First Steps and Best Practices Selecting DVD-ROM Titles for the Classroom Planning for What You Want to Accomplish Guidelines for Using DVD-ROMs in Various Instructional Settings Classroom Management Strategies and Tips Citing DVD-ROM Resources Guidelines for Using DVD-ROMs in Various Instructional Settings Page 1 | 2 | 3 Independent exploration Whether it's in your classroom, in a lab, or in a library setting, students can use the DVD-ROM for independent exploration. This is enormously motivating and empowering for students; by controlling the direction and pace of the DVD-ROM research, a student takes active responsibility for his or her own learning. DVD-ROM resources afford the learner more control of the learning process. Students decide which information to access first and what they want to explore further. Students enjoy being initiators, and it is quite likely they will bring new ideas to the teacher in the process. For example, a student studying the history of music using a relevant DVD-ROM might discover facts and pictures, animation and sound to help bring the content to life. The student might become involved in simulated production of the music, controlling various aspects of the performance; hear pieces of a score performed by different artists; launch into various media about the life of a particular musician; and more, depending on individual interest. There are strong benefits to providing time for independent student exploration, even in a classroom with only one or two computers. If this is your classroom scenario, consider some adjustment of schedules and lesson plans to allow individual students to cycle through the DVD-ROM learning station(s) while the rest of the class is engaged in other activities. For additional ideas for managing student independent work with electronic resources, refer to Thirteen Ed Online's free workshop, Managing Students with Computers, http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/ntti/resources/workshops/ managing_students/practice.html#index Special benefits for special needs students The multisensory learning environment provided in a DVD-ROM is appealing to all students but can have particular value for students with special needs. The multisensory approach supports various learning styles--visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic--by offering information through pictures, voice, written text, sound, animation and full motion video clips. The medium also makes it easier for poor readers and non-readers to participate in individual knowledge construction and classroom discussions. For example, a student who wants to hear a story or passage read while looking at the text can often do so. With a simple click of the mouse, a student can even access an explanation of an illustration. Does a student need a word pronounced or read in another language, or require a visual cue to the meaning behind the words? Such features are often available. Continue to Classroom Management Strategies and Tips © 2003-2009 Educational Broadcasting Corporation. All Rights Reserved.