Kung-Fu Kenny inspires us so we had to drop some heat. Channelling our inner K.Dot, this project is an explanation of design thinking in our view. You can take a look at the project by visiting here or download it by visiting our Gumdrop shop.
Go DJ: Making Youtube More Lit one Lesson at a Time
What would MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech sound backed by Kendrick Lamar’s “Be Humble?” What about John F. Kennedy imploring us to choose to go the moon backed by “Rocket Man?” Though, Youtube DJ was designed for mixing music from Youtube, it could be applied for classroom use to introduce speeches, historic events, and documentaries backed by any music you wished.
Finish Him!: Closing Lessons like a Boss
Closing your lessons is important even in video games. Here are some iOS applications that can help you to a flawless victory.
Follow up: Follow up
Last episode, I talked about inboxing.
Once you have the list of all the things rattling around in your brain, you have to sort through it. Set aside an hour or so the first time you do it so that you’re not rushed.
The #1 rule is NOTHING GOES BACK IN THE INBOX.
This isn’t like going through Grandma’s attic where you can just put something back once you’ve touched it. If you look at an item, it gets dealt with in one of four ways.
DO
If it can be done in less than 2 minutes, do it right now.
DELEGATE
Can you or should you assign the task to someone else? Then, compose an email, make a call, send a text and let that person know. Record who was delegated the task and make a clear deadline with deliverables.
Example: Janine, Will you please contact Moore’s Ice Cream Parlor about providing ice cream for the Harvest Festival by Wednesday morning’s committee meeting? We will need to know how they charge and a ball park figure based on their rates for the 3 hours of the Harvest Festival. You’ll be sharing with the committee on Wednesday. Contact me if you have any further questions.
DEFER
Don’t need to do it right now? Set the due date to one week from now and check in on it again then.
DELETE
Things have changed or the deadline passed, delete the item so it’s not taking up valuable list real estate.
There you have it. How to deal with the inbox list. The first time it might take a while. However, you should spend 5-10 minutes at the end of the day reviewing your inbox and you’ll find it will go faster and faster.
Increased Apptitude: TextingStory
APP
TextingStory is an app that allows one to simulate a text conversation between two parties.
Price
TextingStory is free with the resulting video containing a watermark from the app. If you’d like to get rid of it, there’s a $4.99 fee.
Uses
The app can be applied in a number ways.
- Exit tickets
- practicing dialogue
- interviewing experts
- book reports
- explaining processes
- add to larger projects
In a box
Inboxing.
Dumping all those thoughts that bang around in your head out into a place.
It could be an analog place like a dedicated notebook (bujo anyone?) or a collection of sticky notes affixed to your desk or monitor.
It could be a digital dumping ground like Omnifocus, Habitica, or Todoist. Maybe even the good old reminders or notes app or a cloud solution like Google tasks or keep.
What matters is that you do it consistently.
To the same place anytime you think of something. Then, you revisit that list. That is for another post though.
Choose your weapon right now.
Paper and pen will do.
Write down everything rattling around in your head no matter how big or small.
Great job.
Now grab some hot chocolate and watch some Hulu.
Increased Apptitude: VixT
Video Mashups are fun. You see them ubiquitously strewn throughout social media spaces. They make us laugh. They make us think. They make us want to create one. Why not use them in your classroom for instructional purposes? VixT allows you to do just that easily on your iOS or Android device.
Having students create video mash up poems, exit tickets, or answers to questions could add a little extra spice to lessons with minimal investment.
Need help getting started? Check out their Youtube Channel!
Anchor Yourself
You came back!
I’m excited you’re here.
Let’s talk anchor charts.
Why are they good practice?
They reference processes, procedures, and concepts.
They are easily accessible.
How would going digital extend their effectiveness?
They would be accessible when kids (and you) are not in the classroom.
They won’t get damaged or lost.
They can be remixed.
What tools would you use to build them?
Powerpoint/Keynote/Slides
Try one of those. Tomorrow.
Build one chart. Take something you already made and make it digital. Don’t feel like it has to be brand new.
Oh and good job today. You nailed it.
Where do I start?
Where do I start?
I’m not a technology person.
I’m not tech savvy.
Where do I start?
My answer? Anywhere. It’s not about replacing what you already know. It’s about extending it. Making less work for you. Giving you back time and making documentation a silent process.
Evaluate what you DO know. Make a list. What CAN you do that involves technology?
Check email? Pay your bills? Use a calculator?
All great places to start. Be your own teacher. Scaffold your learning.
You’ve never used a Smartboard? Pick up the pen. See what happens.
You’re a scientist. You do something and observe what happens. Try to replicate it. Now, change a variable. Just one. Don’t get too carried away.
Now stop. You’ve done enough for today. Come back tomorrow. We’ll do another lesson.
Google Classroom Integrations
If you teach in a GAFE school district, Google Classroom is an asset. These tools integrate rather nicely with amazing benefits for both you and your students. There’s a link below to download the PDF.
google-classroom-integrations
Intelligent Hoodlums 