Explain Your Thinking with InsertLearning

Last year, I read a blog post by Kasey Bell titled "4 Ways to Blend Learning with InsertLearning." As Kasey describes it, "InsertLearning is an extension that lets you turn websites into interactive lessons, and it is the perfect companion to your blended learning lesson plans."

I decided to try using InsertLearning this week with my students. In order to create lessons, you need to install the Chrome extension. (Students will also need to add the extension.) Once you have installed it, you can use the extension to create a learning activity using a website of your choice.

For this activity, I wanted students to learn some basic facts about the Roanoke Colony, and I also wanted them to explain their thinking as they read an informational text. I found an article on the website Ducksters. One cool feature of InsertLearning is that it allows you to add a video to the webpage, so I added a funny video from MrBettsClass. You can paste the embed code onto a sticky note, so the video shows up on the page!

There is a toolbar on the lefthand side that allows you to create the activity that best meets your learning goals. I wanted my students to read and use the highlight and comment features to explain their thinking as they read. Here are the directions I created for them to use:

One great part about InsertLearning is that, now that it is integrated with Google Classroom, it is super easy to share it with your students! Just click the Google Classroom icon, and you can easily add it as an assignment!

I'm really excited to read my students' thoughts and to see how they utilized the emoji tool!

Have you tried using InsertLearning in your classroom? I would love to hear your experience!

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