Learning terms, concepts, vocabulary can be FUN!

We all have run into a curriculum unit that was complicated or just not fun to teach. How about that kid who just won't do the research paper, brochure, or Power Pt that you assign. After all your giving them options on how to deliver it.... right? That's RTI or differentiated instruction.... right?

You want them to get up and present the material they learned (sometimes we pray that they learned) and find out the kid just will not get up in front of the class to speak. No matter who much he speaks in class, sometimes when you are speaking or when he should just be working.

Ok so what can you do to make it more interesting or FUN? Try using multimedia videos like GoAnimate, Animoto, Voiki, or document camera avatars. Here is how I used them to make Biotechnology more interesting and entertaining for them and me. http://goo.gl/pZ5mr Watching videos and discussing the grades earned according to the rubric I give. This is WAY more fun than me taking home reports, etc... to grade all on my own.

What do you need?

1-Well one a grading rubric for the students so that they know what you are expecting and what do they have to do to get the "A", "B", etc.... This takes away the whole guessing game and "why did you give me....." conversations. I show mine all at once and we grade them together based off of this rubric.

2-Computers with internet access and microphones. I use $7.00 dollar combo headphones a mics that I get from my ISD's warehouse. I've used dollar store ones before and they worked fine. One year I even bought 4 of the really nice $10.00 ones that they kids shared.

3-A working email that they remember and can access. I find using non district issued works best, because often our filter blocks even these sites. They need it for college and scholarship applications anyways. Just make sure they remember it or write it down for you, because someone always forgets. That's why I have the option of using my document camera, for those kids. I even allow them to use Photostory or Movie Maker if they prefer. I want them comfortable and producing, so the media doesn't matter, just the content.

4-GoAnimate = just set up your account and follow the online examples. Its truly a drag, drop, and type program.
GoAnimate.com



5-Animoto = usually limits you to 30 seconds unless you setup a education account and get a code from them. Then make sure they use your code when they sign up. It needs images and music to create.


6-Voiki= just set up your account and follow the online examples. Its truly a drag, drop, and type OR speak using microphones program. If you use the type method, you can even use different languages!


7- Document Camera = I limit them to 20 mins use time with it. They have to tell me exactly what they plan on doing before they get to pick an avatar that comes with the software and film it.

To Power Pt or to Prezi/Video.....

Okay here is a very common problem that I run into in the classroom and here students complain about, all the time.......

"Death by power point". This is when you turn your PPT into a written "slide show" about your lecture, often word for word. That is not what makes an affective tool to reach and keep your students interest.

What I have started doing, and we are having great success with in my classes. We use PPT as our textbook, especially since now the textbook budget has been "cut". Even TEA is mandating that textbooks now be published with a ePub, PDF, etc.... So my class our textbook is the PPT. When I actual lecture or present something I use a Prezi, Animoto, or You Tube video that I show and we discuss as we go. For those who work in ISD that blocks You Tube even for staff you can use Teacher Tube or Vimeo. Upload the video you make or want to show to them. Even Google docs now allows for video uploads. Think about, what would you prefer? Don't you "roll your eyes at in service when they start reading PPT word for word?

There is a time and place for the "old school" PPT and we still use it. I just no longer use them as my "lecture". I find letting the students go, explore, find the info. from off of my PPT, or "Google It" is ever so much more affective for my students. I introduce it and lecture from off the Prezi or videos. I know longer have kids that "fall a sleep" when I need to introduce a new concept.

Here are some examples for you to compare. Which method would you prefer to be taught with and why?

G2K_Baxter_Exam-2011

More PowerPoint presentations from Rachel Baxter

Getting To Know Mrs. Baxter on Prezi

How to Draw ACAD Problem #3 PPT/PDF http://goo.gl/X4VHo

How to Draw ACAD Problem #3 Video

Interactive Class Social Contracts

Have you been to Capturing Kids Heart training by the Flippen Group & love the idea of the Class Social Contracts but just aren't sure how to do them in a classroom with little wall space to post them. You want them to still be fun, creative, & unique to the students but what to do? >(Side note if you ever get the opportunity to be trained in this GO! Best 3 days I ever gave up of my summer vacation.)

I teach six periods, with eight (8) different classes. Yes 8, because my advanced students are mixed in with the 1st year students. Its the only way we can offer those advanced classes for my kids. So my wall space is limited, and the Fire Marshall says nothing on the ceiling or heck, within two foot of the ceiling. What I decided to do to keep them still fun but manageable in size this year is to create Tagxedo. They are similar to Wordle but a little more "fun" for the students to create. By the way I show everything that we are discussing using my data projector.

We looked at everyone's input and voted on what we wanted to use. I had my students do a Google Form Survey. Here is the actual one they completed.

