Project-based

Learning and
Multimedia

Project-base learning
redefines the boundaries of
the classroom. No longer
are students confined top
learning within four walls.

Teacher Nachielle teaches social studies. Her

students, as a part of their studies of medieval
history, created multimedia presentation about
the Black Plague. She teamed with a teacher in
Science department for the unit. In Science,
students created animations that stimulated
how the plague virus attacks the body.

In Social studies, they created computer-based

presentations looking at the plague from various
perspectives that included 14th Century farmers and
21stCentury scientists. Their presentations used
primary historical resources, as well as literature
and current events. The presentation compared the
plague to the AIDS epidemic of today.
(Adapted from M. Simkins, 2002)

TEACHER NICOLES CLASS

Entering teacher Nicoles class,

you first notice that every child is
completely engrossed.
Second, you notice the
cacophony of voices, rising and
falling in intense and animated
discussions among small groups
of third graders.

You look at the teacher she isnt

conveniently located at the front of the
room. Finally, you see her down among a
group of students. You wait for her to notice
you as she shows the group how to use an
index of a book to find information about
shelter of a tribe of Aetas.
As you wait, your eyes move from group to
group. At the computer, three boys are
typing

Some text they have composed for their

presentations. A group of girls paints a
colorful scene of a tribe of Aetas village to be
scanned into the presentation software later.
Another group of boys uses a Venn diagram to
show food a in their own diet, foods in their
tribes diet and food they have in common.
You want to ask them about their work but
cant break their concentration.

Teacher Nicole notices you and starts toward you, but

each group of students she passes stops her to
proudly show off their work or ask her to check
something. She finally reaches you and starts to
explain the various activities the children are working
on to prepare their multimedia presentations
content research, art, language arts, math and
technology activities she has designed for the project.
You talk for almost 10 minutes before you notice the
most amazing thing of all the children are all still
working, still engrossed, animated and focused.

A class that
EFFECTIVELY employs
PROJECT-BASED
MULTIMEDIA LEARNING
is HIGHLY ANIMATED
and ACTIVELY
ENGAGED.

The teacher does

not just stay in
front of the class
lecturing. She
monitors the
students as they
work

WHAT IS PROJECT-BASED
MULTIMEDIA LEARNING?
It is a TEACHING METHOD in which
the students acquire new knowledge
and skills in the course of designing,
planning, and producing multimedia
products.
(Simkins, et al, 200)

Dimensions of
Project-Based
Multimedia
Learning.

Project-based data multimedia

learning has seven key
dimensions:
Core

curriculum

Real-world connection

Extended time frame

Student

decision making

Collaboration

Assessment

Multimedia

Core Curriculum
At the foundation of any unit
of this type is a clear setoff
learning goal drawn from
whatever curriculum or set of
standards is in use.

Real-world connection
The project seeks to connect
students work in school with the
wider world in which students
live. It is critical that the studentsnot only the teacher-perceive
what is real about the project.

Extended time frame

A good project is not a one-shot
lesson. It extends over a
significant period of time. The
actual length of a project may
vary with the age of the students
and the nature of the project.

Student decision making

In project-based multimedia
learning, students have a say. But
it is clear to them that the
teacher is in charge and so the
students understand that there
are decisions which only the
teacher can make.

Collaboration
Project-based multimedia learning
demand collaboration.
Collaboration is working together
jointly to accomplish a common
intellectual purpose in a manner
superior to what might have been
accomplished working alone.