Dragonfly TV: Science Videos

Dragonfly TV can show you how videos can enhance your science units, and help students discover how science is an integral part of their areas of interest.  The site is full of short, informative videos hosted by kids investigating scientific principles.


Your students can spend a few minutes watching the kid hosts perform scientific discoveries in a wide range of exciting topics such as sports, kites, water slides, rollercoasters, weather, animals, motorcross racing, tug-of-war, etc.  The kid hosts ask questions about these topics, and work to find the answers.  Where can you find the best ocean waves for surfing?  Which is a better navigation tool:  GPS or a map and compass?  How can you make your own lip gloss and lotion?  These are the sorts of questions tackled in each video.


If you have a weather unit, or one on force and motion, ecology, biology, and others, consider adding a few of these videos to a computer center, or display them for a whole-class viewing.  Each video helpfully provides a springboard of other areas of study related to the topic, areas worth further investigation by your students.


There are also tons of experiments performed on Dragonfly TV, all of which could be integrated into your lessons or used as inspiration for a science project.


There are even interviews with actual scientists, people who do everything from design space suits, research chimpanzees, design Nascar vehicles, and tons of other things.  


Several games are on the site, like one that allows children to breed dogs for specific genetic traits.


Don't forget to check out the printable 'zines, which are filled with activities and fun experiments.


Dragonfly TV is part of PBSKids, which is always a good thing in my book.  Visit the site and tell me what you think!

Cooperative Learning: Numbered Heads Together

If you are looking for a way to have students work in small groups, have accountability for participation during a class discussion, and generate oral responses after being given time to think, perhaps you'll be interested in a cooperative learning strategy known as "numbered heads together."

I won't take the time to explain the process because it is done so well in these two videos.  The first video describes exactly what the activity is.  The second video puts it into practice during an elementary class discussion.






I like this strategy because cooperative learning is important for students, and having a few moments to think of the answers to their questions is certainly helpful, as opposed to expecting an immediate answer and faltering when students cannot provide one.  There are times in group discussions when some quiet or reluctant students allow others to take control of the activity, but numbered heads together is a good way to ensure that you get responses from all students.  I also like that the first video stresses the importance of active listening during the activity, as students who are waiting to respond must hear and think about another student's answer before deciding to clarify, add to or contradict that response.

Discussion, thinking, listening and participation are all integral parts of this cooperative learning strategy.  It could also be used in several subjects and for various grade levels.

If you try it out, let me know how you like it!

Video: Teacher 'Flips' Classroom Methods

In this clip, a teacher shows how he flipped traditional teaching methods.  Instead of introducing science concepts and lecturing in class, he does it all by video, which kids watch at home.  In class, they do what is normally saved for homework and extra practice:  apply what they learned at home.

It's called a "flipped" classroom, and he says it's been successful for his students.  What do you think?

Inspiring Video: Calculus Class

Check out this Edutopia video of a calculus teacher who motivates his students to learn and succeed.