Incorporating Technology into Classroom Instruction for Revolutionized Learning

 have to put some of their traditional teaching
Multimedia is a technology that has takentechniques to the side to make room for
business, industry, and education alike by storm.multimedia. The old model of faculty lecture note
The proliferation of educational and trainingtaking has shown to be unsuccessful in making
materials, incorporation of digitized sound, speech,efficient use of faculty time for allocating
images, and full motion video, with high speedinformation to large groups of learners or for
computers and videodisc players that break thelearning by students with diverse backgrounds and
paradigm of linear, teacher-driven instructionskills.
promises to revolutionize the way we learn.However since students bring a wide variety of
The effective application of this technology inskills, backgrounds, interests, learning styles and
education and training assists the audience inmotivations to the classroom, the challenge for
retaining most of the information they hear, whatteachers is to try to match the presentation
they see, and what they interact with. Inmaterial to such a diverse audience. Technology
multimedia presentation, learning occurs fastercan address this problem in several ways. At a
than with classroom instruction, and coursebasic level, the variety of presentations provides
content is mastered faster. Perhaps equallya change of pace from a chalkboard or overhead
important is that when compared with classroomprojector. For example, a teacher could use
instruction, interactive multimedia learning alsotechnology to produce energetic animations, utilize
results in better training. Studies show thatcomputer models for complex systems, or to
participants increase understanding, resulting invisualize three-dimensional data.
greater learning gains.Another benefit of using various forms of
Computer technology provides a prominent andmultimedia is that complicated topics can be
multifaceted tool that can transform the wayexplained and understood better with the aid of
educators teach and the way students learn.pictures, graphs, animations and simulations. It also
Consequently, there is an improved ability toprovides the option to present complex concepts
search for abstract or complex material within small, chronological steps as a means to
increased student comprehension and interest.improve students’ ability to comprehend
Instructors should thus consider the nature ofinformation in a meaningful way. This concept is
technology and the potential range of its uses inespecially important for introductory classes that
higher education. One potential use ofhave students with assorted backgrounds and
computer-enhanced instruction at the universityinterests. Compared to the traditional presentation
level is to complement lecture courses in ways inmethods, multimedia has the capacity to offer
which the computer-enhanced instruction programinstructors control over how and when
reviews, reinforces, or adds to materialsinformation is presented to students.
presented in class. This is accomplished byBesides, a good number of universities have
integrating a variety of media sources such asbecome captivated with multimedia instruction as
words, graphs, sound and visuals. The result is ana means to improve student satisfaction,
improved ability to present abstract or complexperformance and learning. Multimedia use in classes
material with increased student comprehensionsignificantly motivates students by increasing
and interest.student interest, involvement, enjoyment, and
Research has shown that students usually learnliking for the material covered in class.
more in classes in which they receiveThe outcome of employing multimedia in teaching
computer-based instruction and that they learncollege students is a greater long-term retention
their lessons in less time with computer basedcompared to students taught by traditional
instruction. Multimedia allow students to learn inclassroom methods. It has also been observed
their own style and at their own pace. Anthat students taught with multimedia attend class
additional benefit is that CD-ROMs provide mediamore frequently and appear to be more
and visually rich material that is more likely tointerested than students taught without
correspond effectively with students’multimedia.
individual learning styles.Consequently, multimedia will continue to grow at
Presentation programs offer college teachers thea rapid rate. Lectures that were once
possibility of preparing educational materials thatsupplemented with chalkboards and transparencies
combine the visual as well as the auditory modescan now be complemented with a large screen
of learning. If the presented materials read clearly,projection system that can handle the computer
the design incorporates a visual analogy, and theand the Internet.
graphic presentation uses sound principles ofMultimedia offers educators the opportunity to
emphasis and harmony, computer-enhancedplace their lectures onto the computer, along with
instruction can dramatically portray new ideas.new graphics and sound to create an engaging
Learning is a continuous process. However, theclassroom presentation. This technology can lead
way instructors teach and students learn must beto more active learning and adventurous teaching.
constantly reevaluated and updated. TeachersBy integrating technology sources into the
should be aware of the importance of usingclassroom, courses can become more exciting
visuals to enhance information.and stimulating and possibly meet the needs of
Computer-enhanced instruction can be successfulstudents with different learning styles.
if faculty chooses to become leaders in theMultimedia instruction increases learning content
adoption of the use of technology to enhanceand retention, and reduces the amount of time it
lectures or presentations. The potential oftakes to learn material. Thus, traditional
technology is the ability of all students to learn atinstructional and educational media must move to
the highest levels with the greatest resources inincorporate the concepts of multimedia. However,
order to have the promise of a future of realin order to maximize the potential of this
opportunity. Studies show significant links betweentechnology, educators would have to be trained in
multimedia instruction and achievement inthe use of the most recent technology. This
traditional subject matter. Schools that integrateimplies education not only in the available
technology into the traditional curriculum havetechnology, but also the concepts governing
higher student attendance and lower drop outeffective production and usage, with a
rates, which leads to better academic results.comprehensive curriculum providing both. This
It is believed that technology will continue towould thus facilitate teaching and learning for
increase and become a standard part of thelecturers and students in educational institutions.
educational model. As this occurs, educators will