Flipped Classroom Student Work

Students in ED 307 Teaching Strategies for the Digital Age were asked to create videos explaining the Flipped Classroom approach. While all students in the past have done a great job with this assignment, I found the videos this semester particular enjoyable. I'm so proud to see that these students are embracing 21st century teaching and learning and having fun along the way!

Enjoy these videos - they took a very creative approach:

1. Ms. Perry flips with GoAnimate: http://www.screencast.com/t/qQL9EK28
2. Ms. Hamelink flips with Muvizu: http://youtu.be/lsz8LqI9Sp4 

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

Columbiana Preschool Activity Session Playlist

The following songs were used during my presentation this morning. They were all downloaded directly from iTunes:

1. War Eagle (Keyboard Ensemble)
2. You've got a friend in me (duet version) by Randy Newman & Lyle Lovett
3. Lead by Kids Club - Hip Hop Fitness Music for Children
4. The ants go marching (instrumental only) by Singlish
5. Did you ever see a lassie by The Hit Crew Kids
6. Danish Dance of Greeting by Denise Gagne
7. Looby Lou by Children's Party Fun - Peter Samuels

All of these were only .99$

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

A fun intro activity

604 Students - view the following and then proceed as specified:

Follow the link for more fun..... https://docs.google.com/document/d/16r8ECFc9xC2FjOCaQq_M7l_OC-4u8j7NPSCSf29M2d0/edit?usp=sharing

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

ED 305 is at it again...

ED 305 students have produced another great series of videos. Please take a minute to view them and then cast your vote!

Video 1 - Athens State University Harlem Shake 

Video 2 - Cool Tools for School - Stop Motion Video






Video 3 - ED 305 Stop Motion (Ron Clark Excellent 11)





Video 4: 7 Habits





Cast your vote here!

Inquiry-Based Learning - ED 307 Lesson

After reviewing the inquiry-based learning, I'm certain that you have many remaining questions that should be answered before you would consider implementing this methodology in your classroom. To begin the search for answers, here's some resources:

Educational technology resources: https://sites.google.com/site/wendycowansteachingit/tech-tools/resources

Inquiry-based learning resources: https://sites.google.com/site/wendycowansteachingit/tech-tools/methods/inquiry-based-learning

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

Turning Teacher-Student Roles Upside Down

So you've probably heard of the "flipped classroom" approach - which is known for its teacher-made video component. Related to the flipped approach, but reversing the teacher/student role, is the "Upside Down Academy" which is a new non-profit organization, created by Jared Cosulich, that promotes the students making the videos instead of the teacher.

Once the student has mastered the material, they create the video. Cosulich stated "learning is a lot more effective when you're not just trying to consume information, but turning around and producing it as well."

Benefits associated with this method include (1) students must understand a subject well enough to "teach" it to others; (2) provides teacher with insight into a "different" way to present the material that might be beneficial to future students and; (3) while not mentioned in the article, this approach enforces the 21st century skills of communication and creation.

Read the full article for more information.

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL

SimCity goes Common Core!

With the move to Common Core, we are seeing an abundance of resources emerge that will help teachers successfully integrate these standards into their existing curriculum AND develop new and more innovative 21st century curriculum. One example of this is SimCityEDU that will be launched this March - this common core enhanced version of the SimCity virtual reality game may be coming to a classroom near you!

Get an early sneak peek by signing up for the SimCityEDU beta!

What an exciting time to be a teacher - and an even more exciting time to be a student!

If an educational act is to be efficacious, it will be only that one which tends to help toward the complete unfolding of life. To be thus helpful it is necessary rigorously to avoid the arrest of spontaneous movements and the imposition of arbitrary tasks.

                                                                                                                         ~ Maria Montessori

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

I humbly thank my wonderful family for their support in all that I do. Robert Robbie Cowan, Robert Drew Andrew Cowan, and Hunter Cowan Hartselle, Decatur, AL