A Classroom Timer That You WIll Love!

This is what the students will see

The Teachit Timer is by far the best classroom timer I have discovered. The fact that the timer shows both the time gone and the time remaining is quite useful. You can also show the current time. There are many ways to customize the timer with alerts, buzzers, etc. As you get into testing season (wait, isn't it always testing season), you will like this great tool.

This is where change the timer settings.

Video Tools You'll Love!

In this post I will share a couple of video tools that I have been using recently in my classroom. They are both easy to use and will make your life much more efficient.

The first tool is a Google Chrome extension...AdBlock. As you can infer, this app only works if you are using Chrome as your web browser. In order to explain why I love this app, let me share with you an anecdote you probably have also experienced...

I love incorporating short YouTube video clips to help explain the concepts I teach. However, I used to loathe being forced to show my students commercials before I could get to the actual video. During that 30 seconds, students can easily become distracted and I would often lose that teaching momentum that was leading up to the video. Alas, AdBlock removes this obstacle and lets you get directly to your video clip without silly distractions like commercials (especially inappropriate commercials).

FYI, a student showed me this great Google Chrome extension. If you haven't browsed through the Google Chrome Store, you are missing out on some really neat resources to make web browsing more efficient.

The second tool is something I discovered from EdSurge's weekly email called Clip Converter. This great little website allows you to download YouTube videos.  If you work in an environment with spotty Internet access, you can download the video the day before you teach and have it ready for your lesson. If I was being observed by an administrator, I would definitely have my videos on hand in order to avoid any embarrassment. 

Falling Back in Love with Edutopia

Ok, so I never really "fell out of love" with Edutopia, but I recently came across a couple of posts that gave me a jolt of enthusiasm. As a teacher, we can become complacent doing the same old things. Edutopia provides a variety of articles, resources, guides, etc. to help teachers learn new tips, strategies, and suggestions in an efficient manner. When I learn something new or discover a new strategy, I feel a burst of energy motivating me to use what I have just learned. Perhaps, you will find a few gems from Edutopia in the near future to spark your day or confirm what you are already doing.

Here are a couple of posts/articles I recently read that got me pumped up about Edutopia:

* 8 Tips to Power-Up Your Classroom Presentations

* 3 Strategies to Improve Writing Instantly

* The Biggest Hurdle to Flipping Your Class

Blended Learning Updates

I wanted to give you all an update of the types of activities I have been trying out since the summer with my classroom set of iPads. Keep in mind the following information before I go any further. I teach in a school where nearly 70% of the student body receives a free/reduced lunch. Additionally, I teach two sections of sheltered English Language Learners (ELL) in our mandated Local, State, National Government course. I also teach two sections of AP US Government and Politics. Many of my students do not have regular computer/Internet access in their homes. 

Much of the flipped/blended learning material I see focuses on using videos outside of the classroom, while the teacher can use class time to address questions and perform more activities emphasizing higher order thinking. Beginning this past summer when I was teaching ESOL 3 Summer School, I began creating Google Forms like the one above. I put at least one video and sometimes a reading from an article or from an online textbook. I sometimes create my own screencasts, though I do like using high quality YouTube videos. Finally, I include questions to assess if students understand what they are viewing and reading. I usually use relatively simple multiple choice question and true/false questions to gauge student comprehension. I use the Flubaroo script to quickly grade student's work, and they receive an email with their score. Besides the comprehension questions, I include questions that require students to list any questions they may have or any questions they had, but now understand. I do sometimes include short answer questions, though Flubaroo cannot grade them for a score, though I can include them in my grade book.

If I taught at a school with a wealthier student body (I don't think I ever could), I would assign assignments like this more often as homework. However, because my students don't all have equal access to computers and Internet, I usually have them complete these assignments in class. If they have problems or questions, I can talk to them instantly. Nevertheless, I push them to use the iPad tools to help them find answers before asking me. The ability to quickly define a word or translate text to a different language makes learning more student centered and puts more responsibility on the students.

I have performed quantitative and qualitative surveys of these types of assignments. Overall, most students like using the Google Forms. Many prefer viewing a video than reading a text, though I always tell them you need to improve your reading skills if you want to be successful in college and beyond. It was interesting when a few students told me that these assignments force them to do more work, rather than the teacher lecturing. I smiled when they said that because it does take much prep to make quality assignments like this, but that is the magic that happens behind the curtains.

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Here is a Google Form assignment I used with my ESOL 3 Summer School class back in July. I did the first parts of the assignment collaboratively with the students, then they performed the reading and reading questions independently.

I HEART Educreations!

One of my favorite iPad apps is Educreations. I have been using it for over a year now (it seems like an eternity), and it is by far my favorite free iPad app. Educreations allows users to explain something using a digital whiteboard. One can insert images, draw, type text, and narrate audio in a presentation. Check out this page that goes through FAQ's regarding Educreations.

I love making my own Educreation presentations, as well as allowing students the chance to make presentations. This evening, I have been creating short presentations explaining different campaign finance "vehicles".

Check out this one showing how PACs work:


 Check out this one showing how Super PACS work:

 Check out this one showing how 501 (c) (4)s work:

 Here is one a student created presentation describing the Telecommunications Act of 1996

My Favorite Dictionary...The Longman English Dictionary

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I look up the meaning of a concept or word and I need to use a dictionary just to understand the definition. If you are like me, you will love this free online dictionary: Longman English Dictionary. The definitions from Longman are written using easy-to-understand English. Sure anyone can go into Google and type "define: _________" and get a definition, but the Longman definition will be more accurate and concise than other resources.

I work with many English language learners and I am lucky to have a class set of the Longman dictionaries. However, as we use iPads on a daily basis, I was grateful to find that Longman allows users to use their website for free! They offer an expensive app, but as the phrase goes "ain't nobody got time for that".

You should bookmark the Longman website for yourself and for your students!

PS...When I give online assignments, I often have students look up definitions before getting into the nitty gritty work. I am not hyperlinking the Longman site on the online handout to be more efficient.

Flipping the Classroom

I have been doing more classroom flipping this school year as I become better using Screencast-O-Matic. The video above is one I created for my ESOL Government course. Experts recommend that videos be shorter rather than longer. I agree, though this video is a bit longer because I did a little bit more reading to assist my English language learners.

For my AP US Government and Politics course, I plan on using screencasts more since we meet daily and I want to spend more time focusing on current events rather than explaining content. Recently students viewed this screencast on the role of media in politics. It is a bit choppy in the beginning, but the students gave me good reviews. After viewing the screencasts, students filled out this Google Form. I used their answers to guide the next class' discussion. I was surprised to see so many great questions about money's role in politics. I would never have guessed they were having a hard time understanding this without having them reflect on viewing this screencast.

I polled my students to discover if they liked my videos. In all classes, nearly all students enjoyed the videos. Therefore, I plan on doing more screencasts. I am finding that the more I make them, the easier it becomes.

When you have a free minute, you should read this great Op-Ed from the New York Times about "flipping the classroom".