Creating a Multimedia Journey

Subject: Digital Technologies

Year Level: Year 3-4

Strand: Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding (4.2) ; Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills (4.3, 4.4)

Sub strand:

4.2 Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways (recognising that text, images, sounds are all forms of data when stored or viewed using a digital system)

4.3 Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems

4.4 Define simple problems, and describe and follow a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve them

Link to the resource:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/techlp/techlp062.shtml

Cross-curriculum priorities and general capabilities:
Literacy, ICT, personal and social capability

Links to other learning areas:
English, Mathematics, Geography

A classroom activity using this resource:
This is a perfect activity linking digital technology, geography and English. It allows students to develop their abilities and create a multimedia project using a range of media sources. ICT skills include downloading audio and saving it to folders, copying and pasting images and creating documents.

The activity is based on the free Web site Sound Transit. Students select Australia as their origin and then choose their destination (any country in the world). The site will offer several possible trip variations with five stops for students to choose from. The web site creates an audio version of each students trip, and children can access a map of their trip. There are many possibilities of how this activity can be implemented within the curriculum (eg. literacy activities or developing cultural understanding). This activity is great for students to learn basic computer skills and show how data can be represented in different ways, whilst encouraging creative thinking and individuality.

How to use this resource:
Explain to students that they are going on a journey to any country of their choice (unless the teacher decides on a particular country/countries to link with other learning areas).   Direct students to the Sound Transit website and follow the instructions. Once they have chosen their trip variation and clicked next, an audio version will be downloaded as an mp3 file. Ask students to download and save their audio files to a folder on their desktops (some students may need assistance).

Allow students to listen to their files, and view the map of their trip.

Students will open a new window on their browsers and go to images. Each student will search, copy and paste the best images of the places visited. Students will then listen to their sound files again, while looking at the selected images and making notes about what they hear.

If linking with Literacy, ask students to use their images and notes to write a narrative of their journey.