From Pedagogy in Action

• Existing media resources can be used within lectures to stimulate interest in and develop knowledge of the material being taught. This traditional approach is teacher-centric, and information is pushed to the learner. Media allows the instructor to facilitate the transfer of expert knowledge to novice learners. Given the tremendous rate of technological change, instructors face an ongoing challenge in choosing the most effective media platform to reach their students. Instructors can also create their own media to effectively and efficiently convey knowledge.
• Existing media resources can also be used to engage students and facilitate active learning strategies which promote deeper learning. For example, media provides a useful platform for teaching with cases, cooperative learning, problem solving, and for giving more interactive lecture demonstrations.
• Student-created media involves a high degree of engagement; promotes individual learning, social interaction and immersion; and is highly customizable and collaborative (Yowell and Rhoten, 2009). Student-created media provide an alternative or a complement to traditional undergraduate student research. By doing a digital storytelling project, personal reflection and communication by students can be promoted.

There are many different formats of media that can be incorporated into lessons or just enjoyed. Here is a small sample:

Powerpoint and lecture: Climate Change in the Northern Rockies by Dr. Steve Running
An Audio Powerpoint Video (to be played in a computer)
Dr. Steve Running directs the College of Forestry and Conservation's Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group at the University of Montana in Missoula. His work as a lead author of the 2007 United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report - which presents strong evidence that humanity is artificially warming our world -- recently brought him a share of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the IPCC committee and Al Gore. For more information, please visit http://www.ntsg.umt.edu/.

Video: Walking on Sacred Ground (Closed Captioned) 16 Minutes, 2004
 

The Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark is a special place. The centuries-old travel corridor, first used by Niimiipuu (Nez Perce Indians), has since been followed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, trappers, traders, miners and moder-day adventurers. Many who travel this rugged route today may not be aware that the natural and cultural resources along the Lolo Trail are deceptively delicate. Walking on Sacred Ground explains why this landsape – from its cultural importance to modern Nez Perce people, to its sensitive mountain habitats – is so remarkable. Viewers will learn a little of the history of the Lolo Trail National Historic Landmark and how to enjoy visiting the area while protecting the land and the culture that make it such a unique place.

Link to YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyoHIfVkc4A&feature=plcp

Podcast: Effects of Drought and Excess Precpitation on Fall Colors

Kelly van Frankenhuyzen talks with U.S. Forest Service experts about current condition and effects of drought and excess precptation on fall colors in the Northeast and Midwest.

Right click to download MP3 file (9 mb)

Download transcript