Welcome to EDCI 337 – Interactive and Multimedia Learning! I’m looking forward to getting to know each of you as we develop new skills and deepen our understandings of interactive and multimedia learning together over this semester. If you would like to get to know a bit more about me and my background before starting into the course, please watch the short video below.

Topic 1 Learning Objectives:

By the end of this week you should be able to:

• Describe the basics of what interactive and multimedia learning are
• Describe why stories can make multimedia learning objects more effective
• List examples of digital and non-digital interactive activities that can be used to help participants learn more effectively
• Successfully set up a WordPress blog and personalize it
• Post a video in a class forum introducing yourself to the class
• Post a blog post reflecting on your expectations for the class along with previous experiences with multimedia and online learning

Introducing Topic 1:

Readings: 

Now that you’ve watched the video, please read the articles below and think of how historical uses of of non-digital multimedia and interactive experiences (classroom, nature walks, brainstorming sessions, etc) could influence how we use digital technologies today.

1. An article highlighting the importance of using stories in teaching (~6 min)
2. An article highlighting non-digital interactivity used in a classroom to increase learning (~4 min)
3. Read an edited version of Chapter 1 of Mayer’s The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning, Introduction to Multimedia Learning (~25 min – link to password-protected website)

Personal Reflections:

What are some non-digital multimedia and interactive experiences (classroom discussions, nature walks, brainstorming sessions, etc) have you experienced in the past?

• Were they interesting and engaging?
• If so what made the interesting and engaging?
• If not can you think of ways that they could have been changed to be more interesting and engaging for you at that time?

Setup your WordPress Website:

Go to the Setup Your WordPress Blog tutorial, to set up your own WordPress Blog which you’ll need to post your weekly assignments, including this week.

Weekly Blogging Assignment:

Please use the following blogging prompts:

• Outline one thing you hope to get out of this class, and one thing that you’re unsure about with this class (you can elaborate on what you said about this in your introductory video).
• To what degree was the example of Rich’s son playing a web-based game an example of interactive and/or multimedia learning?
• Can you think of an example of an interactive or multimedia learning experience you have experienced yourself that you enjoyed or made a positive impact on you? What made it impactful to you?
• Can you think of an example of an interactive or learning experience that did not involve digital technology that you enjoyed or made a positive impact on you? What made it a positive experience?
• Other thoughts or reflections on interactive and multimedia learning from today’s videos and readings?

Requirements:

1. Length: The blog post should be no more than 250 words long or contain a 1-2 minute video that you have created
2. Please include appropriate citations (links or URLs are also fine).
3. Please use at embed at least one image, video, or multimedia object in your post related to what you are writing about (if you are unsure how to do this please attend or view the recording of the optional WordPress lab (see below).
4. For inspiration, please take a look at this strong blog post for EDCI 335, which does a good job including multimedia (a photo, infographic, & YouTube video), links to relevant resources, and appropriately cites articles: https://victorsblog.opened.ca/inclusive-design-meeting-needs-of-all-learners/

Bibliography:

5 Examples of Interactive Teaching Styles. (2012, November 2). ResilientEducator.com. https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/5-interactive-teaching-styles-2/

Juliani, A. J. (2014, January 31). The Hidden Importance of Teaching With Stories. A.J. JULIANI. http://ajjuliani.com/hidden-importance-teaching-stories/

Li, V. (2020). Inclusive Design – Meeting Needs of All Learners – Victor’s Blog. Victor’s Blog. https://victorsblog.opened.ca/inclusive-design-meeting-needs-of-all-learners/

Mayer, R. E. (Ed.). (2014). The Cambridge Handbook of Multimedia Learning (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139547369

McCue, R. (2020). EDCI 337  Topic 1—Introduction to Interactive & Multimedia Learning [Mp4]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4t7K8P6ZCw