Videos in the Classroom

By Jennifer Reynolds

In my Geometry class I use videos to assist in instruction.  

Screencastify

I use Google Classroom to host my lesson that I create through Screencastify  using my document camera. I post a video of each lesson the class before I teach and assign the lesson. I require the students to watch the video (instruction) before class so that I can have more one on one and group work during class. 

Google Classroom

Having more time in class on each objective allows me to facilitate learning and assessing student knowledge, without them having to do problems at home and on their own.

This blog was written by Jennifer Reynolds.  Jennifer teaches Geometry and is also the Math Lead Technology Teacher. Contact her at jreynolds@pngisd.org.

Kahoot Quiz Tool

by Michael Baker

In my 12 years of teaching, I have constantly been looking for better and more captivating ways to review my students. Kids like games, so I have experimented with several different types of games over the years. There was always a problem though. Some games are fun, but didn’t engage all students at the same time, having students only participate directly in a small percentage of the questions.  Other games grew dull and boring, resulting in me losing the students' interest midway through the review.  Then I found Kahoot. 

          This review game was not only fun, but every student can participate in every question, engaging the entire class at the same time.  It also awakened their competitiveness.  Once introducing Kahoot, I have seen certain students get excited about learning that I thought couldn’t get excited about anything. Best of all, I have seen an improvement in performance.  My test scores have been better since introducing this amazing, online, review tool.  So, what is Kahoot?

          Kahoot is a website which allows you to quiz your students on any subject imaginable.  The question appears on your board via a projector and your computer, and the students can use a smartphone, tablet, or computer to answer the question.  
How do I get started?

          First, go to www.getkahoot.com and create your FREE account.  I love the free part.  Once you have an account, you can make your own quiz from scratch or pick from thousands of quizzes made by teachers from all over the world that are already on the website.  Just search a particular topic on the website and Kahoot will pull a selection of quizzes that match your topic.  I like making my own so that I can control the content for my classes specifically.  You can make quizzes containing multiple choice and true/false questions.  After creating your quiz, you go to your “My Kahoots” library and select the Kahoot you want.  The website produces a code that the students will enter into their device that allows them to join the quiz.  They select a name, and once all your students have joined, you can start the quiz.

          Once the quiz begins, students are given a certain amount of time, which you can control, to answer the question.  After each question, Kahoot shows you what the correct answer is, and how many students selected each possible answer. This allows you to see whether or not they are grasping the content. Then Kahoot reveals the top five scorers in the class.  This gets the student excited to see if they are in the top five.  Points are determined on whether they guessed the correct answer, and the amount of time it took them to answer the question.  Once all the questions have been answered, Kahoot reveals the winner along with the top five students.  I give out little prizes to the top five and to the winner to add a little more incentive to win.  My students love review day now, and they don’t even realize they are learning and having fun at the same time. 

This blog was written by Michael Baker.  Michael teaches World History and is also the History Lead Technology Teacher. Contact him at bakerm@pngisd.org

Building your PLN

​February 10, 2015

What is a PLN?

--Professional or Personal Learning Network

• A PLN can be a two-way process where you learn and contribute.
• Educators can promote professional development and resource building.

Before you get started

--Think about what can you offer.  

• What is your area of expertise?
• What are your hobbies and other interests?

--Think about what you want to learn

• Gather ideas, discover lesson plans, and assemble a library of resources.
• Take responsibility to learn and advance knowledge in multiple areas.

What tools you will need

--A collection of different groups, websites, social networks, and conversations

• Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, Blogger, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc.
• Create networks that include professors, leaders in your content area, technology topics, and other subjects important to you.

--Enthusiasm, energy, and hunger to learn

• Connect with people to learn, grow knowledge, and promote higher order thinking.
• Gain knowledge to improve your teaching in order to inspire your students.

Resources:

Alice Keeler’s Guide to Signing up for Twitter

https://goo.gl/LYdHTg

Kathy Schrock’s Creating a Personal Network

http://goo.gl/L7wCR

Using Twitter to Find Great Resources for your Classroom

TCEA Lunch & Learn 2015-2016

https://goo.gl/aoyWt2

For more information email cwerkheiser@pngisd.org

Gale Databases and Google

January 13, 2016

Easy access to digital content has been proven to enhance critical thinking, technology, and information literacy skills.  Our library offers several useful databases loaded with valuable resources for teachers and students.  Google is now integrated with a few of these databases.  

Gale offers access to tech tools such as Google Apps for Education, which encompasses tools like Gmail, Drive, and Docs.  Anyone with a Google account can personalize, save, download, and share resources.  This puts content directly into the teacher and student workflow with Google Classroom.  Teachers can share content quickly as an assignment or activity.  

 

Visit our library’s webpage at www.destiny.pngisd.org and begin integrating technology into your lessons today.  

 

Gale and Google Tools Video Tutorials

http://solutions.cengage.com/gale-training/video/google-tools/ 

For more information email cwerkheiser@pngisd.org