As Mr. Pettingill and Mr. Wymore discuss in the video, learning can go high-tech by using ELMOs, or completely “no-tech” with an activity as simple as doodling.

Since both gentlemen teach art classes, they find the use of ELMOs (Electronic Light-Modulated Overheads) helpful in allowing students to show their artwork to the class. By placing the artwork on a TV screen – removing it from the students’ hands and giving them a different perspective – it allows the “artist” to see his or her work more objectively, offering the opportunity for self analysis. The students have the opportunity to explain their work, while the class is invited to provide constructive criticism.

As I was talking about this with the teachers, I noticed that one teacher had drawn my portrait while I made my presentation. As a visual learner, doodling while I was speaking helped him link the content I was presenting with a visual reminder of the seminar. He could revisit this sketch at a later time, helping him recall the material we’d learned by linking the drawing with his “verbal memory” that came from listening.

As teachers, we often assume that doodling in class is “bad,” indicating that students aren’t listening to the material being taught. However, for visual learners, doodling can be that extra nudge that helps them in memorizing the material. Try this: let the doodlers in your class know that it’s OK to draw in their notebooks – but only if their doodles are related to the material being presented. After a period of time, do a “notebook check” – ask them what different drawings mean, or what was being taught when they created the doodle.

By taking what can be seen as a negative and turning it around into a positive, you can not only gain the trust of your students – but, by working with the students’ strengths, you can enhance learning and memory on multiple levels. Create a win-win situation!

An easy way for teachers, students, and parents to stay connected is through the teacher’s website. Teachers can post classroom information, homework assignments, school news; whatever the teacher wants parents and students to know. If a student is absent, that student can check the website and get their assignments and be prepared when they return to class. Most teacher websites also include a link to the teacher’s email address which makes communication easier.

Many school districts already offer web pages to their teachers, but I learned this summer that this isn’t always the case. Some districts limit the information and formatting options available to teachers and not all districts provide ways for students to interact in their classroom experience via the internet.

A Web Presence for your Classroom

If you need a place to set up a web presence for your classroom, or you’re looking for more versatility than your district provides, check out the options listed below.

For example, I’m researching tools, techniques and resources to teach vocabulary. I searched the word, “vocabulary” on Teachnology and found a video and several other links to vocabulary teaching tools and ideas. The site encourages membership, however, there are free tips available, also.

All grade levels and subjects are included and there are ideas for a variety of teaching and learning styles. Best of all, much of the available content is offered free of charge. Check out Teachnology today!

Visual

Quack! SAT Vocab Success!
This educational video set has earned high praise for it’s ability to blend an irreverent sense of humor with an “educational assisting program designed to beef up students’ language skills before taking the SAT test.” ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Auditory

Who hasn’t had a song stuck in their head, at one time or another? Using the naturally catchy nature of tunes to have your students leaving your classes humming the answers to next weeks test seems to sell itself. The following are a couple of links that offer educational songs for download. There are songs for all grade levels as well as subjects.

SongsForTeaching.com

HaveFunTeaching.com

KidsKnowIt.com

Kinesthetic

The following was an idea suggested to me by Megan Taylor of Ozark, MO, as a method for getting physical learners to take hold of abstract ideas. kinesthetic spelling: Use your body as the letters on the line. For example: “Political” – P-stand, o-sit, l-stand, i-sit, t-stand, i-sit, c-sit, a-sit, l-stand. When an entire class spells out a word and performs this, it also adds a visual and auditory dimension to the idea.