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Maintaining student engagement within large lecture environments has never been an easy proposition. This 6-month study analyzed student surveys and test scores taken before and after the implementation of a variety of digital technologies designed to increase engagement and retention in lecture settings. While student responses indicated an appreciation for the inclusion of multimedia within daily lessons, this study found no statistical evidence that such resources increase student achievement. A review of the literature suggests that the lack of observable gains in student grades after implementation could be related to an uncoordinated deployment of said technologies. The author intends to repeat this analysis in the coming school year with a more considered deployment of multimedia and Internet based resources.

Digital Storytelling Finds Its Place in the Classroom by Tom Banaszewski * Educator/Multimedia Author, Maria Hastings School, Lexington, MA

"About Creaza Creaza offers you an integrated, web-based toolbox for creative work, both at school and in your free time. You use the toolbox along with various fully developed thematic universes: historical periods, fairy-tales, fantasy worlds, and current challenges, such as climate/environment. Creaza integrates professional and user-generated content, creative tools and a social network in a new and innovative way. Users on Creaza have the opportunity to share their work with other Internet users and can give each other comments and suggestions on the products they choose to share. To use this service, all you need is Internet access, a web browser, and the Flash plug-in. Creaza is available for PC, MAC, and Linux users alike. Creaza is fully integrated with Fronter, who provides a platform for learning and collaboration. Fronter offers Creaza as a PlusPack integrated in their platform"