Topic outline

  • Welcome

  • Introduction to Unit 11

    • Why this Unit?

      This unit focuses on helping teachers develop multimedia resources that enhance teaching and learning. You will explore the basics of multimedia and simulations, and learn how to design simple resources that support classroom instruction. Practical skills include using digital authoring tools to create lessons and programmes, as well as producing videos, graphics, and 3D models. By the end, you will be equipped to create engaging digital materials that make learning more interactive and effective.

      Unit Competencies

      In this unit, you will enhance your ability to:

      1. Develop knowledge of the fundamentals of multimedia and simulations, and develop basic multimedia tools that serve as effective teaching and learning aids.
      2. Use digital authoring tools to create a lesson, course, or programme    
      3. Create videos, graphics, such as 3D models, and other multimedia for use as teaching and learning aids.



      Recommended time: 2 hours

  • Lesson 1: Understanding Multimedia Principles and Learning Design

    • Introduction

      In this lesson we will explore the important principles of multimedia learning and their application in designing effective educational content. We'll explore how people learn from words and pictures, examining the reasoning processes involved and the research-backed strategies that improve learning.

      Study the resources below and then attempt the assignment,

    • Having watched the video “Mayer’s Principles of Multimedia Learning” complete the tasks below. Your submission should be 150–200 words, include examples, and show clear connection between theory and practice.

      1. Briefly summarize three of Mayer’s multimedia principles discussed in the video (e.g. coherence, redundancy, contiguity, modality).
      2. For each principle you selected, identify an example (from something you’ve seen or experienced) where the principle is violated or poorly applied, and suggest how it could be improved.
      3. Reflect on how you would use these principles in your own teaching or content development. Which principle will you pay special attention to, and why?

  • Lesson 2: Identifying Curriculum-Aligned Content Needs

    • Introduction

      The future of education in Tanzania is increasingly digital. To truly support the national vision and enhance student mastery of complex topics, we must move beyond static text and into dynamic digital content—including videos, animations, interactive simulations, and audio lessons.

      First, we will look at "pillar 3" of the Digital National Strategy (pages 31-32). This will help us understand its plan for creating and using multimedia content, and how it plans to put the digital curriculum into action.

    • Because we explore effective content design, it's essential that we connect our work directly to the national framework.

      The Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) relies heavily on engaging methods, making multimedia a key element in successful teaching and learning. To ensure that your use of digital tools (like videos, animations, and interactive content) meets the country's educational objectives, we encourage you to familiarize yourself with the official guidelines.

      This document—the ICT Competency Standards for Teachers—will clarify the precise ways digital integration, and thus multimedia content, is expected to enhance our curriculum delivery.

    • Now that we've introduced the lesson, and you are aware of Core Pillar (3) Digital Content Development. This pillar is dedicated to ensuring the education system has the necessary digital and multimedia resources to teach the curriculum effectively.  You may also have found that it focuses on the development of high-quality "Digital Contents," which are defined broadly to include audio, video, and images for teaching and learning purposes. Let's examine how to review the curriculum when preparing lesson media. Please open this page.

    •  Discussion

      Watch the video below and then answer the following questions.

       

      • Explain how technology can help students with their school projects, using examples from the video.
      • Choose one subject you are teaching (e.g., Science, Math, History), identify one topic from the subject syllabus. 
      • Share how you would ensure the digital content you create for this topic is aligned with the curriculum.

    • Let us see if you have retained any of the information shared here. Take the short quiz below.

  • Lesson 3: Selecting Appropriate Tools And Formats

    • Introduction

      In teaching, there are many multimedia tools you can use — such as videos, audio recordings, and interactive slides. However, the best tool depends on your goal and what you want learners to do or experience. Always start by asking yourself:

          “What do I want my learners to learn, do, or experience?”

      Lesson outcomes

      By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

      1. Identify different multimedia tools and formats (video, audio, slides).
      2. Select the most appropriate tool based on lesson goals and learner needs.
      3. Apply the right multimedia format to make learning engaging and effective.

    • Instructions

      1. Read the article on selecting the appropriate tool
      2. Watch the short clip below on different states of water
      3. In the forum identify:

          • What is being taught?
          • Why is video the best format for this content?
          • How could you use this approach in your own teaching?

    • Attempt the questions on selecting appropriate tools

  • Lesson 4: Creating, Editing, and Integrating Multimedia

    • Introduction

      Dear teacher, this lesson will guide you through the main steps in creating, editing, and using multimedia for teaching. It includes short explanations, embedded videos, and self-check activities to help you apply what you learn.

      Lesson outcomes

      By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

      1. Identify the key steps in planning and creating multimedia resources.
      2. Use simple tools to record and edit video or audio lessons.
      3. Integrate multimedia effectively into classroom teaching and learning.

    • Assignment

      This assignment helps you reflect on how you have developed the knowledge, skills, and attitudes from the unit Creating Multimedia for Teaching and Learning.

      You will demonstrate evidence that you can select, create, and integrate multimedia tools effectively in teaching and learning.

  • Unit Discussion

      1. In the forum below answer the following question, “Which multimedia tool have you found most effective in improving learner engagement, and why?” 
      2. Once you have posted reply to the contributions made by at least two teachers. What did they say and to what extent do you agree with them?

    • Digital Teaching Resource Tools Forum
      View Make forum posts: 1

  • Unit Assessment

    • Before you complete this unit, take the short quiz below to check how well you have understood the key ideas and to confirm that you can apply them in classroom practice.

  • Summary and Conclusion

    • This unit equipped you with essential concepts and skills for creating, selecting, and integrating multimedia in teaching. You learned core multimedia principles such as coherence, modality, contiguity and redundancy, and how these principles help design learner-centred lessons without cognitive overload. You also explored how to align multimedia with Tanzanian curriculum goals by identifying learning outcomes first and ensuring that materials are age-appropriate, culturally relevant, and educationally purposeful.

      You further examined how to choose appropriate formats depending on lesson goals — using video for demonstrations, audio for listening practice, and interactive slides for structuring information. In the practical section, you practiced creating multimedia content with tools like Microsoft PowerPoint and Audacity, and learned how to edit and integrate it through digital classrooms, such as Google Classroom and Kahoot. The key message is that multimedia strengthens learning when it is intentional, curriculum-aligned, and designed with a clear instructional purpose — requiring thoughtful planning, creativity, and ongoing reflection.

  • Attribution, References and Licence