flipping the classroom

Video Science

DiScoro writes about inquiry-based learning, digital resources, and ways to encourage higher-order thinking. We focus on STEM education and the use of technology.

Video Science produced by by Science House offers a large number of short videos on experiments. The videos focus mainly on chemistry, but some videos are about phenomena from physics or other science areas.
Students can watch the video’s or carry out the experiments themselves., although some experiments require substances or equipment that will not be readily available. For you as a teacher the videos may inspire you to let show students the experiments. Of course it is even more more interesting and instructive if the students carry out experiments themselves in class.

The future for industry and society lies in recycling, and even a step further ahead in cyclic production, and cradle-to-cradle production. Particularly interesting are therefore experiments such as “Green plastic” and “Recycling paper”.

The latest App (version 4.0) is designed for iOS 6. Unfortunately the App does not work on iOS 11. Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

Purchase	Free
Hardware	iPhone, iPad
Requirements	iOS 6 (not working on iOS11 !)

Long division

Every month DiScoro writes about resources that can be used in schools and about inspirational issues. See Services in the Menu for workshops, training etc.

Long Divison Touch is a well programmed App. This is really an App that makes use of touch technology. The instruction for different tasks is very clear, for example division with remainder, division with decimal, division with decimal in divisor etc.

A discussion that is carefully being started:
Should we spend time on teaching the long division in school?
Who does need this procedure in the 21st Century? Do you as an adult ever use the long division procedure anywhere else than in school? Are there any skills in learning the procedure that are important later?
Division as a numeracy skill remains important, and definitely the ability to estimate whether the outcome to for example 125 : 4,5 = … is a little less than 3, than 30, or than 300.

A step forward could be to do the mathematical thinking, such as estimation, in class, and to use the App to challenge high-performers. It could also be a tool in Flipping-the-classroom.

Note: The format in which the long division is presented does match the way it is taught in schools in some countries, but in many countries the format used is different. It would be difficult to cater for all the different formats that are being used. The Germany, France, Norway all use a different formats. For students who already master the long dvision procedure it will be rather easy to figure out how this formats works.

Note: The App uses decimal comma, which may be an obstacle for countries where people work with decimal point.

Note: Students do not train multiplication and subtraction skills required in the ordinary long division.

Purchase	Free intro/preview, Tasks for 0,99 €
Hardware	iPhone, iPad, tablet
Requirements	iOS, Android

Edit Videos using EDpuzzle

Every month DiScoro writes about resources that can be used in schools and about inspirational issues. See Services in the Menu for workshops, training etc.

Flipping the classroom or just using videos in the teaching and learning process? Then you will most likely wish to make or modify videos so that they fit YOUR class. EDpuzzle is a free program and a great tool to do exactly that.

If you wish more sophisticated software for educational purposes, which also enables you to capture your screen, you’ll be better off with Camtasia Studio. However, this is not freeware.

You can upload videos from your own PC or use videos from a list of video channels supported by EDpuzzle, such as:

Youtube
National Geographic
Khan Academy
TED Ed

Functionalities EDpuzzle:

Crop video
Insert interrupts by adding questions to the video at certain intervals. Research has shown that people remember the information disseminated through videos better when they have to interact.
Add voice or sound
Assign video to class
Monitor progress
Use EDpuzzle videos on another platform (blog, LMS, website). However, you will use the interrupts and questions.

Some drawbacks I discovered when working with EDpuzzle:

There is no option to give feedback after students have answered the question unless you wish to give this in the voice-over. Though, the feedback will be the same for everyone.
How to rename a created video is not so obvious.
How to de-assigning (undo the action) a video which is assigned to a class is not so obvious.