No-fear tech tools

On this spooky day, I want to just give you the run down on a tech tool that is super easy and immediately useful. Consider my post a salve to soothe the nerves frayed by the craziness that is Halloween. The kids are already hopped up on sugar and the last thing anyone needs is something difficult to process.
In my first post on Hyperdocs (seriously the best thing that has happened to my education practice this year), I briefly touched on the tool Edpuzzle.Today, I'm going to take you a little deeper and let you see it in action. I have used it for so many things already.  To say I love it, is an understatement of epic proportions.
Edpuzzle is a great little tech tool that allows users to take videos from a
variety of sources (including one you've created) and customize it. The customization ranges from editing it down, and adding comments or questions.
Shortening the film is a very good tool for student engagement: studies show that student attention span waxes and wanes over an extended period.
If you need the longer film, break it up with questions, notes and quiz questions. That's the beauty of Edpuzzle. It gives you the ability to deliver film to the student exactly how you need it.

Check out this clip I used for a recent Professional Development mini-workshop.

Edpuzzle is easy, a literal a drag and click operation. 

Check out the screenshot tutorial below to familiarize yourself with Edpuzzle. Use it once, I know you'll be hooked. 

Step 1: Select the video you wish to use

Step 2: Click on the scissor tool, use the red bars to make adjustments.

Step 3: Watch the video and plan out your comments/questions.

Step 4: Add your questions and comments throughout the video.

Step 5: Cut/Edit out the unwanted video

Step 6: Add any additional audio

Step 7: Save and Share

 Saving your video/project:

 

Edpuzzle gives you 5 free opportunities to use their program. I got additional by using my personal email to get a few extra and customize my video selections. (I was awaiting word as to whether they would allow me to buy a personal license.)   You are able, however, to use the videos others have created without a license. Hey, that's another reason to collaborate. :)

Here's my finished project-- a little Halloween trivia for you. 

Riding the Wave

Welcome to my new blog... 

Thanks to a nudge from my friend Naomi, I'm adding one more thing to my to-do list and starting this ed-tech library blog. I have one that I neglect thoroughly, but I'm planning to be more organized so that I can make it a top priority.
I'm riding a big wave right now! It has been absolutely crazy -- school started along with all the work that goes with it, I was asked to share my Coloring Revolution experience by School Library Journal, and a 2-day Google For Education summit with my District really capped off summer! On top of  all that, a colleague asked me this week for some of my information and tutorials on Booktalking; naturally, those tutorials need updating.
Phew! I've taken care of the SLJ article (yay!). I'm sure that baby needs revisions. But I'm glad to have a draft sent off. The Google summit and all the sessions have amped up my library skills and practices this year! I have created a series of lessons using Hyperdocs. It has changed my world so thoroughly, it is hard to even describe. But, I will attempt to share anyway.

Hyperdocs-palooza

Hyper docs are in a word...incredible. They take appsmashing to a new level with great purpose. Hyperdocs are an amazing way to deliver a lesson. Now, before you tune out thinking, I teach AP This-or-that, stay with me. In our session, Brian Hamm, Tech Crewsader and Director of Technology at American School Foundation of Monterrey (Mexico), was telling us that he taught his AP and IB courses using Hyperdocs with great success. He would spend the first 10 minutes of class discussing and clarifying, then would give the kids the reins. The kids dove in and went far deeper than if he had been doing the standard "Sage on the Stage" routine lesson. (There's a lot of mixed metaphors going on, forgive me.)
This sketchnote (above) does a great job visually explaining the Hyperdoc. A hyperdoc, in short, is awesome. You create a lesson and it is transformed by the apps you use to make points and deliver information.
Check out this Hyperdoc on the Dewey Decimal Classification System. I use it to teach my library aides about the DDC, and to give them an overview of what it is and how it works. I used the following apps to deliver the information:
Edpuzzle- this site allows the user to take a video from a variety of sources (YouTube, Smithsonian, your computer, etc) and customize it. Users can add comments and questions throughout the movie. It causes students to stop, interact, and be active in the act of learning/watching.
Padlet- This is a great way to organize information, apps, files, and images. Think of it as a Pinterest board for your classroom/content area/unit. One of my teachers on campus uses it for each of her units. She places all of her resources on the Padlet for each unit (Transcendentalism, The Catcher in the Rye, etc), this includes her calendar, and any assignments. The students know this is where to get the info they need.
Quizlet - Website and common study tool used. Many textbooks and resources are featured in study decks. You can create your own as well.
Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Drawing - these were all referenced or used. Google Slides were especially helpful in allowing me to give students a central location to drop their knowledge on me. I especially like the 3-2-1 Wonder and Wow slides. Students give feedback on 3 things they discovered, 2 interesting facts or details, and 1 thing they still wonder about. Here is one from the Dewey lesson.

One of the great benefits of using the Google apps is that you can grade/comment right on the screen. As a former English teacher, I think this would have been heavenly! Hmmmm, let's see what's better? Carry around a stack of papers or take out a tablet or laptop? 
Be watching this Padlet, for Hyperdoc templates and lesson resources. I'm telling you, it is Ah-mazing! 
Well, that's it for today. I hope you are intrigued and give it a try, c'mon in the water is fine. Let's ride the Hyperdoc wave!
All right, enough of the cheesy ending.  I'll be posting next about some great tools to engage students and ignite their passion. Until next time, may your wifi be fast and your technology working when you need it most!