Multimedia and technology in teaching and learning

Office for Advancement of Learning and Teaching Best practices in teaching, learning and technology Multimedia and technology in teaching and learning

Multimedia and technology in teaching and learning

Multimedia and technology have been used in teaching for decades. Audio and video cassette recorders, overhead projector and slide projectors were standard teaching aids in schools and colleges. With the rapid development of information technology, multimedia text, graphics, sound, video, and animation now come in digital format and are delivered online. Another benefit of multimedia technology brings us is interactivity. A technology-enhanced class provides greater opportunities for students to interact with their teacher, peers and learning content.

Integrating technology into the classroom is therefore a goal for educators who want to teach and communicate with students more effectively. The so-called generation Z has been raised on computers, mobiles, and other tech with a huge amount of instantly accessible information at their fingertips. Most HKMU students are comfortable with the technological delivery of learning materials, so teachers now have to cope with the needs of Gen Z.

Advantages of using multimedia and technology in teaching and learning:

Multimedia can demonstrate complex ideas better than simply speaking.

Example:

  • Video demonstration of a laboratory experiment

Students have greater engagement with the content

Example:

  • Video case analysis (e.g. business or social science)
  • simulation game

Students access the multimedia content outside class, so class time can be used for better and more useful teacher-student interaction

Example:

  • Flipped classroom (video teaching at home + homework in class with teacher support)
  • Group project (students collaboration in class with the supervision of teacher)

Provide opportunities for immediate feedback in class

Example:

Facilitate greater interaction among students in class

Example:

  • Breakout rooms in Zoom
  • Group members interact with social media in class or out of class

Provide immediate feedback to students in assessment

Example:

  • Online interactive test with feedback