SMART Board Videos

SMART Notebook: 

The first tutorial video I watched was “Lesson ActivityToolkit 1” in the “Creating Content” playlist.  I really like this option for setting up lessons.  It allows for easier setup for teachers and more interaction for students during the lesson.  Students can have activities where they have to come up and are involved, rather than just lecture, note, PowerPoint, etc.  This video was a basic overview of how the lesson activity toolkit can be used.  The narrator showed how to set-up the title page and other beginning steps in how to use a lesson that had already been created.  The man narrating the video was competent without being condescending.  He was clear and concise, very helpful and, let’s face it, the accent made it interesting to listen to.  I definitely would utilize the toolkit, if I had a SMART Board.

The second video, with the same fellow, was also very interesting.  This video was “Layering-Part1,” also in the “Creating Content” playlist.  By using layering, lessons are more interesting.  It is exactly what it sounds like.  Pictures and texts can be layered, most commonly blocking out content until it needs to be revealed.  Information can be layered on top of each other with it being revealed bit by bit.  Answers can be revealed during games or words layered for a fill-in-the-blank scenario.  The pull tabs are neat, and just like the video above, I really want to use this.  I like how SMART Boards allow for more interaction with students as opposed to a PowerPoint on its own.  

Feedly Article #3

Feedly Article #3

3 Simple Strategies To Integrate Technology Into Any Lesson

Classrooms and teaching as we knew it growing up is a thing of the past.  Rote memorization and a teacher droning on and on from the front room as students scramble to take notes are a being re-thought.  As this article discusses, technology is important in classrooms, but how teachers utilize that technology is even more important.  This can be a challenge in multiple ways, but this article offers three strategies to help blend the two more easily and create a balance.  The first strategy is to “think visually.”  This section offers several examples of free sites that allow students to integrate visuals/graphics into their work.  One of these is Animoto, which turns pictures into animated videos.  The second strategy is “blog all about it.”  As most English teachers will tell you, some form of journaling can be very important for angsty teenagers.  Blogs are a wonderful solution to help with this project.  The article points out that this can be transformed from individual journaling to cooperative learning and team building.  The final strategy is “integrate social media.”  Students are already extremely familiar with these tools, so why not use that?  Social media can used for word games or scavenger hunts, a closed-circuit learning activity, and group research boards. 

There are some wonderful ideas in this article.  Technology is here and it is not going away.  Students are already using so much of it, so why not show them how they can use it to learn, too?  It doesn’t have to be every lesson for every subject, but it shouldn’t be ignored either.  I love the idea of groups using things like Pinterest to create research boards for a project or following political feeds via Twitter.  Students can create and imagine and grow on whole other levels that were not even possibilities when most of us were growing up.  Imagine if we can teach these younger generations how to utilize these tools for their education, how much better their learning experience is going to be.  I am not saying throw out the books, but there has to be a balance.  It is our job to show these children that balance and broaden their horizons.

I found this article on te@chthought.  It was written by Sandra Love, Director of Education Insight and Research at Mentoring Minds, on May 06, 2015.

Feedly Article #2

Feedly Article #2

Reframing Teacher Voice

This article is not about a new technique or technology on the market.  It is about what we already know-our words affect the people around us, especially those we are meant to be educating.  Author Joshua Block does a wonderful job of taking his personal experience of frustration with a group of students and using it as an example of how to turn a situation around.  He reminds us that while we have to be the authority in the classroom, that does not always mean using the stereotypical “teacher voice.”  Sometimes, a more nurturing and flexible voice is the better choice.  He uses four steps to promote a more “effective teacher voice.”  The first is “honor the group.”  Teaching is not an individually activity, but rather a group one.  To that end, it is important that all students feel a part of the group, connected to a shared mission.  A teacher should promote respect of all, right down to the tone of voice that is used.  The next step is “connect with individuals.”  While students should be connected to the group, a teacher must also recognize a student’s individuality.  Seems contradictory, but that is just part of the challenge that teachers face.  By effectively using a teacher voice to respect individuality, a teacher creates an even deeper connection with the student.  The third step is “be respectful, thoughtful, and real.”  Despite the myth of the importance of a no nonsense teacher voice, the opposite is usually the better option.  An effective use of a teacher voice is reflection and understanding.  Last is the step “Maintain and Practice Fair and Reasonable Expectations.”  Set high standards, but also understand what “can reasonably be accomplish[ed].”  Learn when an effective voice is flexible and when to be stern, so that students can reach their full potential.

