Apply Multimedia Principles from Fred Williams Jr.

I selected practice principle 5: Apply Multimedia Principles for my visual example. Use of
multimedia examples in science class illustrate some applications of this principle of practice in
real life class use. My main example comes from chemistry class and the use of molecular
modeling. In an elective science class like Astronomy, multimedia provides ways for students to
have more meaningful, direct experiences that would otherwise not be available in the confines
of a classroom.
As
applying
on

This photo shows the

components of a 100-Atom
Molecular Model Set

detailed

below this
demonstration of

multimedia principles can be as simple as ball and stick laboratory hands

for 3 D experience not easily visualized in textbooks. Next, using
software to build more complex structures and/ or manipulate the
view of the structure from different perspective not only helps
students visualize torsional forces with molecules but helps them

grasp new

pieces of information and discern patterns when they are presented with

numerous, effective examples. Viewing science learning as a process of inquiry and

investigation, it makes sense to use multiple representations as an inquiry tool, in much the same
way that scientists in the field do.
Students often develop scientific understandings as a result of their own observations and what
they can see to be true. This approach is problematic when the phenomena under investigation
are unseen or at least unobservable in the confines of the classroom. Computer-based modeling
tools can help students overcome these difficulties. These tools can provide exciting
opportunities for students to create, manipulate, and interact with their own constructions, which
in turn support them in developing understandings through their first-hand experience.
An example of how students might use this type of tool to
unseen phenomenon is in the use of chemistry
modeling software that provides students with a
variety of tools that allow them to create
representations of their experiments. These tools

gain understanding of an

engage students in working with partners and link to work done in the chemistry lab, thus
helping to develop both collaborative and physical lab skills.
ChemSense is one of these modeling software programs which features a screen design that
displays videos of experiments, animations of nanoscale views of the experiment, graphic
representations as well as chemical equations, text, data collection sheets, and molecular models.
In this way, the software provides students with multiple representations of the same experiment,
allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the processes taking place.
In a similar fashion, Starry Night software contains a variety of astronomy software titles that
allow students to view a virtual night sky from any point on Earth, travel to planets, view planets
and stars using daylight, twilight and nighttime views, view the night sky at various points
during history, maneuver around 3-D galaxies, and print out star charts among many other
activities.
Modeling tools enable students to manipulate objects and experiments in ways that would
otherwise be impossible. Students in astronomy can use modeling tools to create a model solar
system, and manipulate planetary rotations to learn how sunrise would look from the moon or
how the Earths tilt affects surface temperatures
For example, to understand the changing of the seasons students need to not only visualize a
static 3-D representation of the phenomenon but also how it might change over time or in
accordance with various factors. Such visualizations are challenging for most students, but may
be especially difficult for students with learning disabilities or cognitive difficulties. Modeling
tools and software can help students visualize processes that might be difficult to conceptualize
otherwise.
It is important to note that modeling tools allow students to change the viewing perspective,
discovering, for example, what the moon would look like to someone standing on the sun. This
provides students with learning opportunities not typically available in a middle school or high
school science class, where students generally have available only two-dimensional pictures
from a typical science textbook. For students learning about astronomy, the ability to change
perspective is crucial to understand how eclipses occur, students need to understand how the

Sun, Moon, and Earth orbit and interact. If, using an interactive 3-D computer model, students
can view the Earth-Moon-Sun system from different perspectives, the likelihood that they will
develop a scientifically accurate explanation is greatly enhanced because they can test if their
understanding holds from many different viewpoints.
Multiple representations can be a great addition to any teachers toolkit; students can access
multiple representations quickly and easily and can self-select those representations that are most
relevant to them. Teachers and students can manipulate and edit digital media to create their own
representations, resulting in examples that are meaningful and connected to students prior
knowledge and experiences. In addition to allowing students to mirror the processes that
scientists themselves engage in, these representations enable students to explore and discuss
phenomena and objects that may otherwise be intangible, such as the molecular structure of a
reagent.
However, modeling tools are not as widely available as other types of multimedia tools for
science learning such as simulations or virtual laboratories. When you are selecting a program
for classroom use, it is important that you choose something that will match with your
curriculum and with the hands-on activities you already use. While studies have shown that
students can gain greater understanding when using digital representations, I think it is important
to realize that they are not a replacement for a student actually conducting an experiment or
observing phenomena. Lastly I would suggest looking for a tool or software that allows students
to manipulate their representation in various ways, or to view different types of representations.
Part of the strength of these types of tools is getting students choices for viewing a scientific
phenomenon in many different ways, thus deepening their understanding and allowing them to
observe what would normally be invisible or difficult to view.

ChemSense is an NSF-funded project to study students' understanding of chemistry and

develop software and curricula to help students investigate chemical systems and express their
ideas in animated chemical notation. ChemSense software is available freely for download

Starry Night software offers high quality, educational additions for Elementary through College
level astronomy courses. Some of these materials are designed to run with Starry Night
Education software, but many of these resources can be used on their own.