#DigSciClass Archive
We will share how we use technology to make your science classroom even more awesome than it is already! We will share ways to flip, blend, differentiate, and motivate your students. While we will give lots of ideas and examples for science, you can use these ideas for any subject! You will get a ton of ideas, and even get some templates you can use!
Saturday July 30, 2016
Welcome to Please introduce yourself!
Welcome everyone! I'm Stacy Menifee & I teach 6th grade science in Richardson, TX.
Hi, I'm Pam Crump, adaptive curriculum teacher,Greensboro NC
I am Dr. James Wallace from The Learning Partnership in Toronto Canada
Dave Secondary Science teacher from the UK
I am Dr. James Wallace from the learning partnership in Toronto Canada
Christopher, from Kansas, Middle School science. I'm gonna lurk since I'm running a session at this same time
hey & Laura here from MD, HS chem teacher going to try and participate in both chats today
Welcome Pam! Thanks for joining us.
Kelley from Richardson, Texas Science Teacher and edtech lover!
Hi ! Barbara here - taught environmental science in NC for 10 years but now in DC.
Q1 Science Notebooks...toss out the glue! Why go digital? Favorite tools?
Don't forget to grow your PLN while you are here fellow gurus! :)
Hi, Diana, 2nd Gr Teacher in Plano, TX. : )
Thanks for multitasking with us today!
Hello from TX! I am a 6 grade science teacher. :)
Hi everyone. Im Mike from Hilton HS near Rochester NY. I teach HS Biology and AP Biology
A1 Students are more engaged. take pics & vids of labs. don't take nb home to grade!
Hello, I am a 7th grade science teacher in Katy TX
A1: Google Drive is great for the upper grades and for younger Ss.
I have been looking into merging two new trends to create Coding for Chemistry - thoughts?
A1 students start to make their digital footprint
A1 Would love to hear what tools you are using to create a digital science notebook...
A1 more...I love using the Pages app on ipads!
A1: The quality of Ss work increases when they can use technology.
A1 I am actually going back to hand written Science notebooks, but digital for everything else
I love that idea....gotta think on how to do it. but it would be awesome!
A2 allows for collaboration
Digital is more interactive. Canvas, kid blog. But I still make mini ISN too sometimes. https://t.co/hJ3kbVLXdF
Q1 Science Notebooks...toss out the glue! Why go digital? Favorite tools?
Me too. I like a mixture of both. https://t.co/3xQkuiydWO
A1 I am actually going back to hand written Science notebooks, but digital for everything else
Q2 How do/can you integrate traditional notebooks with digital content?
A1 I've used edmodo to let students share revision resources they've made
A1: I let my Ss use what they are most comfortable with - pages, docs, imovie. Notebook+ is a free app.
A1: One of the best parts of going digital is the increased ability to with other Ss, classes or even schools.
Have you guys used Blendspace? Great for blended learning.and notebooks too. lots of options there.
lets students podcast and submit a picture of their sci data experiment and post to a board
Right now I am thinking I will use paper interactive notebooks and digital portfolios to share work.
We are required to use it. But I like it I post online quizzes, discussions, use like blog too.
The other idea is to use the latest in curiosity based lesson planning for "Mad Science Mondays"
A2 I saw a cool paper table of contents. Ss write in the p# or dig page # to easily find later
kids making their own is great
A2: Foldables, content, reflections still in ntbk. Videos, sketchnotes are enhancements to what's in the ntbk.
A2 They could also make a QR code to put in paper NB to link to digital one!
I am going going to have students handwrite summaries and reflections on Stds but digital for all others
A2: last year I had students record data collected online & also rough drafts of lab conclusions/discussions
I am a blended classroom. I love it. Blendspace? Not yet but def will look into it. https://t.co/I6IOhxwQmZ
Have you guys used Blendspace? Great for blended learning.and notebooks too. lots of options there.
Have you tries letting them make short youtube videos even if they don't upload them to youtube
A2: It is important for Ss to record raw data in a paper notebook and then they can analyze, present & share it digitally.
i haven't heard of audioboom! going to check it out! thanks!
i like it! do you have resources for that? can i google it? :)
A2: I have them create mini ISN for units but reflect, blog post, even podcast with tech. https://t.co/DzkLBprB07
Q2 How do/can you integrate traditional notebooks with digital content?
yes! you know i love sketchnotes!
Q3 Have you switched or added digital science fair...no tri-folds?! Have you done it? Tips? Tricks?
Yes! if the digital format is new to Ss ... learning is lost on the processesing of new format https://t.co/HERC1RaRo1
A2: It is important for Ss to record raw data in a paper notebook and then they can analyze, present & share it digitally.
or maybe they could share them in padlet?
yes great for parent teacher
I love using QR codes so interactive and they can use their phones.
My kids love to present and love tech, can't wait to try podcasts and seesaw!
how about ss voice recorded lab summaries? add a link in there! adobe voice?
Ido not do science fair. But six other competitions including Future City and quiz bowls. https://t.co/guibsQzCYX
Q3 Have you switched or added digital science fair...no tri-folds?! Have you done it? Tips? Tricks?
or upload them to a secure website like edmodo that aren't publicly accessible
Hi! 6th grade Sci T from southern CA I am going to start year w/paper INB, hopefully switch to digital by end
it is also great for peer reviews different class doing the same lab did they get the same results more data more valid
I've looked at seesaw, but haven't used it yet.
A3: looking into having students create digital content to show mastery of topics this year
A3 Parents, Ss, and I love digital science fair. ss submit smore, google slides, on g clssrm. spreadsheet organizes!
A3: is a great resource. Allows Ss to add all content that would be on a board plus videos, charts, etc.
place class link to projects on a
With enough planning to ensure safety a curiosity-based, flipped science class is possible
A3: Yes! Use like or or student portfolio apps like .
A3 digital boards puts ss on more level playing field. tech looks good no matter what.
love the peer review idea. We plan on sharing our Cell Books on Canvas and peer reviewing. https://t.co/vjICzU85FG
it is also great for peer reviews different class doing the same lab did they get the same results more data more valid
Q4 How do you assess your classroom with technology? Favorite apps/methods?
Experimentation and learning from wins and almost-wins is at the heart of an independent mind
A4 google classroom, nearpod, edpuzzle, socrative- i mix it up!
It definitely takes planning, but the Ss get so much more from flipped/blended sci class.
A4: love and looking into using for but try to mix it up too!
with audioboom students would take a pic of their data and discuss what it means the use rubric to score it
A4: assess with Google Draw- "one pagers"
Adding scanable tech to SAE boards this year
Kahoot can be used informally
A4 trying a mix of Googleclassroom
A4: Survey your students! Also ratings & reviews is great for teacher approved resources.
I agree I am a blended class with a lot preloaded but a lot interactive in class Podcast notes https://t.co/fnsa7ReWjH
It definitely takes planning, but the Ss get so much more from flipped/blended sci class.
also pretty easy records screen and voice provides url to show results of lab partners post to a google doc
Love that idea! One Pagers are great but digital versions would be even better part of student portfolios
yes! i heart screencastomatic! great for my flipped vids also!
is great when Ss want to record projects like Minecraft that they do at home.
I use audioboom for our podcasts. Very kid friendly. https://t.co/DXO7oD31ia
with audioboom students would take a pic of their data and discuss what it means the use rubric to score it
Plus if there is an 'only grade right answers' approach they just can't resist trying to figure it out
Q5 Digital Science Notebooks...share your favorite apps/ideas/strategies!
a4 i adore quizizz. make custom memes. search for state assmt options also. make boring fun!
A4: If you love the try or .
Haven't seen Will need to check it out!
yes..these are good to make digital put questions in answergarden.ch
A5: I often tell my Ss that I need to see quality content in ISN before they can add digital component.
A5: Have students blog experiments with or .
are also great to text/email a link to parents to show their work parent involvement
. I agree totally. My Ss access from home most of the time for review.
Google forms canbe setup for digital lab reports
you rocked your chat! Such great resources! Thanks!
Q6 What apps or sites do your students prefer to use when collaborating?
A6: Ss thrive on Google docs, Kid Blog, and Canvas. They chat skype too. https://t.co/lb3CGbT6FQ
Q6 What apps or sites do your students prefer to use when collaborating?
A6: Google Slides for review. Give each table a topic & they create slides w/quiz question, whole class has access.
A6 love me some google classroom. baiboard is good, also padlet. i need to have them blog more!
It worked well. Just double check that it got them all ... seems like only 16 at a time get moved https://t.co/KRCUXEiIBE
what is baiboard? That is a new one to me!
For a more interdisciplinary approach linking physics and engineering in elementary go with
Congrats! We become better Ts when we share and learn from others!
collaborative whiteboard app basically. ss enter their group code. have to have to get in!
Thank you for leading a great chat. I enjoyed participating. Thank you everyone for awesome dig ideas
A6: is number 1, Aldo and sometimes
i will check it out! i heart interdisciplinary with a passion
A6: is #1. Also & sometimes for brainstorming ideas.
you're welcome! my partner in crime is w/ me i couldn't do it w/out her!
Q7 What are some ways that you have changed the way you present material/content?
A7 Just started flipping my class last year to give student more time to "do science" in class
A7 Blended Learning is huge. Make engaging vids. Make it interactive w/ hands-on and tech.
A7 - Whatever can be graded by computer is graded by a computer - Autograde is my BFF
a7 I've gone from all lecture and book to , virtual and real world labs, partial flipped. great time to be a T
A7 Also, Ss choice with tech. Tech also helps with differentiation.
i know. i couldn't go back if i tried..lol
A7: Flipped video for demo labs instead of doing it 3 times!
It's not good pulling out dated resources, resources that look good have more impact
A7: More of a Ss centered class, students are consistently engaging with the material & I am more of a facilitator.
I do that too, Love it. Can break up pre-lab lecture into just in time lecture
i know. science is changing all the time. no reason to go back. :) gotta keep Ss engaged!
The world is awesome! Sci should tap curiosity, not kill it.
I think the time of chalk and talk is past
A7 flipping gives me more time to help ss also. or if a substitute is there, time is not wasted.
A7 By flipping lower cognition content and reducing fluff ... More time to really integrate tech & time to reflect and connect
Could you imagine if we taught now the way we were taught?!?
ugh, I hated science class even when I loved science!
I used to use ppt and give notes. Now Ss watch a short vid or podcast. Much more hands on now https://t.co/wyUGzvA1Ps
Q7 What are some ways that you have changed the way you present material/content?
agree so much. if ss are bored in science, you are doing it wrong!
Q8 Back to school science class tip time! Share your favorite tips, strategies or projects!
A8 Start with your vision in mind and add tech to meet those ends, not the other way around https://t.co/gRulKqeIZJ
Q8 Back to school science class tip time! Share your favorite tips, strategies or projects!
love that idea. Science is all about curiosity and discrepant ideas and discovery. https://t.co/pORGDM4AYC
The world is awesome! Sci should tap curiosity, not kill it.
i remember my 6th grade class was sit and copy yellowed transparencies. ugh.
I remember doing lot's of copying, lot's of ts still do that though
my AP Bio class was highlight copies of the T lecture. I was fascinated, but bored to tears!
Makerspaces provide a great student centered venue. They help stock it and use it daily. https://t.co/6rmj1IDgpT
A7: More of a Ss centered class, students are consistently engaging with the material & I am more of a facilitator.
Start as you mean to go on, if you lessons are epic you get no behaviour problems
Totally agree. Copying seems so boxed in... Let Ss help decide how to learn. Less handouts. https://t.co/ghDzHp38bJ
I remember doing lot's of copying, lot's of ts still do that though
A8: Have fun w/safety rules. Students create memes for rules using mematic app or imovie!
Plato said the best teacher is a child at play, we are moving into something new, not less crucial but invisibly more effective
A8 not sci specific, but just learned about the chwazi app for picking ss groups! better than rock, paper,scissors!
A8 Whatever you do ... start small and slowly add on. Figure out what works first
A8: Let Ss use Minecraft when possible. It brings some out of their shells & they create great content!
. Awesome list. Future City, City of the Future, and National Science Bowl are my favorites I do yearly.
Thanks for joining us for and We hope you have a great school year!
Yes! My Ss are receptive to me trying & sometimes failing rather than constant sit & get.
