Research suggests that multimedia technologies can enhance creativity by igniting students’ creative motivation, supporting idea development, scaffolding creative processes, and augmenting collaboration (Liu et al., 2022). “Multimedia can be described as the combination of various digital media types such as text, images, sound and video, into an integrated multisensory interactive application or presentation to convey a message or information to an audience” (Molina et al., 2018).
Google sites is a free web-based platform created by google, which allows you to create and customise your own website. This platform is easy to use and is appropriate for students in stage 2 and above. Google sites is convenient as it connects to all other google programs such as google drive, docs, forms and google classroom etc. Google sites includes features like picture collages, videos, unique layouts, google images, countdowns, calendars, Mp3, table of contents etc. Teachers can create their own classroom webpage through google sites, where they can collaborate with colleagues and student families. Teachers are able to assign classroom and homework tasks and share student learning with parents and guardians. The features included on google sites, promote a creative multimedia learning environment.
Google site promotes valuable learning in all subject areas, within the NSW syllabuses. Google Sites is a suitable tool to give students an alternative way to creatively present their assignments and projects. For instance, in the example below I’ve created a simple website that classifies different flowers and describes their characteristics. This covers the content of living world from the K-6 Science and Technology syllabus (NESA,2017).
Access site here: https://sites.google.com/view/djoumana-a/home
Another creative way this platform can be utilized, is through weekly blogging. Teachers can assign students with the responsibility to post weekly blogs reflecting on their learning experiences during that week. This fosters creativity as it provides students with the freedom to approach this task the way they would like, and it allows students to collaborate- online- in a professional manner.
Although, google sites is an effective multimedia platform for learning purposes, it does still have some limitations and pedagogical issues. It is important for teachers to understand that multimedia learning cannot be utilised full time. Educators need to think of the ‘Pedagogy before technology’, as multimedia learning can instigate communicative barriers between teachers and students.
While Google site is simple to use and includes many features, it is limited compared to other website builders. Teachers can offer high school students to use other website builder’s like Wix and WordPress, as their features are unlimited, however useability is complex. In summary, technology can be integrated into any creation process and positively impact creative performance.
Djoumana Aoun
Reference List
Liu, M., Pang, W., Guo, J., & Zhang, Y. (2022). A meta-analysis of the effect of multimedia technology on Creative Performance. Education and Information Technologies, 27(6), 8603–8630. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-10981-1
Molina, A. I., Navarro, Ó., Ortega, M., & Lacruz, M. (2018). Evaluating multimedia learning materials in primary education using eye tracking. Computer Standards & Interfaces, 59, 45–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csi.2018.02.004
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) (2017). Science K-6. https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/ learning-areas/science/science-and-technology-k-6-new-syllabus
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