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.

Online resource highlight: zamzar

Zamzar
I have been using this online resource for years now. I truly believe this is a hidden gem that not many people know about.  This site is awesome for converting files.  I have used this site the most with pictures and videos.  For example, but putting my photo into the site, I could change it from a JPEG to a PNG file.  I frequently change movies in the MP4 format to MOV.  Certain sites, like weebly, only accept videos in specific formats.  Use this site for a free way to convert movies, images, documents, and ebooks. 

Www.zamzar.com

Online Resource: PollEv

PollEv
I know just about everyone knows about the benefits of PollEv, but I thought I would include this post for those of you that have forgot about this easy resource.  What is so great?  You can use pollEv on the computer, phone or ipad!!!!

How it works:  go to polleverywhere.com and create an account.  Here you can manage and create polls.
Ready to ask questions?  Share your poll by "pushing your poll out".  Students can respond by text or another resource with web access.  It is as easy as having they type in your web address.  The only poll that will show up is the one that YOU push out.
Best part?  Watch they live action as each students response is posted live in front of their eyes!

How do I use it?
-As a clicker system:  Ask simple questions that can be recorded through a multiple choice answer.  You get immediate feedback for prior instructional plans
-As a discussion board:  Students are able to type in answers to questions as simple as "what is your favorite color" to "explain how the poem ________ relates and compares to the song ______".  Students answers can be posted in multiple ways.  Its your choice!

Benefits
-Immediate teacher feedback
-live feedback for students
-student engagement
-assessment with saved results 

http://www.polleverywhere.com/

Not without issues,... (Online resource highlight: Glogster)

I have so many ideas floating around in my head,...I just wish they would all work, when I want them to.  I am currently having my students showcase their understanding of variable equation and expressions in a project based learning environment.  Through guided groups, I have students enhancing their understanding of variables while creating articles to prepare for their end of the unit project.  Eventually, students will get to choose their end of the unit project, but as of now, I have all students creating a Glogster.  I want to give a my students the knowledge before I set them free.  Anyways, during guided groups, I introduced Glogster to my students and allowed them to explore.  Little did I know, I was going to encounter a plethora of issues.  After reaching my frustration point, I bucked up and called Glogster myself.  A very nice British man informed me that Glogster is currently not compatible with I-pads.  In about a month, they will be releasing an app that will work.
Super.
Awesome.
There goes my project.
Although this problem is easily fixed (renting out laptops from our library), this problem is proof that technology is still progressing.  I am learning as I go,...and so are other people.  My advise is, do not get frustrated.

On a positive note, the online resource I am using for the students is FANTASTIC!  So far, the kids are obsessed.  They are going home and enhancing their Glogs!  I have included an example of a Glog I made last year for my nomination for MSET outstanding teaching using technology.  Visit the Glogster EDU website and explore all the opportunities.  Think of Glogster as an interactive poster.  Students can link in pictures, documents, videos, web links and so much more!  I will post my students examples when they are complete.
http://www.glogster.com/

Another idea,...crazy,...or crazy cool?

My latest idea....let's create a student run tech-team!  I have been cleared to create a boomerang class of my most creative technology leaders.  I have so many ideas with what they can accomplish during this time.

-School webpage:  Our school does not have a running website.  Let us have the kids create and maintain one.
-App review and referral:.  I am always looking for great apps to use.  I want my kids to research them, play with them, rate them, and pitch them to me.
-App experts:  I plan on training students to troubleshoot the apps for other students and educate them on it during guided learning time.
-I-pad maintenance:  Students will have access to information to download apps, delete apps and adjust downloaded material to maintain the storage.

I have decided to make this boomerang open to only 6th grade math students.  Although my students will have priority, I will be looking for other math students that show promise in this area.  I do not plan this on being only for the best of the best,...I want those borderline kids that this will really benefit.
I need your thoughts and opinions!!!
I am super excited!!!