I really liked this article.  It is good reminder that not every student responds in the same way.  A balance is important between authority figure and educator.  Students need to respect a teacher, but a teacher needs to respect the student, as well.  Sometimes a frustrated approach that leaves no room for dialogue is not the way to go.  Other times, a child just needs to be reminded who is in charge.  A change in perspective and tone is sometimes all that is needed to help a situation reach a happy conclusion.  Although, I will readily admit, that it is easier to write about than to put into practice (and maintain that practice forever).  I think it simply boils down to this:  we are all human, teacher and student alike, and we need to remember that everyone has thoughts and feelings.  Respect that, treat everyone with kindness and patience, and people will respond well.  I will try to remember to use an “effective teacher voice,” not only in my future classroom but in other aspects of my life, as well.

I found this article through Edutopia

It was written on May 05, 2015 by Joshua Block, a Humanities teacher in Philadelphia.  

Feedly Article #1

Feedly Article #1

Using @IFTTT For Better School Communications

This is an article dealing with a very prominent problem that is found in nearly school:  Communication between the school and the community.  This includes administrators, teachers, staff, students, parents, and every other person in the community.  Most administrators admit that communicating with the community is difficult at best and, more often than not, ineffective.  That is where the author of the article, Steven Anderson, comes in.  His job is to go around and help administrators rectify this situation.  Instead of trying to send letters or emails to parents (or others), post on blogs/Facebook, and other methods, Anderson propose using IFTTT.  If This, Then That.  It uses cause and effect.  If you post this, then that happens.  A person sets up a “recipe” to tell the site what happens in a situation and the site does the rest.  An example:  If the author is tagged in a photo, then IFTTT automatically sends a copy of the photo to a particular folder in a particular drop box.  IFTTT allows people to become a “walking PR machine.”  Administrators can spend a bit of time setting up the recipe, then it takes out all the major work when a message needs to get out.

I absolutely love this idea!  Think about it:  A teacher needs to update an assignment, but instead of emailing, tweeting, posting to Facebook, and even calling students, then hoping they got the message, a teacher can set up a recipe to do all that.  If an administrator wants to acknowledge a community of an accomplishment by the tennis team, there can be a recipe for that.  If a parent wants to alert other parents to something, there can be a recipe for that.  What about a teacher overhearing/seeing a wonderful act carried out by a student and snaps a photo on their phone?  (Or student sees the act)  That can be shared to everyone in a moment, instead of trying to find who to send it to so that the act is acknowledged in the appropriate manner.  As the article stated, things like this show the community what is happening in the walls of the school when most would not be able to be a part of it otherwise.  It creates even greater ties with the community which, in turn, creates greater support for the school and the students.  I would definitely utilize this to share with my students/parents, what is going on both in the class and in the halls.  Photos, messages, and stories that help uplift, that create a true sense of community.

I found this article through Blogging About The Web 2.0 Connected Classroom.  The article was written on April 9, 2015 by Steven Anderson.  

My YouTube Playlist About Shakespeare

As high school English teachers, it is known that most students dread studying William Shakespeare.  To help teach this unit, I have gathered several videos and created a playlist for them on YouTube.  This playlist includes a miniature biographical video of William Shakespeare, modern movies that were inspired by Shakespeare's plays, and even a short video of a panel of actors discussing how Shakespeare has influenced them. 

