Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Digital Media — What Is It, and Why Does It Matter?
oWho Are These 21st Century Learners?
oWhat Is Digital Media and How Does It Impact Learning?
oDigital Media: The Ever-Present Companion of Today’s Students
oHow Can Teachers Enhance Students’ 21st Century Literacy Skills?
oHow Do Educational Standards and Media Correlate?
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences
Chapter 2: Research Findings and the Implications on Learning
oHow Does Technology Impact Learning?
oHow Does Multimedia Content Impact Learning?
oHow Is the Role of Video Content in Student Leaning Evolving?
oResearch Implications
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences
Chapter 3: Essential Considerations in Using Digital Media
oThe Growing Imperative of Media Literacy
oSuffering Not from Lack of Innovation, but Rather Lack of Education
oIn the Digital World, as in the Physical World, Student Safety is Paramount
oCoping with COPPA
oNow Playing in a Classroom Near You…
oGiving Credit Where Credit Is Due
oThe Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for Media Literacy Education
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences
Chapter 4: Planning for Digital Media: Settings, Groupings, and Platforms
oFirst Things First
oThe Understanding by Design Framework
oThe Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Model
oBloom’s Taxonomy
oClassroom Instruction That Works
oDigital Media’s Role Within These Frameworks
oSharpening the Axe: Crucial Factors to Consider When Planning for Digital Media Integration
oReady, Set, Learn!
oWhere to Begin?
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences
Chapter 5: Using Digital Media to READY Students for Learning: Preparing Learners to Acquire Key Knowledge and Skills
oReadying Instructional Resources
oReadying the Learners: Activating Engagement, Motivation, and Interest
oWhat’s the Point?
oThe Power of Prior Knowledge
oThe Potential of a Focused Mind
oThe Promise of Personal Interest
oThe Potent Influence of Personal Motivation
o“TEASe”ing the Students to Impact Attention, Motivation, and Interest
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oTEASe Making Resources
oReferences
Chapter 6: SETTING Meaningful Learning: Supporting Students with Content Acquisition
oWhy Reinvent the Wheel? The Benefits of Pre-Created Digital Media
oLights, Camera, Action! The Enchanting Features of Film in Classroom Settings
oLearners as Viewers: Leveraging the Transportive Potential of Media
oTapping the Riches of Pre-Created Digital Media Content
oLearners as Participants: Actively Engaging Students with Interactive Resources
oThe Best of Both Worlds: Digital Media Options that Enable Students to Interact as Viewers and Participants
oDigital Media in Action: Examples of Digital Media Lessons in Classroom Settings
oEssential Ideas to Remember
Chapter 7: LEARNING with Digital Media: Empowering Students to Demonstrate Learning through Design and Creation
oIt’s Not Going to Be Easy, But It Will Be Worth It!
oPositioning Students in the Driver’s Seat
oPutting the Pedal to the Metal: Encouraging Students to Lead the Way through Authoring
oWhat’s the Point? Driving Media Integration with Purpose
oDecisions, Decisions: Crucial Considerations for Successfully Implementing Student-Centered Digital Media
oInspiration for the Journey: Examples of Student-Centered Digital Media Projects
oEssential Ideas to Remember
Chapter 8: Assessing the Use of Digital Media
oAn Assortment of Assessment Types
oA Time and a Place for Every Assessment Type
oAssessing with Purpose
oAesthetic Appeal: Stressing the Significance of Style
oPresentation Is Everything... Or at Least Highly Important!
oTeamwork Makes the Dream Work: Fostering Classroom Collaboration
oAssessment in Action: Representative Rubrics to Guide the Journey
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences
Chapter 9: Digital Media for Flipped or Distance Learning
oWhat Is Virtual Learning, and What’s the Big Deal?
oBlended Learning: The Best of Both Worlds?
oFlip It! Flip It Good!
oThe Art of Flipping: Putting It into Practice
oMaking the Most of Increased Class Time
oTools for Creating
oEvaluating
oAnalyzing
oApplying
oUnderstanding and Remembering
oTo Create or Not to Create? That Is the Question!
oThink Before You Flip: Key Considerations Prior to Flipping
oCreating Screencasts with a Computer
oCreating Screencasts with an iPad
oThe Challenge: Finding the Perfect Place to Store Resources for Sharing and Viewing
oInspiration for Future Flipping Endeavors
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences
Chapter 10: Looking Forward to What is Next: Future Technologies and Their Role in the Classroom
oSilicon Valley’s Influence
oSoftware-Supported Personalized Learning
oVirtual Reality and Augmented Reality
oChanging Landscapes and Changing Students
oEssential Ideas to Remember
oReferences

