Hello!
I was just reading a blog post about how we educators are spending our own time and money for Professional Development. As a support specialist, I can't begin to tell you how often I get questions like: "how do I change a cell in a Google Doc? – I can't remember as I took that training during the summer!!" This leads me to believe that we need to add something to our PD model....
One solution that I absolutely adore is the idea of available anytime, anywhere Microlearning videos. As Wiki puts it…. "Microlearning deals with relatively small learning units and short-term learning activities" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microlearning). The problem is, where do we find QUALITY video that has been prepared with all of the professional thought that master educators use in creating a quality lesson plans? As I am always fond of saying – a boring demonstration in person is twice as boring on-line. Even when I find great suppliers, the cost – Oi Vey!! - I have to mortgage my first born!!
Well, a marvelous bit of good luck happened to me the other day. I was contacted by a company called Grovo (http://www.grovo.com/). Itay (itay@grovo.com) was reaching out private schools with their amazing product.
Grovo has QUALITY 60 second videos on all sorts of topics including Google Apps, iPad Apps, Internet use, and so on. What was even cooler was that at the end of every video was a short formative assessment that helps the learner know if they mastered the subject matter. This is Microlearning at its best!
Not only does it meet my very stringent criteria for PD learning but IT IS AFFORDABLE!!!!! This is the first time that I have found QUALITY video that is affordable. (Not to mention, except for videos that I have made :-) , uses the Microlearning philosophy.) Yes, there are GREAT videos on YouTube - but it is "hit and miss" to find them. The really good videos (with wonderful production values) are usually from major suppliers that charge major fees!
So, here is a scenario… A teacher needs a quick refresher on using Evernote. They took a class during the summer and can't remember how to do something. Instead of calling me, they jump online, go to Grovo, look up the video and 60 seconds later they have their answer! But wait folks, there is more….
Now that same teacher wants their students to start using evernote in class. Do they take time from class to teach the app? Not necessary! The teacher sends each student to Grovo. The student logs in and takes the lesson that the teacher has prearranged for them. At the end of each 60 second lesson is a formative assessment so the teacher can see the progress that the student is making!! But that is not all…
You Israeli schools… want content in Hebrew… call Itay – this can be arranged!!! itay@grovo.com (איתי מדבר עברית) My French speaking blog followers – ce ne pas difficile!! - Grovo already has content in French! (contact: Ryder at ryder@grovo.com - Oui, Ryder parle Français pour vous aider!)
If you want a free two week complete trial, contact Bridgette at bridgette@grovo.com - she gave me the complete tour.
As always, your comments are solicited. Did you try the free trial and did you find this product as good as I did? Does the idea of "just in time" Microlearning fit your PD program? Feel free to retweet and forward.
PS – the blog I was reading was from Martin Cisneros at CUE… look at his post here… https://plus.google.com/u/1/+MartinCisneros/posts/h94e8JsaSPA?cfem=1 (really good stuff!)
Regards,
Yossie
Yossie Frankel
Member Schools:
Harkham Hillel Hebrew Academy - yfrankel@hillelhebrew.org
Oakland Hebrew Day School - y.frankel@ohds.org
Shalhevet High School - y.frankel@shalhevet.org
Arete Preparatory Academy - yfrankel@areteprep.org
Yeshivat Yavneh - www.yha.org
Checkout my blog @ technorebbe.blogspot.com
Twitter: @yossiefrankel
YouTube Channel: YossieFrankelChannel
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