Flip it. Flop it. See Grades Skyrocket!

http://www.emergingedtech.com/

What is a Flipped Classroom?
Simply put, lessons and lectures are watched at home and assignments are done in class. The flipped classroom is a new, innovative teaching model which flips where homework, class lectures and instruction take place. It incorporates mobile learning by delivering what would have been classroom lectures and instruction to the students through interactive, collaborative, teacher created videos for students to view at home. What would have normally been a homework assignment, becomes a guided classroom assignment. Students spend their time in the classroom collaborating on assignments and projects with the help of their teachers and peers instead of getting the lesson via lecture in class then trying to figure out what to do on their own at home.

How Does it Work?
You don't have to think up new things to flip your classroom. Use what you have already created. You will just change the format. Using your computer, a microphone and your choice of software, turn your presentation into a video, broadcast, podcast, screencast, etc. You can easily convert PowerPoint and Promethean presentations to video with the software you have already on your computers and laptops.  Load your presentation on your website, blog or one of the tools mentioned in this week's websites below, and you are ready to go. Students will have on demand learning that they can watch again and again from their home computer, mobile device, even their phone! As a teacher you will be able to spend more of your time as a guide and a facilitator for student learning. Your instruction time will be free for more student-teacher interaction and the students will be able to focus more on content mastery. Not sure how to proceed? See your Instructional Technology Specialist and you will  be flipping in no time!

The Flipped Model Resources
For more information on the flipped classroom, check out these resources:

• The Flipped Classroom InfoGraphic - See how Flipping a Classroom works and the amazing results it yields.
• The Flipped Classroom Defined
• A Principal's Reflections: The Flipped Classroom Explained
• Seven Stories from Educators About Teaching in the Flipped Classroom

Websites of the Week: Online Presentation Tools

• Turn PowerPoint into A Video- You can now save your Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 presentation as a video, making it easier for you to distribute, and easier for recipients to view
• Record Your Flipchart - Scroll down and click on the Video Recorder ActivTip.
• Screencasting with Jing - Simple and FREE, Jing is the perfect way to enhance your fast-paced online conversations. Create images and videos of what you see on your computer screen, then share them instantly!

 New Tools:

Big Marker is a great online presentation tool. Host your own webinar, record your presentation and more.



Videosprout provides a place to privately or publicly share your video presentations. Stream videos instantly and no download is required.

Yodio allows you to put your voice with your photos and videos all online! No microphone needed. Record straight from your phone then share.

Tip of the Week: Google's URL Shortener & QR Creator
Want to make a long URL shorter and turn it into a QR code at the same time? Then head over to http://goo.gl. Shorten your URL. Paste that shortened URL into your browser and add ".qr" to the end of the goo.gl-shortened URL to create an immediate QR matrix barcode.

Improve your Searches with Google Search

Improve your

Searches!

If you are like me, you probably use Google daily or at least weekly. However, sometimes I can't locate exactly what I am wanting. Google uses an algorithm to generate search results. Also, many advertisers pay big bucks in an auction to be forced to the top of the search in the light colored peach box and on the right column of the webpage. Avoid those and start reading around the middle. Get accustomed to this and train your eye to start reading in the middle section.

Try these ideas to assist you.

1. One-Words: Try entering only one word or short phrases into the search box. Example:
• Map [enter city]
• Flight [enter number and airlines]
• Translate [enter word and language] This one was amazing to me! No need to find the right translation website.
• Convert [enter units]  example: 10 miles to feet
• Movies [enter city and movie name]
• Weather [enter city]
2. Natural Language: Use words that you would in everyday natural language. Example: 
• "What is the story with the energy panels on the top of Carroll Middle School?" or
• "What is up with the traffic outside of the DFW Airport?" (I use this one regularly. Ugh.)
• "How did the dye your hair blonde start with Southlake football players?"
3. Open the Door Phrases: Add these phrases AFTER entering the topic you want.
• How-to 
• DIY (Do it Yourself)
• Overview
• Tutorials
• Introduction
• Summary
• Background
• Help
• FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
• Lesson
• Image
• Video
• Review

If you want to know more about how to find information more efficiently and effectively, then be sure and attend the Web Literacy Workshop being offered this summer in Carroll ISD!

WEB SITE:
www.SignUpGenius.com
Spring is about to be upon us. That means many field trips, celebrations, graduation parties, etc. Go green and forgo the paper sign up sheet. Use www.SignUpGenius.com to create an online sign up sheet. I have used it many times. If you need assistance, ask your campus instructional technology specialist or email me.
It even sends email reminders to those that sign up! Wow!

Tip of the Week:
On a PC, click +Ctrl and the letter "F" to bring up a search box to find what you need. On a Mac, click Apple/Command and the letter "F."

Almost all of the above information was gained at the TCEA conference. All information can be located on the TCEA website.

Time to Learn!

Let the learning begin! We will be attending the 32nd TCEA Annual Convention & Exposition this week.  TCEA’s five-day convention is one of the largest educational technology conventions in the nation and the largest in Texas. There will be astounding professional development, hands-on and peer-to-peer learning opportunities, exploration of new trends through interactive learning environments, in-depth presentations from educational technology experts, and inspiring keynotes. If you want to know more about a specific topic, email your Instructional Technologist by Tuesday. We will be glad to gather information on that topic for you. Also, check our blog during the week for new and exciting information learned at the convention.

Websites of the Week:  Looking for resources for Black History month?  The first site is hosted by the library of Congress and the second site is from the Smithsonian. Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.

·       http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/

·       http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/resource library/african_american_resources.html

Tips of the Week:

·        Are you fed up with getting bugged by messages asking if you'd like to join this or that Wi- Fi network? Then head to Settings, Wi-Fi, and turn off Ask to Join Networks. You can still join any network that will have you from this same screen, it just won't bug you constantly when the opportunity arises.

·        Double-clicking the Home button shows you all the apps that are running on your iPad.  They are displayed in a bar along the bottom of the screen. Hold down an app until it jiggles, then press the red minus to close the apps. Just swipe the screen downwards to remove this bar.