Waves of Learning: 2016

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Flipped Classroom Instruction

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 21^st 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.

Nearpod in the 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.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Student Response Systems Resources

Learn More About Socrative

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

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?

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Greenscreen in the Classroom

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.

Edpuzzle and Blendspace

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!

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Student-Led Conferences and Digital Portfolios

I am in love with the concept of student-led conferences! A student-led conference is basically just a parent conference that is led by the student. However, it is the teacher’s responsibility to guide the student through the conference. I believe parents love the idea of their child showing them their progress throughout the school year. A student-led conference gives students responsibility, promotes critical thinking, independence, and improves presentation skills. I can only imagine how much better my presentation skills would be today if I had the foundation that a student-led conference provides. Another tool that I am in love with is a digital portfolio. A digital portfolio is a continuous collection of a student's performance on a digital device. Portfolios not only make learning more accessible, but they also show student growth over a long period of time. I plan to use both student-led conferences and digital portfolios in my classroom when hosting parent conferences. I believe parents will be impressed to watch their child present their growth over the school year themselves. Both student-led conferences and digital portfolios are a creative way to let students collaborate and communicate with their guardians. I cannot wait to jump on board and use these awesome ideas in my classroom!

Apps to Increase Reading Comprehension in Children with Autism

Children with autism sometimes struggle comprehending meaning from text. However, reading comprehension is extremely important because it allows students to determine their own opinion and reasoning of the story. I recommend using engaging technology with children with autism because certain colors such as blue, dark yellow, and green can be used to enhance their memorization and attentions skills. I believe technology can be used as a great tool to intrigue and improve reading comprehension for children with autism. For example, certain apps can hold children with autism attention longer. A great app I plan to use for children with autism in my classroom is Visual Reading. Although the cost is $16.99, it is worth every penny. I believe this app has the resources to improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Another great app I plan to use in my classroom to help children with autism is Reading Comprehension Grade 3. I love how this app guides and rewards students, which helps motivate them to learn more as well. Additional apps for children with autism include: Inference Clues, Same Sound Spell Bound, Opposite Ocean, Picture the Sentence Lite, Noodle Words HD, and Smarty Ears. Elementary teachers can use these apps to motivate students to create, communicate, and collaborate with their peers.

Click For More Visual Reading Apps