As you may have heard, we have just formalized a partnership with Promethean Planet (Planet) to provide their members access to our web-based interactive Dynamic Whiteboard and extensive library of pre-recorded math videos.   Planet is an online community created by teachers, for teachers to connect, create and change the classroom.  A truly unique teaching, sharing and support community.  Check out our blog post on Planet that discusses how teachers can be “the Captain of technology integration” in their classroom.  In support of effectively implementing Blended Learning, we offer the following tips to help teachers introduce Virtual Nerd to their students:

Step 1.  Captain the Ship.  Use Virtual Nerd to review key concepts taught during the week or in preparation for an upcoming test.  The best and probably most important place to start is with the search function.  Demonstrate how to search by keyword, topic or textbook so students know how to find the help they need.

Step 2.  Create a Support Team.  As your Support Team members take over and you are reviewing instructional videos, discuss the concept, solicit questions and drill down using the embedded links to review terms, FAQs and prerequisite knowledge.  Demonstrate additional product features and functionality.  Basically demonstrate the Dynamic Whiteboard’s interactive capabilities which offers students personalized help they need, when they need it – a very significant and critical product benefit.

Step 3.  Engage your Crew Members.  Demonstrate the practical application of using the tool with a specific assignment.  Ask students to identify Virtual Nerd tutorials for each problem on a homework assignment for extra credit points.

As your classroom moves forward within the Blended Learning model, be sure to take it one step at a time.  Make sure that the incredible new technology tools and resources available deliver the intended benefits to you and your students.  Be the Captain, Build your Support Team and Make it Worthwhile.

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