Wednesday, October 31, 2012
PowerPoint Apps
Today we discussed different apps that could be used with PowerPoint; ways to record audio and annotations so that they entire presentation can be accessed at school or at home. I knew that PowerPoint is versatile and have recorded audio within that program, but haven't been able to record annotations along with the audio -- to be viewed at a later date. I think this app would be most beneficial, especially as we continue to experiment with 'The Flipped Classroom.'
October 31
We discussed the presentation that we are to prepare for December. Some of the ideas we had were to set up laptops to show instructional videos, a powerpoint presentation and possibly a video of students and/or the classroom.
We also discussed a display board to make it easier to see lessons learned, etc at a glance.
As a followup to last weeks plans, after losing their privileges and assigning work on ixl.com, 22 of 28 students now have a grade of 65% or higher.
Combining ixl.com with instructional videos has proven to be a very good combination (so far).
We also discussed a display board to make it easier to see lessons learned, etc at a glance.
As a followup to last weeks plans, after losing their privileges and assigning work on ixl.com, 22 of 28 students now have a grade of 65% or higher.
Combining ixl.com with instructional videos has proven to be a very good combination (so far).
Concerns
How does the student who cannot take his laptop home do the "home part" of the flipped classroom?
NOT SURE HOW TO DO THIS BESIDES HAVING A FEW PRINTED COPIES
How does the student who has a computer but no internet at home do the "home part of the flipped classroom? STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO VIEW, GO TO PUBLIC PLACES WITH INTERNET FREE
Now what else? Oh, how do I get students to do school work after hours? That is what is probably the biggest barrier until they come to understand the dynamic of the class or come to care about their education. If I knew how to conquer this, I could probably have student success regardless of which type of system I implement. I really worry about part every day when I see students with poor attendance, a pile of "O"s, and making no effort to do differently.
NOT SURE HOW TO DO THIS BESIDES HAVING A FEW PRINTED COPIES
How does the student who has a computer but no internet at home do the "home part of the flipped classroom? STAY AFTER SCHOOL TO VIEW, GO TO PUBLIC PLACES WITH INTERNET FREE
Now what else? Oh, how do I get students to do school work after hours? That is what is probably the biggest barrier until they come to understand the dynamic of the class or come to care about their education. If I knew how to conquer this, I could probably have student success regardless of which type of system I implement. I really worry about part every day when I see students with poor attendance, a pile of "O"s, and making no effort to do differently.
PLC Showcase
At the end of our semester of work, all PLCs will be showcasing their work at the Wyandotte High School PLC Showcase on Wednesday, December 12th in the Social Hall.
The showcase will be a public demonstration of our learning,
collaboration, and results. Each PLC will showcase work that reflects
how your learning and collaboration has impacted student learning. Each
PLC is encouraged to be creative and innovative in their demonstration
(student examples would be highly encouraged); however, please be sure
the following are addressed through your presentation -
PLC Focus
If your PLC requires any kind of additional resources, please submit any requests for those materials via the comment section to this blog entry by NOVEMBER 9th. You will receive these materials by or before your November 28th meeting, so you will have AT LEAST two weeks to work on organizing your demonstration.
PLC Focus
Collaborative Actions
Summary of PLC Learning
Impact on Student Learning
Connections to Future Teaching and Learning
In
addition, all staff will have an opportunity to visit each
demonstration during the Showcase. Many outside guests will also be in
attendance. If your PLC requires any kind of additional resources, please submit any requests for those materials via the comment section to this blog entry by NOVEMBER 9th. You will receive these materials by or before your November 28th meeting, so you will have AT LEAST two weeks to work on organizing your demonstration.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Pacing and the use of technology
Musings: Students must be focused and in top form to be successful on tests like the ACT.
How do we step up the pacing in the classroom? I have tried to force students to work at a certain level by expecting a certain amount of work and refusing to slow down. A few students have stepped up but most are falling behind and have failing grades (especially in my 3rd block class).
The next step begins tomorrow......3rd block will no longer be allowed to eat, drink, have head phones or earbuds and they must stay in their seats. These sanctions will remain in place until a minimum of 75% of the class are passing.
