Screen Cast - So Great!

I just got done making my first screen cast using Screenr.  All I can say, is "Wow! I wished I would have made this sooner." Last year, I had my students demonstrate how to get to a certain website, log in, and access information.  But, if I would have had a screen cast, my students could access this as many times as needed and throughout the year if need be.  The tutorial that I just completed is on how to access the online math text book.  Recently I assigned an assignment, and while I gave my students a hard copy, I wanted them to answer the questions online so that they could get immediate feedback plus appropriate activities to help them do their best on their first summative assessment.  Some of my students chose not to access this tool and they didn't have a good reason as to why.  Posting a video tutorial like this can help parents work with their child and making sure that they complete their assignment.  In my opinion, I don't think it leaves room for any excuses as to why they couldn't complete their assignment.  This is just another powerful way to flip certain elements of my classroom.  While my first attempt is not perfect, it has excited me to create more video tutorials.  Check back again for another one.

You Tube PlayLists

Today I had the opportunity to create my first YouTube Play List. I already collect videos and post them in the appropriate math unit on my class website: https://sites.google.com/site/mrshsintrotoprealgebraclass/updates. The play list is another way to curate videos in one collection.  Check out my YouTube Math Video Play list.

Animoto - Love It!

This was a fun assignment and one that my students will enjoy viewing in the future.  I took a boring PowerPoint that my team had me create to inform students of best practices when being assigned and using their locker and turned it into a fun Animoto presentation.  I'm sure my students will learn more using this format than me clicking away through the slides.

I can see future uses in my classroom to introduce new concepts in math or to summarize a unit. If my students enjoy creating, perhaps I can assign them the task of making their own Animoto video to demonstrate what they have learned.  Using different types of technology in the classroom really expands the walls; I really love how videos can be embedded into the Animoto presentation.  Students could even film one another while they are completing a practice or challenge problem and turn it into a lesson for others.  I can't think of a better way to engage students and to offer an exciting way for them to learn and teach others.

Educators Evaluate 'Flipped Classrooms'