Explore Tools
EXPLORE: The purpose for the explore stage is to get students further involved in the topic - not just interested as in the engage station. We provide them with a chance to build their own understanding. Possibilities:
In the exploration stage the students have the opportunity to get directly involved with phenomena and materials.
As they work together in teams, students build a set of common experiences which prompts sharing and communicating.
The teacher acts as a facilitator, providing materials and guiding the students' focus.
The students' inquiry process drives the instruction during an exploration.
Emphasis is placed on: Questioning, Data Analysis and Critical Thinking.
Film clips, readings, online information, etc. help students explore new topics on their own. Through self-designed or guided exploration students make hypotheses, test their own predictions, and draw their own conclusions.
~adapted from NASA https://nasaeclips.arc.nasa.gov/teachertoolbox/the5e
Online Reading Tools/Articles
Film Tools
Newsela: current events at different reading levels, teachers can embed questions and deeper thinking to help students explore and connect to a topic. Note - you must have a student or teacher account to explore articles. EXAMPLE - Go to this link to "practice" a Newsela assignment as a student - click on the "Write" and "Quiz" features and note how you can change reading level. (You will have to sign up to see all the features.)
Actively Learn: upload your own readings, articles, etc. and embed questions, YouTube videos, teacher comments, etc. to guide students through the reading and help them focus on certain aspects. EXAMPLE - Click here to practice an Actively Learn interactive reading as a student. You will need an account - you can create it with your Google account. Use the class code: d7454
Engaging Readings: you may or may not have access to high quality textbooks but there are many other quality places you can find readings for students. EXAMPLE -Check out this Livebinder of resources and this curated set of "Science Websites for Students" determine one that might work for your lesson. NOTE: in the Livebinder use the gray tabs to scroll to different reading sites!
YouTube: students and teachers alike love YouTube - however, evaluation of the videos is important. EXAMPLE - Check out the science YouTube Channels in this Livebinder to find some high quality videos and video clips. NOTE: use the gray tabs to scroll through different YouTube channels
PlayPosit and EdPuzzle - these tools allows you to embed a video and make it interactive for students. Add in questions, additional comment, discussion, etc. to help guide students in their exploration. EXAMPLE - Click here to try out PlayPosit as a student. Play the video to see what types of questions/interactivity can be added to a video.
TED-Ed: use TED talks or other videos and upload them into Ted-Ed then add discussion, multiple-choice questions, additional content, etc. to help students explore. EXAMPLE - Click here to try out TED-Ed as a student. Try out the "Watch" then "Think" then "Dig Deeper" then "Discuss"
Quality Video Sites: there are many places online to find quality videos/films for your content. EXAMPLE - PBS Learning Media high school science list Which one of these videos would you use? Your future school may also subscribe to Discovery Education which can be helpful.
Create your Own Films: also useful for edTPA practice! Use iMovie or WeVideo or Photos App (Windows 10)
iMovie edTPA Directions
Guided Online Simulations, Labs, Activities, Etc.
Student Searching Tips/Tools
Nearpod and Peardeck - create or copy and edit existing content - slides, videos, virtual reality toors, quizzing, interactions, graphics, and more - these interactive content sessions can be run asynchronously or synchronously.
TES Blendspace: use Blendspace to merge a series of online content and guide how students explore the content. You can find existing Blendspaces or create your own that walk students through resources you think are important. A great activity for centers/stations, homework, or independent time while you are working with other students. EXAMPLE - Check out this Blendspace to see how it works as a student. Click the "PLAY" button at the top (if you have trouble, try logging in with Google).
Google Forms: use Google Forms to help students keep track of data as they explore, to take "notes" as they explore, etc. EXAMPLE - Check out how this teacher uses Google Forms. Click here for how the author of Ditch that Textbook recommends using Google Forms. You can even send students a copy of what they submitted to the Google Forms using this cool add-on.
Student Research and Inquiry: assigning students to find their own answers online can be a great assignment but more guidance will = better results. Consider teaching students how to research well and guiding them to better sources. EXAMPLE - check out the tools below and think about how students could use them.
Tools to Compile Online Resources for Students:
Student Research Tips:
NC Wise Owl - access in schools or at home with the password wiseowl20
Tools To Guide Research:
Note-Taking Tools- set up a template in GDocs and then students can fill out a form and get their notes back in Google Drive. Note-Taking Templates here!