Friday, March 4, 2016

February Top Posts!



Saturday, February 13, 2016

NUMBERROCK Music Videos Approach Math from a New Angle


Note: This post was written and submitted by NUMBERROCK. We thank them for sharing their product with us.

NUMBEROCK is an ongoing project producing free educational songs and music videos for kids.  It was started by an innovative 5th Grade teacher who envisioned a new kind of classroom where students got energized for math and where high levels of engagement drove facilitated mastery while unburdening the teacher's role in classroom management.  While using these songs, videos, worksheets, and interactive lesson materials in his own classroom math centers, it became clear that students responded positively and were more motivated to tackle the various math concepts behind the music.  Parents of his students even noticed their children singing math songs around the dinner table well beyond school hours.  Math lessons were making it out of the classroom!

Seeing his students so enthusiastic when it was time for math was welcome, to say the least!  But the epiphanous moment was when students were singing math songs in class all-day long like they were in the American Top 40!

Each of these rhythmic music videos are currently targeted at students from 2nd-5th grade.  Each song can be enjoyed free-of-charge on YouTube at the following link: click here . We cordially invite you to browse through the full library and hope you'll find that the songs lighthearted, instructional, or just plain awesome.

It's not too late - judge some student videos for Next Vista for Learning

Wanted to get a quick post out about this contest - there is still time to help support the students that have created educational videos for Next Vista for Learning, a non-profit run by friend and colleague Rushton Hurley.

Here's part of his recent note to me - please help out if you can. It will not take long to look at thise videos and provide your valuable input!

If your time allows, please go to the link below and watch the ten 90-second videos, casting a vote for the one in each strand you think most creatively and helpfully explains something. The links to the sets of videos are in the ballot. We have already established that the rules were followed, so it will simply be a matter of watching and going with the ones you like.

You can certainly cast your vote by watching them yourself or with friends. However, if you have students, I hope you would also consider showing the videos to them and asking them to choose the best one from each of the three categories. Ideally, this will spark an interest in expressing what and how they are learning through digital media tools. If you do watch these with your students, please tally their votes and cast one collective vote (in each strand).

Judges Form for Creative Storm (with links to videos)
http://tinyurl.com/Creative-Storm-ballot

Voting ends tomorrow (Sunday) February 14!!!


Thanks for helping Next Vista for Learning - and the student participants - out!


Friday, February 12, 2016

Help a grad student by completing a short survey

I'm helping a Northeastern University graduate student distribute her edtech survey that is part of her master's degree requirements. Can you take 5 minutes to help her? Click this link and complete the survey! Thanks for your assistance.  

Monday, February 8, 2016

Google Classroom info and tips- repost from T. Watanabe's blog!

Here's an excellent post with lots of information - practical ideas, how to's and tips - on integrating Google Classroom into your curriculum.

Thanks to Tracy Watanabe for this informative blog post! Also - check out her excellent blog here.