Enhancing Classroom Engagement: The Synergy of Sketchnoting and Flip

In today's modern educational landscape, it is essential to adopt innovative techniques that not only engage students but also cater to diverse learning styles. Sketchnoting, the practice of visually capturing ideas, and Flip, a platform for making fun, creative videos, complement each other and can significantly enhance student engagement in the classroom. This blog post explores how the integration of sketchnoting and Flip can promote active learning and supports English learners in accessing the curriculum.

Sketchnoting with paper and pencil enables students to actively process and visually represent key concepts. By sketching their understanding, students reinforce their learning, improve memory retention, and develop critical thinking skills. Sketchnoting encourages students to synthesize information, identify main ideas, and make connections between concepts. This hands-on approach fosters creativity and allows students to personalize their learning experience. Additionally, the sketchnoting process provides teachers with multiple opportunities to provide real-time, individualized feedback. These encounters lead to authentic, one-one-one teachable moments with a teacher and a student. These moments create a classroom culture where the teacher is not a sage on the stage, but a guide on the side.

The sketchnoting process done by a student in Mrs. Cruz' class in Central CA.

Once students have sketched their ideas, Flip becomes a powerful tool for transforming their static visual notes into dynamic video explanations. Using Flip's fun, creative tools, students can create engaging videos that explain complex concepts. This process encourages students to delve deeper into the subject matter, develop effective communication skills, and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the material. The combination of sketchnoting and Flip enables students to become active creators and presenters of their knowledge.

In addition, if the Flip topic is set for the class to see all the videos, a valuable digital citizenship opportunity is created. Students should be encouraged to leave positive feedback and ask clarifying questions on their classmates' videos. Building this positive habit with Flip can build similar habits when students engage in social media. 

Mrs. Cruz's students created trailers for their state reports.

For English learners, accessing the curriculum can be challenging due to language barriers. However, sketchnoting and Flip provide valuable support by offering a visual and interactive approach. Sketchnoting allows English learners to visually organize information, making it more accessible and easier to comprehend. The combination of images, icons, and keywords helps students develop vocabulary and language skills. Furthermore, Flip empowers English learners to create videos that convey their understanding, allowing them to practice language use in a meaningful context.

The integration of sketchnoting and Flip creates a powerful synergy in the classroom. By combining the benefits of paper and pencil sketching with the interactive and creative capabilities of Flip, students' engagement and understanding of key concepts are enhanced. This approach is particularly advantageous for English learners as it provides visual support and encourages language development. Educators can harness the potential of sketchnoting and Flip to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment, where students actively participate, showcase their creativity, and take ownership of their learning.

If you would like to bring me to your school for PD, workshops, a keynote, training or a follow-up on this or previous blogposts, click here to schedule an appointment to chat.

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.

The New Menu Search Bar in Google Docs

 

Google Docs has been a go-to platform for document creation, editing, and collaboration for millions of users across the globe. And now, with the new update that has added a Menu search bar in the toolbar across the top, it has become even easier to find features and functions without having to remember where everything is located.

This new update has been designed to save time and enhance productivity. With so many features and functions available in Google Docs, it can sometimes be overwhelming to find a particular tool, especially for new users. This is where the Menu search bar comes in handy. Now, instead of scrolling through various menus and sub-menus, users can simply type in what they're looking for in the search bar, and the platform will automatically display the relevant option.

For instance, let's say you want to add a hyperlink to your document, but you don't remember where the Header" option is located. With the Menu search bar, you can just type in "Header," and the option will appear in the search results. This feature makes it faster and easier to access the various tools and features within the platform, ultimately boosting productivity.

Another benefit of this update is that it can help users discover new features they may not have known existed. For example, if you're not aware of the new location of the "Explore" feature in Google Docs, you can simply search for it in the Menu search bar and learn more about how it can help you create better documents.

In conclusion, the addition of the Menu search bar in the Google Docs toolbar is a welcome update for users of all levels. It simplifies the process of finding tools and features, saves time, and enhances productivity. Whether you're a new or experienced user, this update is definitely worth exploring!

If you would like to bring me to your school for PD, workshops, a keynote, training or a follow-up on this or previous blogposts, click here to schedule an appointment to chat.

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.