ALEX SWAN EDUCATOR PORTFOLIO
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Blog Post Two

2/4/2021

5 Comments

 
I really enjoyed learning about some new assessment tools and resources in this module.  I explored several of them, but I would still like to dig deeper into many others since I had not heard of many of them.  I love how Web 2.0 tools augment my teaching and I feel you can get a lot out of many of the free versions.  I am also glad my district purchased licenses for Edpuzzle.  That certainly helped me with this assignment.  Over the course of this assignment, I discovered the term “in-class flipped classroom”, (Doubet, n.d.) which was new to me.  I even used it in my video!  I had a little familiarity with both tools, but I had not used Edpuzzle much at all.  I enjoy using Nearpod, but I really like how Edpuzzle supports video because I use a lot of videos to support my teaching in class.  It is time-consuming, but it is definitely worth the effort in the long run.  Students retain information much better with my standards with an in-class flipped classroom approach.  But as I mentioned in my video, editing only can help so much.  Time and experience teaching content open other ways of understanding your content and how your students interact with it.  Therefore, the ability to edit and keep it dynamic is crucial.  Edpuzzle is a great fit for that.  Quizizz makes assessing student’s knowledge more fun.  By incorporating memes and gamification, students respond better to it than a more traditional approach to quizzes/exams.  Both resources make administration much easier and provide very important data as well.  All educators value data, especially data that supports their content and how their students retain their content.
 
 I have been using Screencast-O-Matic now since the COVID lockdown and I am enjoying it.  I feel it is easy to use and does a good job.  I mentioned earlier that I use screencasts for an in-class flipped classroom approach, and I am incorporating it more and more each semester.  I have a library of videos that I use to support tasks large and small, and my students are used to it at this point.  Cobb has an LMS, called CTLS, and I upload much of the content there.  I also add much of the content I produce to my website, which also augments much of my instruction.  With CTLS and so many virtual learners (Cobb is hybrid now), the videos really help.  Another way I would like to incorporate it is for my students to produce content in different ways for class.  I have been thinking about that for a while, but I still haven’t tried it yet.  I would love to produce a videocast (vlog).  I am certain they would like that, but the logistics right now aren’t ideal to try it.  However, I am currently planning out some ideas for the future.  I also believe having students collaborate on video projects holds a lot of promise.  Many of my virtual learners rely on video and publicly accessible content to keep them up to date in school.  These tools are one way to provide that accessibility without having to create your own solution, which can be expensive and intimidating.


References
:
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Doubet, A. (n.d.). Flipping the Elementary Classroom | Creative Educator. Creative Educator.
     https://creativeeducator.tech4learning.com/2015/articles/In-Class-Flip

Sheninger, E. (2019). Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times: Digital Leadership:
​     Changing Paradigms for Changing Times
(Second ed.). Corwin.
5 Comments
Juan Batista link
2/7/2021 12:27:43 pm

Hey Alex:
I explored Nearpod for the first time to evaluate it for the class. I have to admit, this was a lot of fun and I particularly like the compatibility with other programs that I already use in class such as Flipgrid. With this tools I can have the students record responses on Flipgrid and embed them into my Nearpod lessons for peer teaching.
I agree with your assessment of Quizizz. I find it more useful than Kahoot because of the integrations the program offers that makes more interesting and challenging. I have not used Edpuzzle yet, but your assessment and explanatiton help a lot, and I will definitely check it out now.
One downfall that I have experience with games like Qizizz, Gimkit and Kahoot is that can be rote drills and repetition. For a World Language course, specially in the upper levels, context is very important so for me these tools are just a fun activity to include during the review part of vocabulary and grammar. Great insight on both your reviews.

Juan-

Reply
Jason Sirard
2/8/2021 06:52:08 pm

Juan,

Have you tried Kahoot Premium? It allows many more question types including open ended. May offer better solutions for Spanish.

Reply
Alex Swan link
2/9/2021 10:32:42 am

I like your point about embedding Flipgrid responses into Nearpod! I wasn't aware that was an option. Do you all have the free or advanced version?

I don't know why this resource comes to mind, but I keep thinking you would appreciate Khan Academy. Also, there is a link to their content via Edpuzzle. Just FYI.

