Reviewing for the Year's End

A question was posed in the Instructional Technology Specialist Google Plus group about review for year end exams.  There were a lot of great suggestions, so I thought I would compile them here, and maybe add some more of my own.  The goal for most of these is to make the review process engaging and enticing to students.

Kahoot (+Kristina Wambold)- Quick multiple choice review game.  Set up or find topics from the public listings, and run a game on the classroom projector.  To spice it up, play with your kids and give them some grand prize for beating your score.  I would post the winning scores on my Twitter accounts with the kids Twitter/Instagram handle attached.

Quizizz (+Patrick Reid) - Like Kahoot, but the questions appear on the student devices and questions are self-progressing.  Also the memes that appear after each question also are pretty motivating.

Quizalize (+Charlie Gerancher) - This is a new one that I have discovered, but seems to become one of my favorites.  Mainly because of the dashboard that is provided for the teachers as their students progress through the questions.  Also, this one provides for team grouping.  You can see how a team and individual students are doing and what needs to be reviewed again.  

QR Code Scavenger Hunt (+Patrick Reid) - Make a series of multiple choice questions with the answers being QR codes.  Each QR code will either tell them it was a wrong answer, or where to go for the next question.  This one gets your kids up and moving, and is team building.  The link provided makes this job way easier than I have done it before.  

Flippity Quiz (+Mary Comer) - Create a series of questions and answers in a Google Sheet, then this script will create the results into a customizable Jeopardy style game board.  I used this a lot for vocabulary terms that I had already created in a Quizlet.  Works well for team play from 2 - 6 teams.

Some other ideas I had as I thought back of ways I have reviewed with my students.

Review Squares - This one goes back from an English Language Learners strategy.  You print or share a series of boxes with the topics of an upcoming test.  Then you give each student one minute to write what they can remember about any topic.  While that student is writing the rest are reviewing their notes.  The apparent goal is for the student to get more information/items on their paper, then the next team.  The hidden goal is for the students to review their notes and notice details.  

Slap It - Write or project key terms, topics or ideas from the subject matter.  Give to students fly swatters.  Have each student face away from the list of terms.  Read off the question,  the students turn to find the answer.  While they are doing this their teammates can help by saying the answers, but they must stay in their seats.  It gets heated quickly.

Congo Line Review - Have students create a question(s) and answer(s) to what they think might be on the test.  Have students stand in two line facing each other.  They then take turns asking and answering questions.  Once this is done, one student at the end shimmies (yes they must dance with the provided music) to the end of their line down the center, and the rest of their line shifts down.  The other line stands still and greets their new partner, and the question and answering continues.  

When reviewing making it student centered, and questions being student created will give you greater success.  Many of these will give you an idea of how students are prepared for the upcoming exams.  Be sure to stop and take the time to go over and adjust your teaching when you see spots that need additional assistance.  Any other ideas you would suggest?  Any favorites that your students repeatedly request?

Besides Worksheets for the iPads

Many times when teachers are trying to include more technology into their classroom, they will substitute what they know with a technology device.  This is know as Substitution, within the SAMR model of tech integration.  There is nothing wrong with staying at this level, but Substitution is the same as asking Knowledge based questions from Bloom’s.  Just as we expect our students to comprehend at a higher level, we should model that higher level.  Here are my suggestions to raise that level and produce higher order thinking from your students.

Knowledge Retention and Recall

Quizlet - using this webpage as a base tool create vocabulary list with term definitions, and images for students to study. Then let them use their iPad apps to study using the multiple versions of study tools.  The study tools give full access to multiple parts of their thinking including basic flash card review, spelling, and game-based review. Then let students complete on the own the matching game section to see who could get the fastest time. Let them submit these times as the actual grade. Give them a set standard that they have to be to get a base grade and then break down the times the coordinate with other letter grades. This will help drive students engagement by allowing them to decide how high they want to raise their grades by by only playing a game.

Padlet - Gather questions that are higher order thinking from a worksheet that you would have given them, and let them submit their answers on a Padlet board. Then I have the boards that can then be saved as a PDF and share on a class website.  It be a good review activity for those that were gone or it just need time to look back on it. Padlet is device agnostic so that even if it's not on iPad, it could be access on any web browser. Also you can use tablet as a brainstorming tool. Use it as a categorization tool, or a way to get students talk together to where they can share and collaborate on how best to answer a question.

Word clouds - Have students create a word cloud of the vocabulary terms that are important to the lesson. Then have students write out an explanation of the Word Cloud created.  The ABCya Cloud Generator is a pretty solid free app on the iPad for word clouds. The word cloud can then be saved and shared on with the teacher or attached as an image to the explanation below.

