Screencasting

I have had experience with screencasting before when I decided to create some regents review short clips to post on youtube for my Algebra classes. I'm excited for the opportunity to do some of these for Geometry now.

I have used smart recorder to help with my new Geometry screencast. My new screen cast is going to be on triangle angle relationships. It is extremely easy to create and only takes a few minutes. I started by placing objective on the smart notebook software and used the smart screen capture to help move questions on my topic. I used my microphone headset to record my voice and give step-by-step instructions to whoever is listening. After a couple takes the final product was complete.

Having looked back at my original post I like the ideas I had started with at the beginning of this endeavor. I think the stations model will serve it's purpose. I have also made a lot of use out of the khanacademy.org for review and preparation for future topics in class.

As far as I stand now, I think I am ready to use this tool next year. The only hiccup that could stop it is having three preps again, or having to stick to the very scripted agile mind software that our district is completing for Geometry. The software is extremely stand and deliver and the complete opposite meaning of this grant.

So, if those things go to plan, I should be good to go with this in my class next year. I know things won't necessarily go according to plan, but even if I don't end up teaching Geometry next year, (which I won't probably know until September 1st) I should be able to adapt this to any course I teach.

Khan Academy Review

I like the idea of the Khan Academy and have actually began using it in my classroom as a tool for Regents review and credit recovery. I think in the flipped classroom, it could be very useful as a beginning point for the meat and potatoes of the lesson.

I have a couple concerns. The first is students that don't have access to a computer to watch the video, whether it be on a phone or computer. The second concern is their willingness to do the assignment. Now, I'm more worried about the first then the second because if the student won't do the work outside of class, they probably wouldn't have cared enough in class to pay attention anyhow. I am weary of having to reteach individually several times during the practice portion and homework section of content.

I am planning on trying the ted ed lesson with a class and will post once the lesson has been taught.

Oodles of Moodles

I think the importance of the explanations are of the utmost importance when creating a moodle because students will not necessarily have you right there to answer all of their questions. One of the biggest things I have evolved over the years as a teacher is to give more clear and concise directions. I think that skill will help me while I create my moodle for next year.

I don't believe my teaching style will change because I have used technology in the past, I think that the students will have to have a bigger learning style change because they will be the ones not as used to this new program. The one thing I have found about a lot of the students I teach is that even though these kids are suppose to be the tech savvy generation, a lot of my students struggle with something as basic as creating a google account. A process that would take me 5 minutes, took some of them a 48 minute class period.

Blended Learning Models

As I was reading about certain learning models I decided to go with the Station Model because of the flexibility it allows with different types of activities in class. I have also chose to do the stations model because I have access to 5 desktop computers which will make the stations idea doable on a daily basis in my room without the need of a computer lab.

Usually my traditional classroom allows for a section of whole class instruction, following with individual and group practice, then an exit ticket. Review is spiraled in during warm-ups and at the beginnings of each new lesson.

I would like my blended learning classroom to consist of a combination of 4 stations on a daily basis. Those stations would encompass a direct instruction station based on new material, a 2nd station based on practice of a topic, a 3rd station based on computer technology, and a 4th station based on review of topics covered in previous lessons.

Last day of Classes

For the last day of classes I decided to do a Wii Review game with each of my classes. Most students enjoy having an opportunity to play a video game even if it is only for less than a minute. It helps spark that competitive nature. I have tried to give my students the tools that they need to pass this regents on Thursday. I have given them certain sites like regentsprep.org and castlelearning.com that can help them practice their skills and give them instant feedback. I have also opened all prior review assignments so that students could go back and review all questions from assignments I have given them in the past.

Beyond that I told my students to contact me on facebook if they have any last minute questions about the Regents material. Hopefully, all of them use this ability to prepare.

I feel that the year overall has gone pretty well. I do wish I had an opportunity to get all my equipment sooner, because I think that it would have given me a chance to integrate technology more fully into my lesson plans. I think all my students benefited from the tech grant because it gave me the opportunity to try new things that many of them enjoyed doing. If I had to grade my own teaching ability and how I think I did this year, I would probably award myself with a grade of a B. I think I really improved my craft this year, but I think I still have lots of potential to unlock.

Final Week

I have been working on gearing up the students for the Algebra Regents which is in less than a week. For technology I have been making Castle Learning assignments that need to be completed. These assignments are given to students once a week and take about an hour. I have spent a great deal of time also showing students the regentsprep.org website. This website is great because it has many interactive features that allow students to practice and check their work.

This week my students have taken a final along with working on a Menus project in class. Some new things I added to this menus project were a section that included statistics and probability. Students could be required to create a box and whisker plot from data they collect off the internet. For probability, they would have to conduct an experiment and discuss the differences between experimental and theoretical data. I will keep everyone updated on the Menus Project and how it turns out.

Final Results: 22 out of 45 passed.... a little less than half, but a gigantic improvement.