Life happens,...carry a video recorder at ALL times

A few years ago, my principal gifted me a flip camera the first day of school.  I remember sitting in his office and promising him that I would do amazing things.  All he said was, "I know".  Point number one: never underestimate the power of support.  Without my principal, I would have never discovered the shear power of the video recorder in my classroom.  

Since that day, I have carried this flip camera with me every day.  This is actually no joke.  You never know when math will happen in the world around us.  It seems dorky, but I have captured some amazing moments for my students.

  Now I have my Ipad and Iphone, but I am still obsessed with my flip cam.  No matter what you use, the power of recording your life and implementing your videos in your classroom is priceless.  I am including a video that I taped a few days ago.  My students are learning percent of a number and I happened to be shopping at Home Depot.  Through this video, my students were exposed to, not only math in the real world, but my stupidity.  Although I made a huge fool out of myself, I cannot explain the educational value of my experience.  Try it yourself.  Do not be afraid to look stupid.  Take a look, you will see what I mean,...

The power of Imovie

I Movie

One of my favorite apps for the Ipad is Imovie.  The educational options that Imovie provides are endless.  Your students can simply expand on classroom projects or activities, or they can create complex movies or music videos.  Below I have included a few videos to demonstrate EASY and FAST ways to use Imovie.  In a 90 minute class, my students will typically be working with Imovie for 30 minutes.  Why use Imovie?  Why not just finish the activity and have a conversation? 

My question for you is,.. why not?

Why not allow your students to form a deeper understanding of the topic in a fun and interactive way?  In the first example below, my students performed various minute to win it activities to enhance their understanding of ratios.  After performing activities, they completed activities about unit rate and equivalent ratios.  We could have stopped there, but would students remember the mathematical connection, or just the fun they had playing minute to win it?  How could I ensure that their understanding would be solidified with this fun activity?  I had my students tape the last minute to win it game and create an easy Imovie about how rate and ratio applies.  This video provided evidence for the activity and the mathematical connection.

I also included two other videos where I asked students to display their understanding of expressions and equations.  Students need to be able to connect the real world with every topic they encounter.  Although these are very simple examples, they provided for an excellent springboard into more advanced conversations and topics.

MSET Outstanding Teacher Using Technology

Bloggers and Friends,
Thank you so much for your nomination for MSET Outstanding Teacher Using Technology!  I was humbled and surprised to have won this prestigious award.  Without the love and support of my staff, administration, students, friends and family, there is no way I would have been able to implement my paperless classroom.  This award is for anyone who has ever had a ridiculous dream come true.  Keep learning and dreaming!!!!

Glogster Examples

Project Based Learning with Glogster Assessment

Take a look at a few examples from our classroom!  See below for rubrics.  Check out these student's Glogs and see if they understand the idea of expressions, equations and inequalities.

Project Based Learning,...

Project Based Learning

With my one-on-one ipads, project based learning has become the center of my instructional practices.  Instead of looking unit to unit, I am able to group all common ideas together.  For example, in Washington County, I am currently teaching Unit 7, Inequalities.  Instead of isolating this topic, I have combined it with the other topics grouped in common core unit 3.  Because they are all similar, I feel like my students have really benefited by keeping them grouped.

Recently, I presented a Professional development after school about Project Based Learning.  Pictured below is the rubric I am currently using to guide my students through this unit.  As they are working on their culminating assessment, their Glogster, I am working with students in small guided groups to teach essential information.  Students are grouped according to MAP scores or prior assessments.  I love this model because I am able to individualize instruction.  I am able to meet with students in smaller groups to meet their varying ability levels. 

Here is an example of #5.

Online Resource: GradeCam (amazing,...timesaving,...)

Grade Cam

http://www.gradecam.com/

The ultimate goal of any teacher is to find more time for research and less time on grading.  I have found the solution!!!!  This amazing app or online resource can be used to GRADE TESTS AND INPUT THEM INTO YOUR GRADE BOOK INSTANTLY.  That is right,...Instantly!!!!

How it works: 
- Sign up for the free 60 day trial
-Input your classes by typing in students names and numbers or exported Excel files.
-Make your multiple choice test and create the key on the provided scan sheet.
-Print out scan sheet for each students.
-After test is taken, scan your students test.  Instant Grade!
-When done, fit F8 or your hot key and all grades are transferred to your Grade book.  Instant!
-Review and reflect on your grades through visual graphs and charts.

Online Resource: Jing

JING is AWESOME

http://www.techsmith.com/jing.html

Jing is an amazing resource for PC users.  Essentially, it is equivalent to a screen capture, but more specific.

 

The best aspect of this FREE download is the ability to record what you do.  I frequently use Jing to capture instructions for my kids.  Instead of standing in front of the room and explaining instructions, I find it more beneficial for the students to watch the video.  They are able to pause, go along with the video, and re-play when necessary.