I created my flipped lesson around the concept of growth mindset. I start off the year by recognizing the importance of understanding neuroplasticity. I usually do this by presenting the amazing "You Can Learn Anything" video by Khan Academy. But I've found I spend far too much time talking and NOT enough time letting students discuss. Using the EDpuzzle to allow students to watch the video on their own, and comment, is one way to give them control and to take a step back. I then followed this up with allowing them to express their responses through digital drawing (Do Ink). I discovered the app Do Ink at ISTE17 which is amazing because students can take their drawings (on paper) and animate them! It is pretty great. I could also have them express their response through google draw and teach them about sketchnotes - which I feel is a really valuable tool. One giant roadblock to this lesson has to do with how apps are put on our school iPads. I cannot add a tool that I find useful onto the ipads in my classroom. I have to make an IT request to do that. I understand the thinking behind this process, but in all practicality it makes being innovative a challenge. I can't find a great educational app and then introduce to my students right away. I have to file my request and wait to get included in the next work cycle. This is a bummer. I already requested just what I wanted loaded onto the iPads housed in my classroom, but now I can think of about 7 more apps I want to add. I also would probably stretch this lesson over two days, rather than just one - especially if I was having students animate their thoughts. Even teaching students to use google draw and create a Sketchnote would take quite a bit for them to get used to it. If you've never looked into Sketchnote you can check out Sylvia Duckworth who is a leader in this beautiful artform. I made a sad attempt at my own sketchnotes during ISTE and it is clear that I am a NEWBIE! I'm still working on it. You can follow her on twitter. Her handle is: @sylviaduckworth. I LOVE the idea of flipgrid and that students can respond via video. This is another app that might take a little bit of time to get up and running. Also, a room full of 24 students recording videos could be complicated. It is an issue I ran into when having students use screencastify last year. The cross noise was in every video. I don't like allowing students to go outside to record, as technically, they must be under my supervision at all times, and I take that pretty seriously. I do have a front porch to my classroom which we've used from time to time so that might be a solution. The more I learn about technology, the clearer it is to me that I would've been a much better student had I been born a few decades later. Activities where students can talk, draw and discuss are the kinds of things that would've really helped an overly energetic kid like myself. I am looking forward to including these great apps next year -- whenever they finally get added to my iPads!
6 Comments
James
7/9/2017 08:39:18 pm
Jen,
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Nai Saelee
7/10/2017 01:57:40 pm
Jen,
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7/10/2017 03:33:42 pm
I Like it!, I'll see if my advanced students could render an subject out of a 2-D image and animate. They will like drawing up ideas and then seeing them come to life. Play is fun, and smart to generate creativity.
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Nancy
7/10/2017 11:20:13 pm
Thanks for introducing DoInk and Sketchnote. I'm hunting down various drawing and storytelling tools my students can use for my capstone project. My "To Do" list of apps to check out is growing! So... DoInk and Sketchnote... only for tablets/iPads? We don't have any in my classroom. Bummer.
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Patrick
7/11/2017 02:35:38 pm
I also really enjoy the flipgrid app. I feel like it is a really powerful way to let students practice and develop communication skills. They can record, listen back, try again, and improve. So many students struggle to put their thinking in terms that others can understand exactly what process they followed. It could also be huge for developing vocabulary and just easing anxiety around presenting academic content. I also worry about the practicality, I will have 36 students in my room next year! Like you, I'm not about sending my kids out and about. I've seen the way they behave when other teachers do it too much! Cross noise and (I'm assuming) upload time on all those videos could be a serious limitation for doing it in class and I don't feel like it is fair to ask for it to be done outside of class. I need to think about more structures and innovative ways to take advantage of the flipgrid.
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Dan
7/11/2017 04:36:07 pm
Do Ink at ISTE17 sounds super cool! What a great way to add to your lesson. That definitely is a road block to not be able to download the apps you find without needing tech. Looks like you are doing the best you can with what you can.
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AuthorJen has been teaching school for awhile now. She's learned some stuff, but she's got tons more to learn. Archives
October 2017
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