Flipped Classroom Conference!

So EXCITED!
I'm signed up for the Flipped Classroom Conference this June in Chicago!  Got to love coming back to my "hometown" :) and learning more ideas about Flipped Classroom from the originators!

To learn more about the conference - http://flipped-learning.com/?page_id=5
And the bonus - free copy of Camtasia and Snapit -- sweet!

Flat Classroom

As we begin our discussion on the flat classroom on February 17th, take a look at the video below to get an idea of what the flat classroom is all about.  This video focuses on a documentary that was created at the flat classroom Qatar Conference in 2009.



From:  http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/2011/11/flat-classroom-is-5-years-old-today.html

Please bring a laptop with you to Friday's inservice along with a lesson/unit that you love to teach.

Yes!

Friday was such an awesome tech day in my room!

The flipped classroom was in full effect today! I had students at all different places completely engaged in their tasks and I was able to individualized attention to students to help answer their questions, pushing them further, assisting in improving tech skills.  I relished every moment!  It was great!

Interesting Quote...

The challenge for every teacher is to ask themselves, 'Is there anything I'm doing or teaching that can't be found in Google?' This pedagogic shift means more independence for learners, less dependence on memorised facts and answers to most questions, 24/7 for free.

I found this from this blog: http://donaldclarkplanb.blogspot.com/2011/12/more-pedagogic-change-in-last-10-years.html

It really makes me think and rethink about what I'm teaching in the classroom.  It needs to be more than basic facts, because if a student can google it in a second (and that "google" has become a verb) why should they be in the classroom with me!

Diigo with the WHOLE class

From the success that I saw last year, I'm going to try to use Diigo with the whole 8th grade to help keep track of their resources.  I really liked how I could monitor students progress AND students can share resources through this process.
Creating student accounts is easy, but I had issues because I didn't quite read directions carefully.  In order to import pre-made accounts, it has to be in a CVS file.  It will not import Excel files and it gives you an error message.
I'm hoping that the students find this as a useful tool as we begin to research our animals after break.

Science Resources...

Here is a compilation of some of my web highlights -- some goodies that I love and some that I use to get inspiration for my teaching.  Maybe you will find something inspiring too!

From ITEC 2011 --
username - just
password - visiting
http://plus.sqooltools.com/moodle/login/index.php

Collaborative sharing site for science teachers
http://scido.wikispaces.com/

itsi-su - online labs set-up to utilize probeware
http://itsisu.portal.concord.org

Conversations in hot science topics -- it's kind of like a PLC of science educators
http://scido.wikispaces.com/

Blog Post focusing interactive science resources from the #ASEChat
http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/2011/12/the-asechat-interactive-science-links-summary/

Interactive game-like activities to help expand and extend knowledge of science concepts --search for topics
http://www.succeedingwithscience.com/

Interactive Science Dictionary - links science concepts broken down into 9 week chunks, has videos to explain concepts
http://interactivesciencedictionary.weebly.com/index.html

Online labs - a catalog of different online labs in different areas of science
http://onlinelabs.in/

10 free online science focused resources
http://mashable.com/2010/12/16/science-teacher-resources/

6 different virtual tours of the human body
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/6-virtual-tours-human-body-free-interactive-anatomy-lessons/

Generally - just an awesome resource of web tools!
http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1qb82/TheSuperBookofWebToo/resources/index.htm

Flipped Classroom

Some things I've learned about from my pilot class:

1. QR Reader - who knew kids would like these so much!  Free app to be able to download to iPod touch or smart phone
2. Make videos downloadable - put the videos on a flash drive that could be checked out or DVD to have them able to watch at home

Still figuring out how to reach or make students accountable --  

Some ideas:

1. Make a google doc/quiz/feedback form that students would fill out after watching the video
2. Senteo quiz check in