Students in Forms 5-7 have been using Google for the last couple of years to save all their files with much success. It is a strategy that will be very helpful for teachers when we migrate to a new laptop in June. If you have not already "gone Google", here's an introduction into how Google Drive works: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXEi1KbTyX8
In our faculty meetings we will be working together to make sure that everyone has been set up and is ready for their new laptops in June.
In case you miss(ed) the meeting, here are the general steps we will be following (notes are available in the What Is Google Drive link below the image):
What Is Google Drive? - Created with Haiku Deck, presentation software that inspires
Have you used Tim and Moby in the past? They are now better than ever before.
BrainPop made huge modifications to their features last summer, and I have finally had a chance to get in and explore. There is so much more than just videos and quizzes now. Here is a quick overview.
For Students
You can see the extra features below any movie. In addition to the original quiz, there are so many more options. Not all of these options exist for all topics, but most do:
- Activities - these vary depending on the video, but there are often several for each topic. The Vocabulary activity allows students to research and write definitions for key terms within the video. Other activities include various graphic organizers, drawing, labeling, crossword puzzles, primary source activities and practice problems.
- FYI - this section is for students that want to go above and beyond what is taught in the video - great extension material.
- Q & A - common questions and answers for the topic.
- GameUp - relevant and appropriate games that link to the material. A really nice feature of GameUp is that it allows students to stop the game and take a snapshot at any point. They can then add text to their snapshot to explain what is going on or what they plan to do next from this point in the game. Snapshots can be submitted to the teacher and can be used for assessment purposes.
- Make-A-Map - an AWESOME mind-mapping tool that integrates the movie right into the map. The movie can play in the top corner while students make their map. If the student wants to stop the movie in a particular spot and add that to their video, they can! When a student drags a pre-listed concept from the left into their map, it links directly to that point in the video and will play within the map itself. Students can add their own nodes and label links to make it easily understood. These maps can be saved by students to be worked on later and submitted to the teacher at any point.
For Teachers
For teachers, there have been some major enhancements:
- My BrainPop - we can now set up individual student accounts, enroll them in classes, monitor what movies and activities they have completed and have students submit work directly to the teacher. Students can submit many activities, game snapshots and quizzes directly to you. You do need a school code to set up My BrainPop - just ask.
- My Mixer Quizzes - you can now create your own quizzes! We are no longer bound to the 10-question multiple-choice quiz that BrainPop has designed. You can create your own quiz from a huge question bank (from BrainPop and other users) including multiple choice and open-ended questions, design your own questions, or a combination. The quiz results are viewable by the teacher and are summarized for quick assessment of understanding class-wide.
Next Steps
If you are interested, let Sarah or Lara know - you will need the school code. We're happy to show you how it all works and help set up your class with individual accounts. If you want to do it on your own, the support materials at https://www.brainpop.com/educators are excellent. In particular, the following sections are a great place to get started:
