4 Ways to Increase Engagment in the Classroom

Another great article found on Edumedic, written by a 5th grade teacher in Delaware. Though the examples may be elementary, the content is still useful for any grade level.  Keep reading to find out 4 ways you can increase engagment in your classroom.

1. Move
Get away from the front of the room! Get away from the teacher’s desk! I rarely stand in the front of my classroom. I am constantly moving. If you continue to stand in the front of the room, the Teacher’s Edition clasped tightly in your hand, and your voice drones on endlessly, what do you think the results are going to be?

Let the students know that you just might walk over to their desk and catch them texting, doodling, or daydreaming. When you are standing next to a student, there is a greater possibility that you will get their full attention. Give students the chance to get out of their seats. Movement does wonders for the brain! Our local Home Depot donated carpet squares, and my kids have the option to sit wherever they choose, as long as they are working.

2. Don't be Afraid to Make them Think
Raise your expectations about what your students are capable of! Tear yourself away from worksheets with 50 Math problems. The higher level students will finish in ten minutes, and the struggling students will become frustrated. I use material that involves problem solving techniques to supplement the Math curriculum. The lower end of Bloom’s is not where you want your class to function. A great tool I use in my classroom is the iPad app, Stick Pick. Stick Pick allows me to choose students randomly and it provides questions starters for students using Bloom’s Taxonomy as a guide. Create situations where your students create and design, and not only answer questions 1-5 in the textbook. Challenge them!

3. Real World Applications
Why am I learning this? “Because it is on the test” is not the best answer. Giving a student examples of when or how they might apply a skill in “real life”, makes it more meaningful. Real world interactions also increase the level of engagement. Edmodo and Skype in the Classroom are wonderful sites to make those connections. When we read a story about a marine biologist last year, I used my Twitter PLN to connect with a marine biologist and we Skyped with him. The students used the story as a base to create questions, and it was an amazing experience! The biologist brought the pages in the book to life!

4. Integrate Technology
Here’s the thing to remember though, it’s not about the technology. Develop an engaging lesson, and then enhance it through the use of technology. For example, I participated in the Global Read Aloud Project 2012. While reading the book, I integrated technology through a number of methods. We connected and collaborated with different classrooms using Edmodo, Twitter, and Skype. My students “talked” about the book, while I read, using Today’s Meet. They answered questions via Wallwisher.  They created virtual flyers protesting Ruby’s (an elephant), treatment in the circus and embedded them on their blogs. Integrating technology into a lesson or unit provides endless opportunities to engage!

Move, create critical thinkers, make real world connections, and incorporate technology as part of your classroom environment, and you should see your classroom come to life!

Book Report Alternatives - Part 2

When a teachers says "book reports" to students that often causes a lot of reluctance. Why not use technology as an alternative to book reports?  The options shared below were gathered from an article by Kelly Tenkley. Additional resources were also added. This is part 2...which means the final 5 options.

Book Report Alternatives continued: 

1. Create a bookcast audio of their book.
• Bookcast is the same concept as podcasting. Students are creating an audio that acts as a book review.
• Technology resources:
• Audacity - click here to download (6-12)
• PodBean - must create an account (4-12)
2. Create timeline of events from their book.
• Timeline creator via Teachnology: click here to begin (K-6)
• Capzles - interactive timeline creator. Can add photos, video, audio, and text. Perfect for secondary students. (8-12)
3. Share book reviews on a wiki.
• Create a classroom book review wiki where students can logon and add book and their review. 
• Technology resources:
• Wikis in Education by WetPaint - click here to begin
• Zoho Wiki - click here to begin
• Wikispace - click here to begin
4. Create interactive and collaborative slideshow using VoiceThread.
• Students create a slideshow summary of their book using pictures, audio, and text.
• Other students can then leave text, audio, or comments on the book reviews.
• Click here to begin.
5. Create a book trailer using AnimotoEDU.
• Teachers can apply for an educational account that allows them access to the Premium features free for 6 months. As a teacher, you will receive a code that can be distributed to 50 users for 6 months free of premium services. 
• For younger students, I recommend setting up class accounts with the promotional code. This way you can monitor videos being created by your students. Students can then email you their video once finished.
• Click here to begin.

Book Report Alternatives - Part 1

When a teachers says "book reports" to students that often causes a lot of reluctance. Why not use technology as an alternative to book reports?  The options shared below were gathered from an article by Kelly Tenkley. Additional resources were also added. This is part 1...which means the first 5 options.

First 5 Alternatives to Book Reports:

1. Create a cartoon version of the book they have just read.
• Students create a short cartoon or comic strip summarizing the book, interview two characters from the book, or have a cartoon character review the book.
• Technology resources:
• Kerpoof - use "tell a story" icon (K-5)
• ToonDoo - comic strip creator, must create an account (6-12)
• Make Beliefs Comics - comic strip creator (6-12)
2. Create a short video clip about the book.
• Technology resources:
• Kerpoof - use "make a movie" icon (K-5)
• AnimotoEDU - must create an account (6-12)
• FlixTime - must create an account, 60 sec videos free (6-12)
3. Create a virtual poster advertising the book.
• Technology resources:
• EDUGlogster - must create a teacher account (4-12)
• Kerpoof - use "make a picture" (K-3)
4. Create virtual bookshelves.
•  A nice alternative to reading logs would be to create  a virtual bookshelf and write reviews of the books students read. Teachers can use Shelfari to create a class bookshelf and allows students to add books. share book recommendations, and post book reviews. Click here to start a virtual bookshelf.
5. Create Book Adventure account.
• Teachers create student accounts in Book Adventure. (K-8)
• Students select books based on their reading level, age, and interests.
• Students read a book and then take a 10 question multiple choice quiz based on that book.
• Students earn quiz points to purchase items in the Book Adventure store. 
• Click here to begin using Book Adventure.