Post #3 - Technology (Flipgrid) and the Teacher-Librarian

 

Greetings Marvelous Mathematician Masters,   

I hope that this correspondence finds you well and that you are excited to begin a new week!  These first two weeks have been an adjustment as we all strive to provide our students with a world-class, quality education either remotely or in-person.  Are you in search of ways to efficiently integrate technology into your standards-based teaching without devoting hours of time listening to professional development session without being given practical suggestions on how to use it in your own classroom?  Many times, I find it difficult to find technology tools that cater to the needs of the mathematically minded (that are also engaging to students) but have no fear…. because Flipgrid is here! 

What is Flipgrid and how do I implement it in my math classroom, now?  Flipgrid is a free website that allows a teacher/user to facilitate discussions with his/her students.  Teachers can post a topic or question and students can respond with their own unique videos.  Worried about student safety?  Flipgrid generates a “join code and/or link” in which the teacher shares with students only.  Also, teachers control how students join and Flipgrid guarantees that your videos are safe and will never be distributed to 3^rd party sellers.   

How can you use this tool tomorrow, in your math class? Mr. Fahey’s Tech suggests 13 ways to enhance math lessons with Flip Grid!  My favorites are using Flipgird to share real-world math experiences, number talks, and find the mistake.  Check out this blog of creative and interactive ways to engage your mathematics scholars with Flipgrid at https://faheystech.blogspot.com/2017/06/flipgridmath.html.  Johnson (2012) states, “Technology is transforming not only access to information but also the skills needed to interact and utilize it as well” (p. 20).  You can also use Fripgrid with students in other classrooms (in your school, another school/district, or even abroad), to connect your students’ mathematical journey with other student scholars.  Additionally, we could host a "math bowl" using Flipgrid.  “It has become critical for the teacher librarian to partner with teachers to address the needs of the 21st century learner to equip them with the necessary skills needed in order to thrive and participate in a digital culture” (Johnson, 2016, p. 20).  

As always, I am always here to help and support you in anyway.  Please feel free to drop by the library at any time or contact me via email.  Thanks for all you do, and I look forward to seeing all of the amazing connections our scholar mathematicians make in their learning journey. 

Sincerely, 

Richelle Sexton 

References 

Fahey, S. J. (2017, June 11). 13 ways to enhance math lessons with Flipgrid. Mr.Fahey's

Tech. https://faheystech.blogspot.com/2017/06/flipgridmath.html

Johnston, M. P. (2012). Connecting teacher librarians for technology integration 

                        leadership. School Libraries Worldwide, 18(1), 18-33.