Use Video and Google Apps in your Classroom like a Pro!

Alice explains how Screencastify can make collaborating on lesson plans so much easier. Whether it’s finding the perfect resource or upgrading your paper documents for use in a digital context, Screencastify is perfect for communicating during every step of the lesson planning stage. This segment will include some of Alice’s coolest ideas for digital lesson planning!

Alice demonstrates how to use Google Keep and Screencastify to gather resources and then share them with collaborators. Annotate with Keep and then use Screencastify to add voice. Share the notes with a collaborator and you’re off! Collaborating is easy with Alice’s method.

In this video, Alice explains how to make the paper resources you already have digital with Screencastify and Google Docs. Using OCR technology, digitizing paper documents is as easy as taking a picture. Use Screencastify to explain how you plan to make your old resources relevant for your new students. The best part? All of your resources are now saved to Drive.

Alice details the next step in the process, creating a formal lesson plan. Alice’s method for formal lesson planning encourages additional thought about the best method to engage and evaluate students. By the time you’re done creating a formal lesson plan, you’ll have a concrete plan for the entire unit of study.

Alice introduces the next step in her process, implementing a lesson, which is when she introduces lesson content to students. This step is so critical since it sets the tone for how students will approach lesson content. Stay tuned for Alice’s tips and tricks for investing students and introducing ideas.

In this video, Alice explains how she uses Screencastify to record directions. Verbal directions given to the entire class certainly have their place. But, they may be quickly forgotten. Immortalizing your directions with video allows students to revisit them when necessary and ultimately saves you time.

Alice demonstrates how a webcam recording in Screencastify can serve as a powerful motivator for students. Throughout the year, students may need some encouragement or reassurance before fully investing themselves in an assignment. A Screencastify recording allows you to give them encouragement right when they need it. The best part is that the videos are there forever in case a student would like to revisit the pep talk.

Alice explains how to use a screen recording to walk students through using a complex resource. When the instructions are created using Screencastify, students have an ever-present demonstration of instructions and expectations. Without a doubt, demonstrating a resource with a screen recording will help you save much needed time.

Alice concludes this stage. Introducing students to lesson content is so critical for maximizing time and investing students. Now that they have an idea of what’s coming next, it’s time for them to start working with course material.

In this introductory video, Alice explains why it’s important to create opportunities for students to grapple with lesson content. Asking students to create Screencastify videos as they go through the learning process ensures you hear their authentic thoughts.

Alice demonstrates how she uses Google Sheets to give students a clear understanding of what they should expect within a lesson. After all, when students know what to expect, they can fully engross themselves in learning. Plus, they’ll be able to look back on the documents you provide to answer any questions they may have.

Alice explains the importance of having students use desktop recordings to show off their work. At any given time, students may be engaged in different activities. To ensure you get the opportunity to see every student complete their activities, have them record their screen and point you to the relevant portions of the screen recording when necessary. It’ll be like you’re always there to answer their question!

Alice details how she uses Screencastify and Google Slides to allow students to collaborate and communicate. Use Alice’s method of creating a slide for each student and infusing video to turn a regular Slides presentation into a vibrant discussion board.

In this video, Alice explains how the marriage of Screencastify and Google Slides can allow students to explain their thinking. With Google Slides, students can use a variety of media sources (including Screencastify videos) to explain their thinking.

In this video, Alice explains how My Maps and Screencastify can be used to connect classroom assignments with the real world. If you’re a History teacher, try having students drop pins on the map and then describe their historical significance. As a science teacher, you can encourage students to explain the types of animals they would find in a particular region. No matter the assignment, using Screencastify and My Maps allows you to connect classroom content with the world.

Alice demonstrates how you can use My Maps and Screencastify to build relationships. Use this combo as a first day activity to learn where students are from. Or, use it to have students show you around town. Wherever students decide to take you digitally, you’ll get the opportunity to learn a bit more about them.

Alice explains how students can synthesize their learning with a Google Site complete with video, presentations, and documents.

Alice reviews the digital learning experiences students can engage in with Screencastify and Google Tools. With video, students have the opportunity to present their learning in new ways. As a teacher, video gives you the opportunity to hear from every student, every time. In the next segment, Alice will explain how Screencastify allows you to speak directly to students to provide quality feedback.

In this introductory video, Alice explains how timely digital feedback can help improve student learning. Unfortunately, feedback is often incredibly time-consuming (a commodity we’d bet you’re lacking) Luckily, Alice will use this segment to provide a few tips and tricks to maximize time without sacrificing student understanding.

Alice demonstrates how you can use Screencastify and Google Classroom to provide feedback as students work. Screencastify videos are perfect for holding an asynchronous conversation with your students they can understand and use to improve.

Google Slides is perfect for capturing student work. But, how do you provide feedback? Alice details how to use Screencastify to respond to students right in Google Slides. As a bonus, you can use these same methods to have students provide feedback to each other.

Alice reviews the importance of providing feedback and how to make it digital. With digital feedback, students don’t have to wait until they are finished with a product to receive feedback. Instead, you can create opportunities for students to get feedback as they work. This might lead to even better final products!

Alice details the importance of assessment and how we can make it digital. With digital assessments, you get the opportunity to get creative with how you pose questions. Similarly, students get a chance to demonstrate learning beyond multiple choice.

Alice explains how to add video to assessments in Google Forms. Try adding a video when you would like to ask students more complex questions or when you want to gauge understanding after flipping a lesson. With so many ways to use video in Google Forms, there’s no question you’ll find the perfect way to engage your students during their next assessment.

Alice explains how to add video to assessments in Google Forms. Try adding a video when you would like to ask students more complex questions or when you want to gauge understanding after flipping a lesson. With so many ways to use video in Google Forms, there’s no question you’ll find the perfect way to engage your students during their next assessment.

In this video, Alice gets even more creative with inserting video in Google Slides. With embedded video, you can create a different kind of question – one that requires audio and visual attention! For example, if you’re a language teacher, include a video question to help students exercise their listening comprehension.

Alice explains how assessments can serve as a re-teaching opportunity. Using Screencastify and the branching feature in Google Forms, give students relevant instruction without ever requiring them to leave the form. As an added bonus, Alice previews one of her awesome coding projects!

Alice concludes the assessment stage. In this stage, Alice made sure to structure her assessments in a way that helped students improve. Now that students have worked with the material, it’s time for everyone to reflect on the lesson.

Alice introduces the last stage in the lesson planning cycle, reflection. During this stage, it’s important for both teachers and students to reflect on the lesson to identify strengths and weaknesses. If you’re trying to capture authentic thoughts, why not do it with video?

Alice demonstrates how you can take your evaluations to the next level. Use Screencastify to record yourself teaching. Then, film a candid reflection video that highlights your strengths and areas for improvement. Not only will this strategy dazzle your administrator, it will also leave you with a library of videos to watch whenever you’d like.

Student feedback and reflection is often overlooked. Alice proposes using video to capture students’ candid thoughts and feedback. As a teacher, this feedback is critical for reaching every student.

Student feedback and reflection is often overlooked. Alice proposes using video to capture students’ candid thoughts and feedback. As a teacher, this feedback is critical for reaching every student.

In the final video of the course, Alice concludes her thoughts on the myriad of joint use-cases between Screencastify and Google Tools. She also details next steps including how you can obtain your course certificate and badge. Don’t worry that the course is over, you can revisit these videos at any time!