Tutor and Teacher Educational Resources

Whether or not you are into Apple, you might be interested in this iTunes app that offers free educational resources, from books and videos to complete academic lectures and courses.  According to Speirs.org, universities and K-12 schools can sign up to create complete academic courses. But anyone is able to access the free educational content.

Teachers can create iTunes U courses and apps for their students

In her Teaching with Technology blog, Tina Coffey talks about how the Boyne City schools have been using iTunes U and iPads to create courses and apps for their students. Upnorthlive has a news clip about the school. The students say these apps have made homework much easier for them. They have access to a video of their teacher explaining the homework and they can view it as many times as they need to. The online courses have books, powerpoints, and videos so the students have access to different resources that enhance their learning.

And, important to note for school and classroom budgets, the Boyne City school says (in the video linked above) they’ve saved $12,000. This is by not having to use as much print material anymore.

iTunes U can teach students about self-awareness and focus, when the teacher isn’t there

Learningworksforkids.com explains that, using iTunes U requires students to rely a bit less on the teacher or classroom structure. Instead they need to depend more on their ability to access knowledge through the online education tools they are given. This would be an important asset for homeschoolers or anyone who wants to learn a subject without the formality of ‘going to school.’

As one private school in Lebanon pointed out, they first developed iTunes U courses to help students who were too ill to come to school. This way, they could keep up with classwork online. Eventually, the program was so successful to student learning, the school got rid of textbooks altogether. Now, all hired teachers MUST work with the iTunes U platform. And all kids have iPads.

When left alone with iTunes U, students need to learn to focus on the task at hand. From the experience of the students at the Boyne City schools, the courses and apps created by their teachers are motivating enough for them to get invested in the online content. This may be because the delivery of the content is more modern. Some may even argue that using technology in the classroom makes subjects more engaging and relevant.

The LearningWorks for Kids page linked to above also says that students may develop more self-awareness by using iTunes U. Because of the variety of content students have access to, their sense of self is enhanced as they explore various subjects in different formats. Through iTunes U, students are enabled to learn more about their interests as they have access to a broad range of learning tools (books, videos, games, lectures). This is, of course, in the context of learning for interest’s sake. Or, it can be thought of as a way to let kids direct their own schooling based on what inspires their imagination. With teacher supervision, of course.

iTunes U can be used as a tool alongside traditional teaching tools

Psychologytoday.com gives 5 reasons why iPads in particular should not be used in classrooms. Some have to do with screen time and reading. And some teachers may agree that reading on an iPad can never replace a book. Or that handwriting cannot be replaced by typing. Nowadays technology is so prevalent and advanced though, that many would argue technology does improve education.

We’ve written on these types of topics on our blog before, and encourage you to delve into them for more on the subject. Clearly, the idea of technology in the classroom is a new one (relatively speaking). We can find arguments on both sides of the ‘camp.’ Here are some of our blog posts to check out:

• Should kids still learn cursive writing?
• Focus on kid’s health: kids staring at a screen while studying in the dark can be harmful
• How much is too much screen time?
• 5 pros and cons of social media in the classroom
• Ditch the computer and head outdoors: why Waldorf Education may be for your child
• Why kids should learn how to code

Moving on, however…

The great thing about iTunes U is that the teacher is still in control. In this article, BBC Active talks about the Enfield County School and how they have incorporated the use of iPads in their lessons. Thus, you can decide whether to use iTunes U as your main teaching tool. Or you can stick to your traditional teaching ways and use iTunes U as a secondary aid.

Use iTunes U as a tool for your flipped classroom model

If you do think iTunes U would be a good teaching tool for your students, you’ll want to also check out our blog post on the flipped classroom model. iTunes U certainly falls straight into the model and benefits of the flipped classroom approach. In short, this technology-based teaching method gives students their ‘learning time’ outside class, and their ‘activity time’ in the classroom. According to the private school in Lebanon mentioned above,

This is the real learning experience. When students share and collaborate with one another they enhance their ways of thinking and improve their logical progression. This opens their minds to alternate aspects of a situation or an idea, and that is how higher orders of thinking become possible.

