Explain Yourself! Over, and Over Again

 Ever feel like you are wasting time explaining directions over and over again for students?

Today's Techspot may have a solution for you!

Solution #1: Screencasting 

This morning, I had a question from a student in our virtual academy on how to complete and submit a particular assignment.  After already hitting the point of frustration, the last thing this student would have wanted was an email with a narrative set of steps of what to do.  Faster than I could have typed it out, I used my Screencastify Chrome Extension to create a video that she could pause, rewatch or fast forward as needed with the automatically produced url.  The best part is now I have a video to share, if/when another student has a similar issue. See the Techspot's past blogpost on screencasting by clicking HERE. 

Solution #2: Interactive Image Tutorials

On Friday I assigned a multi-step assignment where students would be figuring out if it is cheaper to make empanadas at home, or to go out and buy them in a restaurant. I formatted the tasks, links and reflection questions into a table on a Google Doc.  Instructions were given in class, but as you can imagine many things get "lost in translation" here in room 409.  Instead of typing a narrative of directions to reference in Google Classroom, I recalled a post that I had saved from Alice Keeler, of Teacher Tech on creating Interactive Graphics with Genial.ly  In just a few minutes I had the interactive tutorial below linked to the assignment in Google Classroom. 

For teachers already familiar with Thinglink, you may want to create your interactive image there.  The only difference I can see is that you may have a limited number of "views" with the free plan of Thinglink.(e.g 1000)  Also, a paid account is required for students to create content.  Click HERE to the same interactive image on Thinglink.

Like Genial.ly? 

Genially offers a variety of projects that students can create as well!  They can embed interactive images and videos into their current presentations, or create stand alone interactive projects.  Send one of your students who is seeking something more to genial.ly to see what they come up with!