Videos in the classroom can be a powerful tool for engaging learners of all ages. Not only can its use increase student motivation, but it can also aid in the development of 21st century skills.
Being an English teacher, I view my role differently than some. I see myself as a teacher of literacy, and being a literate individual today means being able to produce and interpret more than written text. A literate individual in the 21st century needs to be able to read media and interpret its message. Using video in my classroom provides me with an opportunity to teach these skills.
Though there are a plethora of websites with videos cached for any concept one can imagine, sometimes it's nice to have your own stuff, in your own words, with your own voice. And if you're thinking that, you need to make your own video!
Yes, there are some online tools that are more user-friendly, knowing the basics of your computer's movie editor is a must! Below, you will find two extremely helpful tutorials on getting started with Windows Movie Maker and iMovie!
My Back to School nightmares have begun!!!!!! As usual they consist of children swinging from unswingable lights, boisterous students insisting on sharpening their pencils mid-lesson, and worst of all, soda spilling on my iPad! Say it ain't so!
To relieve my Back to School worries, I like to nest like an expecting mother. I go to the place I'll be spending the most time this year. A place I like to call Home Base.
Similar to baseball players who routinely head to home plate at the start of their turn, students need a place to routinely head at the start of class. And for my students, that place is Wikispaces.
For those of my readers that are unfamiliar with wikis, please watch the video below!
In my class, our wiki is key! The wiki allows students to be co-contributors to the site; they create as we create! The students can post helpful links, share ideas, comment on each other's work, and also show off what they've been working on in class!
Whether it be embedding a Glog, a podcast, or simply a text-based story, Wikispaces is the container for all things Ms. Spiezio English. Hence, it is the first thing I create for the new school year.