Plus, the school mentions another benefit of using iTunes U and a flipped classroom approach – it allows teachers to collaborate on lesson plans, for more input on the material itself. This is because an iTunes U course can have up to 5 collaborators. In a school setting with professional development workshops, this can be a great asset and organization tool. It can ensure that communication between faculties is received and incorporated into the instruction across classrooms.

There may be some downsides to using iTunes U in the classroom (such as those outlined by the article from Psychology Today). However, there are a number of benefits that seem to have worked positively for those who have used it. So it may be worth giving iTunes U a try!

Check out these related titles on our education blog!

• 5 Educational apps for kids that enhance learning
• 5 Educational Apps for Teenagers
• Top educational websites for homework help
• Great Resources for Tutors on iTunes U for Elementary School Kids

In the average Canadian classroom the teacher is always the focus. Students sit, listen, and take notes. Then they go home to do the assigned homework. There are group projects which aim to help students apply major themes learned in a given amount of school time. But for the most part, learning is done individually.

A new take on this traditional classroom setup emerged in 2007 and has been used by several schools and universities to date. The flipped classroom approach shifts the teacher-centered classroom and puts students more in charge of their own learning. It does this by making the teacher led aspect of the classroom (the instruction or lecture) available online. Then students do their homework in the classroom.

Where did the flipped classroom model emerge?

According to an infographic made by knewton.com, two Colorado high school teachers (Jonathan Bergman and Adam Sams) found out how to record power point presentations. So they started recording their lectures. They then made them available online for students who missed their classes. The idea of online lectures began to spread. Bergman and Sams started to share their online method with other teachers around the country.

How does a flipped classroom work?

In a flipped classroom, the teacher creates a video (or presentation with a voiceover) about the content they want their students to learn. The teacher makes it accessible online and students watch the content at home before class. Then they come to class and engage in a group workshop to apply the skills learned in the lecture.

In the classroom, they can ask questions about the lecture material and actively apply their learned skills through exercises, projects, presentations, and other engaging and interactive classroom activities.

Why flip a classroom?

Active learning

According to educause.edu the flipped classroom model helps classrooms focus on active learning. So instead of students listening to instructions for most of their classroom time, they become responsible for arranging their own time and place to listen to the lecture online.

When they come back to the classroom, they are actively engaged in doing exercises and projects https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli7081.pdf related to the instructions they heard online. This aspect of the flipped classroom model can be quite interactive between the teacher and other students. So it may help students learn in a deeper way by encouraging them to actively get into the material they are learning.

Technology

The fact that students nowadays are fully immersed in the digital world can make the flipped classroom approach quite appealing to them. According to the article link above, there are several advantages to reversing lecture content outside the classroom and delivering it online:

• Students are able to access the content on their own time.
• They can stop the lecture when they need to and listen to it again.
• They can take notes at their own pace.
• It can be a great tool for students with disabilities.
• It can be a great tool for students whose native language is not English.

According to ascd.org, although there isn’t much research into this innovative approach, there have been teacher surveys and other non-scientific data that demonstrate many other benefits the flipped classroom model offers. Here are ten published results that further support the benefits of flipping classrooms:

http://www.flippedclassroomworkshop.com/results-studies-supporting-benefits-of-flipped-classroom/

Teachers anywhere can ‘flip’ their classrooms nowadays!

Sound interesting? There are aspects of this model that can be applied in your classroom if you are not ready to “flip it” right away. You could include more in-class exercises and interactive projects to encourage a deeper and motivated learning of the material presented. You could also assign a few in-class sessions to make sure students are doing well with their assigned homework. It is not that hard to flip your own classroom though! Check out this site that tells you just how you can take on this approach: http://flippedinstitute.org/how-to-flip.

As much as our culture preaches to ‘live in the moment,’ it’s important we balance that sentiment by engaging with our rich history. Teaching kids about our history is important because our present day is a direct result of it.

Stonehenge exists as a blatant reminder that our existence is pre-dated by a world much different than ours. Using the monument of Stonehenge is a great way to open the door on conversations about our history with your child! Here are tips to get you started when teaching kids about Stonehenge.

What is Stonehenge?

