordings of more recent events
*A biology unit might include a video of animal habitats and behavior.
*A civics unit might include a video on conflict resolution for demonstration and analysis.
*A commerce unit might include a video on manufacturing processes.
*An English unit might include a video of natives speakers communicating within their natural cultural context.

Advantages and Limitations of Video

Advantages of Video

*Dramatization-Dramatic recreations can bring historical events and personalities to life.In addition professional performances of plays students are studying in drama class can add an important dimension to student learning.If the equipment is available,students can also create their own dramatic recreations or plays for viewing and analysis.

*Processes-Operations such as assembly line steps or science experiments in which sequential movement is critical,can be shown more effectively.

*Risk-free observation-Video allows learners to observe phenomena that might be too dangerous to view directly,such as an eclipse of the sun or a volcanic eruption.Another example would be a demonstration lab for a chemistry class in which the chemicals themselves or reactions would make it too dangerous for students to participate in the lag firsthand.

*Skill learning-Research indicates that mastery of physical skills requires repeated observation and practice.Through video,students can view q performance over and over again for emulation.The can also observe video of their own performance for feedback and improvement.

*Cultural understanding-Students can develop a deep appreciation for other cultures by seeing depictions of everyday life in other societies


Limitations of Video

*Still phenomena-Although video is advantageous for concepts that involve motion,it may be unsuitable for other topics where detailed study of a single visual is involved(eg:a map,a wiring diagram or an organization chart)

*Misinterpretation-Documentaries and dramatizations often present a complex or sophisticated treatment of an issue.For example,scene intended as satire might be taken literally by a naive viewer.

*Abstract non visual instruction-Video is poor at presenting abstract,non visual information,philosophy and mathematics do not lend themselves well to video unless the specific concepts discussed lend themselves to illustration using historical footage,graphic representation or imagery.

Getting the Most Benefit from Audio and video as Teaching-learning Resources

In order to maximize active student learning when using audio and video as teaching-learning resources.make sure to include the following before,during,and after the audio or video presentation

Before the Presentation:

1.Prior knowledge-Activate students' prior knowledge on the topic before starting the audio or video by asking relevant questions or using any other appropriate teaching strategy.

2.Vocabulary-Present any new vocabulary(or have student groups present vocabulary to their peers.)

During the Presentation:

3.Short Segments:Do not present an audio or video on one long sequence.Instead,break it up into shorter units(8-12 minutes at the longest)to increase student learning and retention.After the first segment.discuss the segment with student and then tie the 2nd segment to be viewed/listened to next to the first segment just viewed.Repeat this for all segments.

4.The teacher as Role Model-The teacher should watch and/or listen attentively to the presentation.Marking papers or doing other work during an audio or video presentation. Marking papers or doing other work during an audio or video presentation sends the message to students that the presentation is not important.

5.Note taking.Worksheets-Have students take notes or complete worksheets during the presentation to optimize active listening and viewing.

After the Presentation:

6.Follow-up:Reinforce the presentation with meaningful follow-up activities to enhance retention or transfer

Of course it is entirely appropriate in include these six within the larger context of the 5E Model or Gagne's Nine events.