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Sometimes I talk too much. Standing there, front or centre of the class, so much to share, so little time? Going on and on, hoping I catch myself before they all drift off. Many times another voice would be better. How about their voice? Sounds good doesn't it?
Luckily, there are some great audio helps out there and like so much technology they have the potential to wake up learning and meet individual student needs.
How about trying a screen casting app on the iPad such as Explain Everything or Educreations?
During the last Science Unit we were conducting some experiments that tested properties of liquids (Grade 5). Unfortunately 3 students were absent and timetabling and supplies would not allow me to repeat the lesson. So we chose a few students to do 'play by play' and take photos. Each group was given an iPad and they took turns recording themselves. There was an added bonus of the students putting extra effort into making sure they didn't miss any steps and followed the scientific method correctly. As well, the absent students were a great audience for the results and asked great questions based on the recordings.
How about trying a screen casting app on the iPad such as Explain Everything or Educreations?
During the last Science Unit we were conducting some experiments that tested properties of liquids (Grade 5). Unfortunately 3 students were absent and timetabling and supplies would not allow me to repeat the lesson. So we chose a few students to do 'play by play' and take photos. Each group was given an iPad and they took turns recording themselves. There was an added bonus of the students putting extra effort into making sure they didn't miss any steps and followed the scientific method correctly. As well, the absent students were a great audience for the results and asked great questions based on the recordings.
Here's another.... A colleague of mine has told me about using the Garageband app to create the morning announcements in their JK - 6 school.
Students in a grade 4/5 class take turns preparing the announcements. With peer tutors in grade 6 to assist them, the students use all the features of the app including sound effects and background music. They share the podcast to each teacher who then can choose when to listen to them before first break. It has worked out very nicely for classrooms where there is a rotary teacher in there during 1st period.
Students in a grade 4/5 class take turns preparing the announcements. With peer tutors in grade 6 to assist them, the students use all the features of the app including sound effects and background music. They share the podcast to each teacher who then can choose when to listen to them before first break. It has worked out very nicely for classrooms where there is a rotary teacher in there during 1st period.
In my own room we've been making marionettes and writing short skits. Because working a marionette takes a lot of focus we decided to record the play on a device, phones, iPads, tablets, ahead of time (including sound effects). They used Garageband, their cameras and any audio apps they had. It has made the project more complex and time consuming but they are very invested. As much as I think they like to hear my voice, they love to hear their own!
As long as I'm mentioning mobile devices, I have to recommend apps such as AudioNote for teachers.
You can walk around with your device and make observations of students as they are working. On another occasion I was teaching Grade 3 after a long absence from the primary world, and I had to relearn how to do running record assessments. After struggling through a few of them, I turned to the camera on the iPad and asked my students if I could tape them. It saved me. The pressure was off and I did a much better job of listening. I had the added benefit of being able to tape them again later in the year and make invaluable comparisons. Assessment has changed, finally in a good way!
You can walk around with your device and make observations of students as they are working. On another occasion I was teaching Grade 3 after a long absence from the primary world, and I had to relearn how to do running record assessments. After struggling through a few of them, I turned to the camera on the iPad and asked my students if I could tape them. It saved me. The pressure was off and I did a much better job of listening. I had the added benefit of being able to tape them again later in the year and make invaluable comparisons. Assessment has changed, finally in a good way!
Before the iPad came along I was fully immersed in Web 2.0 tools and sites.
Storynory is a new one for me, it seemed to show up just when I needed it.
It's free, downloadable, recorded stories that can be listened to one chapter at a time. I'll only use it once this year, but that's ok. Then my students will create their own. I'll have them choose a fable to narrate and decide on end of chapter questions for us to consider.
Storynory is a new one for me, it seemed to show up just when I needed it. It's free, downloadable, recorded stories that can be listened to one chapter at a time. I'll only use it once this year, but that's ok. Then my students will create their own. I'll have them choose a fable to narrate and decide on end of chapter questions for us to consider.
Another new site and idea is the 60-Second Science site.
Great for junior to intermediate grades. Sift through to find one for your class and have it ready for when they first arrive or right after a break. It's a great discussion starter and complements many topics.
Great for junior to intermediate grades. Sift through to find one for your class and have it ready for when they first arrive or right after a break. It's a great discussion starter and complements many topics.
And finally my students and I are looking forward to a neighbourhood science walk as part of our unit on structures. We will be taking our various personal devices and narrating along the way. I've shared this idea with several teachers and they are excited to do the same thing. We will be brainstorming and sharing follow-up ideas for our recordings. I may visit a few podcast idea sites such as this one, Beyond Penguins and Polar Bears, to keep the recording fun going this year.
Looking forward to hearing the best voices in my room....you know who they are!!
Just spent most of the day looking at your links. Some really great stuff here and yes sometimes I talk way too much also. Hopefully I have a job for this next term as i am very anxious for my students to try this ....especially loved the 60 sec science. thanks
ReplyDeleteYou have so much voice in your writing. I agree with Ada...your post sucked me in. In fact, I think I'll use the 60 second science site in my class tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of having the students record to show those students that were not there!
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