Wednesday, October 12, 2016

6 Riveting Ways to Make Reading and Writing Fun for Students

Creative Literacy Lessons with Kids

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Therapy dogs. Lunch bunch. Reading groups. These are just of a few ideas you can use to excite students about reading and writing. Writing can be fun. So can reading. Let’s discuss lots of creative ideas that work.

riveting ways to make reading and writing

In today’s show, librarian Margo Janzi has a wealth of ideas. Additionally, she also talks about getting out of her comfort zone. Not only can you use robots, green screens, and iPads to excite kids, but you can use some more traditional ideas in new ways. Remember that there’s no match for the creative librarian and teacher. In conclusion, it is our job to inspire and encourage reading and writing. This inspiring show will get you started.

Listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes 

Today’s Sponsor: Write the World

Write the World is a fantastic free tool to encourage writing in your classroom. Not only can teachers run writing contests but they can also assign classroom writing prompts. Also, students can join the monthly contests and global writing prompts with other students around the world. Furthermore, Write the World has a schedule of their writing prompts for the year. So, when you’re planning, include these cool contests.

Write the World is a powerful, fun community for writing. Even more importantly, the site is easy it is to use.

Make writing exciting this year in your classroom. There’s no cost for teachers to join with their classrooms.

Writing Competitions

Given all these benefits, I recommend this site for writing teachers of students aged 13-18. So, join Write the World and get kids excited to write!

Show Notes:

  • Can therapy dogs be used in reading programs?
  • What is the format of a successful “lunch bunch?”
  • How does Margo target students who may not love reading to get them excited?
  • What is a book trailer?
  • How does Margo help kids make book trailers?
    • Doink app
    • Publishing: Facebook, YouTube, Vimeo
  • Do robots have a place in a library? (And how did she use them to celebrate Beverly Cleary’s birthday?)
  • How does Margo get students excited about writing?
  • What happened when they published books?

Who is Margo Jantzi?

Margo Jantzi is a teacher librarian at a Title I school with 630 students in PreK-Gd. 5. Her passion is to inspire students to read widely, think deeply and act kindly.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or elsewhere, get the RSS feed, or listen via the media player above.button-itunes

The post 6 Riveting Ways to Make Reading and Writing Fun for Students appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!


from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/6-riveting-ways-to-make-reading-and-writing-fun-for-students/

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

How to Make Flipped Classroom Better

A Candid Conversation with Jon Bergmann

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Make videos for students. They can watch them in class or for homework. Then, spend your time in class helping students. Reduce or almost eliminate lecture. Students can stop and start the videos as they wish. They go at their own pace. You help those who need it. Flipping your classroom (or in-flipping it as I do) can make a lot of sense if your conditions are right. Flipped classroom co-founder Jon Bergmann talks candidly about the flipped classroom model.

How to make flipped classroom better

Prepare for criticisms. Understand challenges. Learn from the mistakes others have made. I love using videos to teach the point and click software lessons in my classroom. Whether you’re advanced or a beginner, this conversation brings you to the leading edge of instructional design.

Listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes 

Today’s Sponsor: My Simple Show

Need a quick explainer video? Already have a PowerPoint? My Simple Show is a simple way to explain anything. My simple show is an easy to use video creation tool that makes it perfect for creating flipped learning videos.

You can start by typing in a script or do like I did and import a PowerPoint file. Then, after you get your script done, the POWER begins. With a click of a button, My Simple Show’s suggestion engine adds suggested pictures and graphics for the animation. You can change it or import your own photos. Then use their narrators or record your own narration!

What a great way to build an animated film to explain, introduce, or teach just about anything. Right now the tool is free. Get started now!

Create Videos

Show Notes:

  • What are some common criticisms that students have about the flipped method of teaching?
  • What types of videos work best – those with the teacher’s voice or without?
  • Why don’t we need to get too upset about “hearing our own voice” on film?
  • How is the flipped classroom movement moving forward?
  • What are some common mistakes being made by those trying flipped learning?
  • How can teachers avoid those mistakes?

Who is Jon Bergmann?

