One of ACCI's library goals is to encourage teachers to provide an interactive educational environment. We believe that when students learn new digital communication skills and teachers integrate digital technology into the curriculum in a meaningful and practical manner, students will become more engaged in their own learning. With this goal in mind, Mrs. Diliana Pazin's grade 12 Canada and World Issues class, ACCI's Library, and TDSB's Media Services piloted "Project-Based Learning Supported by Multimedia". Albert Campbell's students created dynamic and compelling multimedia-rich presentations on Aids Crisis in Africa, Avian Flu, Poverty, Depletion of Natural Resources, Terrorism, and Urbanization in North America. Other classes are now working on PBL projects using iLife.

The Digital Project's Components:

Project-Based Learning = Curriculum + Communication Technology + Information Literacy (4 Stages of Inquiry & Research Process) + Collaborative Teamwork

1. Multimedia incorporates a range of technologies--such as images, music, video, voiceover, hypertext, and interactive discussion capabilities--to produce dynamic learning environments. Campbell's students are using a G5 Mac Lab located in the school library. The lab offers iLife (iPhoto, Garageband, iMovie, iDVD), Final Cut for video editing, Inspiration for graphic organizers, Creative Suite for photo editing, and storyboarding software.
2. Good multimedia projects do not happen by accident. There are many steps along the way that help to ensure a quality presentation. The students are using the TDSB's Research Success @ Your Library: a Guide for Secondary Students that presents a step-by-step approach to the Four Stages of the Research and Inquiry Process: Preparing for Research; Accessing Resources; Processing Resources; and Transferring Learning. ACCI¡¦s Library is providing the students with a variety of high-quality sources of information: new print titles, online database subscriptions with 24/7 at home and at school access (i.e. SIRS Researcher, Gale Research Discovering Collection; Facts on File News Service); and links to research-quality web sites on the school library web site.
3. Under the leadership of Bryan Pardo, TDSB's Media Services is providing professional, technical instruction and individual assistance to the students using iLife.

What are the benefits of digital media projects in collaboration with the school library?

Allows students to go beyond text-based presentation and use multiple information formats such as graphics, images, video, and sound

• Allows students to make connections between facts, ideas, words, and pictures
• Appealing to students ¡V allows them to organize and present information using a variety of media
• Encourages self-expression and sense of ownership
• Creates an active rather than passive learning environment
• Fosters student to student and student to teacher communication
• Creates a real reason for reading, writing, and revising communication
• Promotes higher order thinking skills including problem-solving, collaboration, and the ability to organize and analyze data
• Promotes non-linear thinking and gives divergent learners a chance to shine in the classroom
• Moves teacher from the role of lecturer and classroom authority into the role of learning coach or facilitator
• Increases students' literacy and prepares them for the technology-based communication skills required in the workplace today and tomorrow
• Lets teachers address multiple intelligences and learning styles in the classroom
• Helps make learning fun!

At the secondary level, project styles that work are: public service announcements, news reports, interviews, documentaries, dramatizations, and book reviews.

Conclusion

Research shows that students learn better and master basic skills when they are engaged in learning. Without question, the opportunity to learn and apply digital technology in their culminating projects captured the enthusiasm of the Canada and World Issues class, our pilot class. Mrs. Pazin, the subject teacher, Mrs. McKee, the teacher librarian, and Mr. Bryan Pardo, the Key Media Specialist, all testify to the success of piloting "Project-Based Learning Supported by Multimedia" at ACCI. Now other classes are finding that digital tools for today's digital teens are making learning fun.