I then deleted all the names and posted everyone responses to online. That way everyone can see each others thoughts and we could discuss them. Many ISD's now have Google Accounts setup for their teachers, if yours does not don't panic. Its easy just sign up for a free Gmail account and then log into the Google Docs using that. I promise you can do it and will love what all they can do for you. I'll Blog more about them in the future.

I have included those responses for you to see. Some of the things they will tell you when its anonymous and their classmates can't tell because there is no mane or hand writing, it really does free them and it will surprise you. Of course some of the darlings comments do, but I used that as a chance to discuss as a group what they thought about them, without singling out or embarrassing the kid who did it. I had a few who did that ask if they could redo their submissions because they finally realized that it was important and that is what really matters.

What we agreed to use I simply typed put that into a Word document so we could copy and paste the words over into Tagxedo the next day. Then you go into Tagxedo and pick = Theme/Colors, Font, and Shape to use. Once you get them to agree on it, simply Save it as a JPG or a PNG file. I usually save it as a the highest resolution. We found that agreeing on the shape and font was the hardest, so we practiced "Roberts Rules of Order" by saying Fore and then Against statements, then hand vote. I was surprised that all my all male classes some of them were very adamant about using the star or hear shape. It just goes to prove you never know what your kids are going to like. Never make an assumption about what "you think" they will like and allow them to be creative. What I thought would take maybe 5 minutes took almost 20 because they really took ownership of the design. Needless to say I was proud of my guys and gals!

Then I just printed on my color printer the image as an 8"x10", they all signed wherever they wanted to and with whatever color they wanted to. We then posted them at the front of the room. I will be adding a photo of the class to them also as soon as we have a day when everyone is here.

I am posting each classes Tagxedo Social Contracts below and links to their responses by class below. Check out what kids can do in 2.5 days, 1 to 1.5 if you don't elect class officers. However, I'm brave and we do that too. I have all of this explained in the website for the Unit given below.

So I hope to see more of you having fun with Social Contracts and Tagxedo soon! I just know you and your students have fun and love the process too. Let me know how the process goes for you and your students.

My Unit Planner for this Class Social Contact activity.

CET-1 Responses
CET-2 Responses
AD-3 Responses
AD-4 Responses
EDP-6 Responses
EDP-7 Responses

What is Technology?

As a 16 year Career and Technical Education teacher define and explaining what Technology is to others has often been frustrating, as most people automatically associate this term as being just computers. I have been involved as member and now sponsor of a CTSO (Career Technology Student Organization), specifically the TSA (Technology Student Association) and this is something that often "bugs" my student officers because they know Technology is a lot more than just computers.

Dictionary.com define Technology as being:

[tek-nol-uh-jee]

–noun

1.

the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and useof technical means and their interrelation with life, society,and the environment, drawing upon such subjects asindustrial arts, engineering, applied science, and purescience.

2.

the terminology of an art, science, etc.; technicalnomenclature.

3.

a technological process, invention, method, or the like.

4.

the sum of the ways in which social groups providethemselves with the material objects of their civilization

So what does that mean in "layman" terms? Technology is the use of tools and/or materials to solve a problem the society or people need. Is it computers? Yes, but they are just one of the tools you can use to solve your problem, but they are not the only tool you can use.

When it comes to picking the best Technology or Tool for the job you need to know what your problem is. The best analogy I can give you is getting rust off of something metal that you want to hang in your living room as artwork. You have options or different tools that you could use.

1- 100 grit sand paper and elbow grease to sand it off

2- Chemical rust stripper and all the protective equipment to protect yourself

3- Sand blaster and all the protective equipment to protect yourself

4- Wire brush to know off the loss stuff and then clear coat because you like that look

See for different people they would use different tools. I personally would use a sand blaster and then spray paint it with black metallic paint because that's the look I like. Does it mean my way is the only one to go with? No, go with what works the best for you and your situation.

Now how does this apply to Instructional Technology?

Dictionary.com defines it as:

Design, development, use, management and evaluation of process and resources for learning.
Instructional technology aims to promote the application of validated, practical procedures in the design and delivery of instruction. It is often defined either in terms of media and othertechnology used (e.g. audiovisual media and equipment and computers), or in terms of a systematic process which encompasses instructional design, development, delivery andevaluation.

So again, what does that mean in "layman" terms? It's using the right tools and/or materials to best teach your curriculum. Yes it is often computer based as we are now teaching Generation Y or the "Nexters" and they expect, even demand the use of computers in instruction. Your challenge is to find the right balance of Technology in your classroom. Sometimes its pencil and paper, and then others its creating a 3D model. It should and will change based upon your curriculum or problem for that day.

For those of you struggling with reaching and teaching the Nexters I highly recommend reading Bryan Fiese's "No Teacher Left Behind". He explains it better than I ever could and better yet his techniques WORK! I have seen the change in my fellow CTE teachers who have read and tried these techniques. I plan on sharing more on this at a latter date.

So when you hear the word Technology understand that its not just computers, it is selecting the right tool to get the job done right.