Innovation in Math Class

Innovative ideas come from some of the most logical requests, but we don't think about it being "innovative" until we try it and get feedback.

Recently I had a request from a parent (who also works in my building) about video taping a math class while the family was away for a few days. The student was particularly concerned about missing several Trig classes and did not want to be behind when she returned.

Video Taping? That's a taboo for a lot of teachers, and I respect that. I'm not one who likes to be taped and re-watched, but for student learning, sure I'll do it. But where do we have a video camera? Not something our district just has laying around. Not to mention who will be taping each day, uploading the video, doing editing, etc.

Attempt 1 (and 2 and 3): Chrome books have a built-in camera, we'll just set that up in the room and tape away! Um, yeah, not so much. While the quality is good when you are sitting directly across from it, to film what's going on in the front of the room, so the viewer can see the board, it just didn't work.

Suddenly the light bulb came on. This math teacher has a smart board. Instructional items are put on that board, and the software is on the computer. So really, we don't need to see the teacher at all (no offense), we just need to record the screen. Google Hangout!!! That will allow me to record the screen, and, AND if we do a LIVE hangout, the absent student could watch away from the classroom.

Doing this live hangout each day was the easiest thing. We set up a channel for the teacher, bookmarked the appropriate page for him to get started, a few click and he was recording his lesson! And when he finished, he simply ended the session and it automatically uploading to his YouTube channel. And the only link he needed to share with his students was the link to his channel.

Sounds simple, right? Why weren't we doing it earlier? As I said in the beginning, sometimes the thought doesn't come until someone asks that question "Can we....?" or "What if.....?"

The best thing to come from all of this was an email from a different student in the class saying thank you for doing this. This student saw the value of what we were doing, how it was helping students (ALL of them) and was truly grateful for having the lessons available outside of class.

What innovative things are you doing that came from a simple request? I'd love to know and expand our capabilities.

Comments in Google

Do you ever put a comment on a student's homework and wonder if they have seen it or resolved it? If you really want to make sure your comments are read and changes are made, send your comment directly to that person. 

Here's how:

1. Open the document, spreadsheet, or presentation.
2. Insert and type a comment
3. Somewhere in the comment (I usually do this first thing) begin typing the name (with the first letter capitalized). When the correct person is suggested click their name. You'll see it in the comment and the email address of the person you want to see the message should have a + in front of it (Sometimes I will type the + before I start typing the name)
4. Click Comment (See picture below)

If you are sending the comment to the student for the first time, you may have to type in their entire email. What a great way to give feed back to students!

Happy Commenting!