Quizzes and Assessments

Google Forms - I could include this tool in any of these locations, where I found a lot of useless was by making quick quizzes for assessments. Using a multitude of different question types you can make individualized assessments every student in your class by using the “Goto Page Based On Answer Choice” option. Also you can use Add Ons like Super Quiz or Flubaroo to automate grading, and return to the students the email for further review.

Kahoot, Quizizz, or Quizzle - All of these are tools that can be used as a game based quiz for your students. All the tools are able to convert the results into a spreadsheet that spreadsheet can then be used as a way to track progress. I made my students use their real names when sign in to these programs as an easy way to track their progress. To lower the fear of failure I would give them the base score, and then give them additional points based on correct responses. The correct responses added to a total score to a passing grade but just participating will give him at least a 50.

QR Code Scavenger Hunt - Who says quizzes have to be when the students sit still and answer questions? Create a QR scavenger hunt by placing multiple choice question around the room. Each ABC or D answer has a specified QR code. The correct QR code will take the student to the next question on the scavenger hunt. This is a great way to get your students up and active. My students always seemed to respond better to answer a whole list of questions if they were up moving around, instead of being stationary on a worksheet. Here’s an example of one I made for steps of mitosis.

Those are just some ways that you can use mobile devices in your classroom. I find the easiest way to change what you used to do, to what you can do is add motion and activity into your plans. What are some ways you use mobile devices in your classroom? How do students respond?

English Language Learners Tech Tools

I was once in a PD for sheltered instruction, and a discussion started about technology in the classroom.  Many of those in attendance did not see a need for technology in the classroom.  This is what inspired me to write my first post.  I figured start off with tools that could be used for the ESL student.  Here is a quick list of tools that I have found useful in my classroom.

Photo Credit: USAID Asia on Flikr

Google Translate - I find this best place to start. If your school is BYOD, 1:1, none of the above.  If a student doesn't understand what you are asking of them, why not give them a tool to succeed.

Voki - According to what I have learned, an English language learner is able to write and read, before they will want to or even can speak English.  Why not give them a tool to give a voice to what they are writing?

Educreations  / Explain Everything / ShowMe - All of these are not the same, but I group them together.  This tools give the student the ability to practice reading, writing, and speaking.  A assignment could be done as a reflective piece explaining what was learned in class.  If a student doesn't know a word that they are trying to explain about, they could always say the word in their native language and just input a picture of the word.  I like Educreations because not only is it free but it can also be web-based instead of an app.

Socrative/Polleverywhere - I know these are different ideas behind them, but they can both serve the same purpose.  I like to put up a free response question up, and allow students to answer at their will.  I have found that many of my ESL students are hesitant to talk, but giving them an anonymous voice breaks down that affective factor.  A recent update will even let you embed Polleverywhere polls in to Google Slides Other options that could be used are places like Today's Meet or Chatzy(from Wes Fryer).  Both of those are back channels, and I haven't in a specific classroom setting only during PD times.

Aurasma - This app I haven't specifically used in my classes, but I am excited to try this year.  I first learned of this app from the great Erin Klein from a blog post concerning Augmented Reality (AR).  AR is a new type of technology that delivers a more interactive experience from normally not interactive materials.  The idea I want to try is from Erin's blog post that suggest using the word wall cards, and making them interactive.  The students, using the app, could make videos, images, or animations that explain each of the words in a more fun and engaging manner.  Say for instance the word was photosynthesis, a student could add an "aura" to the word that was a quick video.  Or the word was DNA, the "aura" could be an interactive image of DNA could be turned, manipulated, and possible taken apart.  Another thought I had, was for my ESL students to create "auras" in their native language.  This could benefit both the ESL student, but also the native English speaker helping them learn a new language.   That could inspire a conversation on cognates.  Like I said I have not had a chance to use this in my class, but am excited of the possibilities.
*As a side note I heard about Erin's blog and Aurasma on the Techlandia Podcast, so thanks guys and gals.


So there it is.  A quick list of some of the offerings of technology tools for the ESL learner.  There are probably another 5 days worth of reading on ESL tech tools.  There is a lot out there, I want to learn more.  So that being said, technology is  not something we should be trying to get out of our schools.  It is something that we should embrace.  Our students have embraced, even more so engulfed themselves within it.  Why are we trying to take this from them.  The average student is walking around with an amazing resources gathering, brainstorming, content creator, data processing tool and we tell them to never take it out.  This does not sound like good education.  I support my students when they want to use their phones or tablets.  I try to teach and instill proper use skills as well.  How will they ever know when and when not is a good time to use their phones if we never teach or let them experience?  Our students want to learn, are we destroying that desire?

*Note: I had previously posted this in another blog.  I thought it was worth repeating here.

