How do you evaluate the effectiveness of your multimedia and technology use in your lectures?

A varied use of multimedia and technology is a widely recognised way of helping to engage learners, but a clear strategy as to why and how you are using these technologies is vital. Where possible consider methods of active learning in alignment with your use of technology to help create a richer learning experience for students. Always reflect strategically on how your use of technology is going to help create a richer learning environment for leaners – don’t just use it for the sake of using it.

Make sure your use of technology does not overshadow individual student voices. Make sure they are heard and appreciated. If you have your lectures online, use interactive tools that will allow students to contribute and reflect to you, themselves and other students in your classroom.

Acredito que um dos principais equívocos se dá no que chamo "uso pelo uso" da tecnologia. Ou seja, um uso de forma totalmente desconectada dos objetivos e, principalmente, do público alvo da palestra. Os recursos tecnológicos podem ser importantes diferenciais da sua palestra, mas eles precisam ser parte e n?o o foco principal da mesma.

Surveys, quizzes, tests and analytics fall short of capturing student interaction between each other in the classroom. Allowing for their own feedback in the classroom to be captured every day and allowing it to accumulate over the period of an entire semester allows for students to be heard and appreciated.

Tenho observado nas pesquisas ou avalia??o de rea??o de palestras e cursos pouca ou nenhuma men??o aos recursos tecnológicos. Acredito que isso ocorra tanto por falta de atualiza??o do conteúdo das pesquisas quanto pela ausência de compreens?o da relevancia dos mesmos para o conjunto apresentado.

Data should include live interaction. It should be based on a form of voice out and callback. Otherwise I feel it becomes just a set of numbers that can be interpreted in any way data analyzer chooses to and data can be shaped into something that you choose to rather than be true representation of who students are.

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In a similar manner, data presentation can be shaped into anything. Identification of what population represents is much tougher to capture without including a variety of sourced data of multiple ways of evaluating of what students do in the classroom.

To enhance multimedia use, implement a "pilot-test-refine" approach. Start with small, targeted changes in one or two areas of improvement, and test these adjustments in specific lectures. Use real-time data, such as student engagement analytics and interactive polls, to gauge immediate impact. Create feedback loops with students, allowing them to rate the effectiveness of new tools or formats. Regularly hold peer reviews to gain fresh perspectives. Continuously refine based on both data and feedback, ensuring your tech evolves with student needs while staying aligned with your teaching goals.

To truly reflect on your multimedia and technology use, adopt a “personal teaching audit” mindset. Regularly assess how your tech integration has reshaped your teaching philosophy, focusing on how it enhances engagement, accessibility, and inclusivity. Explore both the successes and the unforeseen challenges, identifying how tech impacts student outcomes and your overall teaching style. Celebrate small wins but also embrace areas for improvement. Consider keeping a reflective journal to track your evolution, noting key moments of growth, and seek inspiration from other educators who are innovating in the digital teaching space.

Embrace experimentation. Some of the most effective uses of multimedia and technology come from trial and error. Share stories with your students about times when tech didn't work as expected—this humanizes the process and encourages a growth mindset in learning. Encourage students to be co-creators by involving them in testing new tools or formats. This not only boosts engagement but also empowers them to shape their learning environment. Lastly, always stay curious and open to new innovations, as technology constantly evolves, offering fresh opportunities for teaching transformation.