Jon Bergmann co-wrote the book, Flipped Classroom, and is a co-founder of the Flipped Learning Network. Jon is a teacher, educational coach, and writer who has had the privilege of helping educators “turn learning on its head.” He is considered one of the pioneers in the flipped class movement.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or elsewhere, get the RSS feed, or listen via the media player above.button-itunes

The post How to Make Flipped Classroom Better appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!


from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/make-flipped-classroom-better/

Monday, October 10, 2016

45 Minute Goals Can Transform Your Teaching

Shelly Sanchez Terrell dives deep into the transformative program

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Don’t walk in the classroom defeated. Make professional development personal. Start tomorrow. It is easy in simple, small steps. For the last seven years, Shelly Terrell’s 30 Goals Challenge has ignited teacher learning. Today, we’ll learn how this “quick goal” technique can transform your teaching.

30-goals-challenge-with-shelly-terrell

Shelly wants teachers to tackle small, short goals. They take just 45 minutes each. Small achievements within the day can build momentum in your classroom. These small goals can energize you. Listen to the show. Grab the book. Check out Sylvia Duckworth’s sketchnote. This technique is worth investigating.

Listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes 

Today’s Sponsor: Bloomz

Bloomz is your one-stop solution for parent-teacher communications. More than just connecting with their cell phones, you can send long or short messages. You can share pictures and links. You can even coordinate volunteer schedules, donations, and parent-teacher conferences. I’m using Bloomz in my classroom.

Get the Bloomz App

Show Notes and Resources

  • The 30 Goals Challenge for Teachers by Shelly Sanchez Terrell
  • How can teachers envision their own greatness?
  • How can tired teachers develop themselves personally?
  • If teaching isn’t about balance, then what is it about?
  • How did Shelly pull out of her own depression and struggle with burnout?
  • How do unconnected educators get started online?
  • What are some fast ways to add fun into the classroom tomorrow?
  • What is the purpose of a teaching manifesto?
  • Pinterest Boards with Teaching Manifestos
  • Why are teachers afraid to write their teaching manifesto? (like me 😉
  • Shelly has lots of Pinterest boards relating to the 30 goals.
  • #30goals on Twitter

Who is Shelly Terrell?

Shelly Sanchez Terrell @ShellTerrell is a teacher trainer, e-learning specialist, and the author of The 30 Goals Challenge for Teachers: Small Steps to Transform Your Teaching. She has trained teachers and taught language learners in over 20 countries and has been recognized by the ELTon Awards, Microsoft’s Heroes for Education, named Woman of the Year by Star Jone’s National Association of Professional Women, awarded a Bammy Award as a founder of #Edchat, and named as one of the Big 10: Most Influential People Transforming EdTech by Tech & Learning.

30 goals challenge sketchnote by Sylvia Duckworth

Sylvia Duckworth sketched Shelly Terrell’s 30 goals challenge. Get the book and learn more about making small, doable goals.

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or elsewhere, get the RSS feed, or listen via the media player above.button-itunes

The post 45 Minute Goals Can Transform Your Teaching appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!


from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/45-minute-goals-can-transform-teaching/

Epic Guide To Game Based Learning

100+ Game Based Learning Resources to Get Started in Your Classroom

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Games are fun. We can use them to teach. It isn’t that hard. Game based learning excites learning in my classroom. It can ignite your classroom too. In this post, I’ll share what I’m doing in my classroom. Additionally, I’ll give you 100+ of my favorite game based learning resources. These links and ideas will jumpstart your journey. 

epic guide to game based learning in the classroom
This post is sponsored by Samsung. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Game Based Learning in My Classroom

Three houses are at war in my keyboarding classroom. Not only do they battle the monsters of ignorance in quiz battle-games but when they type faster, they earn gold coins to buy awesome outfits for their avatar. Ordinarily, each day begins with a random event of the day. While the whole class is a game, there’s serious learning happening.

And despite what some may think, the game is not required to motivate great behavior because I don’t even try to reward everything. In essence, I’ve entered the realm of Game Master and I’m never going back!

What are serious games?

Welcome to serious games. Despite what some may think about the games, serious games are designed for a purpose. In essence, serious games are not just for entertainment. As shown below, well-designed serious games can teach, educate, and inspire. In summary, serious games done right can engage students and help us become better teachers.

Not only do we want our students to be excited about learning but we also want them to be intrinsically motivated. Simply put, intrinsic motivation comes from within. In the final analysis, it is demotivating to “point-ify” everything students do. But in the long run, adding a game based layer to your classroom can get students hungry to win in the classroom and life.

