Flex Mod Blended Learning Recording Tools and Options

Some teachers have requested technology tools that will aide in providing video resources pertaining specifically to content material.  These video recordings are ideally less than five minutes and will be viewed during student Personal Learning Time (PLT).  This is referred to as a Flipped Classroom.  Personally, I don't believe a complete flipped classroom is an idea that will work for the majority of content areas in a flex mod schedule. However, a blended classroom environment can be a perfect fit.  About two years ago, I taught a two day workshop on the Flipped Classroom Learning Experience.  Many of the resource from that will be helpful during this preparation phase.



Reasons for creating video resources for students:

• Science - Demonstrate lab instructions for viewing prior to class
• Math - Graphing calculator instructions for settings
• English Language Arts - How to start a research paper
• Social Studies - Project requirements
• Foreign Language - Grammar rules
• Physical Education - Game Rules and options for personal fitness time
• FACS - Instructions for cooking/baking/prepping
• Business - Spreadsheet formula set up
• Agri-Science - Instructions for labs
• All Subjects - answers and reflections

Tools For Recording Screens and Educators

Screencast-o-matic

SMART Notebook Video Recorder

Storing The Video

Google Drive

Everything YouTube

Organize YouTube Per Content

Google Plus For Searching

Video Link

iPhone YouTube Capture App For Teacher Created Videos

We shouldn't need to use our own devices, but this teacher needs to.  She doesn't have an iPad, so an iPhone is the easiest way to record video and upload it to her YouTube Channel.

I also like it because it eliminates some steps such as downloading (from Flip Camera) and uploading (through computer).

If You're Absent From Your Classroom, Consider...

Being a teacher has many unique aspects none greater than providing directions for a substitute teacher.  Whether it is an all day sub or for just one hour, providing a short video to make it as if a teacher is present in the classroom, continues learning despite the circumstances.

There are two ways that video can be utilized.

• As a message to the substitute teacher
• As a message to the students

Yesterday, Mrs. Stainton traveled on a field trip with some students from one of her classes on a field trip.  However, some of her students from a different class were still in the classroom.  Her efforts allowed the continuation of learning through an explanation of the lab that the students were about to experience.  The video was uploaded to YouTube, because YouTube provides a platform that can be played across multiple devices.

She used the SMART video recorder.

After it was uploaded, the YouTube link was shared with the in-house substitute teachers through email.  The substitute teacher appreciated the ease of use, because they played the video to the students.  After watching, the students proceeded to complete the lab experiment.



While this does require some additional prep on behalf of the teacher, it truly provides seamless learning atmospheres within the classroom despite the lack of physical presence by the classroom teacher.

Recording Explain Everything Material

I used the Disp Recorder app to create a tutorial on recording voice on Explain Everything.

Easy, Awesome, and once again allows me to be in two places at one time.

Transfer Of Matter Through iMovie and Skitch

The science teacher wanted students to demonstrate their knowledge of how matter transfers from the food they eat to the energy they produce.  Students are able to demonstrate any activity that they love to do through video and still pictures.  Each still picture can be enhanced through the use of the Skitch app.

I was able to teach the basic functions of iMovie and Skitch before the students engaged in using the app.

I prepped with the teacher for about 30 minutes prior to the lesson.  This way she was able to know the features of the apps.  This helped because she was able to answer questions that students had while using the app.

I was impressed by the engagement that the iPad's caused with the students.

See how it worked.

SMART Notebook Video Recorder

As teachers start to implement the SMART board, a video recorder may be a great tool for recording action by teachers or students on the SMART board.  View how to incorporate this.