Advice Your Dad Would Give on Education

My dad was always one to give out vague, but strong advice.  He was the one that told me “Look them in the eyes and speak with conviction; they will never doubt you.”  I use this many times in class.  By the end of the year, student’s would never know if my stories were the truth or just a story to make a point.  I have been thinking about this and how common advice can translate to education very easily.  See if you agree with me.

Photo Credit: Thinking ... please wait by Karola Riegler


“Fake it till you make it” - #KidsDeserveIt

A few weeks ago, a blog post was put out at KidsDeserveIt.com about the power of being positive.  I am an avid follower of this blog, and as such shared with the my Twitter followers this post.  I retweeted the original share, adding my own two cents of “Fake it till you make it, stay positive”.  It was a real eye opener for me.  I know I forget this sometimes.  Kids are here to learn, not to deal with your own personal issues.  I know many days I have had a rough night and morning because of my own kids are sick, or just don’t want to get their hair done or their shoes on.  This is not your student’s fault, and they shouldn’t be privy of it.  Dave Burgess’s writes in Teach Like A Pirate when speaking of enthusiasm, “Even if you are only acting at first, an amazing thing happens along the way.  You actually start to really feel and become enthusiastic.”  I think this can be transferred into being positive.  If you are having a rough day, try to see the positive.  Find the small positives, even if it is you got a little extra bacon in your salad.  Take those small wins, and you will start seeing larger ones.  If you can’t find any small ones, then find the positive teacher and hang with them.  Get them to work on a project with you, and then you both win.  It is not your student’s responsibility to make you positive, but it is your responsibility to not let them know you are not.

“Life if what happens, when you are busy making plans” - John Lennon

I don’t know if I cited this to right original speaker, but John Lennon was singing this when I was thinking about this blog post.  I was watching Mr. Holland’s Opus, he was struggling with the death of John Lennon, his relationship with his son, and his teaching career.  I think this idea can expand to our lessons.  Many times it is worth stop focusing on the objective of that day and let your student’s interests lead the discussion.   My students knew they could this, and these were some of the most engaging conversations and lessons that were ever in my class.  Student’s want to learn, if it something they want to learn.  Let them lead the direction of the discussion.  If the discussion is close to on topic, let them lead it.  Many times it seems like this is not possible with district and state tests bearing down on you.  But if you truly listen to what they are asking and saying it will relate.  If it doesn’t, then make a Google Board.  Put up a bulletin board, with abstract questions and let students find the answer.  Require that they supply their citations and rationale behind their finding.  Develop a sense of inquiry and discovery in your classroom, and there will be more learning.  

“Relationships are the air they breathe” - Dr. Mack Brown

Teaching the African American Male by Dr. Mack Brown, was probably one of the best professional developments about classroom management I have been to.  It was obviously about teaching these men, but it developed to more than that.  After leaving this I made a commitment to use this one piece of advice to develop my classroom.  A classroom is a team, it is a living organism, it will live or die based on one student.  Many times I refer to a student that is not following expectations or procedures as a "virus".  If they continually do not do what is expected, this behavior will spread to the entire class.  Unlike human viruses, this "virus" can be shut down.  Purposefully developing relationship, finding what and how this student ticks, will bring you a great distance with eradicating the "virus".  If a student feels that you care about them, the will work work for you if they won’t work for themselves.  Let them know that you are the one thing in their life that is stable, the one thing that will be there when you tell them that you will be.  Understand first, then try to help.  If you don’t feel like you can help them, just being an adult that acts like an adult will be a great start.  You can probably agree with me, that it is the student’s that you had to work the hardest to love, is the one will always say hello in the hallway in their own unique way.  As it has been said many times before “Students do not care what you know, until they know you care.”

“Don’t Let the Tail Wag the Dog” - John Sursa

John Sursa was former Physics teacher colleague of mine.  He knew his physics, and he knew his kids.  One day after school we were having our non-scheduled PLCs, and he made this comment. I forgot what he was speaking about, but the point was made.  Many times I can be so focused on getting the objective done, or find the perfect tech tool to use for a lesson.  I would scrounge around Youtube looking for the best video, find the best online simulator, and search through shelves of physics supplies to teach acceleration due to gravity.  After all these examples and videos, simply grabbing a textbook and a piece of paper and having them both land at the same time recorded on an iPad is all that is necessary.  Tech is a tool, not the objective.  If a technology needs to be removed to make it less complicated, then do it.  Do not forget though, that tech can open many doors that used to be shut.  If you are so focused on what you have done the past 10 years of teaching, and not what you want the students to learn then it is time to adjust your plans.

Do any of these ring a bell to you?  What advice would you give?  Any of the ones I listed that you disagree with?  Let me know.