Interestingly, as can be evidenced by the kids running to my keyboarding classroom each day, effective game-based learning does release dopamine (which activates the pleasure centers of the brain.) It can become a powerful and positive motivator for this reason.

Nevertheless, just because an activity has points and is called a game doesn’t make it an effective game-based learning tool any more than putting me in a Doritos bag makes me a chip.

Therefore, we educators need to educate ourselves on game based learning. We should learn how to do it right. We should also learn how to avoid the pitfalls of poorly implemented game based learning.

Let’s dig deep into the resources, research, and tools that will help you become start using game based learning in your classroom. 

I’ve also included my Quicknotes that I use to reference the most important Game Based Learning information that I want at my fingertips.

100+ Game Based Learning Resources

Blog Posts and Current Resources

Some games are computerized worksheets. That is what Game Designers Mean by 'Chocolate on Broccoli." Dr. Lee Graham

School-Wide Game Based Learning

Game Based Learning Sketchnote Vicki Davis

These are my notes on the essentials of Game Based Learning. I keep Quicknotes like these with me as I work to become better at implementing effective game based learning in my classroom. Also note that quite a few items from the Gamifi-ed project are also included in my quick notes because I find them a useful reference. 

Interviews with Experts

Matt Farber - game design

Matt Farber – game design

Tools to Help You Implement Game Based Learning in the Classroom

Websites

  • Games for Change – This website and organization sponsors contest to create games for change. You’ll find many ideas for game based learning for social good on this site.
  • Common Sense Education – formerly Graphite, this organization ranks and evaluations apps, games and activities for kids. I like that they recently added a feature to evaluate the privacy policies and COPPA compliance of websites. A great place to find games.
  • Gamifi-ed Website – 9th Graders in the classroom of Vicki Davis (author of this blog) and Masters students at the University of Alaska Southeast analyzed and tested more than 50 serious games. This website has many resources and an overview of what makes an excellent serious game.
  • Appolicious – This site pretty much evaluations iPhone/iPad games but has lots of them in the index.
  • Game Based Learning Insights on the Samsung Insights Website has articles on recent implementations of game based learning in more fields than just K12 including health care, retail, etc.

Competitions

  • Builder Bowls Builder Bowls revolve around a wide range of immersive technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), simulations, video games, caves and domes, 3D printing and robotics.
  • Game On – a WordPress plugin used by teacher Kevin Jarrett and others to make their whole classroom a game.
  • Classcraft – This is the game tool I use to turn my keyboarding class into a game.
  • Rezzly – Used to be 3D Game Lab
  • Student Shark Tanks – I wrote this about how we had a competition to see which apps would get funded.
  • Drama in the Classroom: 2 Bellringers with Activities – Drama in the classroom can have game-based elements. I use this all the time in my classroom.
  • Kahoot – This fun gaming tool is being used for classroom tool and review games everywhere. Students can play as individuals or in team mode.
Pedagogy first, then technology. Kae Novak

Pedagogy first, then technology. Kae Novak. This applies to games as well.

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Social Studies and Geography

Economics & Financial Literacy

Literature and Composition

Health and Physical Activity

With the explosive growth of wearables and the increasing use of gamification in health care, we’re going to see more apps for physical education that will gamify PE class. (See Wearables Market Has Potential to Dramatically Increase Student Engagement for information on how this is already being used in higher education.)

Books

These books are listed in alphabetical order and are part of my personal library at home. I reference all of them. Some great ones here!

Game Based Learning Research and White Papers

Boyle, E. A., Hainey, T., Connolly, T. M., Gray, G., Earp, J., Ott, M., … & Pereira, J. (2016). An update to the systematic literature review of empirical evidence of the impacts and outcomes of computer games and serious games. Computers & Education, 94, 178-192.

Carvalho, A. A., & Araújo, I. (2016). What Do Portuguese Students Play on Mobile Devices: Inputs for the Development of Educational Games. In ICT in Education (pp. 69-95). Springer International Publishing.

Donahoo, D. (2016). Playing games teaching human rights. Ethos, 24(2), 22.

Gee, James Paul. “Good Video Games and Good Learning.” (n.d.): 1-13. Web. 2 Oct. 2016. <http://www.skatekidsonline.com/parents_teachers/Good_Video_Games_and_Good_Learning_Updated.pdf>. Summary: Jim Gee has examined what makes a good game and found that identity, interaction, production, risk taking, customization, and agency make a game “good.”

