Quizlet as a Study Tool

What is Quizlet?

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It's even better and more mobile than superman himself! It is Quizlet!

Quizlet is another app that seems like it has been around ever since I knew what an app was. It is also another app that is always relative in and out of the classroom, for all grades, and all ages. Quizlet is also a very effective way to study. It is also a classic tool used by teachers and students alike to study or review for a test.

Quizlet, has changed and made a whole new meaning when it comes to flash cards. Much like everything else these days, flash cards are now digital! While I am personally a huge fan and believer in re-writing materials/notes or making your own flash cards to study with, this is one app that I completely support.

Quizlet is an app that allows you to make flash card sets. It has made studying an on the go and convenient trend. You can access your flash card set from the website or from the app. So, you can literally study from anywhere! In the car, on a plane, or in between classes; your flashcards are ready and available for studying! The app has also made improvements and huge changes since it first came out and now it is incredibly engaging with its users.

How Do I Sign Up and Use Quizlet?
Here we go again signing our life away and giving the details of our lives to the internet! If you know ow to sign up for any other type of app or program, Quizlet is no different. Although, it does give you the option to sign in with a Google or Facebook account. This is a new feature that apps have upgraded to and have been offering. If you already have a google account, I would suggest using that for your account for Quizlet because it uses the same login and password. As we all know, signing up and trying to keep up with usernames and passwords, is just too much to handle sometimes, so why not make it easier for yourself?

If you do not want to sign up for Quizlet with either Facebook or Google, you can go through the sign up process on the computer or through the app. Even if you do not sign up for an account, you have the option to create a set, but you will not have access to the other many features the website offers.

Quizlet has expanded its website, features, and tools since I began using it. Features Quizlet provides: diagrams, flash cards, folders, classes, games, pronunciation help, night time version, shareable, spelling, writing, and tests. Quizlet tries its best to be accessible for all users. It also accommodates all learning types and styles by all the varieties it offers for you to study.

A brand new feature that I want to talk about, is the diagram one. I had not seen this until today and I wish it was an option a long time ago. I selected the diagram link on the website and it took me to the page with different topics and kinds of diagrams. I chose the diagram of the heart. The diagram had all the details of what an actual heart looks like and had all the parts labelled.

After skimming and reviewing my knowledge on the human heart, I pressed the matching option. It gave me about five different areas to match. It circled the area that I was to name and on the side were my options. It was honestly one of the most coolest and fascinating things I have done online. If I had to know the parts of the heart, I would definitely use this new feature on the app.

You can create folders on Quizlet. For example, I have an environmental science folder. So, whenever I made a new chapter set, I put it in that folder to keep them all together. That way, I later do not have to search all around my other sets to find a certain topic. They will all just be right there, conveniently placed.

Games is a huge feature on Quizlet and probably my second favorite part of the app. My favorite one to do is the matching one. You have to match the term to the description while you also try to improve how fast you pair them up. Another game, is the space one. I have not had much experience with it, but I am sure it is also helpful for reviewing.

When looking at your flash cards, you also have the option to listen to them. Their is an audio portion that will repeat the word for you. This helps in practicing fluency and pronunciation. It is also a great thing when teaching or learning a foreign language.

Quizlet allows you to share your sets. They make it very easy to share. You can send the link to your friends so they can use the set. You can share it through you gmail account if you are hooked up with Google accounts. You can also share with your classroom by giving them a code to access the folder.

Quizlet has the option for a pro account. If you decide to upgrade to the pro account, it does allow even more special features. One example, is that it includes a night time feature. So, if you are laying in bed and want to study, Quizlet has not made it easier to do so!

The most known features and uses for Quizlet are the flash cards and the tests. Obviously, Quizlet is for the usage of flash cards. On these flash cards, you can hear the word pronounced, edit them, or star them. Starring a card means that you need more practice and review with it or maybe it means that you know those words and are confident with them. Tests can be given on Quizlet through: multiple choice, write ins, spelling what you hear, and writing to match the definition.

To create a set, you will hit create. From there, you give it a title, maybe add a picture to go with, and begin adding cards. It will ask for the term and the definition for each new card. You will fill each thing out, the left and right. On the right, is usually the definition. It will have you write it out, maybe add a photo, and select your language. You will continue to do this for every card and you can add how many ever you want or need.

