Thursday, January 17, 2013

My first post using WordPress...

I'm experimenting with the world of blogging.  Today I started a wordpress blog, errinjenings.wordpress.com

Please check it out.  The topic is my experience today conducting a PLC with teachers on differentiation using the app Nearpod.  Let me know what you think of wordpress and the post.

One Second of Every Minute of One Class Period

Yesterday I tried something new.  A new way for me to look at instruction.  I took a one second video every minute during one class period.  I had no idea how this would turn out and it was not something I planned on doing.  I just got the idea and went with it.

I set my timer on my iPad so I could make sure I took a video every minute.  I started just by sitting in a desk, but then I moved around the room to get different perspectives (which I would recommend).  When class was over, I downloaded my video clips to iPhoto and then imported them into iMovie.

I reduced each clip to exactly one second.  I did not add any transitions or additional sound/audio.  I wanted this to be about the classroom.  Again, not knowing what this would look like....

The 52 second movie of this one 52 minute class period was spot on.  The instructional methodology, philosophy, tone, and reality was almost clarified and articulated in a manner that could not be achieved in a 52 minute long video of the entire class period.  Please do not misunderstand - there is a a valuable need to be a reflective practitioner and view an entire class from start to finish; however, sometimes more is less.

This may be a common practice where you are, but if not, try it!  I'll be doing many more of these 52 second videos to help improve instruction for all learners...

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Presenting with iPads

Using Nearpod, an app I downloaded on my iPad, I just finished creating and uploading my first interactive presentation.  Now, don't get me wrong - I've presented presentations with my iPad using Prezi and pdf's of Power Points, but never with embedded formative assessment.

I have uploaded my presentation on my iPad and it looks ready to go.  I also downloaded the app on the iPads that my colleagues will be using.  The only real difficulty I have encountered is having to charge the batteries on those iPads....

I am excited about using this tool and am looking forward to more engagement and participation!