Blended Learning and Co-Seated Course Resources

Photo by Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash

Recently, at a virtual North Texas Instructional Technology Specialists meeting, these resources were shared to aide teachers with how to manage virtual learning and co-seated classes. Take a look and see if anything speaks to you!

• Four Engaging Structures That Work in Hybrid A/B Learning Classrooms

• PK-12 Blended Learning Strategies

• The Concurrent Classroom: Using Blended Learning Models to Teach Students In-person and Online Simultaneously

• Optimizing Concurrent Classrooms: Teaching Students In The Room And Online Simultaneously

• Instructional Models

Station Rotation Alternatives

Station rotations have been around in education for ages. The newest take incorporates learning with technology (instructional videos, interactive simulations, video recording to show understanding, etc). If you have concerns about the logistics of integrating station rotations in your class, see this article for ideas!
Read more.

Article: 4 Reasons That Technology Might Not Be Helping Them Learn

I will be the first to tell you that technology is not always the best tool for the job. This article, 4 Reasons That Technology Might Not Be Helping Them Learn hits the nail on the head. 

The reasons they list include:
1) You're using technology for technology's sake.
2) The technology distracts from understanding.
3) The teacher is still the audience.
4) You're neglecting authentic student voice & choice.

Read more...

"I got 99 problems but Tech ain't one" from #4OCF

I highly recommend you and your PLC team read over 4 O'Clock Faculty's article "I got 99 problems but Tech ain't one". Great discussion topic for educators. #4OCF

TED-Ed Lessons by Grade Level

You can now search TED-Ed lessons by grade level! This is super handy to help narrow down results that may be more appropriate for use in your class.

For more information, see this article at Edublogs.

http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2015/09/27/ted-ed-lessons-by-grade-level-might-be-useful/

Digital Bytes by Common Sense Media

Digital Bytes is a great resource for teaching digital awareness. 

Educators, start here. 

http://youtu.be/brvaP0tQ2hA

Khan Academy revisit

Khan Academy has grown over the past several years and now includes even more subjects. Check out the full list: 

Khan Academy also now includes not just videos but also interactives, assessments, articles, handouts and more!

Overview of KhanAcademy.org: An overview of the different ways to use Khan Academy

Using Google Drive to Improve Student Writing

Carroll ISD recently posted a blog entry on Using Google Drive to Improve Student Writing. It includes several tips and suggestions in addition to a list of helpful Google Docs Add-ons.

Check it out!

PBS Learning Media

PBS Learning Media now offers over 100,000 digital resources in its library for educators!

Read this article for more information or access PBS LearningMedia directly.

Vidra: Video Creator iPad App

If you're looking for an iPad app to easily create explainer and other types of videos, check out the new Vidra app. 

30 second preview video

It’s A LOT like Adobe Voice.

• Make individual slides and add your voice to each.
• Large image / clip art library or upload your own
• Sound library for background music or use your own.
• Automatically combines slides into a single video.

But what makes this app better(?) is that the video will export to your iPad’s Photo Album and/or Youtube.  So the final video isn’t stuck only on a separate website like Adobe Voice.

• Also, it doesn’t require an account.
• You can draw your own sketches.
• Text boxes are more traditional and have more space.