Thing #20: Blended or Flipped Classrooms

I’m very new to this idea of a blended or flipped classroom. I’ve heard about both for many years, but never really took the time to investigate what they meant or how I could implement them in my classroom.

Recently, I discovered a tool called Loom. I’ve used Loom a number of times and have found it to be incredibly useful for my teaching and my students. Some of the features that I especially like about Loom is that you can just record a video, just record audio, screen share with audio, or screen share with audio and video. Personally, I do not like looking at myself on camera, so I rarely use the video feature, but have uploaded a picture of myself so that viewers can see who I am. However, I find that the video or photo icon is a bit large and can block some of the information on the screen.

Loom and similar programs have multiple uses in today’s classroom. I’ve used it to create a short message for my students when I was going to be out of the building (either for an inservice or because I was ill). I’ve used it to reteach a confusing concept to students, and then posted the video on my website or sent the link via email. I’ve used it to create an audio newsletter for families. I’ve also used it to upload lessons or reviews, especially when many students were absent. The possibilities are virtually limitless!

I also like that you are able to edit the video once you have finished recording. Another use of this tool is having students use it to ask you questions or even upload assignments/responses when appropriate. I attempted to create a recap of my lesson on The Civil Rights Movement. It was very easy to do, but I found it extremely difficult to remain within the time constraints. I did go over by about 15 seconds, but it was almost only my conclusion of saying see you next week, so I decided not to re-record my summary.

Screen Shot 2019-03-05 at 22.29.03.png — Click here to check out my Loom recording

I’ve also uploaded to recording to my class website, which you can view by clicking here.

ISTE and CITW 9 Standards:

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity: In providing students with the opportunity to review class content outside of the classroom, we are promoting deeper thinking and understanding. Tools like Loom give students the ability to create their own recordings as they see fit, thus encouraging individuality and creativity.
Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments: I remember when I was a student and felt so behind and lost after missing one day of class. With digital recordings like this, we practically eliminate this possibility. In meeting students where they are, we are able to provide the best education possible to all students.
Model Digital Age Work and Learning: In using these tools to help students learn, we are enabling them to use these tools themselves.
Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility: In demonstrating how to behave in an online environment, we are helping students become responsible, virtual citizens.
Setting Objectives and Providing Feedback: We could easily review expectations and homework with a tool like Loom. We could also record individualized feedback to share with students, as well as celebrate accomplishments with families.
Assigning Homework and Practice: An audio and/or video recording is an excellent way to ensure that everything is clear and eliminates the possibility of ‘I forgot to write it down.’

Thing #14: Powerful Presentations

I remember when I was a student and had to spend hundreds of dollars each year to keep my resources up-to-date. Luckily, students no longer have to do that, as we have so many digital resources at our disposal. What I like about many of the options I just explored was how easy the were to use and how they could be used virtually anywhere. Some of the most common free resources to create powerful presentations are:

Of course, I am now a huge fan of Google Slides. This is not the first Google tool that I am just now discovering, but I absolutely love it. It is so easy and clear to use. Something that I absolutely loved about Google Slides was being able to embed YouTube videos directly into the presentation. This eliminates the possibility of inappropriate ads being displayed and just gives the video an overall cleaner presentation.

For my first time using Google Slides I chose to modify an old PowerPoint Presentation that I had made for my unit on the Civil Rights Movement. In my opinion, the overall appearance of the presentation was so much better in Google Slides. Check it out for yourself by clicking here.

Reflection

I loved my experience with Google Slides and look forward to using it in the future to both update and create new lessons. Thinking about how I am going to use this lesson with my students, I always spend a few weeks each year discussing the Civil Rights Movement with my students, being sure to add as much information as I can about the role of Detroit, both then and now. This presentation really brings this topic to life, especially when talking about Motown. I think that it is imperative that all students have access to appropriate digital media resources to really be able to understand what they are learning.

If I think about the SAMR levels that we talked about in previous Things, I think that this lesson is a great example of how a lesson can Augment student learning. Talking about music is one thing. Being able to experience it — see, feel, hear — is another. Most students think that they have never heard Motown music before, but once we start listening, they realize that they do know many of the songs! I think that the activities that would follow as a result of this lesson would allow learning to be redefined. Asking students to think about the role of civil rights in their country. Does discrimination still exist today? If so, is it the same or has it changed? Being able to use digital resources enables students to take their learning to the next level.

Thing #12: Interactives

Seriously, what did we do before the Internet?! There are so many great resources available for students and teachers. Interactives are one example of how to truly integrate and technological experience into a lesson. Of course, some interactives are better than others, so it is critical to verify the quality and appropriateness before having your students use them.

I learned that interactives can be divided into five main categories:

Study/Practice Websites and Apps
Lessons with Multimedia
Simulations
Mapping and Timeline Interactives
Virtual Worlds

I chose to focus on intercatives from the categories: Mapping and Timeline Interactives and Study/Practice Websites and Apps.

