The First Experiment

Testing the waters of middle school technology

With the first day of school upon us and classroom procedures the talk of the teachers lounge I made my first official flipped video.

It was stupid easy.

I walked my iPad around the band hall and outside and shot video. I then cut it in the iPad version of iMovie (I actually shot the video directly into iMovie). I added automatic theming and music and some text and was done. I did not say one word in the video.

I have to admit that I was nervous about hearing my own voice on video at this point.

Here is what I came up with. The idea was to make sure each student got the same information worded the same way and that they would understand what we are expecting of them. I also wanted them to be interested in it so it needed to be attention grabbing.

Here’s the link to this particular video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeIgKsz76-o

Keep in mind that I do teach middle school.

Every class paid attention. After the first 6th grade class I took a little poll. I asked them to point to the door we exit out of for a fire drill – they all did. I asked them to tell me what color the box is that they turn money in to. They all said grey.

How easy was that?!
Now I am really hooked.

Related Posts

  • Getting Started: What do I need to do first?Getting Started: What do I need to do first?     Use this guide to help you get started - keep in mind that it is just a guide! The fun thing about this type of classroom is that it is totally creative and can be […]
  • Be Your Own Co-Teacher!Be Your Own Co-Teacher! This is one of my first “virtual co-teacher” videos that I usually show during class time at the beginning of the year to beginners. Obviously the options are endless in this […]
  • Yes, you need Google Chrome! Google Chrome is an internet browser that flows beautifully with the other Google suite of helpful things and includes access to many useful apps! It is more than an internet explorer […]
  • Overcoming Your Technology AnxietiesOvercoming Your Technology Anxieties Anxiety about something new is normal ....and part of being a human being! Now, I'm talking about the kind of anxiety that just makes you uncomfortable, not anything more serious than […]
  • Basic Website Hosting and Getting StartedBasic Website Hosting and Getting StartedHow I got started This is not the “right way” to flip your class, but it is “a way” to flip your class. Please let me know how you have gotten started and what tools have been helpful […]
  • Using Sections in a Google Form to Assess Multiple GroupsUsing Sections in a Google Form to Assess Multiple Groups As teachers, we are CONSTANTLY assessing our students formally or informally. If you are a music teacher like I am, you are probably assessing multiple grade levels and/or instruments […]