About the Author

Dawn Wilson taught middle school math for 16 years before becoming a full time faculty member and professor of educational technology at Houston Baptist University for the last 16 years. In this position, Dr. Wilson has mentored university and K-12 teachers as they learn how to integrate instructional technology in the classroom across a variety of disciplines. Her research and writing interests include coaching for technology integration, teaching online, and flipping classroom instruction.

Katie Alaniz is an instructor of graduate education courses at Houston Baptist University, where she works with undergraduate and graduate students seeking to make a positive impact in schools and society. As an instructional technologist and elementary teacher for over a decade in both public and private school settings, Dr. Alaniz developed an abiding passion for guiding and supporting fellow educators as they seek to meaningfully incorporate enriching and engaging digital tools within their classroom learning environments.

Joshua Sikora is the director of Cinema & New Media Arts at Houston Baptist University, where he teaches about cinematic theory, multimedia production, and developing technologies. An award-winning filmmaker and new media entrepreneur, Sikora is also the founder of New Renaissance Pictures, an independent production company through which he has produced a variety of feature films, TV series, and documentaries.

Reviews

This book offers a compelling argument for multimedia as a tool that teachers and students can use to support instruction and learning.  The authors provide a strong theoretical base to support their ideas. Important considerations such as guiding students in media literacy, safety and privacy concerns, and copyright are addressed. Several curriculum design frameworks are discussed, along with the role of multimedia to enhance instruction.  The authors pose many helpful questions to be asked by teachers as they plan for the effective use of multimedia and emphasize that desired learning outcomes are paramount.  This practical guide describes many pre-existing resources, as well as ways that student-centered multimedia use can help students acquire complex thinking skills.  The authors offer many things to consider when assessing students' multimedia products and include examples of rubrics for assessing both individual and group projects.
 
*Jane L. Howland, PhD, teaching professor, LT Program Coordinator, School of Information Science & Learning Technologies, The iSchool at University of Missouri*

We often hear that we need to “meet students where they are”.  With the ever growing world of technology and the understanding that the minds of the digital natives are developing differently than the digital immigrants, this statement is more true than ever!  This book addresses the all facets of multimedia in the classroom by first answering the “whys” and then giving educators ideas to address the “hows”.  The research presented is undeniable and really drives home the importance of both teacher centered and student centered technology.  Multimedia as a “hook” or pre-assessment gives teachers the opportunity to quickly engage students, bring the new content to life while also helping to drive future instruction.  As part of a lesson, it can enhance the learning through interactive media that touches on all styles of learning and, finally, when students create their own multimedia projects, their learning comes to life as they construct using their knowledge along with their own creativity.
In my experiences as a classroom teacher, former graduate student and now Digital Learning Specialist, when you allow students to assess their learning through creating their own products you are enhancing their critical thinking skills and letting them take ownership of their learning.  More importantly, students become a consumer of what they learn which ultimately leads toward real life application and understanding.  Isn’t that what we all want for our students?  I highly recommend you read this book and really immerse yourself in the ideas presented for you as a teacher and the creations presented for your students.  I think you will be thrilled you did!
*Monica Crane, Digital Learning Specialist, Fort Bend ISD*

Digital Media in Today's Classrooms offers a complete look at the use of multimedia and technology in the classroom. Educators at any comfort level will walk away from this book with new ideas on how to use technology with their students. From the current research backing the use of technology in the classroom, to real application of technology, readers will find what they need to implement better technology usage at their school. Not only does the book offer specific technology tools to use in the classroom, but the thought process behind using technology appropriately and effectively.
Where ever you are in your journey with technology, this book can meet you there and guide you further! 
*Emily Morris, Ninth Grade Social Studies Teacher, J. Frank Dobie High School, Pasadena ISD, Summit Public Schools Pilot Participant*