Why Video Might Be My Favorite Classroom Tech Tool
Of all the tech tools out there, I think video might actually be my favorite. Itās fun, itās engaging, and unlike traditional lecture-style lessons it can make learning feel way more interactive. Thereās a video for almost everything these days, which makes it such a versatile resource in the classroom.
Videos can introduce new concepts, demonstrate experiments or processes, or provide visual examples of ideas that are usually hard to grasp. Theyāre also amazing for differentiated learning (which I personally benefit from!). Students can pause, rewind, and learn at their own pace. Plus, videos are perfect for a flipped classroom model. Students watch content at home and then dive deeper through discussion or projects in class. Even better, having students create their own videos is a super fun learning activity that supports creativity, ownership, and engagement. Win-win!
Our Stop Motion Project: A Tiny Seed, A Cute Flower, and A Lot of Photos
This week in class, we created our own stop motion videos, and it was honestly such a blast. After a quick brainstorming session, we jumped right in! The app we used was incredibly simple, and our group ended up making the sweetest little animation of a tiny seed growing into a flower. It turned out SO cute. We sketched out all the scenes on a whiteboard, snapped what felt like a million photos for each tiny movement, and then put everything together using Stop Motion Studio. We were having so much fun that we didnāt even realize how much time had passed.
Experiences like this remind me why I love project-based learning. In a classroom, Iād absolutely use stop motion as a tool for storytelling, illustrating processes (like plant life cycles!), or showcasing group projects. Itās hands-on, creative, collaborative, and gives students an awesome visual alternative to traditional writing assignments or presentations. Stop motion videos are seriously awesome, and I canāt wait to see how they turn out during our first In-Situ at Marysville Elementary.
Exploring Epic! Books: A Digital Library Worth Keeping
We also explored Epic! Books this week, and Iām officially adding it to my teacher toolkit. Itās an online reading platform with thousands of books, audiobooks, and videos for students from kindergarten all the way to grade 12. With Epic!, students get access to a curated digital library, while teachers can assign reading, track progress, and even create book collections tailored to topics or reading levels. Itās perfect for independent reading, literacy centers, or research projects. Although this is a paid subscription there is a free option for Educators (So keeping that in mind)
So I guess technology isnāt alllllll bad, especially when it supports learning in ways that feel meaningful and creative!