Flipping Out over Math!

With the dawn of virtual learning, it's been increasingly difficult to create engaging experiences for my students, especially in math. This year, I've taken on a dual role of digital coaching and instructing PreAP Algebra 2. What was I thinking?! 

I knew this year would offer challenges, not only in terms of rethinking instructional best practices, but also utilizing technology in a responsible way. I wanted to be "on the ground", so to speak, with the staff, but also find ways to help support them.

At our campus, we have shifted to a block schedule, with 90 minute class periods. That's a lot of Zoom, you might say! Isn't that too much for students?! 

While a 90 minutes block has it's challenges, especially for teachers with virtual learners, it also has the potential for deeper thinking. This year, I've decided to try something that I've only been reading about - flipping my instruction.

What can that look like?

1. 📽️Record and edit my content video using WeVideo. 
2. 💻Embed in Edpuzzle with questions to guide thinking and encourage predictions.
3. 💜Utilize the beginning of class as a "check in" using Google Forms (approx 10 min)
1. Instant data to provide quick feedback before diving deeper into content
2. A private space for students to share how they are doing
3. A fun space to get to know your students
4. Drop in a "this or that" to increase fun discussions
4. 📊Desmos Activities to expand thinking and build connections (approx 35 min)
1. Show videos and ask for predictions
2. Use sliders to build pattern recognition
3. Utilize multiple choice, but add "Explain your thinking" option.
4. Use Starter Screens as an exit ticket
5. ⏰Asynchronous Time with GoFormative (approx 45 minutes)
1. Students work on exercises at their own pace, seeking help when needed.
2. Provide students CHOICE: Stay on Zoom and treat like a Q&A, go to a virtual Breakout Room to work with a small group, or log off to de-Zoom, but still accomplish the task.
3. Give instantly feedback while students are working. Provide QUESTIONS not ANSWERS!

Samples:

• Google Form - Parabola Features
• Google Form - Applications of Quadratics
• Desmos Activity - Solving Quadratics
• Desmos Activity - Graphing Absolute Values
• Desmos Activity - Domain Restrictions

Remote Mathematicians

In this "new world" of remote learning, keeping students engaged in content can seem daunting. That feeling of not just sharing content, but making it easily accessible and engaging enough for students to stay connected, brings its challenges.
As a previous math teacher, it was tough enough helping students enjoy the content, so flexing the "creativity" muscle in the brain was a CONSTANT.

During this time, I thought I'd share my top 3 go-to strategies!

TIP #1: Encourage inquiry and self-discovery!

• Geogebra: This site offers Classroom Resources from elementary up to college courses. Students can explore theorems, visualize multiple cases, and then easily develop their proof. Geogebra even has built in activities with self-checks. Follow Tim or Steve on Twitter to see their creations.
• Desmos: Teachers can create a FREE account and send activities to their students. Use one that's already made or create your own! Explore transformations and how variables can affect equations.
• NEW UPDATE ALERT: Add a co-teacher!
• NEW UPDATE ALERT: Send customized feedback to students.

TIP #2: Increase the open dialogue by using open tasks!

• Which One Doesn't Belong: 4 boxes...which one doesn't belong? The best part - there is a reason EVERY SINGLE ONE doesn't belong. Bring the discussion into math and allow students to see there isn't just "one answer." Do you have gifted students? Encourage them to create their own!

• Copy/paste a puzzle and use THESE SLIDES! Share it with students so everyone can edit the same file. 
• Numbers Example (for Elementary up to High School)
• Open Middle Math: One problem can completely replace a worksheet! Students not only practice, but must use logic and reasoning to finish the puzzle. Available for K-12 students!
• PRO TIP: Share on a Google Slides or Keynote for students to respond. They can drop in recording to explain their thinking.
• PRO TIP: Use master slides to create text and image placeholders for students.
• PRO TIP: Attach an Open Middle or WODB problem to the "Focus" in a Flipgrid Topic. Ss can use the whiteboard mode to share their thinking with their peers! 

TIP #3: Using the tech in your tool belt!

