Additional Thoughts and Resources on Video Tutorials for the Classroom

So much information, it can't be contained in just a couple of posts. Here is one more idea:

Family Question:
If you have created your video tutorials, it is highly likely that your students are going to watch them at home. If that is the case then you have entered a sacred place to your students. This is where their tightest circle of trust, encouragement, and motivation comes from apart from their friends. Unfortunately, the classroom and the home all too often interact only when there is something wrong. There is no doubt that if a family is on board with  student's education, then the student will be more engaged and interested.

How do you do this? With the family question. Pose a fun interesting question tied to the content that the family can puzzle over. I am not referring to y=2x+4 per se but perhaps a puzzle or question that can provide good table conversation. Some examples are Exeter Academy Math QuestionsDrexel Math ForumLateral Thinking Puzzles, for Humanities teachers there is NPR and TED Talks to spur on discussions/debates. I once gave an assignment asking students to start a book club at their home to take turns discussing their favorite book but you could also provide the articles for them to discuss.

Additional Resources:
  • Khan Academy this man has created great quality videos on almost every topic you can imagine. Humanities, math, science, he has it all.
  • MIT Open Courseware watch the videos, read the notes, check out the problems, be a part of the classes from the world renowned MIT.
  • Podcasts from Stanford
  • and of course, YouTube's special education site.