How to Incorporate Quizlet in the Classroom
Quizlet offers you the opportunity to create your own classroom folder. This will allow you to make any sets or diagrams for that specific class. All you will have to do is give the access code to your students and they will be able to use the folder as a study resource. This is certainly one way of incorporating the app into the classroom.

Another way, is to use it as a review tool. Make it in to a game. Have students quietly review their cards each day, build it in to your lesson plan time. Have students create their own set to use or share with the class. If you want your class to use it, explain why, how to do it, and give them in-class time to do it. There are so many ways to use anything, you just have to decide how to introduce it and make use of it to make a meaningful impression on your students.

For other ways to incorporate Quizlet into the classroom, this article could be helpful. They offer 10 different ways to use Quizlet within the classroom. There are also many other online articles or blogs to help you find which way to use the app that will best fit your classroom and their needs. So don't worry there are plenty of ideas and possibilities!

An example I found while searching on the internet that I will want to use in my classroom, is to use Quizlet to introduce and review sight words. I wasn't sure how to use Quizlet for the younger grades, but this seems like a good idea! You would have thought it would have been a simple idea, but sometimes the simplest of ideas are the best. This lets students be introduced to flash cards, learn how they are used, let them explore the site, review in fun and engaging ways, and allows parents access to all of the class sight words. They would have the code to access the folder and be able to see what their child is learning and help them use the app to study.

My Experiences and Opinions
This app has been a huge life saver and an essential study tool for me, especially when I got into high school and college. It is easy to use and can be used anywhere. I could use it on the way to school, in between classes, before practices, in Target, or wherever I was at the time. It is so easy to study and review for my tests with having a study material right at the tips of my fingers.

I still use homemade flash cards, just for repetition and practice physically writing down the info, but if I am being honest, I really prefer Quizlet. I love that I can create my own tests on it. It lets me practice the type of formatting my teacher will use, while still relying on the information it has. So Quizlet allows me to be introduced to several formats of testing.

Another thing that I love about the app is the matching. I get competitive when doing this. I treat it as a game. I compete against myself, to challenge myself to get a better time score each round. While my goal may be to get a faster time, I retain a lot of the information. I have to match them up correctly or it penalizes me by adding time to the timer. I also get to see the same pairings if I play it enough times. This helps me reviewing it and by creating a sense of automaticity with the term and its definition.

In my opinion, I find Quizlet to be a great tool to know about. I will want to introduce this in my classroom. The app adapts to all kind of teaching styles and learning types, making it easy to use for all students. The app also does a good job of actively engaging its users. Quizlet is also just a 21st century skill that further and benefit students education.

References
Jtrs Econocom. 10 Ways of Using Quizlet in the Classroom. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.jtrs.co.uk/blog/teaching-with-technologies-1/post/10-ways-of-using-quizlet-in-the-classroom-8

Quizlet Website [website page]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://quizlet.com

Quizlet Logo [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2498480,00.asp

Quizlet tutorial image [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://wghstechwizard.weebly.com/quizlet.html

Quizlet example [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsJhxvhmqzo

Kahoot as an Educational Tool

What is Kahoot?

Who doesn't know what Kahoot is by now? I have been using this since I was a freshman in high school and I am now currently a junior in college. Kahoot is always relative, no matter the subject or age. It is also a very effective way to engage and motivate your audience. Kahoot can and is a highly competitive game! I have witnessed some serious competition over the years with everyone trying to be first in place and the fastest to answer. Which, is not necessarily a bad thing for the teacher. It means that students are getting answers right, learning, is an expert in the subject, and is actively engaged in class! This is also a way to create healthy competition within the classroom.

Just in case you actually do not know what Kahoot is, have you ever watched or played Jeopardy? Kahoot is very similar to that game, except it is a digital format and more adapted to the 21st century. Kahoot is a game, based on questions and answers. It can be accessed on any device with wifi. It is also a great way to review for a test or maybe learning what your students already know on the topic you are about to introduce. Either way about it, Kahoot is not going away any time soon and it may be time to jump on the bandwagon, if you aren't already.

