I wanted to give you all an update of the types of activities I have been trying out since the summer with my classroom set of iPads. Keep in mind the following information before I go any further. I teach in a school where nearly 70% of the student body receives a free/reduced lunch. Additionally, I teach two sections of sheltered English Language Learners (ELL) in our mandated Local, State, National Government course. I also teach two sections of AP US Government and Politics. Many of my students do not have regular computer/Internet access in their homes.
Much of the flipped/blended learning material I see focuses on using videos outside of the classroom, while the teacher can use class time to address questions and perform more activities emphasizing higher order thinking. Beginning this past summer when I was teaching ESOL 3 Summer School, I began creating Google Forms like the one above. I put at least one video and sometimes a reading from an article or from an online textbook. I sometimes create my own screencasts, though I do like using high quality YouTube videos. Finally, I include questions to assess if students understand what they are viewing and reading. I usually use relatively simple multiple choice question and true/false questions to gauge student comprehension. I use the Flubaroo script to quickly grade student's work, and they receive an email with their score. Besides the comprehension questions, I include questions that require students to list any questions they may have or any questions they had, but now understand. I do sometimes include short answer questions, though Flubaroo cannot grade them for a score, though I can include them in my grade book.
If I taught at a school with a wealthier student body (I don't think I ever could), I would assign assignments like this more often as homework. However, because my students don't all have equal access to computers and Internet, I usually have them complete these assignments in class. If they have problems or questions, I can talk to them instantly. Nevertheless, I push them to use the iPad tools to help them find answers before asking me. The ability to quickly define a word or translate text to a different language makes learning more student centered and puts more responsibility on the students.
I have performed quantitative and qualitative surveys of these types of assignments. Overall, most students like using the Google Forms. Many prefer viewing a video than reading a text, though I always tell them you need to improve your reading skills if you want to be successful in college and beyond. It was interesting when a few students told me that these assignments force them to do more work, rather than the teacher lecturing. I smiled when they said that because it does take much prep to make quality assignments like this, but that is the magic that happens behind the curtains.
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Here is a Google Form assignment I used with my ESOL 3 Summer School class back in July. I did the first parts of the assignment collaboratively with the students, then they performed the reading and reading questions independently.
If I taught at a school with a wealthier student body (I don't think I ever could), I would assign assignments like this more often as homework. However, because my students don't all have equal access to computers and Internet, I usually have them complete these assignments in class. If they have problems or questions, I can talk to them instantly. Nevertheless, I push them to use the iPad tools to help them find answers before asking me. The ability to quickly define a word or translate text to a different language makes learning more student centered and puts more responsibility on the students.
I have performed quantitative and qualitative surveys of these types of assignments. Overall, most students like using the Google Forms. Many prefer viewing a video than reading a text, though I always tell them you need to improve your reading skills if you want to be successful in college and beyond. It was interesting when a few students told me that these assignments force them to do more work, rather than the teacher lecturing. I smiled when they said that because it does take much prep to make quality assignments like this, but that is the magic that happens behind the curtains.
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Here is a Google Form assignment I used with my ESOL 3 Summer School class back in July. I did the first parts of the assignment collaboratively with the students, then they performed the reading and reading questions independently.