Students constantly say "I have to have my music to focus". They have said this so much that I feel they have convinced themselves that this is true. IT IS NOT TRUE. It distracts them and they do not focus and work at their best.
More to follow on the results.
How do we step up the pacing in the classroom? I have tried to force students to work at a certain level by expecting a certain amount of work and refusing to slow down. A few students have stepped up but most are falling behind and have failing grades (especially in my 3rd block class).
The next step begins tomorrow......3rd block will no longer be allowed to eat, drink, have head phones or earbuds and they must stay in their seats. These sanctions will remain in place until a minimum of 75% of the class are passing.
Students constantly say "I have to have my music to focus". They have said this so much that I feel they have convinced themselves that this is true. IT IS NOT TRUE. It distracts them and they do not focus and work at their best.
More to follow on the results.
Flipping the flipped classroom
I've enjoyed tweaking the flipped classroom concept. It is a stellar idea, but isn't 100% effective for all students (but what is?!) One thing that has worked well with our AG2 class is allowing time to watch the videos in class, but then spending some one-on-one time during and/or at the end of the videos with the students who need more hands-on interaction with the concept. Sometimes, we discuss the concept and do sample problems instead of watching the video -- it depends on the student and the concept.
As I have been listening to other teachers talk about the flipped classroom, I have tried a little class experiment which I think I like and is more successful. I decided to make this change because when I give students class time to read an article, etc. they are not on task and waste time. Too often worksheets are copied from one person to another and are very time consuming to grade and not necessarily indicative of learning happening. So....
Now I have done this twice and think I will continue for the balance of this semester. They have a powerpoint or reading to take directed notes on. We review the material briefly the next day and then they get a practice quiz on the material. I use the practice quiz for their practice part of the grade instead of the worksheets.
Advantages: easier for me to grade
instantly know what to reteach the next day
forces the issue of notetaking
I am positively reinforcing notetaking by giving out tickets for a drawing at the end of the semester to students who can correctly answer questions during discussion using their notes. They are NOT for quiz scores.
If this continues to be good, I plan to restructure my whole class to this next semester.
Now I have done this twice and think I will continue for the balance of this semester. They have a powerpoint or reading to take directed notes on. We review the material briefly the next day and then they get a practice quiz on the material. I use the practice quiz for their practice part of the grade instead of the worksheets.
Advantages: easier for me to grade
instantly know what to reteach the next day
forces the issue of notetaking
I am positively reinforcing notetaking by giving out tickets for a drawing at the end of the semester to students who can correctly answer questions during discussion using their notes. They are NOT for quiz scores.
If this continues to be good, I plan to restructure my whole class to this next semester.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
October 17, 2012 PLC
We spent the PLC time trying to watch the video at http://www.screencast.com/t/xfK4sHHzv3. This is Graham Johnson's video to the parents of his students explaining what the flippped classroom is. The video kept locking up and we were unable to watch all of it; however, we went to youtube and watched some of his videos on the flipped class.
Some of the interesting points were:
In the blink of an eye, teachers moved from the sage on the stage to the observer of their students' learning.
He has an interesting video titled: "What the flipped classroom is not.."
He reiterates what we have heard others say - that classroom teachers should make their own videos so that it is an extension of the teacher and their teaching.
He also has some technical advice on making flipped classroom videos.
After one of our PLC meetings, I began giving the students "half-sheets" to complete as they watch the videos. These just have a couple of questions and a spot to record a question and something you learned. As I have time, I plan to develop more of a study guide to go with the video to help the students get more out of the videos; much like what one might do to help guide students when they are reading a textbook.
Some of the interesting points were:
In the blink of an eye, teachers moved from the sage on the stage to the observer of their students' learning.
He has an interesting video titled: "What the flipped classroom is not.."
He reiterates what we have heard others say - that classroom teachers should make their own videos so that it is an extension of the teacher and their teaching.
He also has some technical advice on making flipped classroom videos.
After one of our PLC meetings, I began giving the students "half-sheets" to complete as they watch the videos. These just have a couple of questions and a spot to record a question and something you learned. As I have time, I plan to develop more of a study guide to go with the video to help the students get more out of the videos; much like what one might do to help guide students when they are reading a textbook.
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