App Highlight: FaceTalk

FaceTalk
This App is AWESOME.  My students are so interested in using this application.  The App is such a great way for students to verbally explain their work while showing their personality.  Students seem to take more ownership of their work when they can put their own pizazz into it!  I personally use the Face talk to record notes and instruction.  Let's face it,...my students start to turn out the sound of my voice the moment I start talking, so my goal is to find the best ways to get across necessary instructions.  Take a look at one of the face talks I created review the topic solving variable equations with students.

I personally do not get as much enjoyment out of this app as the students do.  When the students play, they can take pictures of their friends and put their faces on body builders or squirrels.  I typically have students record explanations to problems or make "how to" videos.
 Key aspect of this endeavor:  Watch the videos, or at least some of them!  What should you focus on?  The DISCUSSION.   I typically listen to the videos with the students and critique their explanation techniques.  We talk about how they could enhance their answers for the listener to fully understand.  Humor is always welcome, but only when it make sense.  The video below is an example of a students explanation to one of the problems.  The full video was too long to upload, so the first few seconds are only shown. 

Online resource: ifaketext

Ifaketext.com is an easy way to increase student interest in instruction.  I have used this online resource in different applications.  This site is an easy way to produce enhancements to presentation for the students.  It is also an alternative way to display work.  See an examples from my class!

In my quest for new ways to enhance student engagement,...I also found ifakesiri.  Take a look!


Try it out for yourself!
www.ifakesiri.com
www.ifaketext.com

App Highlight: Your Teacher

Sometimes I think that the sound of my voice puts my students to sleep,...

Okay, not really, but I remember when I was in school I learned how to tune out my teachers because they talked so much.  In fact, I had one teacher that literally put me to sleep.  Not because he was boring, but because the sound of his voice was so calming.



In my classroom, I like to keep the minds of my students on constant alert.  Although routine is key, the students desire change in instructional practices.  When I tell my students that "I will not be teaching them today", I find that they feel like they are not learning.  How do I "trick them"?  Let me introduce the app, "YourTeacher".  Aligned to common core standards by grade and topic, students are able to view videos explaining the different topics.  After viewing videos, students area able to practice on their own and get help when needed.  How do I make sure students are held responsible for their learning?  Each child is to take the self test at the end of the learning and share their score with me.
A note for this app:  Your Teacher does not replace my instruction.  My students are typically on this app for 15 minutes once a week.  I normally use Your Teacher as an introduction to the topic we are about to explore.
A similar app that I use is Khan Academy.

Do I-pads eliminate behavior issues?

Before I begin this post, I want to mention that I am in a city school in Hagerstown.  Our middle school has over 70 % FARMS.  Behavior issues arise on a varying basis depending on the teacher and class make-up.  Over the past few years, due to excellent administration and teacher support, our referral count had gone down, although it would still be considered high in comparison to some other school in our county.  Needless to say, behavior management is a hot topic in our area.  I have been trained in so many management strategies; I now know how to "caputre kids' hearts", teach like a "champion", slather students with "PBIS", and "nuture" kids hearts.  What is the best strategy?  Jury is out,.... 

Could a simple devise be a management strategy in itself?  I will let you decide, but I truly believe that the I-pads have transformed the management of my classroom.  I have not had a single behavior or attention issue since I have started to use them.  Having only used the I-pads for only a few weeks, perhaps the improvement in behavior is a result of the "newness" of the technology.  All I know for sure is that behavior issues have decreased and student involvement has increased.  Because the I-pads are so new, research on this topic is scarce.  What we know as educators, however, is that with increased student motivation comes less opportunity and desire for inappropriate behaviors.  Are I-Pads the fix to behavior management problems?  In my opinion, not completely, but with a strong student-teacher relationship, appropriate understanding of rules and consequences, and teacher commitment to educational usage, the I-Pads have the opportunity to transform any classroom in any area!


Want extra help with classroom management?  I have used this app and found great success!  The Classroom Dojo is also usable for teachers without apple or I-Pad technology.  Check out the website for more information.  Teachers are able to award points to students for positive and negative behavior.  Whole class behavior can be viewed throughout the week.  Individual student reports and be accessed and e-mailed to parents.  The possibilities are endless!

http://www.classdojo.com/about