Every
individual learns and observes information best in a different way. Some are
visual learners, some are literary learners, and some (I speak from first-hand
knowledge) learn best when they are hand’s on. Therefore, there is not one best way of portraying a message
to a mass audience – no matter what that message is. The modern media messenger, with a plethora of resources at
his fingertips, should utilize the variety of mediums through which his message
can be shared.
Research
is constantly being conducted to discover how people learn most
effectively. Studies have found
that differing styles of learning will not only help the gaining of knowledge
for a specific individual but it will aid in the ability to remember and put to
practice new ideas. Pacific
Resources for Education and Learning organization claims that using multimedia
tools to teach ESL students has proven highly successful. “Storytelling through drama and
computer-based multimedia authoring present English for second language learners
(ESLLs) with engaging opportunities to develop concurrently basic skills in
language arts and higher order thinking skills.” By combining dramatic interpretations, interactive computer
games, and written story lines, this organization has found their best results
for teaching a variety of learners.
Fox25
News has a very effective website that provides links and photos for viewers to
access new bits of information.
Interactive weather maps, daily trending audience voting polls and video
links are only a few of the ways of engagement. There are also social media icons that provide users with
access to communication via E-mail, Twitter, Facebook, RSS, and Mobile text
messaging for more convenient ways to stay up to date on the news.
It’s
important as a media communicator to engage the target audience in multiple
means of communication. Many bloggers and online news sites has found the most
user “hits” off of YouTube-linked videos, PowerPoints or Podcasts, none of
which are the usual form of written news reporting. However, for the
traditional news observer, they will look only for the written word. Therefore, it is highly important for a
media messenger to send the message across different platforms, engaging with
the target audience in the most effective and memorable way possible.
Home.
(n.d.). - Boston News, Weather, Sports. Retrieved May 26, 2014, from
http://www.myfoxboston.com
Multimedia
Tools. (n.d.). Educational Technology Resources -. Retrieved May 26,
2014, from https://aartechresources.wikispaces.com/Multimedia+Tools
Telling
Stories: ESL Strategies Main Page. (n.d.). Telling Stories: ESL Strategies
Main Page. Retrieved May 26, 2014, from http://www.prel.org/eslstrategies/
In my post, I also mentioned that multimedia tools help visual learners, but you made a good point about how it can help all different types of learners (Educational Technology Resources, 2014). In my post, I solely focused on the visual aspect of multimedia tools, however there are others ones that use different ways to reach an audience (Educational Technology Resources, 2014). A good example of this is the multimedia tool of GarageBand (Apple, 2014). This helps people who learn best from listening to information or in other words, auditory learners (Apple, 2014). With this in mind, it helps companies get their message to wide audiences that consist of people who learn best differently. I also agree with you that using these types of tools is a good way to reach audiences with different types of media giving the company or person that is trying to get their message out a better chance of it reaching a wide audience with all types of learners.
ReplyDeleteResources:
Apple. (2014). Garageband. Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/mac/garageband/
Educational Technology Resources. (2014). Multimedia tools. Retrieved from https://aartechresources.wikispaces.com/Multimedia+Tools