If you asked my students what my favorite way to introduce units and lessons was, they would undoubtedly tell you Youtube. I have used it for years and have found just about anything I have ever wanted. It's amazing the things that people have made available. I have even uploaded my own videos thanks to Professor Donalson and Educational Applications of Technology. However, I have recently begun to use another amazing site to get my students engaged. Ted Talks are unbelievable. If you haven't explored some of the videos, I highly encourage you to go poking around. They are inspirational and some are just beyond belief. The following Ted Talk was shown at Convocation for Spring Branch in August and was one of the most inspirational things I've ever seen. It made me want to do unfathomable things with technology in my classroom and teach my kids that absolutely anything is possible.
Like I said earlier, thanks to Professor Donalson and Educational Applications of Technology, I was able to upload my own video to Youtube last semester. I was incredibly proud of my Poetry TEASe and publishing it seemed to cement the hard work I put into it. It's also pretty cool that as I make new TEASes, they will be saved. Youtube is a phenomenal repertoire for resources.
I think that having students create and submit videos for class is an awesome idea. My neighbor at school teachers double blocked Algebra I, the kids that need the most help. She constantly has students on iPads looking at other student made tutorials on Youtube and Kahn Academy. Having students upload their own videos gives them ownership and an opportunity to share with other students what they know. It is a wonderful way to collaborate with kids they can't even see.
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