One challenge teachers face in 2017 is grabbing our students' attention...and then keeping it. The educational term for this phenomena is "engagement." And the research is overwhelming: if students are engaged, they are much more likely to learn. But for today's teachers competing with cell phones and a digital world, engagement is a tough gig. As instructors, we work to research, try new technology tools, and implement new instructional methods to involve our students and keep them from mentally "checking out."
South Hamilton science teacher
Ali Engels decided to try one new tool this week:
EdPuzzle. EdPuzzle is website that allows its users to choose a video from YouTube or other source, download it, and remix it to insert "quiz" questions. Thus, as students watch the remixed version assigned through Google Classroom, the video will pause and pose a question students must answer before continuing to watch. This is beneficial for a number of reasons: one, it demands students pay attention, listen and understand as they watch. Many young people believe they are the masters of the multi-task: they believe they can Snapchat friends, watch TV, and watch an educational video without missing a thing. The truth is,
multi-tasking is a myth (you can read an article in
Psychology Today about this if you click the link). As humans, we must give our full attention to an idea if we hope to learn. EdPuzzle "forces" a student to pay attention, for if their mind wanders, they won't be able to answer the questions. Now, the video gives them the option to re-watch it; however, it would be easier to just listen the first time.
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New science rooms under construction at SHHS |
A second advantage EdPuzzle offers educators and students is immediate feedback. Students often know immediately if they have chosen the correct answer; thus, they can monitor their comprehension of the material and choose to review if needed. As a teacher, we can quickly assess whether or not our students are understanding the concept. It may seem strange, but many students are unaware when they have missed major ideas. EdPuzzle assists students in recognizing their attention and comprehension.
Another advantage EdPuzzle offer Mrs. Engels and her chemistry students is that it is something fresh and different. Research shows bringing an assortment of strategies increases engagement. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. EdPuzzle offers these science students a novel way to learn a concept.
Of course, we South Hamilton students and faculty must remember that activities such as these would not be feasible as a student assignment if we were not a 1:1 district. We are fortunate, as we've said many times, to live and work in a district that provides a Chromebook to each student, K-12. How fabulous it is that our kids have this resource.
Our district is demonstrates its commitment to a quality education for every child in
many ways. Right now our high school building is in the middle of an incredible remodel that will, among other things, give us some beautiful new science rooms. We've shared a picture of one of the new rooms here. Yes, our students and faculty are pretty lucky!
Before we go, we thought we'd share the EdPuzzle Mrs. Engels created--in case you were curious to see one of the many excellent technology tools our students use each day. Thanks for joining here for another issue of Hawk-Wired. See you again soon.