Using multimedia devices in your teaching can be incredibly powerful. A simple movie clip, the inclusion of a song or even just a PowerPoint presentation will make your message more memorable, if used well. But that’s a big if.

Here are some tips to help you incorporate multimedia into your lessons:

>> Don’t force it. You’ve heard a great song or there’s some new movie just released on DVD that everyone is talking about and you want to use it in your next lesson. Do not attempt to “work it in” if it doesn’t naturally fit. Don’t even do this with a PowerPoint presentation. It will feel forced and out of place and for good reason—it is.

>> Don’t use media to make your point. A song or movie clip that encapsulates what you’ve just taught sounds like a good idea. I know it does—I’ve done it. The unfortunate truth is that it will come off flat, repetitive and not nearly as relevant as it was when viewed through your mind’s eye 90% of the time.

>> Media (specifically movie clips and songs) are best used to ask questions, not to answer them. Begin your lessons with a clip that pushed the group to think through elements of the study’s focus. Listen to a song and then challenge it’s message. These are great intros because they grab the learners’ attention making it easier to get discussion rolling.

>> Always provide copies of lyrics when using a song.

>> Stay with PG-13 rated movies or better. You don’t want the hassle of controversy, even if the clip was a really good one. (And someone is always offended.)

>> Don’t be afraid to use songs and movies that your audience would not otherwise listen to or watch, so long as they are appropriate.

>> PowerPoint is great for bullet points, lists and scriptural references. Just make sure your backgrounds are high quality and keep the animations to a minimum.

>> Dark PowerPoint backgrounds with light words tend to be easier on the eyes.

>> Try to look like a professional. When using a movie clip, edit it to fade in-from and back-out-to black at the beginning and end if possible. Fade songs out rather than just stopping the CD. Try to allow for smooth transitions.

>> Remember that multimedia devices are just a tool. Use them, but don’t allow the message to get lost in them.