NDM Update
Content Content
THE ISSUE
Educators have known for years that student learning is enhanced when the students already know something about the content area OR when the area has meaning connected to them, their background, or their culture. By linking new information to such prior knowledge, teachers activate the student’s interest and curiosity, and
There is often a problem, however, between activating background knowledge and building in-depth knowledge. When introducing a topic, teachers can use prior knowledge to make instruction more meaningful. Throughout the course of the lesson or unit of instruction, in-depth knowledge is built through reading, writing, and discussing the concepts and principles being studied. Many times the gap in students’ background knowledge or experience with a topic seriously impedes attempts to move forward with instruction.
THE SOLUTION
Quality video productions can help bridge the gap that slows or stops a student’s full understanding of lessons or concepts. CCC! Video on Demand is a portal for delivering rich content in a film format that students find familiar because of the media-rich environment in which they live. In addition, video can:
- present a consistent message every time for each student;
- be used with small groups of students to repeat segments and reinforce concepts;
- show concepts such as plate tectonics or animal adaptations in action;
- provide a better way to explain a complex process; and
- reach students who might be reluctant learners through the combination of sights and sounds that engage emotions and create interest
One example of providing meaningful insights into one of the Next Generation Science Standards requiring students to observe and analyze the external features of animals to explain how these structures and adaptations help the animals survive. Imagine your world if you no longer had thumbs! Mentally try to button your jacket, peel a banana, or text your friends. The opposable thumb is probably one of the most significant adaptations that have helped humans develop and sustain life as we know it. In fact, we cannot
With a library of over 5,000 programs, including 300 new programs added to CCC! this past school year, teachers have options that enhance textbooks to explain science concepts. Programs in math, science, social studies, language arts, foreign languages, fine arts, health and guidance extend these assets to content instruction throughout the school.
The video, “Free At Last? WWII and After,” captures thumbnail sketches that support a timeline that, through textbooks, may take many weeks to reveal. By making history come alive, this program can reinforce ideas using video images, speeches given by leaders during this epoch, and a dialogue that weaves history into a story students can readily understand.
In addition, each video is bookmarked so that the teacher can easily access each segment without watching the entire program. There are suggested student activities, a teacher’s guide, and a knowledge check to probe each student’s level of knowledge gained from the video experience.
Our newest program is for k-12 after-school programs. (I don’t have enough information to create content for this section.)