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Anita Olson
EDU 225
April 14, 2016
Mr. Clark

Multimedia Presentation
The use of technology in the classroom can either be a blessing or a nightmare even for the
most experienced teacher. Despite a solid movement toward increasing the use of instructional
technology, it is a mistake to assume that technology by itself will produce new ways of learning
(Privateer, 1999 as cited in Ferrell & Ferrell, 2002, pg.1). Facilitating technology as a form of
enhancing classroom instruction is an art form. Teachers must be aware about the newest
hardware, software, website applications and online tools that are available to the public.
Teachers, then must use their creative thinking skills to develop a lesson plan that combines the
use of digital media to effectively and accurately instruct their students.
For the most part, teachers have a general idea of how they would like to proceed with
teaching their area of expertise. Whether it is Science, English or Math, all teachers go in with the
expectation that they will make their subject relevant and important to lives of their students. To
successfully complete this goal, teachers must be innovative, entertaining and provide an enriching
learning atmosphere. Teachers, especially those that teach Math, Science and Biology, can
positively expand on classroom lectures through instructional technology such as 3D Printing. 3D
Printing is not a new concept but using it in an educational setting is fairly new. 3D Printing builds
upon concepts that are generally difficult to grasp without some form of a visual aid. For this
reason, 3D Printing is an instrumental teaching tool as it affords students with the opportunity to
design, develop and build three-dimensional models based upon their calculated volumetric

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measurements (Brown, 2015). In addition to using 3D Printing in the classroom, another
instructional technology aid to assist teachers in teaching difficult concepts is Prezi. Prezi is used
by teachers to present information in a more captivating way. Through its zooming-in, and
zooming-out features, its ability to upload interactive videos and its animated features, Prezi can
be a resourceful tool to liven up classroom instruction as it eliminates the need for lengthy lectures
notes, thus enhancing the way students absorb pertinent information (Houska, 2013).
As a future classroom instructor, utilizing 3D Printing, or presentational websites such as
Prezi would be resourceful and tangible ways to facilitate and enhance classroom instruction.
These forms of technology instruction help students who have difficulty with perceiving spatial
concepts. 3D Printing and Prezi are not new concepts in the business industry, but using them in
an educational environment is; therefore, teachers have to be very careful not to overload these
instructional methods into their everyday teaching. Both of these instructional aids do have
drawbacks but the benefits far out-weigh the negatives. 3D Printing and Prezi can be a distraction
to students if the information presented is cluttered and too many features are instantaneously
used. Instructional technology tools are meant to boost teacher instruction, as well as heighten
students attention span. Ultimately, the main goal in using technology in the classroom is to make
a childs learning experience memorable and satisfying. Without these two experiences, neither the
teacher nor the instructional device have performed their respective role with regards to teaching
students.

Reference

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Brown, A. (2015). 3D Printing in Instructional Settings: Identifying a Curricular Hierarchy of
Activities. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 59(5), 16-24
Ferrell, O., & Ferrell, L. (2002). Assessing Instructional Technology In The Classroom. Marketing
Education Review, 12(3), 19-24.
Houska, J. (2013). Pedagogically Sound Use of Prezi: Making effective use of Prezi in the
classroom. American Psychological Association. Retrieved 4/14/16 from:
http://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/ptn/2013/05/prezi-sound.aspx