Between HMH, CCSS Content Based Training, GaETC, AI, and all our individualized research for “EMPOWERing Students for School and Life”,
we are being inundated with Professional Learning!
So let’s continue to share, expand, and learn from each other by responding to (through Blog OR Vlog) any one of the following prompts:
What have you learned this month that promotes the Empowerment of our students? How are you applying it?
What have you learned that you are curious about but presents challenges in practical application? What are the obstacles?
In what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
How are you balancing the implementation of new learning strategies or materials with maintaining consistency for your students? What advice would you give to colleagues struggling with this balance?
What aspect of recent professional learning has challenged your previous assumptions about teaching or learning? How has this shift in perspective affected your approach to student empowerment?
In what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
ReplyDeleteAfter listening to a few of my colleagues discuss how they integrated the Module Reading test into Quizziz, I tried it. It was great and the students seemed to like the format better than a PDF word document test. It was not timed, so the students didn't feel rushed as they were working on it. I didn't turn on the music, as they said, it was a distraction for them. AI not only used my questions, but it created a few questions that I used for extra credit. The students used split screen to look at both the story and questions. I prefer learning more to see how I can upload the story and have it on the same screen as the questions, so it's just one document. If anyone knows how to do this, let me know! thank you
I was in Mrs. Pineda’s class , and they used this feature !!! Check with her for details !
DeleteYes! I played with it on the preview mode some, too. Come over and I will show you! I love using Quizizz for this!
DeleteSorry for the double. It wasn't letting me log in, but yes, Bynghum! I played with it on the preview mode some, too, so I could figure out how to manipulate the text screen. Come over and I will show you! I love using Quizizz for this!
DeleteIn what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
ReplyDeleteVocabulary acquisition is without a doubt crucial for student success and confidence when reading and comprehending text. Using Claude has become an integral part of my vocabulary instruction with regards to building vocabulary activities. Within minutes, I have multiple sets of riddles for students to solve (thank you to Jennifer for sharing this idea with me last year). I can also ask Claude for two or three paragraph essays at a specified reading level using specific vocabulary words as well as synonyms and antonyms for vocabulary words. This gives students opportunities to see definitions, synonyms, and antonyms at the same time which I think students are finding helpful. I have to admit that I still absolutely marvel at how quickly the passages are generated. Not only are the activities helping students gain a deeper understanding of the words, but Claude is also saving me a lot of time with regards to creating vocabulary activities. The challenge for me is to continue to come up with prompts for Claude to generate other activities so that students have additional opportunities for practice. I would love to hear about any additional ideas anyone has with regards to vocabulary activities.
Heather South. I have been trying Diffit. Check it out for paragraphs with vocab words
DeleteClaude has been a life saver for me for math this year also! Thanks for encouraging me to use it. I will write about my experience with it in the coming weeks!
DeleteI remember using AI last year to integrate Science/SS into Reading, and the students learned so much "background knowledge". You will definitely have to introduce Claude to me, because it seems like a pleasure to use in the classroom.
DeleteLisa, I've still be using Magic School for my vocabulary passages. Have you run them in both for comparison. If so, I'm interested in your results. Maybe I will try running both this week for a new comparison.
DeleteI am also interested in which AI site works better for vocabulary!
DeleteI have been thinking of other ways to incorporate more opportunities for the students to practice their vocabulary words. I love the idea of using Claude or other AI to generate riddles.
DeleteIn what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
ReplyDeleteI wanted my students to review material with more efficacy than just gamifying the content. I frequently use gamification to review concepts and give different versions of scenarios to apply concepts too, but this is not showing what my kiddos know. In a traditional classroom I would take time to complete a gallery walk, having kids go to several stations and write everything they know about the topics even if it has already been stated. This fosters both collaboration and confidence. In the virtual world, I figured out I could do something similar by creating my "gallery" style questions in Curipod. For this activity I picked diagramming activities, opinion based scenarios, and several vocabulary exercises for students to respond to. Curipod allows students to vote on the best responses which allows a greater exposure to others responses. We can then discuss as a class- without calling out which student gave the response- and address major misconceptions. I enjoyed seeing just how many of my students not only understand but also can explain their thinking. This activity takes a little time on my side to build good questions and on theirs to think and respond. The next time I do this, I may create a preview chart for them to start thinking about their own responses then have them add to it when we work as a class. What other suggestions does anyone have to make this version of review effective?
I love that you are giving students an opportunity to show you and themselves what they know! I'm trying to keep the phrase "show what you know" in mind when creating activities and assignments.
DeleteI discovered a new resource last week that I believe can be helpful to many students and especially our students that need extra remediation with speech/language. The site is freeslp.com. It has SO many resources that are great for students needing articulation help but it also has language resources too. There is a section for language activities like sentence structure, tenses, inferencing and more.There are word lists, online and printable flashcards that can be filtered. There is a youtube channel with videos/games that specifically tell the students how to place their tongues and how it feels in their mouth. I am currently using it to find resources to use with two students having articulation difficulty. I plan on continuing to explore the site and pull more resources to use with more of my students and to share with parents. I am super excited about this site because it is often difficult to find ways to empower our students with good quality speech/articulation/language activities.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely be touching base with you on this! I think it may be a great resource for my ESL students, as well. I also have access to great Skill Builders through Lexia that you might benefit from. Let's talk! :)
DeleteThat sounds like a great new tool! I will definitely need to check it out!
