The Blog - I was asked to write a blog about incorporating tech into every day teaching. Wow! The possibilities are endless. So, I decided to give you 5 great ways that we used Chromebooks this year in the classroom!
Number 1 - Presentations - Presentations are one of my favorite things to use with students. Here are two suggestions:
- As the teacher - create a presentation as your lesson plans: include links to videos, direct access to Google Doc teaching notes that you wish to provide students, and directions on each day's lessons. You can even "flip" your classroom a bit - videotape yourself using an app such as WeVideo (WeVideo Website), and have the kids watch your video instead of instructing during class-time. NOTE: This is a GREAT way to differentiate! I can create one presentations - then edit it slightly 2 or 3 times to make the information presented and activities assigned appropriate for many different ability levels.
- As the student - Have students create presentations to share their own knowledge on a subject. They absolutely love this, and remember what William Glasser said, "We Learn . . .10% of what we read, 20% of what we hear, 30% of what we see, 50% of what we see and hear, 70% of what we discuss, 80% of what we experience, 95% of what we teach others.”
Number 2 - Mindmeister - This is my favorite Collaborative Mind-mapping app. Instead of boring old paper and pencil brainstorming...have students create an online Mind-map. You can assign them to groups and then can all collaborate on the same map, or have them work individually and share maps with each other for ideas. (Mindmeister)
Number 3 - Clearly - This app removes all unwanted "junk" from the edges of articles that you may want students to read. It's a great way to remove distractions, and helps students who may be tempted - not to click on those "sidebar ads". You simply go to the article you like and then click the small lamp in your Google toolbar, voila! all unwanted ads removed. (Clearly)
Number 4 - Kaizena (Voicenote) - This is a great app that allows you, the teacher, to go through a student's document and add your own comments - verbally. You can also add links to websites or videos that you think they should check out for more information. (It's a great alternative to the old-fashioned idea of marking up their paper with a trusty red pen :)) (Kaizena)
Number 5 - *and...just to be different - Processing Problem Behaviors - Okay, so this is my own. I encountered a student this year, 8th grader, very reluctant to process any problem behavior incidents. Each time processing was started, he shut down, or blew up. Here's what worked - open and create a Google Doc - share it with the student - they sit at one computer, you at another (it doesn't even have to be in the same room) - you ask a processing question - they respond. Not only did this relieve his anxiety about processing, it created a great record for documentation purposes of our problem solving sessions.
(Okay - so I said 5, but this is a good one!) Number 6 - Newsela - This is a non-fiction site with current articles in lots of subject areas. The really cool part...each article comes in a variety of lexile levels! (Did I mention how great this is for Tier 1 differentiation?) And, most articles come with a quiz. (Newsela)
There you have it! 5 (6) great ways to incorporate the Chromebook. There are so many more! It is amazing to see new worlds open up to kids and watch as the grow, learn, and even teach me a thing or two!
Signed,
Your Chromebook Junky!
@sarajeisy