The first two videos are of Andy Griffith.  One is Andy Griffith summarizing Hamlet and the other is clip from the show summarizing Romeo and Juliet.  The third video is the panel of actors discussing the relevancy of William Shakespeare and how his works have influenced the actors.  The fourth video is several movies that are directly correlated to Shakespeare's plays.  These include Hamlet and The Lion King, Twelfth Night and She's the Man, and Taming of the Shrew and 10 Things I Hate About You.  The fifth video shows seven different Disney films that depict scenes from various Shakespearean plays.  This might be fun to use in a compare/contrast assessment.  The final video in the playlist is the miniature biography of William Shakespeare.  It is brief, but thorough, using various experts and clips to support the information.

These videos are a way to bring Shakespeare into today for students.  They can be used to show students how Shakespeare inspires so many of the movies and books that we know and love.  As I find more videos to help with the teaching, I will continue to add them to the playlist.  

PLN#1-My Educational Toolkit

There are many tools available to educators nowadays.  We have social media and networking, all sorts of videos and interactive learning.  There are even wonderful ways to share everything that a teacher gathers and uses, instead of using snail mail or meeting face to face.  One of these is LiveBinders.  Much like Pinterest is an online bulletin board, Livebinders is an online 3-ring notebook.  One Binder I have is "Education and Technology."  In this binder, there are links to websites that are fun and educational.  They can be used by teachers or students and provide another method of using technology in the classroom.  This binder focuses on secondary English.  One resource, under the "My Favorites" tab is for students.  HighSchool Ace is a website that has many things to helps students succeed, including quizzes and games and resources broken down by subject.  Inklewriter is specifically a fun writing tool that helps the creative process.  A student begins writing and it turns into a choose your own adventure as they write.  Again, it is a great way to mingle education and technology.

I have never used LiveBinders until my Professional Learning Network assignments.  However, I fell in love immediately with the possibilities.  I have several family members who are teachers, what a wonderful to swap resources and ideas.  The ease of use is incredible.  Just like Pinterest, there is even a little button that can be added to the browser so that information and websites are easily filed in a binder.  A particular binder can be added to school sites or classroom blogs.  This is resource that I cannot wait to use and explore.

Blogs in Classrooms

  How can blogs be used to help educators?  There are many creative ways to use blogs both in the classroom and with other educators.  Here are few that I found helpful:

One of the first ways a blog can be used in a classroom is from the teacher.  A teacher can setup a blog that her students and their parents can follow.  Here, the teacher can post resources to help the learning process, assignments that are coming up, and even reminders like tests or field trips.  Parents and students can also comment if they have a question or even a suggestion on how something may be done differently.  A great example is from third grade teacher Mrs. Yollis.  Her blog, Mrs. Yollis' Classroom Blog, was voted one of the best classroom blogs of 2012. 

This blog is easy to navigate for adults and students.  It has information that is interesting and relevant.  The post that was most current when I checked was a creative post on the traditions and background of Groundhog Day.  The blog has links for other educators, how-to’s, and even a meet and greet section.  This is a great example of how teachers can use technology to reach out to students and their families, as well as other educators.

A second use of blogs is from the students.  They can collaborate together, share study ideas, ask questions about homework, or just chat to get to know each other.  While this is guided and monitored by the teacher, the bulk of the writing comes from the students.  Perhaps a paper is assigned, a blog is great way for students to brainstorm ideas with each other.  Or if there is a group assignment, the blog can be a way for each group to share tidbits back and forth.  To see an example of this type of blog, just visit Ms. Burton’s class on their blog Blog, blog blog blog, blog some more.

Finally, there is are teacher to teacher blogs.  These blogs are much like this blog.  They are meant to share ideas and how-to’s between fellow educators.  They post projects they are using in their own classrooms and ask questions on how to incorporate other things to make learning more enjoyable for everyone.  These blogs can help spark ideas that can get teachers motivated or broaden their horizons.  They can also introduce new resources, whether online or otherwise.  Teachers have always collaborated with others in their field, usually in their district and at workshops, but the internet and blogging opens up completely different avenues to help support and enlighten each other.  There are many examples of this kind of blog, but my favorite is The Nerdy Teacher , which was voted one of the best education blogs in 2012, and LauraRandazzo-Solutions for the Secondary Classroom.