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument existing on an entire landscape of ceremonial monuments. It is located in Wiltshire, England where its construction dates back nearly 5000 years. Some of the stones weigh up to 30 tons! Ask your child how they would move a stone so large without a truck or train!

Kids learning ancient architecture with Stonehenge

Stonehenge is considered to be architecturally sophisticated for its time. The stones are arranged with interlocking joints, something that is non-existent in any other prehistoric monument. And so the mystery begins.

There isn’t any concrete evidence of the purpose for building Stonehenge. When it comes to teaching your child history, sometimes it’s best to analyze many different theories and ask them why or why not that theory may be right. Here is a great documentary suitable for kids about Stonehenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP2DlTwQuIY

Learn about solstices using Stonehenge

Today, one of Stonehenge’s most popular reasons for relevance, is its alignment with the sun. And by sun, we mean the changing seasons: the summer and winter solstices.

Here is a resource for building your own Stonehenge so your child can understand how it relates to the sun’s patterns.

Perhaps Stonehenge is how our ancestors observed the patterns of the sun? Maybe planting the seeds of what would become our calendar? These are questions and possibilities you can discuss with your child. After all, the calendar didn’t just ‘appear,’ it was developed based on a stream of acquired knowledge throughout the ages.

History as an opportunity to learn

Stonehenge, like any historical monument, is meant to act as an invitation to learn. Take the time to dig a little deeper with your child. Help them realize that the ground they walk on today was inhabited by many before them. Monuments like Stonehenge are a way we can discover a tiny piece of what life might have been like in the past.

If you don’t know where to start with teaching children history, we wrote a previous blog on Khan Academy— a great resource for finding kid-friendly history lessons! Here’s their resource for children learning about Stonehenge:

Finally, here is inspiration for a stonehenge lesson plan, so you and your private tutor can get a head start!

Learning multiplication tables. It’s almost like a rite of passage for children. If your child hasn’t yet come across time tables in their curriculum, you can bet they are coming!

Like our article on ways to memorize the periodic table, here are a few tips for learning times tables so your child won’t feel overwhelmed or confused when testing time comes.

1) Make a daily commitment

As it goes for learning any subject, cramming never really works. As soon as your child brings home their first times table task, you should begin regular daily practice. When you’re driving in the car, at the dinner table (a quick round will do!), or doing chores around the house– do a run through with your child! By making small daily commitments, your child will eventually get faster and more competent at memorizing them.

2) Repeat, repeat, repeat!

Since the majority of learning multiplication tables comes down to memorization, repetition is key. Yes, we mean the drills. Or mad-minutes, or whatever you remember them as. There is a reason this method has stuck around for so long– it’s effective! Here’s where you can create and print your very own multiplication worksheets for your child.

Also, see this article on our blog about photographic memory and helping to develop memorization skills.

3) Make it fun

Interactive online games for times tables might be what incentives your child needs to learn multiplication. Here are two sources where you can find a variety of multiplication games:

• Topmarks.co.uk
• TimesTables.com

4) Strategize

If the above methods haven’t worked, there are a couple of unique strategies you can use for learning times tables. And, keep a note that different kids may learn differently, which is why as tutors and teachers, we can use methods that focus on their learning styles. Read these two blogs on our site that discuss this in more detail:

• How Parents and Tutors Can Help Children Recognize Their Learning Styles
• Math Tutoring Tips for Children with Different Learning Styles

First, you can use music. Music is known to benefit brain function, so why not try it as a platform for multiplication? Interchange the lyrics of a familiar tune (ie; Happy Birthday or B-I-N-G-O) with numbers and sing away!

Also see on our blog:

• How music heals students
• Benefits of teaching kids music at an early age

Second, you can actually use your hands for multiplication. Although the practicality of this may be questionable, it’s still amazing how the numbers work out every time. Check out this cool step-by-step to learn how to multiply numbers 6-10!

Get those tables turning!

Teaching your child multiplication tables should be as easy as following the tips above. Chemistry or trigonometry might not be life-applicable for everyone after grade school, but learning how to multiply is a life skill your child will undoubtedly use in the future. It’s 10×10% the truth!