JIT Videos - Thanks DiscoveryEd

I was listening my daughter explain what they learned in science this week, when we came upon a challenging term in her notebook, mid-ocean ridge.  I asked what it was and she couldn't tell me so I pulled my smartphone out of my pocket.  She wanted to go to Google, but I insisted upon another approach.  I figured Google would send us to Wikipedia and while the answer would be correct, it wouldn't be very accessible to a 6th grader.

I logged into DiscoveryEd (thanks Durham Public Schools!) and typed the word into their search.  And sure enough several videos came up.  This one, http://app.discoveryeducation.com/player/view/assetGuid/3EB61358-BE93-4E30-99C6-F106C2CC4D8B, was the best.  It had two experts explaning the term and showed an animated globe with a mid-ocean ridge.  It was under 5 minutes long.

I learned in my videography class this week that short segments are helpful because students don't lose focus.  Score!  So after Hannah and I watched the video, I emailed the link to her science teacher so the whole class can watch on the data projector!  I was delighted!

Blogging with the Beavers

My Little River colleagues are blogging with me. I learned how to post with the Blogger app on my phone.

Content Creation

My soon to be middle schooler has discovered the joy of creating content.  H got a parent sponsored email address last week.  She figured out on her own how to add it to her iPod Touch and wasted no time creating messages.  She ran into my office and asked for my email address and seconds later came back to see if I got the message. 

I had forgotten how thrilling email can be!  I think she suddenly felt a part of a new world where she could solicit answers to questions in a mature way.  No more yelling at Mom over the sound of the dishwasher and the TV, send her an email. . . and then yell "Mom, did you get my email?" 

After tasting the thrill of sending text content to someone I encouraged her to take another step.  She loves to watch videos on YouTube and I struggle with limiting her time on this medium.  Yes, I have restrictions set on her iPod, but I want her thinking and creating not passively receiving.  So I suggested that she could make a movie and publish it to YouTube.  She has created four now, well that was the count as of 9:00.  She started a series and is thrilled to watch her views and comments. 

I know from my work in educational technology that creating for a wider audience is motivating to students, but I have seen it in action this summer.  Watch out George Lucas, the next great cinematographer is in training!

School's Out for Summer!

I'm not an Alice Cooper fan, but I love singing "School's Out for Summer" at least once every year.  It was a big year end for me personally.  My daughters each graduated, one from elementary school and one from middle school.  We marked the occasion with small celebrations - pizza with friends, mother/daughter lunch, cookies baked by a favorite teacher, bestowing of gifts, thank you cards for teachers well loved.  I feel blessed by their many talented teachers.  I enjoy their giggling energetic friends.  Such passages are always bittersweet.  My heart swells with pride at their many accomplishments and yet I know that we are closing a chapter that cannot be revisited.  Along with the celebrations I shed tears, all the things parents do.

I felt like I had tied everything up neatly with a bow on Thursday after the last graduation.  On Friday morning, my last day at Little River for the year, I realized that I hadn't taken the time to reflect on the end of MY school year as a teacher.  With the help of Caitlin Meseck and Candace Dymond, we launched an iPod cart.  And then added a second iPod cart.  Once hesitant teachers were using their data projectors regularly.  I created videos in MovieMaker and iMovie, tools I had never used.  I launched a fundraiser with much trepidation and raised over $1,000 for technology purchases. 

It was a successful year in many respects, but I am left feeling that I could have done more.  I was exhausted at the end of the day yesterday, but I couldn't stop thinking about unfinished business at school.  I am ready for a good rest, change of scenery and recharge of energy.  However, I know when August rolls around I will be ready to take on the challenge once again.

Remediation Videos

I recently suggested to the teachers at my school that they might be interested in creating videos with their students. Students who have mastered material could create a video to help students needing review. When they are finished the teachers will have a video for remediation this year and for instruction next year.

Need some inspiration? Here’s an example I found on YouTube - http://youtu.be/uBrhEJc8Ff0. I searched “fractions third grade students” to find it.

One of the third grade teachers, Anna Larson, is running with it and I can't wait to see what her students create!

Here are some basic steps for one-take videos from http://www.techlearning.com:
 

Pick a Topic

Decide whether the video will explain a concept or demonstrate an idea.

Assign the groups

Roles you might want to have for each group – script writer/reader, prop creator/manipulator, project manager, technical manager/camera operator

Pre-production

Students write the script. Assemble props. Rehearse without the camera.

Final production

Record! We have a full digital video camera and also several Flip cameras. Retake if there are any major mistakes. The idea is to avoid the editing step to accelerate the process.

Tech Fitness

I am planning to get back on my bike now that the graduate school semester is over and I have a little free time.  I recently read about this cool Web site and thought it might help me stay motivated to workout!  http://www.mapmyfitness.com  You can map a track for jogging, cycling, walking the dog or completing a triathalon.  You can see tracks other people have created or create your own on the Web site.  It will estimate your calorie consumption.  It has a social component so you can share your tracks on FaceBook or Twitter too.  It seems pretty cool.  There's an app too so if you have a smartphone you can carry your fitness map with you on your workout.

No More Bubble Sheets!

In just three short years, students in North Carolina will take state assessments on computers instead of with  paper and pencil.  Beginning in the school year 2014-15 all EOCs and EOGs will be administered online.  This is an effort to provide 21st century assessments.

The state is already developing these assessments.  Selected students at my school piloted an online version of the test last month.  The test looks VERY different online and we need to start preparing our students now.

If you would like a quick preview of the test, you can go to this link and select a test to preview.  http://go.ncsu.edu/nctdemo

You will need to turn off the pop up blocker in your browser first.  Then click the drop down arrow, choose a test and then click 'Login'.

You can even share these resources with your students and give them some practice with taking the test online.

More Resources

Online Assessment Quick View Video – https://center.ncsu.edu/nc/pluginfile.php/1023911/mod_resource/content/4/nctestv25_promo_v1_viewlet_swf.html

Test Specifications for 2012-13 (ELA, Math, Science) – http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/assessment/online/

Online Assessment Best Practices Guide – http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/assessment/guide/

SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium - http://www.smarterbalanced.org/