No Devices, No Problem

Computer labs fill up, carts get signed out, and sometimes technology simply isn’t available; however teachers can still reap the benefits of quick formative assessment with Plickers. Simply sign up for free at www.plickers.com. Using the website, click on classes. A roster can be imported or student names can be typed in manually to the newly created class. A number is automatically assigned to each student, this number matches the Plicker card. Once the class entries are completed, click on library. New folders can be added prior to adding questions for organization purposes. Simply “add question” to create an assessment.

Once everything is setup on the site, download the app to a tablet (android or iOS) or cell phone (android or iOS) and print out the Plicker card. As you launch the assessment, simply use the camera on your tablet/phone to scan each students card. Each card is unique and each student simply turns their card to the answer of their choice. Without student devices, teachers can still reap the benefits of quick analysis of formative assessment that technology provides.  

Try Plickers today!

Keep 'em Coming

Google remains on the cutting edge and the company is always making forward progress. I just love how Google listens to feedback from users.

Google Forms recently updated to include a built in quiz option. Google Classroom has a few changes as well. On August 17, 2016 new options were available. Teachers can now add and filter by topic. Teachers and students can now preview files such as PDF’s or videos without leaving the classroom.

Although I love all of these new features, my favorite is Guardian Summaries. Teachers now have another way to communicate and keep parents up to date. Simply enable “Guardian Email Summaries” for your classes; click on “Invite Guardian” beside the name of a student and enter the email address provided. Parents will receive a summary of completed assignments as well as the due dates for other assignments for each class the student is enrolled in.

This is a great way to keep parents informed and involved in the education process; and start the school year off on a positive note with parents.

Welcome Back!

Welcome back!

I’m sure your week thus far has been filled with the sounds of laughter and school buses. It’s back to school time, welcome back!

Typically the first Friday of the first full week results in a dull Friday night coupled with sleep and Netflix. Many teachers are already tired and it’s just the first week. As you get back into your routine, establish norms and procedures, why not create some for yourself?

In a profession like this one, it’s important to avoid burn out. One of the best ways to do that is to establish boundaries between school and work. Start small, but consider one day each week that an hour earlier or later will suit your schedule. Use this extra time to complete tasks and plan. By adding this hour, time is created to complete tasks instead of taking them home.

In addition to leaving work at work, make time for the things you enjoy. I consider myself to be a “Master Crafter”, so I make time for those things. They help to alleviate stress and avoid boredom. There’s an abundance of videos on YouTube about any craft or hobby out there. I recently taught myself to knit and make candy apples from YouTube.

Lastly, make exercise a priority. Exercise is a stress reliever and natural immune booster. You can’t do your best, when you’re not feeling your best. Regular exercise also improves sleep.

As the year progresses, remember to be kind to your students and to yourself.

Got Visuals?

Got Visuals?

According to the Visual Teaching Alliance, 65% of the population are visual learners yet 80% of instruction is delivered orally. How this new generation relies on videos became more powerful to me after a conversation with a beloved 5 year old. About a week ago, I was cleaning up at my grandmother’s house and the 5 year old asked me about a patterned pillow on the couch. I told him that I made it. Immediately he asked, “How?”. I replied that I used a sewing machine to sew it, he politely asked if I could teach him. Right after he asked if I could teach him to sew, he said, “Let me see a video.” At the ripe old age of 5, he knows there’s probably a video available that will show him how to do this task.

As teachers, it’s important to use what appeals to students. This is definitely the YouTube generation, so start there. Within YouTube teachers can annotate videos. Start by adding videos to your YouTube channel. Next visit the YouTube channel manager. Then click the down arrow next to the video you would like to edit and click the annotation button (should be on the right). Lastly remember to click apply changes. A great way to utilize this and get feedback is to add the video to a Google Form along with comprehension questions. New features in Google Forms allow teachers to build in a self grading quiz.

Often times teachers struggle with students losing notes (especially if you teach adolescents), YouTube is a great way to provide an at home resource. Using your YouTube channel to create a few minutes of video summarizing what happened in class provides at home assistance and a reference for parents. This is helpful for students and parents.

EdPuzzle allows teachers to take a video and record their own voice explaining the videos. In addition to editing the videos, questions can also be added. These great features are free.

If you tried Zaption and loved it, EdPuzzle is a great alternative to that. The Zaption platform will shut down on September 30, 2016 make sure to save your resources.

 

Here are just a few ways to integrate video into lessons. The opportunities extend far beyond this to include students making instructional videos or using videos for reflection to show what they've learned.