Creating a YouTube Playlist

One of the popular tips from the Google Session during the October In-Service was creating a YouTube Playlist for your classes.

YouTube Playlists are collections of videos to help you organize them by content or topic.  These lists can be private to you, or can be shared with your classes and/or colleagues.   They are live lists, meaning that those who have the link will see when you update the content by adding or deleting videos.

Ideas for YouTube Playlists:

- Unit Planning
- Flipped Learning

- Videos to Help with a Research Project

- Future Ideas for Activities to Try

- Tips and Tutorials

- Themed Background Music for your Lesson

Watch this video below to see how to create a playlist and add videos.

Are you missing the option to create a new playlist???

Watch this video below to see how you can quickly change your YouTube settings to allow for playlists by creating a channel.

*Special thanks goes out to Mrs. Jackson & Mrs. Gabler who helped to solve this mystery for those who could not create playlists during the in-service.

Explain Yourself.

Screencastify Lite Chrome Extension

Ready to take your tech integration up a notch?   

Move into the deeper end of the SAMR pool of tech integration by incorporating screencasts into the teaching and learning that happens in your room. 

Screencasts are video/audio recordings of your desktop.  The Screencastify Chrome extension allows you to easily take and share videos of this type.  (Scroll down for the how-to's)

Top Tips for Teacher-made Screencasts

#1 Remediation / Flipped Instruction 

#2 Teach the Tech / Formatting

#3 Give Video/Oral Feedback while reviewing work

Top Tips for Student-made Screencasts

#1  Explain the thought-process while solving a problem

#2 Narrate a Google Slides or other Presentation

#3 Dub a video with new language/narration

Teacher-Made: 

• Remediation 
• Make a video to re-explain tough concepts.
• Put this video in a Google Form or an EdPuzzle to check for student understanding.
• Did you know? Google Forms can send students to a remediation video if they select the incorrect answer.  
• Use the video as a must-do before retaking an assessment.

• Flipped 
• Record your teaching and assign it to students before you teach it in class, or even have them watch during class. 
• Give checks for understanding,  then differentiate the lesson for those who need remediation vs those who require a challenge. 

• Teach the Tech / Formatting
• When giving a digital assignment, most students can figure out the tech.  So, why waste valuable in-class time teaching it?   Post a quick how-to screencast to demonstrate the tech and/or formatting of your project.   
• No time?  See if your tech coach has one to lend you ;-)

• Feedback
• Record yourself while reviewing a student's work.  Allow them to hear your feedback for each section as you show it with your mouse.  Works great for projects that don't offer a comment section. 

Student-Made: 

• ANY OF THE ABOVE !  
• That's right! Have a student create any of the above resources instead of doing it yourself.  Perfect for the student that finishes earlier than others, is tech savvy or simply needs a challenge.

• Explain Yourself 

• This is the $$$ maker!  Whether it is math problem or a project, try at least one time this year to have your students record their thinking over their assignment.
• Instead of doing 10 math problems.... 
• Do 3 !  Have the students record themselves doing one of the problems and thinking out loud. 
• Put all the videos in a Google Slides for the class to share
• Teacher puts feedback in the "speaker notes"
• Project Explination
• Have the students submit a video of their project going over what they did.  You will be better able to give feedback when you hear the justifications for their choices. 

• Narrate Google Slides 
• Instead of presenting 1 at a time during class....
• Have each student record himself talking over his presentation
• Post these presentations for the entire class to see 
• Padlet
• Google Slides
• Give students the task of offering thoughtful feedback to 3 presentations

• Dub a Video 
• Synthesize information!  Raise DOK levels by having students create dialogue over a video
• Find a video on YouTube, mute the sound and talk over it
• Great for World Languages
• Retell literature with a twist
• Recreate historical scenes

Or Click HERE to see a Screencast of the above presentation.

How can you (or have you) used Screencasts in your class? 

Comment Below!

Vocaroo for Audio Recording

Digital Audio Recording 

+ 

Quick and Painless Sharing 

= 

Vocaroo.com

1. Go to vocaroo.com

2. Click record*

3. Record a message

4. Click Stop

5. Copy & Paste the link to share

How can you use it in your class?

1. Have each student explain how he got the answer to one of his math problems for homework.
2. Have the students read "out-loud" the pages you assigned for homework.
3. Record a reading of your test for student accomodations.
4. Record parts for music ensembles.
5. Record a practice run of a speech or dramatic presentation. (similar to a written rough draft)
6. Have the students read out loud their lab reports.

Here is how one SMASD teacher incorporates Vocaroo:

"I use vocaroo on a regular basis.  I am able to quickly and easily record parts for my students.  The recording is saved as a link and can be emailed to anyone.  I also post these links to my Google Classroom pages and students have quick, easy access to the recordings.  If you have any activities that require an audio recording, this resource is fool proof!"      - Mrs. Sines

"I am so happy that Jen found Vocaroo for me.  It is so, so easy to use. I have mainly used it to record for my men's chorus, but I will be using it to record musical passages for my students so they hear how musical passages should sound.  I will also use it for auditions.  Foreign Lauguage teachers can use it for proper pronunciation of words.   I AM DEFINITELY A FAN."

ED SCHWER     

TRY IT NOW..   CLICK HERE.

(earn triple techpoints for your comment by leaving an audible vocaroo link with your thoughts)

Another teacher's take: 

"Vocaroo is the easiest way to share large(or small) audio files.  There is no set up (just go the web site and hit record).  No large data file (you get a link to a web site with the recording on it when you are done) or sound file that won’t play (the files play from the site – nothing to download).  If a computer or tablet has a microphone (or you have one to attach) you are good to go.  Whether you want to make a sound file for you students or want them to make one for you, this site is great.

