Personalize Learning with Screencastify

One tool that helped me make the shift to creating a blended learning environment and personalizing learning for students is the screencasting tool Screencastify. I will be evaluating this tool as part of my learning through the ISTE Certification process.


1) How would you model this tool for colleagues?

One way that I modeled how to use this for colleagues recently was to create a choice board that allowed them to explore different ways the tool could be used in the classroom and then apply that learning by making a video. The choice board included a "Start" space with an introductory video, and then educators could choose the resources that they wanted to explore. As they explored, they shared some of their favorite ideas on a Padlet board. Their final task was to choose how they wanted to apply their new knowledge by creating a video using Screencastify and sharing that on our Padlet board, also.

As a follow up, I would also like to have the Tech Leaders use their video at their campus and bring the feedback back to the larger group. This would allow us to share ideas that worked, and we could brainstorm ways to improve videos that need a little work.

2) How would you investigate this tool collaboratively with students?

Educators could create a similar choice board to introduce the tool to students. Students could practice making videos, and then they could share the videos. They could also share ideas for best practices when making videos. They could curate all the ideas in a shared space so that they are learning together. 3) How might you use this tool to promote digital citizenship OR empower student learning?

This could be used to empower student learning by using it as a "flipped learning" tool. Educators can record any direct instruction lessons, and then they can share these in a place accessible to students (such as a Google Classroom). Students are then able to control the pace at which they learn because they can stop, pause, and rewatch lessons.

This tool can also be used to promote digital citizenship when used by students to create artifacts of the learning. Students can share the videos, and then they can comment and give feedback to their classmates. This will allow educators to support students as they learn to behave respectfully in digital spaces. 4) How might this tool transform your work with colleagues and/or students?
This tool could transform my work with colleagues because I can use it to create self-paced learning modules for the teachers I support. This will empower educators to start making decisions about their own Professional Development. It will also serve as a model for them so they see how they can utilize the tool in their own classroom to create blended learning environments. They can use the videos they create in models such as Station Rotation so that they can spend their time in the classroom working with students in small groups or having one-on-one conferences.
5) Which ISTE Standard(s) might be met by its use?

1(a): Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself to improve learning outcomes.

Students can create videos in which they reflect on their learning on a topic or project. They can include these videos, along with their projects, on a digital portfolio.

1(c): Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

Students can use Screencastify to create projects that demonstrate their learning, such as newscasts, simulations, and "how-to" explainer videos.



Have you tried using Screencastify in your classroom? I would love to hear your ideas!