Teacher Tech Tools in Under Two Minutes: Google Expeditions

Want to move your lesson to the redefinition level of the SAMR model? Try taking your learners on field trips to places that once seemed impossible.  I took my class to Lebanon this week thanks to the Google Expeditions app.  In virtual reality, we explored the home, school, and work environments of Syrian refugee children now living and working in Lebanon. The "Out of Syria, Back into School" expedition served as a perfect guiding activity for our current CBL project that is focusing on child labor and the Syrian refugee crisis.  I knew this expedition would help my learners connect to children living much different lives than them, but what surprised me was how much we learned about each other on the tour. The app provides the educator a script to lead participants through the journey with discussion questions that help connect learners to what they are seeing. We learned that we have first generation Americans in our class and students shared personal stories of friends and family members that can not go to school because they have to work.

The app has a robust library of expeditions. You can find something for every content area.  I'm really looking forward to leading my iExplore learners through the Career Expedition series.

To see a short (under two minutes) tutorial on how to use the Google Expeditions app, check out my video below.

See entire lesson plan here.

What is your favorite Google Expedition? Leave a comment below.

A Brief CBL Update

by Kaitlin T. and Carly D.

As many of you know, the sixth graders are hosting a movie and dance night to raise funds for UNICEF. The movies that will be shown are Sing, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and Home Alone. There will be a raffle and simulations relating to the kids in Syria. The sixth graders are putting a lot of work into this event. Come support them and join the fun on March 31st.

Meanwhile, learners have been reflecting on why they believe the CBL: Impact project is important. After watching a Ted Talk video concerning Syrian refugees, students were challenged with explaining how they are connecting to the project. Sixth graders created an Impact wall to share their thoughts.

While Media learners created video reflections. See below.

Leave a comment to tell us how this project has IMPACTED you.

Teacher Tech Tools in Under Two Minutes #4-Classlink

Have you heard about Classlink yet? This is a “single sign-on” app that allows you to use one username and password to access everything you need. We have a wealth of technology tools available to us in this district. Using classlink can make navigating those tools simpler for  educators, learners, and parents. Watch this short video to learn more.

A Closer Look at CBL

Written by Kaitlin Tan

In our last blog post we introduced the learning design model, Challenged Based Learning. For those of you who need a basic introduction to CBL, it is a structured project that lets the learners decide what they want to learn. First, a big idea is proposed. Then, learners create a challenge and guiding questions to help them complete that challenge. After using guiding activities to answer those questions, they then suggest solutions.

Our Media B class is documenting the CBL project our Math classes are currently tackling. Their big idea is “Impact”. They have challenged themselves to make a global impact by bringing awareness and aid to the Syrian refugee crisis and child labor. On March 31st, the entire sixth grade, is hosting a dance. There will be a movie shown for all learners right after school, followed by a dance from 5:30-7:30. All proceeds will go to Unicef.

This impact CBL will take place throughout the rest of the school year. An ongoing documentary about the process is being made by Media B students. Keep a lookout for more news on this impactful CBL.