Remember, when thinking about how to use technology in the classroom, we as educators must ask and be able to answer a number of questions. One way to verify that we are using a resource appropriately is the SAMR Model.

Screen Shot 2019-03-02 at 11.29.07.png — Image from Schoology.com

National Geographic MapMaker

My first reaction to this interactive is that it is very similar to Google Earth. However, as I began trying to manipulate the map, I discovered some features that were pleasantly surprising. I could imagine asking students to explore countries based on languages spoken, agricultural products produced, or personal interest. Of course, they would be expected to create a product in the target language–English. They could also use this program to help them better understand distances between countries or cities (using the “Draw a Polyline” Tool). My one complaint is that I was unable to find a way to learn more about each individual state in the United States. As we focus on American culture, I think that this would have been a great feature for my students to use.

Screen Shot 2019-03-02 at 11.15.31.png — On this map, students can see Language Diversity in all countries, as well as learn about different countries by clicking on them.

Thinking about how this resource addresses the SAMR Levels, I would say that this resource could be used to Redefine the Task (learning about agricultural production with a visual representation that is also interactive) and to Augment student learning (rather than using paper maps, students are able to use interactive maps).

Grammarly

I have always loved the Grammarly website. As a teacher, I often reference it when preparing my own lessons (to verify that I have an accurate understanding of what I am going to teach my students, as well as a clear and concise way of explaining it). Unlike other study websites that I have found, Grammarly is very clear and gives examples of both what to do and what not to do. This would be a great way to extend the learning of a topic discussed in class. Sometimes, students need to learn the content in a number of ways before they are able to remember and apply it. I think that the topics included on this website are topics that are commonly challenging for English language learners. I think that using these resources would allow students to check their own understanding, as well as fill in any gaps in learning.

Screen Shot 2019-03-02 at 11.39.45.png

I think this resource addresses the SAMR Level of Augmenting the Lesson. By using technology, students will be able to verify their understanding, as well as interact with the information in a different way. I like that students are able to choose what they study, and the information is not too long or detailed.

Things #8: Digital Citizenship

Our world is constantly changing, and that means that our expectations and responsibilities are changing with it. From the time that I began using technology to today, there have been huge changes and advancements. I remember when I first began teaching I participated in a training on digital responsibility. It was extremely interesting, and I learned a lot about my role as an educator. However, since relocating to France, I have come to the realization that expectations are not at all the same as what I learned in the United States. Digital citizenship is something that is not discussed at all. Anywhere.

Thinking about my students and the world in which we live, I believe that all 9 themes of Digital Citizenship are worthwhile and ought to be discussed with them. Unfortunately, this is simply not done in French schools, and I know that it is especially not my role as I am expected to follow a very rigid curriculum using only one specific program. However, when I have conversations with my students either before or after class, I don’t see why I could not introduce these themes to them.

For a variety of reasons, I have chosen to focus on Digital Etiquette. I think that this is the first topic that needs to be introduced to my students, then we can build on it by adding the other themes. As with most things in life, good manners are essential in today’s digital age. We must be aware of appropriate and inappropriate ways of interacting with others. For this reason, I am in the process of adding a page about Digital Citizenship to my classroom website. While this is still a work in progress, it does contain great information and resources about one of the nine elements we must consider when talking about digital citizenship. I hope that you find these resources to be helpful!

ISTE Standards Connections:

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity: Discussing Digital Citizenship is important because it allows students to discover both appropriate and inappropriate ways of interacting digitally. Without formal discussions, we often assume that students already know and understand something, without ever verifying.
Model Digital Age Work and Learning: This is extremely important as our world becomes more and more technologically advanced and connected. By providing students with authentic and appropriate examples, we are encouraging them to emulate what they are learning.
Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility: Above all the other standards, this is the standard that is most directly addressed when talking about the 9 themes of digital citizenship. This is the entire foundation of Thing #8.

Thing #7: Productivity

Technology is amazing! I’m always fascinated when I learn about new ways that we can use technology in the classroom. While technology has proven time and again that it is a useful tool in the classroom, there are still some difficulties and frustration which arise as a result.

Shared Calendar

With everyone being so digitally connected it seems like a simple datebook is simply, well, outdated. Don’t get me wrong, I use both an electronic and a paper planner, but when trying to communicate with a large number of people, I definitely see the appeal in using digital calendars. I’ve already mentioned that I love all things Google, and it’s no different with Google Calendars. What I love about Google Calendars is that I can create different calendars for different purposes (professional, personal, birthdays, holidays, trainings, etc.). The color coding makes it very easy to read and interpret the information being displayed on the calendar, and you can choose to view as many or as few calendars at a time as you want.