DeleteHow are you balancing the implementation of new learning strategies or materials with maintaining consistency for your students? What advice would you give to colleagues struggling with this balance?
ReplyDeleteImplementing the new Georgia math standards with their focus on discovery-based learning has presented a challenge for me. To me, math is very methodical and approaching it in a discovery based sense is something I am really having to adjust to. To help maintain consistency for both me and my students I have tried to combine both discovery and teaching methods and strategies. I like to begin a topic by presenting students with prompts that encourage them to discover key concepts. Once students have explored the concept, I follow up with direct instruction on specific steps and strategies. This approach provides a balance between discovery and the structured learning many students need in math.
I think it is important, in math specifically, for students to have a predictable class structure. This way they become more comfortable and know what to expect. Once this is established, I do like to pull them out of that comfort zone from time to time. The traditional teaching methods help create that structure, while the discovery-based learning helps to pull them from their comfort zones.
I have had to remind myself that transition takes time and we're learning alongside our students. By combining discovery-based methods with traditional instruction, I hope create a rich learning environment that meets the new standards and sets our students up for success.
I think the predictable class structure definitely helps. The students know the format of notes/lesson- activity- mastery check. It helps them stay focused on the task at hand with understanding that the notes they take right now will be immediately used in an assignment and reinforced. I think sometimes they don't see the link from lesson to assignment to assessment. And of course structure make those times you break of the format that much more engaging!!
DeleteThe HMH assessments for 5th grade have presented a problem in that a read aloud option is available on the passage in the HMH platform and there is currently no way to turn this off. I don't want my students to access this as they won't have that ability on the GMAS. I started using Quizizz's passage option to give these assessments instead.
ReplyDeleteFirst I have to save the printable version as a PDF. Then I upload it into Kami and use the Split and Merge feature to pull JUST the passage. For time sake, this might mean breaking one assessment into multiples. I download the split files with the passage and then upload to Quizizz. Then I just have to copy and paste the questions.
It sounds like a lot of steps, but it's really a pretty simple process. Once you do it the first time, it's really smooth.
When you make the test, do you have the option for quizziz to read aloud for students with accommodations?
DeleteWe were talking about this issue during our middle school meeting. This is a great work around using the programs available to us. I wonder what could be done to support read aloud for the HMH Growth Measure for Benchmarks?
DeleteI'm glad that you listed the steps! I tried doing this last week, but the passage was on a totally different tab; so the split/merge feature is used. I will probably get with you to show me in person :-).
DeleteHeather, yes, I have all the accommodations already set in my Quizizz classes, so they automatically apply! I am hoping that HMH will make some adjustments on their platform to allow for accommodations and adjust the passage read aloud as that's not allowed on state testing. I can understand for the practice texts, but not the assessments.
DeleteI will definitely have to try this option. Thanks Jennifer
DeleteWhat have you learned this month that promotes the Empowerment of our students? How are you applying it?
ReplyDeleteThis week I attended a training at Werz on Read 180. This is a program for upper elementary, middle, and high school students who are struggling in reading.
It is a component of HMH. Students’ independent use of a computerized READ 180 Student Application includes six components called zones:
(1) Explore zone - which includes anchor videos with vocabulary activities
(2) Reading zone - which involves close reading of individualized texts based on a student’s instructional reading level.
(3) Language zone -which includes vocabulary building and practice
(4) Fluency zone - which includes practice in spelling and reading.
(5) Writing zone - which includes crafting argumentative, narrative, and informative essays.
(6) Success zone - which includes progressively more complex fluency and comprehension activities.
Students move through these zones at their own pace, and the computer generates questions and engaging tasks for learning. I am excited to use this program with our students. It seems very individualized meeting specific student needs.
I have seen success with the blended paper based and computer version of Read 180 at my previous school. The blend of bite sized lessons that meet student where they are seems to be beneficial! I think the best thing I witnessed the teacher doing was using the data from Rad 180 and picking out group deficits to do a mini group lesson/refresher on before letting them loose to work on stations. She would do whole group 3x a week then individual the rest of the time. The whole group instruction was always limited to about 15m.
DeleteIn what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
ReplyDeleteFor the past three years I have exclusively used FLIP for 4th and 5th grade assessments on their recorders. Challenge: FLIP is no more! I did some research and went back and forth and finally decided to use CANVA. I had to re-envision what the assessments would look like and how they would be turned in, however, in the end the assessment works out the same and it is actually more user friendly, organized and easier to give feedback. I also think the skills students used when working with CANVA are transferable to other classroom projects. Overall, I am hopeful that challenging my students to use this other platform will be positive, engaging and further their skillset in technology.