How Do I Sign Up For and Use Kahoot?
Kahoot is another very easy and simple app to sign up for. To begin signing up you will go to the site. From there, you will click the "sign up" button on the right. It will ask if you are using it as: an educator, a student, socially, or at work.  For school, you will either sign up as an educator or have your students sign up for the student version.

Once you tell Kahoot your whole life story and all the right information, you will be able to begin using it! To begin, you will click the "create" button once you have logged in. Kahoot offers four options for creating, they are: a quiz, a jumble, a discussion, and a survey. A quiz means that you will create questions for the students to answer, in a multiple choice format. A jumble is when students will drag answers to their correct order. A discussion is when you ask a question to begin a debate. Lastly, a survey is when you take a poll on the audience's opinions.

After you choose your format, you are able to start designing your Kahoot! You will give it a title and add a cover picture that represents the topic covered. From there you will then determine how many questions you want. You will write the question that you want answered and give three to four choices for the answers. You are required to have at least three options and you have to click which answer is the correct one. If there is more than one answer, you can click any and all that would be right.

Kahoot, also offers a few special features. If I am correct, you can choose what song you want to play while the game is being played. You can adjust how long students have to answer each question. Each question gives you the option to add in a photo. You also have the option to show the leader board or to keep it private.

Being the creator or admin, you will have certain privileges. You will be able to keep track of who is in first place, who has the longest streak of answering questions right, how many questions students got right, and which questions they struggled with. The game also shows after each question, who gave what response. This lets you know if the majority of the class understood that topic or if they need more reviewing. You will also have access to all the games you have created for other classes and topics.

You also will be the one who has the access code to play the game. So, each time you play that specific game, you will have to share the code, in order for students to sign in to it and play. This does not even require the students to have an account, they can just go to the website, put in the code, and start playing.

How Do I Incorporate Kahoot in My Classroom?
Kahoot, like I have said before, is relevant and effective for any and all subjects and ages. As I also have discussed and said, Kahoot is a great way to review before a test. I have done this in Spanish class several times. My teacher asked us what, for example, red is in Spanish. We would have four options and chose which form was correct. Another example, is when I played it in my methods class. My professor asked us questions relating to our midterm topics and from our knowledge, we had to chose the best answer for the situation.

These are just some of the ways in which I have experienced Kahoot, but if you want more ideas you can look at this article. This article gives you twelve different ways to use Kahoot in the classroom. there are endless opportunities and uses for this app. It is easily accessible and usable to anyone who has internet access in the classroom. There are also endless possibilities on how you can incorporate Kahoot into review sessions and lesson plans.

From doing a bit of research and learning about Kahoot, I have thought of new ways to use Kahoot. Like I learned that there are more formats than just a quiz. I also learned that I can use Kahoot in history and math. The idea has crossed my mind, but I have never seen it done until recently. I like how the teacher used Kahoot in the picture.

Another way to use this app, is to have students create their own Kahoots to share with each other and to use as reviewing tools for themselves. This activity makes them think of what kind of questions might be asked, what they think are important things to ask about, and it also allows them to review since they are considering what to ask. This activity does require students to make an account to create a Kahoot, but it is fairly simple. I remember doing this for one of my classes and I actually found it very helpful and thought it was a unique idea.

My Experiences and Opinion
From my experience, Kahoot's are good and effective way to review before tests. I remember the questions I get wrong way more easily than just by reviewing it on paper. It sticks with me when I get a question wrong because it gives you a big "x" and it makes me feel bad that I missed that question. But, if I know a Kahoot is being used, I make an extra effort to know the meanings of vocal words or study, so that I can do well and be in the top five. Especially because sometimes my teachers would give extra points to the top 3 on their tests.

I am not an emotionally and visually competitive person, but I do like achieving. I am secretly competitive and just want to do my best, not even to get the extra points, but just to please myself. I like to be right and I think this game is a good motivator and evaluation for myself. It motivates me to do my best and allows me to see if I am prepared or not for the test. It also lets me know which areas I need to focus more on before my test.

So, in my opinion, I love Kahoot and will definitely be using it in my classroom. Whether it is for reviewing or introducing a topic to see where my students are, I will find ways to incorporate them into my lesson plans. I also think this game kind of creates a community for my students. It lets them see who knows their stuff, so they can use that person as a resource for helping them better understand. It also creates a healthy competition in the classroom. through this, students get to socialize with one another and with people who they may not have otherwise.

