Greetings fellow Americans! I am currently watching Thomas Jefferson write a new document! This document will be called the Declaration of Independence. Some of the core principles listed in this Declaration are: ALL people are created equal, ALL people have basic rights that cannot be taken away, the government is powered by the people, and the people have the right to abolish the government if they get destructive! I think this Declaration will be around for years to come! Check out these cool pictures I snapped while here in Philadelphia.
A new method of teaching is changing traditional classrooms
around the world. This new method is called "flipped classroom." A flipped
classroom is where instruction moves from the group learning space to the
individual learning space. In a flipped classroom, the teacher guides the
students as they apply concepts and collaborate with their peers in the lesson.
The flipped classroom allows students to watch their lectures at home and at their
own pace. I can see myself using a flipped classroom as a communication tool to
communicate with my students via online discussions. Elementary classrooms can
incorporate this flipped classroom method to bring student learning to a whole
new level. A flipped classroom also allows students to receive instant feedback
and re-watch lessons they don’t understand. I think this is a great way to limit student frustration when they cannot understand the lesson. The
traditional classroom uses the method I do, we do, you do. Whereas the flipped
classroom’s method is you do, we do, I do. A flipped classroom can help students
learn 21st century skills. The flipped classroom requires critical thinking,
collaboration, communication, and creativity from each student. Although this method may seem unusual to most,
I look forward to incorporating some of the flipped classroom ideas in my own
classroom.
I love Nearpod in the classroom! Nearpod is an interactive teacher presentation tool that students can view and use on their own
device. One thing I love about Nearpod is that students do not have to create
separate accounts. All students have to do is join the session with a code. The
presentation can include videos, images, drawing boards, quizzes, polls, web
information, and so much more.One
aspect I really love about Nearpod is that the teacher is in control of the
presentation. Teachers can make “live” sessions where they control the
students’ devices. This makes it where students cannot skip slides or move
ahead in the presentation. Teachers can manage what the students view on each
slide and can track students’ progress throughout the presentation. Elementary
teachers can use Nearpod in their classroom to assess students and keep them
engaged throughout the lesson. Teachers can also take their class on a virtual field trip to any destination around the world. Teachers can also use this as a homework tool.
If students are absent for that day, the teacher can assign them homework via Nearpod. I
plan to incorporate Nearpod in my classroom to allow my students to use their
critical thinking skills throughout the lesson. Nearpod is a fun and creative
way to let students collaborate and communicate with each other.
Two examples of Student Response Systems Resources are
Socrative and Plickers. Socrative is a great way to engage and assess students
on the fly. I love how Socrative can be used for students who are working on their
own and students who are collaborating with one another. Another way to assess
students on the fly is by using Plickers. Plickers is a great way for teachers
to collect formative assessment data on the spot. Plickers is teacher friendly
because it does not require students to use their own digital device. Teachers
only have to give one “paper clicker” per student.The students will use the “paper clicker” to
answer assessment type questions. This is a very creative way to assess
students daily. I can see myself using Plickers regularly in my classroom. I
can use Plickers as an exit slip before students leave my class to assess what
they have learned from that day. I can also use the results to re-teach areas I see
my students have struggled with from that day. Both Socrative and Plickers
require critical thinking. Secretive and Plickers are both a great way to help
students collaborate and communicate their ideas on the lesson. I believe the
simplicity of both apps can be used to benefit both the teachers and students
in the elementary classroom.
Augmented Reality simulations are changing the environment inside the elementary classroom. AR allows students to explore deeper into lessons through simulation. Augment Reality allows students to interact with a multimedia-enhanced world, while also learning subject content. I believe students can relate to AR because it is very similar to real-life video games. Today’s students are very familiar with technology. This is a great way to motivate students to travel deeper into lessons. I can see myself using AR in my classroom, especially for science lessons. For example, I can motivate my students to learn about the solar system by allowing them to use an AR simulation to explore the galaxy. AR can also help students learn critical thinking skills. I love that AR helps students collaborate and communicate with each other while using the simulations. I believe that Augmented Reality is a creative way to make the “boring” lessons into exciting lessons that will have the students motivated to learn more. I can only imagine how much I would have enjoyed using AR simulations as an elementary student. I look forward implementing Augmented Reality into my classroom to inspire students to dig deeper and learn more. Who is ready to go on this exciting adventure with me?
Do you want to take your students France, Great Britain, or Washington D.C.? What if I told you there is a way teachers can take their students to any place around the world? Years ago teachers could not have dreamt of taking their students to these distinct places. Teachers today now have the opportunity to bring any destination inside their classroom by using green screen. There are so many different ways teachers can incorporate green screen in their classroom. A green screen is a green background where moving people in front are filmed. The green background allows any image to be added to the background. This is a great resource to use in an elementary classroom. Elementary teachers can allow students the opportunity to be a news reporter for the day. Green screen has endless opportunities that teachers can use in their classroom. One effective app to use with green screen is the DO INK app. DO INK is the most recommended app for green screen in the classroom. This app includes different features and options that engage students to use their critical thinking skills. Green screen is a creative way to let students collaborate and communicate with one another. I plan to have a green screen in my classroom so students can have fun while enhancing their knowledge.
Are you looking to change things up in your classroom?
Edpuzzle and Blendspace might just be the answer you are looking for. Edpuzzle
allows teachers to select videos, edit them, assign them to students, and quiz
the students as they watch. Edpuzzle is creative way to expand students
critical thinking skills. Another great tool to use in your classroom is
Blendspace. I love Blendspace because it allows teachers to gather all their
resources into one place and assign it to their students. All teachers have to
do is come up with a topic, search the internet for videos, websites, or even
pull documents saved on your on computer to create a lesson for your students. I
can definitely see myself using Blendspace in my classroom to simplify my lessons
for my students. I believe teachers in the elementary classroom can become more
organized and less stressed when they know all of their resources to teach a
lesson is in one spot. Both Edpuzzle and Blendspace are creative ways to
promote collaboration among students in your classroom. Students are able to
communicate and use their critical thinking skills to learn on their digital
devices. I look forward to incorporating both of these apps to simplify my
classroom!
