As a blended or fully online instructor, I can use edpuzzle to bring an authentic learning experience to my students. Edpuzzle is a simple, interactive learning tool that keeps students engaged with math content (or content of your choice) while learning basic concepts, for free. I can use edpuzzle for each of my students if the video is a short one. For teaching decimal place value, I chose a video that is three minutes in length. After watching a short segment about decimals, students were asked to answer a multiple choice question while the video was paused. The video resumed once students answered the question and received feedback either in red or green color indicating whether they got the correct answer or an incorrect answer. The correct answer was displayed as students moved forward with the video. Without this resource, I might ask students to answer comprehension questions as a lesson transpired, but edpuzzle allows this to happen visually with immediate feedback. As the instructor, I can choose to use the video as part of direct instruction, or I can assign the video for students to watch independently. Correct and incorrect answers are marked with colored indicators and a percentage revealed after each question is given. I find great value in the visual, graphic, nature of a simple edpuzzle. Edpuzzle enhances basic YouTube videos in an easy to use format for student use.
Keeping video engagement short is valuable to my teaching practice because my students engage in learning quickly and move on with their ideas even quicker. Herrington (2012, June 3) stated that students should be able to draw meaningful connections from authentic learning. Students can easily make connections in a short, graphic video that has embedded math questions and frequent pauses for answering questions. Meaningful connections can then be applied later, when the teacher discusses what was learned from the edpuzzle, in small groups. Herrington (2012, June 3) also stated that authentic learning consists of multiple perspectives, collaboration, and reflection. After using an edpuzzle, I can group students and have an authentic learning experience with them simply by asking them to discuss what happened when they did the edpuzzle. Students will discuss correct and incorrect answers, compare results, and questions each other while the teacher guides learning with vocabulary and correction of any misconceptions. I think of an edpuzzle as a great starter for learning any new concept in math.
The webpage, Minds in Bloom, lists many ways to incorporate project-based learning into a classroom. Lynette and Noack (2021) reminded readers that authentic project-based learning allows for student voice and choice for how they complete problems. Edpuzzle allows for students to solve math problems in a project-based learning activity. A basic video is shown with embedded questions. The questions are open-ended and require thoughtful responses. Once all questions are answered, an outline of correct answers leads students into a project that allows them flexibility for drawing results. In one case, students solved math problems by adding fractions, answered open-ended questions about the wrong answer choices, then got results that matched with art drawing directions to make a jackolantern art piece. Students then got to use their creativity to draw an image that brought their math learning to life in a new way. This was not only engaging, but required students to make meaning of math before creating a jackolantern with features that had meaning. I felt that this project was clever, challenging, and appropriate for 5th graders.
Finally, Eric Jensen (2011, November 4) reminds me that getting attention from the brain and keeping it is important for learning to continue. He mentioned that, “we need to get kids to care and buy in to learning” (Jensen, 2011). Edpuzzle can do this. Edpuzzle takes a basic instructional video and brings it up to a new level with pausing and questioning strategies. Also, given the options for video types (instructional, projects, etc.) edpuzzle can ignite brain reactions in a variety of ways. I think that the collaboration that happens discussing an edpuzzle after use is where the learning can be strengthened and grounded with vocabulary, concepts, and further understanding. Using edpuzzle, a 21st century teacher can fully embrace the role as facilitator for learning.
References
Herrington, J. (2012, June 3). Introduction: What is not authentic learning?. [Video].
YouTube.
Jensen, E. (2011, November 4). Jensenlearning. Brain based learning-Eric Jensen. [Video].
YouTube. https://youtu.be/HyYhoCqo58w
Lynette, R. & Noack, C. (2021). 5 tips for implementing authentic project-based learning.
Minds in bloom. 5 Tips for Implementing Authentic Project-Based Learning – Minds in Bloom (minds-in-bloom.com)
Reflections from Instructional Technology: Teaching the 21st Century Learner 