The idea of a flipped classroom is really interesting to me, as a resource teacher because I would like to have my students more in control of their own learning. The flipped classroom offers an opportunity for more collaboration between students because there is not need for waste of time (in a sense) for lecture. The students area already aware of the information and want to put it into action. From my observations, it seems as if we are having to change the instructional models to met the various needs of our students and some teachers embrace change, while others seem to run screaming in the opposite direction. In Tim Watson’s article, he talks about actually sharing your recorded lesson at the beginning of your lesson and then the student shave it for reference (Edutopia). I think this is a fantastic idea because the students can take the information and use it for review at home. He also makes a point to discuss how this can really help a teacher differentiate lessons in the classroom because you are able to identify and work with students on particular needs based on classroom assessment and observation (Edutopia).
Web 2.0 is a way of communicating messages to students in a fun and impact ways. There are so many different assessment tools that can be sued to help differentiate instruction in the classroom. Screencasting allows for teachers to provide extra help for students in a control manner because it is brief and concise through the technology (ISTE). Other tools such as Nearpod can be used by students to help teach their peers in a group effort or study guide for peer tutoring (ISTE). We all know that if a student is able to redeliver the information, then he or she understand and has mastery of the subject.
Another way to use Web 2.0 tools is to have the students complete a quiz and “then poll their feeling for understanding (EDTech).” This is such a great idea because it can allow for the students to share in a safe manner how they are processing information and can help determine whether or not he need some kind of remediation. Students with diverse needs are not just students who are considered to be special education students, these are the students who are considered gifted, as well. Using these different tools, a teacher can really challenge their students to complete several projects for mastery of performance standards then just completing the simple research project. As a special education teacher, I love using the technology because it makes the students get more excited about learning and in middle school that can be the biggest struggle of the day.
Screencastify: Assessment Tools
This was not my first time using this program because it was required in another class to share our overall project. This application is very easy to use and I definitely plan on using it in more classroom activities. Some of the activities I would like to use it includes sharing resources with my other SPED teachers, previewing vocabulary for my students in another class they struggle on a daily basis with, and providing extra teaching for students who may need it in the classroom.
I am super excited to use this in the next couple of months!!