Educreations and the Flipped Classroom

I guess that one of the newer trends in education has hit room 222. Well, in reality it hit here the day I started teaching at Hickory High, since giving students a reading assignment for homework and then asking them to work in groups toward a collaborative goal on the following day is in fact a flipped classroom. 

I'm lucky to be one of those educators who has an iPad for the classroom; notice that I said an ipad or ONE iPad.  I would say that this is not ideal, but it's a heck of a lot better than NO iPad, so I don't complain.  Upon receiving my iPad, I downloaded multiple free apps to help with organization, Web 2.0 tools, and even instruction; however, I've not exaclty figured out what each of them does, nor have I figured out how I want to integrate this device in my daily lessons.  Luckily, a math teacher friend of mine shared her Educreations that she created for her Algebra II students, and my wheels have been spinning ever since. 

Here is a little info about Educreations from their website:

"Educreations is a recordable interactive whiteboard that captures your voice and handwriting to produce amazing video lessons that you can share online. Students and colleagues can replay your lessons in any web browser, or from within our app on their iPads. Check out the "Showcase" on our homepage or the "Featured" tab in our iPad app to view some great lessons that other teachers have created with Educreations."

Rather than trying something brand new, I simply tried to modify a lesson that I already use with an English II class.  I was able to email myself a PowerPoint and take a picture of each slide using the screenshot function of the iPad.  From there I could upload each image from my photo role that I wanted.  Once I hit the record button, I was able to write on any slide and record my voice; therefore, my students were able to view an asynchronous lesson online.

Here is the first lesson that I created:


Here is the second lesson:



Next, I plan to create lessons that will explain how to diagram a sentence and how to annotate a poem or a short piece of text.

The great thing about Educreations is that I can use my iPad or even a PC to create a lesson, and it's all free!  Just go to the website, create a login, and get creating at Educreations.

Edmodo Training for High School Teachers

Rachael Moyer offered training on using Edmodo in the classroom for teachers at Hickory High.  Edmodo is a social media tool designed for education, enabling teachers to create a safe environment for communication, collaboration, and learning.

Want to learn more about Edmodo?  Read more here.

Second Grade ESL Students Research Frog/Amphibian

Subject: Science
Grade: 2
Technology tools: Computer, Laptops
Tools used: Interactive website, Video,
Activity type: Lesson, Research, Project

In connecting with their classroom study of the rainforest, Second Grade ESL Students are using internet resources to collect data about Frogs/Amphibians. Each student is uses a netbook to log onto educational websites such as National Geographic Kids to correctly label poison dart frogs, complete life cycle diagrams, and collect dash facts about the species.

 
They have also been able to watch short video clips about the habitats and life cycles of tree frogs and poison dart frogs. Students are creating their own frog research book. This project builds ESL students' background knowledge and vocabulary in the areas of life science, nonfiction reading, and information technology.

Christine Smith, Viewmont Elementary

Using PhotoPeach to Share Career Day

Grade: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Technology tools: Computer, projector
Tools used: Interactive website, Communication Tool
Activity type: Presentation

To share the events of Career Day at Jenkins Elementary, I created a PhotoPeach slideshow of pictures from the day.

View the slideshow here.

Crystal Pritchett,  Jenkins Elementary

Interactive PowerPoint Presentation for Rainforest Unit

Subject: Science
Grade: K
Technology tools: Computer, projector
Tools used: PowerPoint
Activity type: Lesson

I created and used a PowerPoint presentation for my Rainforest unit…It incorporates all the subjects and higher-order thinking skills. I have another one for animals that I use as well.

Here are images of a few of the slides from the presentation on Rainforests:

Here is a picture of the culminating project for the Rainforest unit:

Jenny Wadsworth, Longview Elementary

Elementary Project: Collaborating with Media Coordinator

Subject: Science, Social Studies
Grade: 4, 5
Technology tools: Computer
Tools used: PowerPoint, Paint, Websites
Activity type: Project, lesson, research



4th grade lesson – We are beginning our research project on the lighthouses of North Carolina. Students will be using the internet to find facts about NC lighthouses and fill in a data chart with those facts. (Height; design; date built; etc) After 2 weeks of research, they will use Microsoft Paint to draw and label their favorite lighthouse.





5th grade lesson – We are culminating our project on Natural Disasters. This began as a collaborative project with 5th grade teacher Tara Triplett, and was so successful it expanded to other classes. Students have worked in groups to research a natural disaster and create PowerPoint presentations. We will be viewing our PowerPoint presentations as a class.

Caroline Brown, Media Coordinator, Longview Elementary

FitnessGram

Subject: PE
Grade: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Technology tools: Computer
Tools used: Video, Interactive Website
Activity type: Assessment



We are continuing to complete our FitnessGram Assessment. Students will watch a brief video clip (demonstration of the fitness component that students will work on today) before practicing each test component. When students have completed all components, the plan is for them to go online and input their data. Students will then receive a individualized analysis of their scores.

Phoebe Chislom, Longview Elementary