All vocaroo clips have their length on the running line (so if you wanted them to read for 10 minutes, you can see how long the clip is as soon you open the page).

All vocaroo clips are skim-able so you can listen to 15 secs here and 15 secs there to make sure they worked the whole time. 

But maybe you don’t think you want your kids to make sound files.  Here are just a few of the things we do with vocaroo in my class:

I  like to encourage my low level readers to read for pleasure, but writing a book report or taking a test are not pleasurable and in both cases students are rewarded for reading online summaries instead of the actual text.  Vocaroo allows any student to record themselves reading and submit it without the need for a digital file (that would overload your email) or a tape or cd (that won’t play). 

I also like having small groups record their conversations and submit them.  There is no need for a “secretary” and so all the students can focus on contributing to the conversation.

With my lowest students I like to allow them to practice reading for fluency without taking up class time or being embarrassed in front of their peers.  Students can listen to their recording before they send me the link so they have control over what I hear." - Mrs. Gabler

*You may have to click "allow microphone" on a PC or laptop.

Screencasting

Ever wonder how they make tutorials on YouTube where the video shows a screen of what you are doing on the computer with integrated narration?

It is called Screencasting.

Ways to incorporate screencasting into your classroom: 

• Live Screencasts - for flipped classrooms and review videos
• Record your presentation as you teach it.  Post it for a review that the students can access or save it for next year and try "flipping" your classroom for a unit or two.  No out-of-class time required on the educator's part.
• Students who miss class - 
•  If you know there will be many students out for a school trip, or if you have students in programs such as Crossroads, it can be very time consuming attempting to write out your explanations of concepts and/or directions.  Create a screencast to save time and promote comprehension.
• Sub Plans -
• If you want to keep your class on track while you are away.  Record a presentation of the lecture or notes.  Also explain any assignments so that you are sure your class gets the message.
• Student projects - 
• For large classes, it can be time-consuming to have everyone present their PowerPoint or Google Slides show to the class.  Rotate who gives their presentation live and who screencasts it with each unit project.
• Peer tutoring videos - 
• Have your advanced students create tutorials that you can post on a platform such as Google Classroom.  It perhaps would be motivating to hear it explained from a peer.
• Digital Grading - 
• Assess student presentations and projects by creating a screencast where you offer audible commentary and feedback.  
• Co-worker assistance - 
• Use screencast to show a member of your department how to use one of your wonderful ideas.

Screencastify is a Free Google Chrome Extension.  

It is easy to install.  

I made a quick screen cast to show you how to get the extension and how to set your microphone and settings.

Once your have the extension and your settings ready to go,  you can do your first Screencast.  

Here is a Screencast showing you how to create a screencast...  

Here is a screencast of one of my Flipcharts.  (I will speak in English for you!  Well ... a little bit.)

And finally a screencast of what to do once you have finished recording - including where to find it and how to share it.

Screencasting Tip:

* Don't try to make your videos perfect.  The software is a one-take system; so you can't edit.  If you make a mistake, correct yourself on the video.  It just shows that teachers are human too.

How can you see yourself using Screencastify or another screencasting software in your classroom?

Comment below.

This week I am going to talk about iMovie, which is an app available on Mac operating systems.  With that said, this post is mainly for teachers who have access to ipads in the classrooms.  This app allows users to create movies and movie trailers for various types of projects by using video clips, photos, and music. 

Students really enjoy using this app because it is fun and exciting to create movies (almost like a game to them) but at the same time they are demonstrating content material they have learned. 

Play video to see an example of an iMovie trailer created by elementary students:

 

Below are some example of how you can use iMovie in the classroom:

1- Create engaging presentations
This is probably the primary function of iMovie. Apple designed iMovie in such a way that it becomes next to impossible for any other software developer to beat it. The presentations created by iMovie are highly distinguished and are ideal for classroom teaching. Show your students how to create presentations using pictures, text, and sound and let them experiment with its different features

2- Create How to Videos
iMovie can be used for creating tutorials and guides for students.. Teachers can create a how-to iMovie around a concept taught in the classroom and students can then burn it into a disc or load it into an iPod and take it home and practice it with the appropriate instruction. It can also be uploaded into the classroom blog for everyone to access any time they want. This is also a great way to help those students who were unable to attend the class when the concept was taught.

2- Create Video reports
Students can use iMovie to create high-quality video reports to demonstrate their comprehension of abstract concepts.

3- Provide out-of school experiences
Both teachers and students can use iMovie to document and record events outside of the school and that has relevance to the units being taught in the classroom e.g., field trips . These iMovies can be brought to the classroom and shared with the whole class.

4- Use iMovie for classroom projects
Using iMovie in classroom projects is a great way to promote a culture of collaboration and co-operation among students. They can work in groups to create iMovies that includes text, photos,and sound to represent their projects. While watching works of others, students can have the chance of giving feedback to their peers.

5- Digital story telling
Students can use iMovie to tell stories using digital media including pictures, images, and music. This can improve their verbal fluency and their communicative skills.

6- Create book trailers/reports
Students can use iMovie to create engaging book trailers and this is how they can do it:

• Read a book
• Create a summary of the book
• Plot summary on story board
• Select images to match student writing
• Use iMovie to create book trailer
• Enhance it with music and transitions

Below is a trailer created as a wrap-up and reflection project for an in-class skit based on a short story that we read.