Reply
Jason Sirard link
2/8/2021 06:50:58 pm

Alex,

First I love Nearpod. My Capstone is based on it. I would love to assist you in furthering your ability if you ever want to chat about it. With all the tools they have and are adding it is easy to formatively assess in many ways. If you can get the premium I would suggest it. What tools have you found to be your favorite? I really like the draw function. I also use Quizizz. I find it helpful to do to prepare for Test and give students sample questions. Not to memorize the content but to see the setup of questions. I middle school they miss questions that they aren't familiar with the structure. Charts, Graphs, and questions that aren't the norm. When you use Quizizz do you have them do alone, all together competitively, or do you control the pace?

Reply
Alex Swan link
2/9/2021 10:41:05 am

I know who to talk to about Nearpod now. I have not used the draw function. We do not have a subscription here either, so I am limited, but I love what I have access to. I use the moderated collaborative features, and have had a lot of success with them. You can also prompt those who don't respond, and I have taken that route a time or two as well. lol

You know I am a fan of gamification. That is primarily how I use it in class. I have a live session and we complete it together. I really play up the competitive aspect, but I don't personally feel it would lose a lot of its power if it was self-paced. The students can still see others scores and compete.

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  • Introduction
  • Video Reflection
  • Resume
  • Diversity
  • Vision
  • Standards
    • Standard 1 >
      • 1.1 Shared Vision
      • 1.2 Strategic Planning
      • 1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs, and Funding
      • 1.4 Diffusion of Innovations and Change
    • Standard 2 >
      • 2.1 Content Standards and Student Technology Standards
      • 2.2 Research-Based Learner-Centered Strategies
      • 2.3 Authentic Learning
      • 2.4 Higher Order Thinking Skills
      • 2.5 Differentiation
      • 2.6 Instructional Design
      • 2.7 Assessment
      • 2.8 Data Analysis
    • Standard 3 >
      • 3.1 Classroom Management and Collaborative Learning
      • 3.2 Managing Digital Tools and Resources
      • 3.3 Online and Blended Learning
      • 3.4 Adaptive and Assistive Technology
      • 3.5 Basic Troubleshooting
      • 3.6 Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools and Resources
      • 3.7 Communication and Collaboration
    • Standard 4 >
      • 4.1 Digital Equity
      • 4.2 Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Use
      • 4.3 Diversity, Cultural Understanding, and Global Awareness
    • Standard 5 >
      • 5.1 Needs Assessment
      • 5.2 Professional Learning
      • 5.3 Program Evaluation
    • Standard 6 >
      • 6.1 Continuous Learning
      • 6.2 Reflection
      • 6.3 Field Experiences
  • Field Experiences
  • Blog
  • ITEC-7430
  • Capstone
  • Introduction
  • Video Reflection
  • Resume
  • Diversity
  • Vision
  • Standards
    • Standard 1 >
      • 1.1 Shared Vision
      • 1.2 Strategic Planning
      • 1.3 Policies, Procedures, Programs, and Funding
      • 1.4 Diffusion of Innovations and Change
    • Standard 2 >
      • 2.1 Content Standards and Student Technology Standards
      • 2.2 Research-Based Learner-Centered Strategies
      • 2.3 Authentic Learning
      • 2.4 Higher Order Thinking Skills
      • 2.5 Differentiation
      • 2.6 Instructional Design
      • 2.7 Assessment
      • 2.8 Data Analysis
    • Standard 3 >
      • 3.1 Classroom Management and Collaborative Learning
      • 3.2 Managing Digital Tools and Resources
      • 3.3 Online and Blended Learning
      • 3.4 Adaptive and Assistive Technology
      • 3.5 Basic Troubleshooting
      • 3.6 Selecting and Evaluating Digital Tools and Resources
      • 3.7 Communication and Collaboration
    • Standard 4 >
      • 4.1 Digital Equity
      • 4.2 Safe, Healthy, Legal, and Ethical Use
      • 4.3 Diversity, Cultural Understanding, and Global Awareness
    • Standard 5 >
      • 5.1 Needs Assessment
      • 5.2 Professional Learning
      • 5.3 Program Evaluation
    • Standard 6 >
      • 6.1 Continuous Learning
      • 6.2 Reflection
      • 6.3 Field Experiences
  • Field Experiences
  • Blog
  • ITEC-7430
  • Capstone