I am so glad to hear we have a good replacement for Flip! I will definitely look into this for my ESL and ACE students, as well! Thank you for sharing. :)
DeleteThank you for sharing how Canva has helped with the Flip transition! I used Flip for fluency recordings last year. Students didn't have to stress over the "timer" because they were just recording. I used a timer to see what they could read in a minute when I went back to their Flip videos. I've been using Book Creator this year, but when I insert the fluency passages, the writing comes up very small. I started taking screen shots and uploading those to make the text easier to read but wasn't able to fit the whole passage on one page. I feel like Canva will solve those problems for me!
DeleteThat is great to know how you used CANVA since Flip wasn't available. I have also used Book Creator in the past for fluency journals but this opens up another way for the students to record themselves that I might try to see if it is easier for the students to navigate.
DeleteWhat have you RE-learned this month that promotes the Empowerment of our students? How are you applying it?
ReplyDeleteAs a facilitator of asynchronous project-based learning, I have been using the Comment tool on students' Google slides to provide ongoing feedback and answer questions. Most 4th-graders are really motivated with this and are corresponding with me frequently! The comments made by students automatically forwards me an email, which allows me to make efficient and timely responses. This in turn, promotes better quality student work, critical thinking and of course, huge efficiency. I am now able to address group-wide concerns, promote confidence, and relationship build during my short time in break-out rooms.
On the surface, this may seem trivial but it really has been a game changer for me!
Yes, I do the same on Kami; however, it doesn't notify me when they have made a comment in return. So, that's a bummer. It may be the students you have, but I have to force my students to go back and look at the comments I have made. Frustrating. Do you have any suggestions?
DeleteBecause the Async projects are ongoing, that may be why students are utilizing it. Maybe offer one Dojo point each time they read/respond!?!?
DeleteThis week I went to a training at Werz that was done by the GaDOE and it was about learning to navigate the social studies standards. Even though it was done mostly for 8th grade and high school SS, I feel like what we learned is beneficial for all teachers in terms of being able to break down a standard and be able to determine what students are expected to know.
ReplyDeleteWhen trying to determine if a topic, event, person, etc. is something students are expected to know, we learned to look at a standard and its elements and ask ourselves:
Is the topic, event, person, etc. a proper noun or capitalized?
Is the topic, event, person, etc. included in the standard?
If a topic, event, person, etc. is not a proper noun and it is not in the standard or its element, then it is not something students are expected to know, especially in terms of end of the year testing. Teachers are still able to include extra related topics, but in terms of review and what students are expected to do, these questions will be very helpful in determining what should be covered, reviewed, and assessed. I look forward to using these questions when planning my instruction and assignments in the future.
Thank you for sharing! I will keep this in mind as an elementary teacher creating ASYNC Projects aligning to standards. :)
DeleteAnna, I did not know this, but now I do.
DeleteIn what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
ReplyDeleteThis month I have curated a series of tutorials and organized them all on a google site for Orientation Class.
https://sites.google.com/cowetaschools.net/empower-7-8-orientation/home
I used screenpal to record myself and my screen leading new students through a series of tutorial video introduction to the technology that we use at Empower.
I have found that creating the tutorial videos allows students to work independently at their own pace. If a student enrolls in Empower mid week well they can start at the beginning and work their way through the tutorials.
You have done a wonderful job with Orientation Class for our students! Recording the videos also gives them something they can refer back to over and over again if necessary. Again, thank you for the time and effort you have put in to empower our students for school and life!
DeleteDitto, ditto, ditto! You are a God-send! :)
DeleteDo you find Screenpal easier than using CANVA recordings or the Screen Recorder Chrome Ext? Is it easier or does it work more efficiently? Would like to know more about it!
DeleteIn what ways have you integrated technology or AI tools into your classroom to enhance student empowerment? What successes or challenges have you encountered?
ReplyDeleteAfter learning about the new features that Quizizz have this year I started creating assignments using Quizizz. By creating assignments here it makes it easier for my students to have the content and questions read to them. The read aloud accommodation on quizizz has been so helpful and beneficial for my students to allow for differentiation in my classroom. The challenge I face sometimes is the time or planning it takes for entering the assignments into quizizz. The success of having my struggling readers access the material in an easier way for them has outweighed the challenges.
I have loved using Quizizz this year for many reasons, especially because setting up accomodations is so easy. I like that there are also so many types of questions (like multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, drag and drop, short answer, etc.) to include for students to show if they are undersanding the material.
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ReplyDeleteI really like using the classview, especially in math. It's easier to monitor students working when I'm with a larger group. It has also come in handy when Go Guardian has been having a moment and screens couldn't be seen. It's also helped when I have students in the car and their internet is not strong. Go Guardian is sometimes unable to be seen but I can usually see their work in Kami.
ReplyDeleteThis is great to know! I use class view but not to the extent you use it. I am excited to add video and text comments in real time!
ReplyDeleteWhat have you learned this month that promotes the Empowerment of our students? How are you applying it?
ReplyDeleteThis month I have been focused on learning to balance teaching two grades. I have learned to let go and give my higher level students the freedom to empower themselves by working at their own pace. Allowing some students to not log on after lunch was scaring for me and I still worry that they are not always getting everything. However, I am seeing them take responsibility for their assignments which I feel is very empowering for them. They are gaining a sense of not only responsibility but they are gaining time management. I cannot wait to see how my students progress through out the school year.