Everything explained… November 11, 2009
Posted by emcool in Chemistry, Chirp worthy, Earth Science, Physics.add a comment
Sal Khan deserves a gold medal in my books, or at least some large wooden plaque.
Sal is teaching the world using a YouTube channel, a tablet computer, and 15 minute videos explaining a slew of topics in chemistry, physics, and math. He is easy to listen to, goes at a reasonable pace, and explains science and math in layman’s terms. New videos are constantly being added to both his site and YouTube channel. I prefer to use the website, as I find the layout very simple and easy to browse topics.
Personally, I use Sal’s site to give me a rundown of topics I may be teaching. It would also be useful to pass along to students for extra reinforcement, or if students are absent for numerous days.
Here is Sal’s way to explain the mole (“just a number”!):
The Story of Stuff November 10, 2009
Posted by emcool in Ecosystems (Biomes), Energy transfer.Tags: consumer, environment
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The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
I will admit, it’s a little USA-centeric, but the key points are still good! I would not recommend this for an ESL class, as the narration is very fast-paced.
Random seating November 10, 2009
Posted by emcool in Chirp worthy.Tags: management, seating
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I can’t take credit for this idea, or even being the one to find it, but it is definitely chrip-worthy!
As students enter the classroom, they pick up a number from a beaker. Each number corresponds to a specific seat, and that is the seat the student takes for the day! I love this idea because it mixes up the kids in the front versus the kids in the back, expands partner interaction beyond just their friend sitting next to them, and creates more of a whole class community. I think it would also be a useful classroom managment tool for an especially rowdy room. (I think this would work best if you started it off the first day.)
emcool
shaunf
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