In our third week of Digital Technologies, we looked at the definition of a multimodal text to create multimodal presentations through the program ActivInspire. A multimodal text is the combination of two or more semiotic systems. In total there are five semiotic systems in total and they are: linguistic, visual, audio, gestural and spatial. Beauchamp (2012, p.8) states that “The multimodality of technology is another reason to use it, as it allows teachers to present an idea in a variety of different ways to help pupils understand it.” I think that the use of multimodal texts are vital in the classroom as it allows children to be interactive and is a fun way of learning. Using multimodal presentations can be captivating, engaging and motivating. However, I think the most important reason to use multimodal presentations is that it should be memorable for children. It is beneficial for teachers as it helps bring a lesson to life by using the IWB which encourages interaction. Although, as a teacher it is important that we have an understanding of the programmes we are using (Beauchamp, 2012, p100).
Today we looked at support videos of how to use ActivInspire and its features. The aim of today was to create an ActivInspire slide with a partner by using a variety of tools. The focus of our activity was to learn how to tell the time, identify when/where we use time and also the different ways of telling the time. We would encourage children to write on the IWB where they see the time and when we use it. Then we would introduce how to tell the time using the 12 hour clock and we would then explain that this is an analogue clock. As part of our slide, we had an analogue clock where the hands could move. We would then move onto a slide with the 24 hour time using the digital clock which we could also move. I think this is a great tool for children as they are able to physically change the time themselves. This would be interactive and stimulating for children as they are doing the work. Our activity was targeted mainly at 1st level.
ActivInspire was something I had never used before. At first I thought it was tricky to use but after using it for a while I became familiar with the features and how they could support teachers on a wide variety of topics. This tool is very beneficial for children as they can physically change some of the features on there which enables them to be interactive. It is also a fun way of learning and its important that children are enjoying the lesson as they will gain more information from it. If I had more practise on ActivInspire, it is something I would like to use in my classroom as a future teacher.
Curriculum for Excellence Experiences and Outcomes:
I can tell the time using 12 hour clocks realising there is a link with 24 hour notation, explain how it impacts on my daily routine and ensure that I am organised and ready for events throughout my day.” MNU 1-10a
(Education Scotland, 2004)
References
Beauchamp, G. (2012) ICT in the Primary School: From Pedagogy to Practice. Pearson.
Education Scotland (2004). Curriculum for Excellence: Numeracy and Mathematics. Experience and Outcomes. [Online] Available : https://education.gov.scot/scottish-education-system/policy-for-scottish-education/policy-drivers/cfe-(building-from-the-statement-appendix-incl-btc1-5)/Experiences%20and%20outcomes [Accessed: 23rd January 2018]
