Multimedia Educative Curriculum Materials (MECMs): Teachers’ Choices in Using MECMs Designed to Support Scientific Argumentation

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn this article, we describe the development process for designing multimedia educative curriculum materials (MECMs) focused on supporting teachers in argumentation. We also describe results from a study with 46 teachers. We were interested in whether teachers’ backgrounds or characteristics of the MECMs impacted MECM use. Overall, 89% of the teachers used the MECMs. Teachers’ use was not related to their background, such as years teaching; however, placement of the MECMs and the type of support impacted use. Teachers were more likely to access MECMs embedded in lesson plans or reflective self-assessment prompts compared to a separate library. In addition, teachers were more likely to watch videos earlier in the curriculum and the 1st time a new activity structure was introduced.