Screencast-o-matic<\/a>, a Google Chrome App.<\/span><\/p>\n The fifth graders were immediately intrigued and interested in trying this tool with their PLPs. Later that week, the same student taught the class and his teacher how to use Screencast-o-matic. <\/span><\/p>\nThe results were dramatic: there was instantly more investment, more engagement and more fun around the student PLP process. <\/span><\/p>\nA different mode of reflection creates engagement
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Part of the appeal of screencasting is that students are involved in a different style of reflection. When speaking about the benefits, sixth grader Drew Engard said, <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cYou are able to be more interactive. You are able to keep practicing.\u201d <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nStudents can include images, video, and music to make the PLP reflect their own interests and passions. \u201cYou need to have pictures of what you like and pictures of your work,\u201d one student said. Many students in the class reflected that the ability to do reflection with technology is preferable to pen and paper tasks. Most importantly, the ability to personalize is key for these kids. Student Calvin Parent said, <\/span><\/p>\n\u201cMaking the presentation is fun…you make your own colors and backgrounds. It was more interesting and you wanted to do it instead of doing what you would normally do.\u201d <\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\nScreencasting to lower anxiety at student-led conferences<\/h2>\n
These sixth graders, like many in Vermont, participate in student-led conferences. <\/span><\/p>\nOne common advantage these kids identified\u00a0is that when they recorded screencasts, they felt more comfortable in their parent conferences. Students enjoyed the ability to practice, redo, and fix mistakes in a recording. Preparing a PLP reflection in screencasting format allowed these young adults to breathe a little easier in front of their parents and teachers. <\/span><\/p>\nAs a parent, I find it surprising to learn that kids are nervous in front of us. But it was unanimously true that kids expressed anxiety around student-led conferences. According to them, having a recorded screencast made them feel safe, prepared, and comfortable.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nWhat does a PLP screencast look like?<\/h2>\n
Listen to this presentation by Lou to understand her level of ease.<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"screencasting](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/techrescue.jpg\")
Sixth graders at The Dorset School in southern Vermont are in their second year of working with Personal Learning Plans (PLPs). These exuberant adolescents have fond memories of one experience. Last year, these students were paired with teacher Amanda Thomas. Mid-way through the year of working with her students on PLPs, Mrs. Thomas realized that their PLP work was falling flat; she had to do more to involve them.<\/p>\n![\"screencasting](\"http:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_5759-300x225.jpg\")
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