Step 2: Ways you could use Screencasting
Directions
There are many ways teachers can use screencasts in their classroom. The ideas are really endless when you think about it, which can become overwhelming to some of you who have never used screencasting before in your classrooms. Below, I have provided just a FEW examples with a brief explanation of how I actually used (or would use) these activities in my classroom. Take some time to watch and read about the screencast examples.
As you are watching, think about how you might be able to use screencast specifically in your own classroom or with your small groups. Remember, you will have to create your own at the end of this session.
Once you finish exploring the examples, please complete the quick checkpoint before moving on to step 3.
As you are watching, think about how you might be able to use screencast specifically in your own classroom or with your small groups. Remember, you will have to create your own at the end of this session.
Once you finish exploring the examples, please complete the quick checkpoint before moving on to step 3.
Extension Activity/ Giving Directions
In the video below, I used a screencast to introduce directions and show an example of an extension activity some of my students completed in math. I pushed this out to the kids who were ready to extend their learning as independent practice, while I worked with a reteach group. They were provided a few examples and were able to look back as many times as needed while completing this assignment. This helped to save time explaining directions and eliminated questions from the kids who were working independently while I focused on the group that needed the extra support.
Fluency Data
I have not personally used screencasting for this activity, but I thought it would be helpful for those who have their students practice fluency in the classroom. Teachers could use screencasting to record students reading a passage, while the passage is being shown on the screen. It could be helpful for teachers to revisit the reading more than one time to analyze their decoding skills. Teachers could save the progression of these screencast files and share them with parents. I think this could especially be helpful for younger students who are learning how to read. Essentially, they could be used as a running record for collecting fluency data. Below is a quick example I found of a teacher reading a fluency passage that she may have her kids read.
Giving Feedback
Another way teachers could use screencasting is to provide personalized, detailed feedback. As teachers, sometimes it's hard to get across what you want through written feedback on a paper. Teachers could give verbal feedback on an assignment by pulling it up on the computer and explaining what was good or what needed to be improved on. This could provide students with more valuable feedback. Below is an example of a teacher giving her student feedback on a paper he wrote. This may not work so much with the younger students, but it could definitely be an option for older students.
Morning Work Activity
In the example below, I pushed out a screencast to my students to complete during morning work. They had to jot down just a few ideas to answer the two essential questions for the next reading unit we were about to begin. Having them do this prior to the lesson allowed them to begin thinking about what our next unit would be about and save time once we got on the carpet. They already had been introduced to the questions and were given time to think about and respond to them, which allowed them all to come to the carpet ready to share their ideas.