• Keynote (on the iPad): While it is similar to Google Slides, Keynote on the iPad takes the advantage! A fantastic mathematician and edtech enthusiast, Morgan Cave, on the team I work on got me into this app, and there is NO turning back! As an Apple Distinguish Educator, she's continuing to push outside the box for how Keynote can be used to explore all concepts.
• Built in shapes (including 3D ones with the latest iOS update!)
• Drop in just audio to explain thinking.
• Utilize the Drawings option with multiple colors to clarify steps. My favorite? Use the "Line Draw" animation so that students can visualize their work (and steps) come to LIFE!
• Use backgrounds and "locking" to prevent students editing important information.
• Templates from Morgan Cave: Shapes Hunt, Alpha See Say Draw, Numbers See Say Draw
• $FREE Apple Books: 20 Keynote Creations & Keynote in the Classroom
• Google Slides (for Chromebook): 
• Use master slides to create template responses with placeholders.
• Ss can drop in pictures, links, videos, text, animations, and MORE all in one place.
• Collaboration feature for discussions or group work is PERFECT! With the editing history, no work is lost and students are help accountable for their contribution.
• Google Sheets (for Chromebook): Check out these helpful resources and templates using the "ugly step sister" of the G-Suite family!
• Eric Curts' Blog
• Create a digital breakout activity with if-then formulas!
• Math Learning Apps:
• Digital manipulatives for the WIN!
• 100% FREE!
• Includes annotation feature! 
• PRO TIP: Ss can screenshot their creation, and drop it in Seesaw or Keynote to add audio!
• Flipgrid:
• Whiteboard Mode = PERFECT for explaining work.
• Drop in a video, picture, and/or links in the Focus for your Topic.
• Students don't want others to see their face? Use Pixel Mode!
• Check out their Disco Library for Topics ready to go!

Making Data Talk

Welp. All I see is a list of numbers...Data is the most powerful when we can see the whole picture. A list of numbers is meaningless without appropriate context! How can we make our data talk to us? Are they ways to make important information pop?!

Google Sheets has been a powerhouse of me in my role! It has pushed me to learn new skills and critically think about how to make situations more automatic.

Examples:

• Creating individual campus reports after a district wide survey
• Running online PD and keeping track of submissions
• Sending certificates after an online PD is completed
• Tracking our teams campus visits and generating graphical representation

Auto-magic is just a few tricks away in Google Sheets! Below are my top 4 tips I feel everyone should know!

TRICK #1: Conditional Formatting

The ability to color code information quickly is a life-saver! Does a kid need tutoring? How can I find scores below a certain number? Can I highlight a cell based on if a student used a particular word or number? Did a student complete a task?

Conditional Formatting allows you to highlight cells based on a rule. You can always add multiple rules per cell - EVEN BETTER! Rules can be applied to numbers or text in a cell. If you want to get even fancier, you can use formulas in your conditional formatting.

TRICK #2: Inserting Checkboxes

This trick is one of the fastest ones! Perfect for tasks, to-do lists, and project monitoring for students. Simply choose [Insert] from the top menu, and choose [Checkboxes]. It's that easy!

Add rules to checkboxes so that they turn green when selected! Formulas can keep a running count if you want!

Want to get fancy? Use the formula =COUNTIF to keep track of the total checkmarks in a column. 

TRICK #3: Autocrat Mail Merge

Mail merging will take all the data in your spreadsheet and create individual documents/slides with their information. Bonus feature: it can automatically send emails with their information and attach their doc/slides. WHAT?!

What can you do:

• Automatically send certificates with student information if they complete a quiz
• Perfect for digital badging! Automatically send badges
• Create campus, teacher, or student reports
• Send parents who attending open house an email with your information and a confirmation of the information they shared with you.

How it works: TUTORIAL GUIDE HERE!

1. Create a template with placeholders that will be filled in from the sheet.
2. Open your spreadsheet, and install the Autocrat Add-On.
3. Map each placeholder to a column so it knows what information to fill in.
4. Run the job!

TRICK #4: Explore It!

This is the shortest trick! Want to quickly gather insight from responses on a sheet? Click on a column to select all the data, then choose [Explore] in the bottom right corner. Google Sheets will predict charts/graphs based on the data that you just highlighted. You can also alternate colors of rows to help you look across rows quickly.