Hacker, D. J. (2016). The role of metacognition in learning via serious games. Handbook of Research on Serious Games for Educational Applications, 19.

Slota, S. T., & Young, M. F. (2014). Think games on the fly, not gamify: Issues in game-based learning research. Journal of graduate medical education, 6(4), 628-630. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4300/JGME-D-14-00483.1

Build Your Game Based Learning PLN

Game Based Learning Hashtags

  • #gbl – Game Based Learning Hashtag
  • #ipadgames – Games for the iPad
  • #minecraftedu – A hashtag about all things Minecraft
  • #Gamification – I’ve typically found more on gbl but sometimes people who don’t know the other hashtag will use this one and you can still find some good articles.

Game Based Learning Pinterest Boards

Twitter Accounts Who Share about Game Based Learning

Game Based Learning Video Resources

The Gamifi-ED Open Online Community was co-created by Verena Roberts, Dr. Lee Graham, Colin Osterhout and me. We spent three weeks digging up ever interview of every awesome Game Based Learning expert we could find. These 17 videos include many experts on the leading edge of game based learning.

Jane McGonigal: The Game That Can Give You 10 Extra Years of Life

Michael Matera – Realm of Nobles

This interview on the Gamifi-ED OOC forever changed my view of how we can use games in the classroom. 

Yu-kai Chow: Gamification to Improve the World

Primary Years and Early Childhood Panel: Why Games?

Alice Keeler: Getting Started with Game Based Learning

Higher Education Panel: Why Games?

Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to edit and post it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.) 

The post Epic Guide To Game Based Learning appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!


from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/epic-guide-game-based-learning/

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

How Do You Mend a Broken Teacher?

Life Lessons from Hall of Fame Teacher Kim Bearden

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

Follow @coolcatteacher on Twitter

Broken. It happens. It hurts deeply. I have had days when I didn’t know how I would get out of bed and make it to school. Most teachers I respect have had periods of deep brokenness too. So has Hall of Fame Teacher Kim Bearden, co-founder of Ron Clark Academy. Today she tells all.

how do you mend a broken teacher?

We need to lift one another up and encourage each other. Sometimes sharing the lessons we’ve learned on our hard-fought journey of teaching can help other teachers. I know it helps me to know I’m not alone in feeling this way sometimes.

Maybe you have a friend who needs to hear this. Share and help others in the journey. Teaching is hard but teaching is worth it, my friends! Let’s do this.

Listen to this show on: BAM Radio Network | iTunes 

Today’s Sponsor: Classtag

Parents and teachers need to be partners. Bring parents in the loop. Be intentional to help parents know how to support your classroom. That’s one of the things that caught my attention about a new app called ClassTag.

Get Support

Class Tag’s primary focus is turning parents into partners. They’ve developed a tool for strengthening and deepening the support parents give teachers from home. At the heart of the tool is a system for effortlessly showing parents how to give you the support you and your student need. I’ll tell you more about this tool in the coming weeks. Check it out now.


when-we-see-kids-we-have-to-not-only-believe-in-what-they-are-but-we-have-to-believe-in-what-they-can-become

Show Notes:

  • How do you mend a broken teacher?
  • What should a teacher do when he or she feels powerless?
  • How did Kim handle it when she felt hollow and didn’t know how she could make it?
  • How do you reconnect with your significance?
  • How do we need to see students?
  • How can you connect with students in more meaningful ways?
  • What do we do about the fear some teachers (and students) live in every day?
  • How do you help create a culture where students don’t just comply but want to do well because it is part of the school culture?
  • How do you help students make a commitment to your organization?

Who is Kim Bearden?

Kim BeardenKim Bearden @kimbearden is the co-founder and executive director of the Ron Clark Academy, an innovative middle school and educator training facility. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Disney Outstanding MS Humanities Teacher, and she is the author of Crash Course: the Life Lessons My Students Taught Me.

if-youre-going-to-say-your-school-is-a-broke-dont-fix-it

You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or elsewhere, get the RSS feed, or listen via the media player above.button-itunes
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to edit and post it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.)

The post How Do You Mend a Broken Teacher? appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!


from Cool Cat Teacher BlogCool Cat Teacher Blog http://www.coolcatteacher.com/mend-broken-teacher/