References 
Kahoot Website [website page]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://kahoot.com/welcomeback/

Kahoot logo [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.smore.com/d2a0m-kahoot

Kahoot Sample Image [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.monticello.org/site/families-and-teachers/kahoot-quizzes-classroom

Kahoot math game [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.forbes.com/sites/amitchowdhry/2017/08/28/how-kahoot-quickly-hit-one-billion-players-while-helping-advance-education/#7aefe87a7393

We Are Teachers Staff. (2015, December 1). 12 Ways to Use Kahoot! in your Classroom. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.weareteachers.com/best-of-teacher-helpline-12-ways-to-use-kahoot-in-your-classroom/

Webex as an Online Classroom

What is Webex?

Don't feel bad if you have never heard of Webex before, I hadn't until just now! In the most basic terms, Webex can be described as an online meeting. We know what these are, right? Just a video conference, no bid deal! Ok, so how does this pertain to teachers? Well, Webex is not just a tool for video calls, it is also an online, video classroom! What does that mean? This means that teachers, now have a way to have a class, without even having to be in the physical classroom. Schools, society, and kids are becoming more tech savvy every day. So, why can't the classroom be included in this new wave as well? For old school teachers, this may seem odd and out of place, that is ok. I think an online classroom sounds a little odd and out of place too, but, we have to adapt to the new ways and ideas, to best teach our students. this does not mean that a physical classroom is going away, it just means there is a new way to have class.

How Do I Sign Up for Webex and How Do I Use it?
Signing up is easy-peasy lemon-squeeze! To sign up, you will first go to the site. If you would like to play around with the program, before actually signing up for an account, the website offers to try meetings for free. So, maybe a few of your colleagues will be interested in previewing the program with you and you can discover it together. This allows you to discover and learn about a new teaching tool with peers who are there to learn with you, be a learner and a teacher, discuss with you about initial thoughts, and to bounce ideas of one another. It never hurts to have an extra set of eyes, ears, brains, and hands!

If you are ready to plunge into this new experience, you can certainly go ahead and sign up for the program. The sign up process, is much like any other, you will give information on: your name, your school, an educator or other, your email address, which plan you would like, and etc. Not to complicated, right? Once you make your account, you will be asked to download and install, Cisco, this is the program that allows Webex to work on your device. You do not have to pay for it or anything, it is just a simple installation. You will also either create a code or be given a code, that invites people to the call, so make sure to share this with your students when using Webex, or they will not be able to get on.

Once you have set up your account, you can begin exploring and messing around with the program. You can see that Webex has many options and features. For reference, some of the video call features, are much like Skype. You have access to audio: through your device's microphone, it can be turned off or on, it can also be muted. Video wise, your options are: share yourself, have the video turned off, and share screen. Sharing your screen, means that you will share what is on your screen from your device, with the people on the call. Sharing a screen is a great option for students to have because if they have a question and need the teacher to look at their screen, then they can share it with them, while the teacher talks them through what to do. Te teacher is able to see the screen and make sure that the students is doing the right thing. For teachers, screen sharing allows them to show presentations on their computer or walk their students through specific steps on how to do something. In this case, students can visually see what the teacher is doing and do the exact same thing on their own computer while the teacher is explaining.

Webex also has the feature of online chats. If students do not have audio on or maybe you are not able to speak, you all can use the chat box. The chat box can send messages to everyone included in the call or send to specific people. For the students, this feature allows them to directly ask a question, just to the teacher. It could be a specific question that just pertains to them or maybe they are shy and just want the teacher to know. For all students, they can write their question through the chat, that maybe their peers would want an answer to as well. For the teacher, this allows them to ask or discuss with the whole class and have specific conversations with just one student at the same time.

Chat boxes are great, but another feature that Webex has it that it allows you to change the format of your screen. If you want the video to take up your entire screen, you can click for it to be full view. Maybe you want to see the video, but still have access to your own screen, Webex allows that too. You just have to minimize the window and make sure that it is on the video part, not the chat. Another way to view it, is that you can have everyones' icons or pictures on the side or at the top of the page. This program really allows you to have options, that will best suit you.

