Post #8-Course Reflection

Flipgrid

So much has changed in the past four weeks. I feel that this course set me up to be more prepared for assisting students with school closures to help "flatten" the curve for COVID-19. I miss my students, and even though I have video chatted with most of them, I miss their faces SO much. If we weren't so remote, I feel like technology would have been a better route to offer remote learning during school closure. The reflection below shares some of the ways that I have grown as a "lead learner" by taking part in this class. 

With the idea of a flipped classroom, I still wonder how districts truly handle equitability. I saw in a few videos that they leave computer labs open in some schools until 10pm. Our district tried checking out Chromebooks to students in the past, but some students were not responsible with the technology. Now, sadly students are only allowed to "check out" chromebooks, and with the school closures, sadly none of our students have access to the school's technology. 

Post #7- Curriculum Video Project

Authoring Multimedia-Final Project

I'm not going to sugar coat this, the curriculum video has been my nemesis. I need relevancy in order to make something worth my time. With school closures and COVID-19, my priorities and routines have been overhauled. When I began this class, I knew that next year I was going to be the Title I and Title III teacher for the district. Two days ago I called to talk with my principal and was notified that I wasn't going to be in the new position, instead I was going to continue being the 4th grade teacher. 

I realize that "There is nothing permanent, except change," Heraclitus. However, I was SO excited to be serving my district in a new way. I looked forward to serving students who were not on grade-level and helping them to grow. I am depressed that my school year ended abruptly and I was unable to say farewell to my students. I miss their laughter, silliness and antics. I miss our discussions and adventures in reading. I worry and wonder if my students are safe, looked after, and loved.

So my curriculum video is one that relates to the NOW to address what we are going through as teachers, parents and students. One year from now, it may not be relevant, but it is meaningful today and this year. This video is addressing the need for students to set aside time to read, while school is closed. 

YouTube removed my video as it was seen to be "spam and misleading." Click the following link to view the video using Animoto. 

Curriculum Video Link

Post #6- Free Technology

"Free Technology for Teachers"

Richard Byrne’s blog (click Here to see the blog) is a very useful resources for finding and implementing a variety of “free technology” in the classroom. I found his video on Gmail Features very helpful. Now I have set up for student work to automatically filter into a folder for easy reference. This is also helpful to keep other emails in organized in folders, Title I, NSCAS, parent communication, etc.

Another topic I found helpful was how to use Flipgrid for screencasting. His videos are easy to follow, and he breaks the tasks into manageable steps. I like that the blog has a search bar the help locate blogs on specific topics. I found so much on the blog that I even subscribed to his newsletter.

Creating a blog for students to use as a reference is a great idea. As a district requirement I have a classroom website. I could also embed a link to my YouTube Channel and create/upload helpful videos there.

On a related but different note, after creating a video using PowerPoint, I realized that Google Slides doesn’t offer the same option. Then it dawned on me…if I wanted to create a video using Google Slides, then I could simply do so by using Screencastify or another application.

Post #5-Screencast

Screencast

Screencasting can be useful in a variety of "How to..." situations. Visual learners will benefit from the step by step visuals in a screencast pausing and replaying the video as necessary. One skill that my ELA students require is copy and paste. I repeated the words "Control, C and Control V" about a million times this Fall. Instead, I should create screencasts to teach these keyboard shortcuts. 

The screencast I created is intended for parents and other stakeholders. It seems that many, don't realize that the teachers created websites and update them often. I have been given permission to share this screencast on the Elementary Facebook page. Hopefully more people will access teacher websites after watching the video. 

Blog Post #4-Exploring Web-based Tools

Edpuzzle

            Edpuzzle is a great interactive option for the flipped classroom, or for use in small group lessons. I found the product to be somewhat easy to use after I found a tutorial on YouTube. Edpuzzle could be used in any content area, math, language arts, industrial tech, foreign language, etc. To create an Edpuzzle, teachers search and add a video to their project using YouTube, Edpuzzle, Khan Academy, National geographic, TED Talks, Veritasium, Numberphile or Crash Course. At any point in the video, teachers can embed multiple choice or open-ended questions, voice overs as well as notes. Another feature to Edpuzzle is the capability to crop the video to shorten the length allowing teachers to focus on key parts of a longer video. Teachers can create an “open class” and share a link with students. Another option is to create classes using student names, add assign the quiz through the Edpuzzle website. Teachers can see student progress on the quizzes and the amount of time taken on the quiz. Teachers can also restrict the ability to skip forward through the video in order to answer the questions. Created videos are easily shared in a variety of learning platforms. A variance on teacher created projects and depending on skill level, students could also create their own Edpuzzles.

Click here to see my Edpuzzle. Edpuzzle- "We Didn't Spread the Virus" (Billy Joel Parody)

Blog Post #3-Animoto

Authoring Multimedia

Animoto was a fun and simple way to create a video message. I was able to utilize the "Focus Question" from my 5th Grade ELA curriculum and create a video that inspires kids to really ponder "Why should we care about garbage?" Animoto could be used in the classroom in a variety of ways. 

• introduce ourselves to the rest of the class

• document special events in the classroom

• create videos on places in Nebraska (Nebraska Studies) 

• create videos as a way to review content

• create a scavenger hunt

• create book trailers

•  research a famous Nebraskan and create a video

I look forward to introducing my 4th-5th grade students to this video creating platform!!!

The possibilities are nearly endless. I think my 4th and 5th graders would really enjoy the opportunity to work with Animoto. 

Blog Post #2-Animoto

Animoto

Districts across the state have been affected by the Nebraska Reads law and new requirements for teachers of grades K-3 to implement a plan for students who are not reading on grade level. I hope to build background knowledge and possibly learn more about blended learning and reading interventions. 

Blog Post #1

I live in northwestern Nebraska. I have been teaching for fifteen years and initially gained experience as a multiple grades teacher in several rural schools. Since then, I have taught in a self-contained classroom in larger K-12 districts in grades 3-5. I currently teach grades 4-5 English Language Arts and Nebraska Studies. I enrolled in the Masters Cohort at Peru State College last May. The creation of this Blog is a requirement for EDUC 552. It is in the beginning stages and I am not certain where it will take me. 

Most days I welcome the use of technology and the opportunity to enhance student learning through technology. My experiences thus far (unless you count my elementary experience with green screen Apples) have been exclusively with PC computers. I am very fortunate to have an interactive, Promethium, board in my classroom. My students each have a Chromebook to use during class. I would place myself somewhere between Augmentation and Modification as far as Technology Integration goes. Ultimately my goal is to utilize technology to provide personal learning experiences to aid in differentiation and to increase student interest and accountability. 

I enjoy learning and strive to have the qualities of a distinguished teacher. Late in the spring of 2019, I decided to continue my education and enroll in an online Master's cohort program which landed me at Peru State College. I am enjoying the courses in the Graduate program and look forward to Graduating in December of 2020. A colleague and friend inspired me to pursue my Master's Degree. She had just graduated in December of 2018 and I was happy for her achievements.