Additionally, your Google calendar is easily synced with all of your devices. It’s also super easy to share the calendars with other people. What I really like about Google Calendars is how intuitive it is to make changes. Because of this, it’s not a hassle to update them regularly. With that being said, I think an electronic calendar such as this is a great way to communicate information with both students and families. If there’s a last minute change, no problem. Everyone is alerted quickly and easily. I also really like the reminders that you can set for upcoming events.

Here’s an example of what a Google Calendar might look like for one month.

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 12.41.45.png

Shortening URLs

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 11.33.59.png As wonderful as the internet is, correctly copying it from the board to the search bar can prove to be problematic, regardless of age. There are many great tools that we can use to make this task easier for our students. Tinyurl.com and Bitly are two great examples of how to create shortened web addresses.

To give you an idea, I used tinyurl.com to create a shortened address for my students.

The original address was: https://www.internationalstudent.com/study_usa/way-of-life/american-culture/

The tinyurl became: https://tinyurl.com/y37dmmm8 Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 11.35.38.png

Converting Files

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 11.51.06.png One of my biggest pet peeves is that all file types cannot be opened using the same program. How incredibly frustrating it is to create a document and then try to open it using a different computer, only to realize the file type is not supported! As a Mac user, this is something that happens all too frequently to me. Luckily, there are a number of resources now available to quickly and easily convert file types. One great program is Zamzar. You simply upload the current file, select the file type you want to create, click ‘convert’ and boom! Your new file is there for immediate download.

Imagine this: you created a file using Pages but need to modify it on a Windows based computer. Normally, this task would be impossible, but with programs like Zazmar, the task becomes super easy.

Honestly, I was quite surprised by how quick and easy to use Zamzar was. This is definitely going to be one of my go-to websites from now on. I can also see how this website could be very useful for students who are in a similar situation — not having the appropriate program on their home computer to open a file is no longer a problem.

ISTE and CITW 9 Standards Addressed:

Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity: All of the resources discussed in this post truly make learning easier for all students. When technology is able to be simplified, especially for young learners, it is a good thing.
Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments: Teaching students about time management, organizing appointments or meetings, and modifying documents as necessary are all essential skills.
Model Digital Age Work and Learning: Each of these resources will prepare students for the future, as well as any other technological advancements that may occur.
Assigning Homework and Practice: I love the idea of using a shared calendar to communicate homework and assessments with families. While students still have a paper planner, it is not always the case that all necessary information is written down.

Thing #6: Communication

I still remember AOL Instant Messenger being an essential part of my being when I was growing up. I remember the awful sound of dial-up as your computer connected to the internet. Back then, I thought it was the best thing ever and there was no way that anything better would ever exist.

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 13.33.07.png It’s funny how time and experience really change your perspective and expectations. AOL Instant Messenger seems like something that existed 100 years ago. With the integration of Social Media and messaging, our lives are constantly becoming more and more connected.

Today, living half way around the world is not nearly as scary or intimidating as it used to be (in my opinion, thanks to technology). I’m able to call and see my family and friends regularly thanks to a number of applications or resources which make communication much easier. Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 13.32.27.png

I used to use Skype quite frequently, however, in recent years, I find myself rarely using it. I find that I am relying more on FaceTime or WhatsApp for video communication. For that reason, I decided to take some time to explore and reconnect with Skype for this Thing.

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 13.20.04.png

I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of changes to Skype. Firstly, I found the appearance to be much cleaner and clearer. Secondly, I liked the ability to make group calls and create group chats. This was a feature that I often felt was lacking. I also liked that you had the ability to make either a video call or a normal call.

Screen Shot 2019-02-24 at 13.31.45.png Overall, I was pleasantly surprised to discover all of these changes, but still feel like Skype is becoming a slightly outdated resource. I still prefer the other platforms with which I have become more comfortable and familiar in recent years.

LinkedIn Experience

I have used LinkedIn for many years. I love how easy it is to connect with professionals from all over the world. I’ve been able to make many great connections over the years, many of which have created new professional opportunities for me.

Not only is it an excellent place to make great professional connections, but it is also a great environment to share ideas and experiences–essentially, to collaborate with others.

For example, I was able to find this great resource from another teacher to help improve my students’ fluency. I commented on the usefulness of this video, which then connected me with other resources which I might find helpful.

ISTE Standards/CITW 9:

Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership: Using these platforms allows teachers to interact with people all over the world in a time and cost-efficient way.
Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity: Using these platforms will give students ideas of new ways to use technology, both for educational and personal purposes. With the variety of platforms and uses available, students are encouraged to find personalized ways of using them.
Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility: When communicating in a virtual manner, it is essential that all students understand and follow the expectations for online citizenship. Using backchannel chats and video conferencing technology is an excellent way to reinforce these skills.
Cooperative Learning: Using things like Google Hangout or Chatzy encourages students to work together and exchange ideas.