20 video project ideas to engage students Videos are engaging. They can be a powerful tool to draw students in and connect them to content in innovative ways. Here are 20 ways to do it. In my classroom, video usually equals instant engagement. Students like to record it — especially because many of them get to use their phones for school purposes. But they like to watch them even more, and if those videos are produced by their peers, the interest skyrockets. That power has huge potential to be harnessed for educational gain. Integrating video projects into the classroom can be as simple or complex as you want. Here are some video project ideas, divided into ideas for any classroom and ideas for specific subject areas: 10 ideas for (almost) any classroom: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A virtual walking tour is an option, too. 7. 8. 9. Create book reports, step-by-step videos and more using Adobe Spark Video. 10. 10 ideas for specific subject areas: 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. How else can video be used for gains in the classroom?
197 Educational YouTube Channels You Should Know About 197 Educational YouTube Channels You Should Know About If you don’t have a YouTube channel as an education provider, there’s a good chance you’re behind the times. Nearly every major educational institution in the world now hosts its own collection of videos featuring news, lectures, tutorials, and open courseware. Just as many individuals have their own channel, curating their expertise in a series of broadcasted lessons. These channels allow instructors to share information and blend media in unprecedented and exciting new ways. From teaching Mandarin Chinese to busting myths about Astronomy, the educational possibilities are virtually endless pun intended! Because we can now sift through thousands of resources while navigating a single repository, the potential for inspiration and growth in the field of education has reached a new height. Here are the top channels worth following based on views, subscriptions, and quality of content: General Physical Sciences Engineering & Technology Mr.
online teacher training for using ICT in education How to work with screencasting tools www.teachertrainingvideos.com uses Camtasia for making the training videos. I also use JING for making short videos. If you look at the menu on the left-hand side, you can see a complete list of the screencasting tools that I have worked with and made videos for. Here are a few of my favourites. Camtasia 7-Two sets of videos All the videos I have made on this site use Camtasia 7. SnagIt SnagIt is not free but it is a very reasonably priced option for creating screencasts and it also allows for doing much more. SnagIt part two ScreenR A simple screen cast tool that works on the web. ScreenCast-o-matic Another free screen casting tool that does not need any download and allows you to record quite long videos. Russell Writes in the Teacher Training Journal
Free Software and Shareware We have made the difficult decision to retire the Tucows Downloads site. We’re pleased to say that much of the software and other assets that made up the Tucows Downloads library have been transferred to our friends at the Internet Archive for posterity. The shareware downloads bulletin board system (BBS) that would become Tucows Downloads was founded back in 1993 on a library computer in Flint, MI. A lot has changed since those early years. Today, Tucows is the second-largest domain name registrar in the world behind Go Daddy and the largest wholesaler of domain names in the world with customers like Shopify and other global website builder platforms. Point is, we’re keeping busy. For the past several years, history, well sentimentality, has been the only reason to keep Tucows Downloads around. Today is different. Tucows Downloads has had an incredible run. Thank you. Sincerely, Elliot NossCEO, Tucows
A Comprehensive Guide to The Use of Edmodo with Students March 9, 2014 Edmodo is a powerful web-based platform that has a huge potential for us in education. The features and functionalities provided by Edmodo for teachers and students are invaluable and hence the importance of having access to a handy guide like the one below. This visual guide aims at helping teachers tap into the educational potential of Edmodo. What is edmodo ?Edmodo is a web-based platform that provides a safe and easy way for your class to connect and collaborate, share content, and access homework, grades and school notices. It is like Facebook but in a safe and controlled environment appropriate for school. How can I use edmodo with my students ? Place digital resources on edmodo for students to access or download,Create polls for students to vote online.Write short summaries of lessons for students who were absent from class (better yet: get your students to write the summary).Post homework information.What is it that makes Edmodo class a secure environment ? Second way
Using SAMR to Teach Above the Line - Getting Smart by Susan Oxnevad - 1:1 program, Apple, edchat, EdTech, SAMR, technology For as long as I can remember I have been an advocate for helping teachers understand the stages of technology integration to help them effectively use tech as a tool for learning. I’ve adopted a few different tech integration models over the years, discussed the ideas with administrators for use as a starting point for tech integration, and kept the ideas front of mind as I invent and discover new ways for using technology as a tool for learning. Discussing the stages of tech integration has led to some thought provoking and inspiring conversations, but the ideas have not gained a lot of momentum in my face-to-face teaching environment until now. As many districts jump on board with 1:1 implementation, Apple’s use of the SAMR model as a framework for tech integration presents a consistent, clear and powerful message that is spreading! About SAMR Researchers have determined that technology integration typically moves through specific levels. Image created by Dr. An Emphasis on Task Design
The SAMR Ladder Through the Lens of 21st Century Skills - Getting Smart by Susan Oxnevad - EdTech, SAMR, Teaching This summer I have been digging deeper into the SAMR model of tech integration to help educators embrace 1:1 learning and the changes it will bring about. SAMR is a truly useful tool for helping teachers identify their current comfort zone in order to build expertise in designing efficient and effective student learning experiences. To reach higher levels on the SAMR ladder, teachers can make some planning and instructional shifts. A look at the big picture is helpful when trying to understand how to help students develop important 21st Century Skills at each level. Through the Lens of 21st Century Skills I have created an interactive graphic of the SAMR Ladder to illustrate the big picture. Final Thoughts The learning that occurs as teachers climb up the SAMR ladder is what will eventually lead to successful lesson design.
5 Great Google Drive Video Tutorials for Teachers February19, 2014 Today I am sharing with you a slew of interesting Google Drive video tutorials that are created by Anson Alexander. I came across these tutorials while I was browsing through this wonderful site called Working at The Edge. I thought about tweeting this resource without having to post it here but I know 15 thousands of email subscribers to this blog will probably miss them. These tutorials will help you get to know some of the features and functions of Google Drive that you might probably be missing. 1- Composing Google Docs 2- Sharing files and folders 3- Document Organization 4- Advanced sharing and permission 5- Third party apps
ACOT2 ACOT2 has identified six design principles for the 21st century high school: Understanding of 21st Century Skills and Outcomes Establishes as a baseline that educators, students and parents must be well versed in the 21st century skills that students need to acquire to be successful. Teachers should be able to make relevant and useful choices about when and how to teach them, and whether or not students are making progress toward their personal demonstration of accomplishment. Rethinking what we teach must come before we can rethink how we teach. Relevant and Applied Curriculum Offers an innovative vision of what the learning environment should become by applying what we know about how people learn and adapting the best pedagogy to meet the needs of this generation of learners. Informative Assessment A Culture of Innovation and Creativity Acknowledges the fuel that drives today’s global economy and, in turn, its importance in both student learning and the school environment.
Three Working Models to Integrate Technology in Your Teaching May 6, 2014 Technology is obviously an essential element in our instructional toolkit. Knowing how and when and for what purposes to use this technology is much more important than the technology itself. Technology integration in instruction requires much more than just digital literacy and technical knowledge, it requires foresight, clear intentions, and well planned goals. The purpose is to meet students learning needs and as such technology is only a means to an end and not the end itself. An important step in the process of effective integration of technology in education is having a pedagogical approach supported by a theoretical framework to ground your technology practices inside the classroom. Of course there are several frameworks to help you teach using technology but three approaches in particular stand out from the rest. 1- SAMR model SAMR is a framework through which you can assess and evaluate the technology you use in your classroom. 2- TPACK model