Videos All Day Everyday!

     Just kidding, there will not be videos in my classroom all day everyday. But I do think that I will be using them much more than I originally thought. When I used to think of technology in the classroom, I got nervous. How would I keep my students on task? What happens if some students are more tech savvy than others? What about the kiddos who can't afford devices? It actually stressed me out. I was set on the idea of paper and pencil, and some technology here and there. But man, this class has changed my mind.

    Technology is what gets student's attention. Thinking back to my time in the classroom, the only time all 17 students were engaged with an activity was when the screen was rolling. They click with technology, it is how they relate to the world around them. Society is changing and teachers need to change with it. The internet/technology has so much to offer a classroom. Especially the video-creation apps, such as prezi video, screencastify, flipgrid, and even apple clips, if a teacher was feeling very tech savvy. Utilizing these apps in the classroom would not only engage the students, but it would allow them to be creative, and become producers, not just consumers. 

    Rather than having students type a response, have students record one. Instead of having students write a 3 page paper on *insert topic here* have them make a video sharing what they know. It is crazy as an adult to think about recording yourself doing something, but think back to your childhood. I know that when I was a kid, my sister and I would make music videos, because we loved being in front of the camera. That is not the case anymore now that I am 23. But it's not about me. It's about the kids. How will they engage best? It may be through making videos, in groups or individually. 

    The recording apps that we got to play around with can be so useful in the classroom. Whether it is to get the students engaged, or to leave sub plans for a day you may be gone. If you make them funny, even better. Kids love it. And obviously they'll want you to subscribe to their channel (because you know, they will become YouTube famous one day).