Tag: online learning

Using EdPuzzle in the Classroom

I wanted to use this particular free write entry to talk more about the website EdPuzzle. I genuinely enjoy the setup of EdPuzzle. I love the fact that this site allows students to watch a video jam-packed with info and teachers can strategically place questions or comments throughout the video. Having these question embedded throughout the videos help students reflect on all the information being thrown at them. Also, I think it is a very smart way to ensure that your students are actually watching the videos and retaining the given information. It would be very easy for students to play the video and walk away, or play the video and keep it on mute but still get credit for watching it. Putting Colorful puzzle pieces coming togetherthese embedded questions not only grabs the attention of your class but keeps/holds their attention. I know when I am watching the EdPuzzle I take notes on what I find to be very important and nine times out of ten, the question will relate to what I have written down. However, sometimes I may miss the information stated in the question but luckily there is a “rewatch” button which I find extremely helpful.

Subsequently, I think it is great that the teacher can chose not to put any questions in the video, but can make side comments that are often really helpful and reflective. When watching the videos it is nice to pause and read a helpful fact from your personally professor. Often times, our professor will give us a heads up that the video contains older information, but that it is still very useful. Other times, our teacher will tell us to reflect back on our reading and remember how the video relates to what we are currently learning about in the class.

I have said this multiple times throughout my blog posts in this class, but I will most definitely be using this website and the majority of the websites and apps we use in this course. I find all of them very relevant, helpful, and fun. I am excited to integrate websites such as EdPuzzle in my future classroom. Personally, I believe this website is very creative as well as innovative. This will certainly make reviewing and learning easier for my future students. I wish that there was a website like EdPuzzle when I was younger because I think it would have been extremely helpful. I am grateful to have used and learned about all the new (to me) application and sites because I know feel like I have the upper hand in regards to future teachers who were unable to take a course such as Web Tools.

Digital Tools: Edmodo

The tool I’d like to talk about is called Edmodo (eedmodo.com). In the Global Educators toolbox, located on page 26 of the Global Educator, Edmodo is displayed under the Community & Social Media category. The tools in this classification revolve around the common use of sharing blog posts, discussions and multimedia. On the Edmodo website, founders describe their site as “a global education network that helps connect all learners with the people and resources needed to reach their full potential” (edmodo.com/about). According to the textbook, Julie (a present educator) uses Edmodo for global community building. She also explains that Edmodo is “excellent …for different purposes and age groups” (The Global Educator). Edmodo the perfect website for technological learning/teaching because it can be used for assessments, as well as peer-review and writing exercising, etc.

 

In the linked video, a teacher from Pee Dee Elementary school discussing how she implemented Edmodo into her classroom. At one point in the video, the teacher spoke about how more shy students and student who did not like to respond began enjoying to participate when using Edmodo. She also went on to say how Edmodo really aided in creating a sense of community in her classroom. Discussions were stronger and better because children actually liked to contribute. A lot of times we see a handful of students who are quite and typically make no real offerings during class discussions, but Edmodo is able to help eliminate that. One of the interviewed students in the video said that he liked Edmodo because he is able to help other students who are struggling with whatever topic they’re discussing in class that day. Technology is extremely popular in this day and age and using it in the classroom is the smartest idea!

 

Edmodo’s website actually links multiple “mini-lesson plans” for teachers to use to help them integrate Edmodo into their classrooms. By visiting https://support.edmodo.com/hc/en-us/sections/200909844-Mini-Lessons, you can find over 10 short lesson plans for quick and fun activities using Edmodo! For example, the New Year/Holiday Activity (file:///C:/Users/caitd/AppData/Local/Temp/10EndofYear_HOliday-1.pdf) lesson plan uses Edmodo to engage students in online discussion. In this activity, students log on to Edmodo, joining an assigned group, and post about their academic resolutions for the New Year! The teacher can also throw in extra credit for students who actually succeed their goals! The second activity involves assigning a new group for the class and taking polls on the “best and worst moments” of the year. Again, this really helps to engage the students with one another. They can share common interest or dislikes, make friends, and all in an educational online setting!