How Do I Incorporate Webex in My Classroom?
This section may be obvious, but maybe it isn't quite yet. To first introduce Webex to your class, I would recommend doing it while you are all there together. This gives the opportunity for you to walk around and help students with any problems they have and walk through the video and sign-up process. This will also allow your students to ask questions and have you right there to show and navigate them. This will be a good time to have them practice: using the microphone, adjusting audio, playing with the viewing options, learning how to turn on and off the camera, showing you their screens, and playing with the chat boxes. Just use it as an explore and information lesson. Let them dip their toes in, before diving in.

So, maybe you have a whole day to practice using Webex and later in the week you come back to it, but this time you change it up. Depending on your class size and setup, have your students go to different places in the room. If possible, even go to the gym or the cafeteria to spread out more. Then, have your students log on to a video call with you. You will all be in the same room, but this lets them experience and try to use the program by themselves, while still being in a controlled environment. This lets your students know that Webex can be used anywhere, at any time, and for any lesson.

That day, maybe do a review lesson with your students. I would not recommend introducing a new topic through Webex on their first interaction with the program. Students do not need to be overwhelmed by using a new program and trying to learn something new. So, maybe review a math lesson on multiplication. Show them how to do this skill via the internet or share your screen for them to follow along. Another review lesson, could be a familiar text or shared reading. All the students will have copies of the book with them, but you can teach a review lesson to use online. This lets them see the variety of ways you an use Webex and practice their automaticity and fluency skills.

If you are looking for ideas or reasons why to use Webex in the classroom, this article explains to you how Webex will play an important role in the classroom. The three main points in the article are: collaboration, visual engagement, and overcoming concentration hurdles (Quesada, 2017). These are all factors that teachers must consider and achieve to accomplish in the classroom, especially because now everything is so digital.

Webex is not meant to replace our physical classrooms. It is a way and tool to use when there are days you are not in school. This is thinking for the future. Every year schools end up with some reason as to why they cancel school. Maybe it's a tornado or the snow, but either way, you will not be going to school. But, what if you could have school and not miss any instructional days? I know we all love snow days, but they just mess with our summer vacation. I do not know about you, but I would rather have school on a snow day, than be making school up in the summer.

Have your class online on a snow day! Again, it may not sound that great now and students won't enjoy the sound of it either, but this was you don't miss instructional time and days. I am not saying to teach an entire 8 hour day online, but just focus on the things that you really need your students to learn for the day. This way when they come back, the next day or a few days, you don't have to crunch your lessons to make up for that lost time. You will all be able to come back as a class and review and clear up any questions that everyone had.

My Experience with Webex
I have had two experiences with Webex now. The first was our tutorial day where we learned all the basics. The second time, is when we had a class online. It wasn't scheduled to have class online this day, but the professor could not come in, so she didn't just cancel class, she had it online! This was actually very cool and super useful.

My professor showed us how to embed our videos for our projects, answered any questions we had, showed us to submit the project on blackboard, and let us have a lab session. She still was able to go everything that she would have if we had been in class, but was able to still do it through the internet. So, nobody missed class or this instructional time. Another thing she did, was record our class session! Webex allows you to record sessions, save them, and later share them. This allowed us to go back to see what happened in class that day, in case we forgot or needed help.

What is My Opinion?
My opinion is that Webex is a great tool to have and to use. It may be hard to adjust to it at first, but after a while I think it will be easy. I know that I actually enjoyed having class online. I also liked how the session was able to be recorded and the professor was able to share it with us to refer back to. Webex also seems the be a convenient and easy way to have an online class. There is nothing meant to trick you or be confusing when navigating the website or video call. Through my experience with the program, I would recommend it to my peers to use in their classrooms!

References
Quesada, J. (2017, August 9).  Bringing Tech to the Classroom- 3 Strategies for 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2018, from https://blog.webex.com/2017/08/bringing-tech-to-the-classroom-3-strategies-for-2017/

Webex website [website page]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://www.webex.com

Webex Logo [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://slack.com/apps/A5P5FDK33-cisco-webex-meetings

Webex Video Detail Diagram [online image]. Retrieved October 8, 2018 from https://collaborationhelp.cisco.com/article/en-us/4f6peu