Khan Academy

I am currently attempting a "flipped classroom" model.  In a flipped classroom model, my students watch my lecture as homework (the video is posted on our class Edmodo site), then come to class & do what used to be homework in the classroom.  One of the wonderful problems I'm running into is that students are finishing up the in-class homework quickly & are looking for extensions...this is where Khan Academy comes into play.

What is it?
Khan Academy is an on-line tool that has over 2,000 videos teaching a variety of content.  Most of Khan Academy focuses on math.  The creator of Khan Academy is a man named Salman Khan, and he recently did a TED Talks about Khan Academy, which I've embedded below.  Khan Academy utilizes something called a knowledge map.  The knowledge map begins with the most basic math (single digit addition).  The student must answer 10 questions correctly about a concept for the knowledge map to show proficiency, then it lights up with the next steps you could work on.  If you don't know how to solve a problem, there is an option to get hints, and also watch a video teaching the concept.

How could I use it? 
I intend to use Khan Academy as an extension once the children have mastered the content from the classroom.  An added bonus of Khan Academy is that as a teacher, you can sign up as a "coach".  If you're students sign you on as their coach, you can see where exactly they are, and if there are any areas that need to be addressed (these show up in red for your viewing).  There are a lot of other reports that are available to view as well.

There are some potential issues.
If your school blocks youtube, then the students will not be able to view the videos.  Also, the students need a google account to be able to log-on and save their progress.  If your school is a google school (as mine is) then that is not a problem.  Finally, the amount you can utilize Khan Academy is going to be determined by how much access you have to computers.  If you can only get to a computer lab once a week, then you're ability to utilize this program will be quite limited.

Google docs

What is it?
When I hear people speak of 21st Century learning, collaboration and technology are two major buzz words.  Google docs is one format that allows you to use technology to collaborate.  Google docs is a cloud based word processing program.  All you need to be able to utilize Google docs is a Google account...which is free.  There are a lot of features that I like, but some of my favorites are:  the ability to collaborate with other people on a document & not have to worry about having multiple versions of the document, the ability to comment on other people's documents, and the automatic save.  On a Google doc you never have to press save, as it saves automatically with every keystroke.  

How could I use it?
As a teacher, I use Google docs with my students.  My school is a Google school, meaning all the students have a Google account without needing an e-mail address.  This allows the students to be able to work on documents from wherever they are (home or school) and share them with me.  I can then utilize the "comments" option & give them feedback on how they can improve their writing.  

Google docs isn't just a place where you can make a document.  You can also make presentations (similar to Powerpoint), spreadsheets, and even quizzes for your class to take on-line.  There are a variety of templates you can choose from, and you have the ability to make your own template as well.    For more information about Google docs, please watch this video.

On-line Planbook

What is it?
PlanbookEdu is an on-line planbook that allows you to edit your plans from anywhere you have computer access.  You can choose your schedule type, so it works for all levels K-12.  It is also very simple to use.  You can use & edit the free version.  There is also a $25 per year cost that allows you to use a variety of other features.  Such as: printing your schedule, sharing your planbook with a colleague, attaching files to your plans and having the Common Core State Standards easily searchable within your lessons.

How could I use it?
As a teacher, changes in your weekly schedule happen...often.  It never fails that as soon as I have my schedule set, printed and beautiful I get notice that one of my specials has been changed.  PlanbookEdu allows you to quickly and easily make changes.  I also like the feature of attaching documents, as like most teachers, I do a lot of additional work at home.  In addition, the shared feature allows you to share plans with another teacher, so if you are so sick you cannot even make it to work to make plans...you still have a way to get your lessons to school.  Finally, even though we aren't using the CCSS yet, it is coming, and the feature that allows you to designate a standard to your lesson is very easy to navigate and use.

"How to Do Research" infographic

What is it?
In one of our "back to school" meetings we had recently, we were discussing the Common Core Standards.  Informational text is going to be a major focus, as well as creating independent thinkers.  Teachers, in general, tend to give too much information, and not require the kids to do as much thinking.  One of my collegues mentioned some of the steps to good research, which reminded me of this infographic I found recently.  It was created by the Kentucky Virtual Library.  It takes you (or better yet, the students) through the steps to doing research.  The part I like the most about this infographic is that it is completely interactive.  You can click on any of the steps and find more information about that stage of research.

How could I use it?
I envision directing my students to the site & having them explore it on there own.  Following the exploration, we would have a discussion around the different stages of research and their importance.  Depending on the age of the students, they might need a little more guidence.  I could see creating a note taking form for some kids...but is that just me wanting to guide them too much?

What is this blog all about?

One of the things I love about teaching, is learning about new technology and figuring out ways to tie it into my classroom.  That is the purpose of this blog.  It is written by a teacher and is meant to be used read by teachers.  I hope that your find this information helpful and applicable to your classroom!