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.