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.