Big Ideas About TEaCHING & Learning: Jing (Windows & Mac Screen Video Recorder)

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Jing (from the makers of the iPad screen recorder ScreenChomp, which we covered in a previous post) is a Windows / Mac screen recorder that helps you EASILY create short screen videos that can help teach your students!

Think of the learning possibilities available when you can record the contents of your computer screen - AND provide narration ...

1. Demonstrate the steps required to execute multi-step computer processes (like entering Microsoft Excel formulas, or creating a Table of Contents in Microsoft Word).
2. Troubleshoot computer problems quickly by recording a video that shares all the user's steps!
3. Create training documents with great screen shots!

PROS

1. It's FREE!
2. Easy to install and use.
3. Produces clear, vivid screen shots and video.

CONS

1. Videos can be no longer than 5 minutes long.
2. Videos must be uploaded to Screencast.com. You then share a link with your audience to allow them to view. For videos longer than 5 minutes that can be easily shared to YouTube, try SnagIt ($49.95).

Check these examples!

EXAMPLE: Screen Video ("Building Pivot Tables Using Microsoft Excel")

(View in separate full-sized window)

(View in separate full-sized window)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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Big Ideas About TEaCHING & Learning: ScreenChomp (iPad Screen Video Recorder)

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

ScreenChomp is a FREE experimental iPad app that helps you EASILY create short screen videos that can help teach your students!

Think of this as a recordable (both video and audio) whiteboard - a blank slate you can use to write, capture and share big ideas!

Anyone can benefit from such a tool, but this was developed primarily for teachers and students. Imagine being able to ...

1. Provide visual tutorial and homework assistance with difficult concepts when students email their questions.
2. Allow students who miss class to keep pace.
3. Allow students to tutor each other!

I was introduced to ScreenChomp by Keisha Brown, a second-year math instructor at Georgia Perimeter College (and a veteran high school math teacher) ...

"I love ScreenChomp because it gives me the ability to reply to my students' emailed questions easily outside of class.  It is very difficult to type responses to these questions, but with ScreenChomp I am able to show graphs, use colors, and easily describe where their likely mistakes are. 

I can catalog these videos for future use, which provides a resource for students who either need to reinforce concepts, or who might have missed class. 

My goal with these screen videos is to demonstrate a particular skill or concept - not to reteach an entire lesson. Videos cannot replace the classroom experience, but they can certainly extend it!"

Check out one of Keisha's ScreenChomp videos below!

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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Big Ideas About TEaCHING & Learning: Poll Everywhere! (Audience Response System)

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Poll Everywhere is a simple audience response system. It allows any presenter to collect real-time feedback using text (SMS) messages sent from ordinary cellphones!

Of course, if you have an Internet-accessible smartphone or tablet, then it is even easier to provide feedback using the device's Internet browser.

The FREE version of the service allows you to collect up to 40 responses per poll. Fee-based plans start at $15 per month.

Review the examples below - and note the real-time results!

Example 1: Open-Ended (Free Response) Questions

Example 2: Multiple-Choice Questions

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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Big Ideas About TEaCHING & Learning: 4 More Google Apps

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Google Calendar is an application that facilitates the efficient managing and sharing of events.

Google Mail (GMail) is a multi-faceted communication tool.

Google Talk is a text, voice, and video chat application. When used wisely, it can facilitate powerful, positive communication between school stakeholders.

Google Sites is a service that allows you to build, publish, and to maintain Web sites.

Google Groups, Blogger, Google Moderator, and YouTube are advanced Google apps that provide additional powerful classroom resources. Let's explore how they can be used ...

1. Google Groups. Use Google Groups to manage and to archive classroom, department, or schoolwide discussions!
2. Blogger. A blog is an Internet-based log (or journal). This makes Blogger a great tool to manage day-to-day classroom activities. Deliver daily warmups, in-class assignments, and homework via your classroom blog!
   
3. Google Moderator. Use Google Moderator to encourage students to reflect on their daily learning. Pose a question that synthesizes the day's discussion, then allow students to respond. Let them rate each other's responses!
4. YouTube. Use YouTube to view approved videos, record classroom lectures for review, or allow students to post their own project videos!
   

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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Big Ideas About TEaCHING & Learning: 3 Ways To Use Google Sites

By Derrick Brown (Email) (follow on Twitter @dbrowndbrown)

Google Docs is an application that allows users to create and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with all school stakeholders (students, parents, faculty & staff, administration, board, and community).

Google Forms is an application that allows users to create forms (interactive documents that facilitate data collection). All data entered into the form is automatically entered into a downloadable spreadsheet!

Google Calendar is an application that facilitates the efficient managing and sharing of events.

Google Mail (GMail) is a multi-faceted communication tool.

Google Talk is a text, voice, and video chat application. When used wisely, it can facilitate powerful, positive communication between school stakeholders.

Google Sites is a service that allows you to build and to maintain Web sites. Imagine being able to publish ...

1. Classroom and School Websites. Google sites allows you to easily create, edit, and publish classroom Web sites - with embedded features like calendars and videos!
2. Student Electronic Portfolios. Archive and showcase student work (like projects and reports) in a portfolio that students can maintain even after they leave your class! This documentation of their work can be a powerful tool - especially during their senior year, when they will be completing scholarship and college applications.
   
3. School Curricula / Class Syllabi. Share your approach to instruction with your students, their parents, administrators, and even board members!
   

To Learn More ...

1. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Slide Presentation - 54 Slides)
2. Google Apps in Classrooms and Schools: 32 Ways to Use Google Apps (Professional Development Webinar - 58 minutes, 52 seconds)

Please share your thoughts on these "Big Ideas" and best practices by leaving comments below. Email us or follow us on Twitter @dbrowndbrown to submit your own "Big Ideas" and best practices!

 

 

Copyright © 2012 Derrick  Brown. All Rights Reserved.

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