Media Influence in Education
Will media influence learning? If some one would have asked me last week this question, I would undoubtedly have answered, of course. Clark (1994) made a case, for what I thought to be the obvious, that media does influence learning. Kozma (1994), on the contrary, made a case, for what I now think to be possible, that media will never influence learning. I believe that media, along with other technology, provides for an environment conducive to learning. We live in a technologically driven society. Millennials are plugged to the latest gadgets, and we as educators need to satisfy their desire (Howe & Strauss). The traditional delivery methods applied to these students are not going to encompass their realm of reality.
Creative ways to introduce a topic or to keep students motivated is essential to their academic success. Technology then plays a very important role in creating an environment that is welcoming as well as exciting. However, technology is only as good as the person who is using it. Having the latest and best technology does not impact on student’s learning, unless the person who is incorporating it really uses it to its full potential. Think of it as going to get your car fixed to a mechanic who does not know how to use his tools, but they are the best and the latest. I wouldn’t trust my car to that person, would you? The question that we need to explore is the following: Is it necessary to incorporate media in order to influence learning? Clark’s point of view is quite straight forward…”only the use of adequate instructional methods will influence learning” (1994). Furthermore, he claims that “…any necessary teaching method can be delivered to students by many media or a variety of mixture of media attributes—with similar results” (1994). Kozma challenges us to think of media as a “complimentary process within which representations are constructed and procedures performed, sometimes by the learner and sometimes by the medium (1991). I tend to agree with both, to certain extent. I believe that media will only influence learning if used as a tool for teaching complex concepts and not as the medium to deliver content. We need to remind ourselves that in order to have an inclusive classroom, consideration must be given to all types of learners: auditory, tactile, and visual learners.
Let’s consider the topic of fractions in an elementary mathematics classroom. Some students need to see how fractions are applied; hence real-world applications must be presented in order to gain their attention. Others benefit if they can use manipulatives to create their own understanding of fractions. However, there are some students who find it very simple to understand fractions and they do not need to see or apply them in order to understand. Therefore accommodating the needs of all learners is vital in having a comprehensive and inclusive classroom whether or not media is used to deliver the content or assist with context.
In conclusion, I am not sure anymore how to answer the fundamental question, Will media influence learning? One thing I know for sure, media or any other type of technology alone cannot be the sole responsible medium to deliver content. We, as educators and as future instructional technologist, must decide where media is necessary and when it is sufficient to achieve learning.

[Reference]
Clark, R.E. (1994). Media will never influence learning. Educational Technology
Research and Development, 42, 21-29.
Howe, N., & Strauss, W. (2003) Millennials go to college. Washington, DC: American
Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Office (AACRAO).
Kozma, R.B. (1994). Will media influence learning? Reframing the debate. Educational
Technology Research and Development, 42, 7-19.