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!

Let's Talk Elementary Math!

I am always searching for ways that math teachers can effectively incorporate tech into their classrooms.  This year at Pete & C I, along with Mrs. Bauer & Mrs. Michuck were able to attend a session on Math in the Elementary Classroom. 

The session spoke a lot to the M.A.T.H. station rotation model with some really great variations on how to implement it in your classroom, while leveraging technology tools in some of the stations.

The Math Learning Center's Website & Mobile Apps offered a space for digital manipulatives for: 

- fractions
- money
- number rack
- number frames
- pattern shapes 
& more! 

Click HERE to open an interactive PDF. Then, click on the squares to be taken to each different web-app. 

I am picturing students app-smashing these tools with SeeSaw for annotating screenshots of their work as well as creating screencast videos where the student's explain their thinking.

Also these may serve as great impromptu teaching tools on your interactive whiteboard. 

Are you an elementary math teacher?  Have you used the Math Learning Center's Web-based Apps? 

How do you think these could be incorporated into your classroom?  Pros? Cons?  

Let us know in the comments below! 

......... Interested in the M.A.T.H. Station model with Tech Integration? Schedule a visit! 

.......   Didn't find what you were looking for?  Browse this large list of elementary math resources provided by the presenter. 

Resources for this blogpost were provided by Jennifer G. Southmayd

Instructional Technology Coordinator

West Chester Area School District

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!