94% of surveyed teachers say they use BrainPOP because it makes learning fun. They also like the fact that it appeals to different types of learners. These teachers use BrainPOP to supplement their teaching on a regular basis.So how do they fit BrainPOP into their lessons and optimise its usage?
Here are some of the creative ways real educators use BrainPOP to introduce new topics to their students:
Whole Group Learning
Many teachers share BrainPOP with the whole class by using digital projectors or interactive whiteboards, r.
sing BrainPOP together can be an exciting group activity. Some creative BrainPOP teachers have devised ways that the whole class can respond to BrainPOP quizzes:
- Students answer quizzes by holding up decorated note cards with A, B, or C written on them.
- Students record their answers on wipe-off boards and hold them up.
- You can even turn your classroom into a game show, and have different students "Come on Down!" and click on the correct answer.
BrainPOP provides a seamless way to integrate technology into the school day:
- BrainPOP movies and quizzes make great discussion starters at the beginning of a lesson.
- Other instructors use BrainPOP to remind students of a concept already learnt, as a way of introducing the next topic
Paired or Small Group Learning
When students are investigating a BrainPOP topic with a partner, it is important for them to see and hear the movies and quizzes together - without disrupting the rest of the class.
- Some BrainPOP teachers have purchased inexpensive headphone splitters to allow partners to listen to the movies at the same time, without interrupting other learners.
Teachers who still prefer to watch the movies together as a whole class may pause them at key points for "Partner Talks." Pausing the movie at key moments and instructing students to "turn and talk to their partner" will help students verbalise and better process the information they are viewing.
Individual Learning
There often isn't enough time in the day for teachers to cover everything they wish they could share with their students.
- BrainPOP Teachers supplement their lessons by guiding students to particular BrainPOP topics for independent learning. They "bookmark" relevant BrainPOP topics for their students to explore on their own at the classroom computer. Bookmarking, or making a webpage a "favourite," ensures that students know exactly how to get to the topic their teacher has selected. Once teachers open their web, they can login to BrainPOP and select the topic they want students to investigate. Teachers would then click on "Favourites" or "Bookmarks" and add the BrainPOP web page. Teachers can also make a BrainPOP folder under "Bookmarks" or "Favourites." The folder would have the current day's/week's topic, as well as topics from previous days, ensuring absent students will be able to stay current. Students know the routine is to check the BrainPOP folder for the daily/weekly topic and complete the activities.
- BrainPOP offers a wealth of topics that can enrich a student's learning and allow teachers to easily differentiate learning. Advanced students will become engaged in BrainPOP's advanced topics, or click on "Related Topics" to continue to explore a subject in greater detail. Students will all benefit from using the control features that allow them to pause a movie, rewind, or watch it again.
Computer Suite
BrainPOP offers technology teachers the opportunity to collaborate on what is being taught in the classroom.
- • For example, students may be asked to create a multimedia brochure or PowerPoint presentation to share what they learn from the BrainPOP Topics.
Library or resource centre
BrainPOP movies complement traditional learning resources by enriching a student's understanding through the use of the movies. BrainPOPs are accessible for students working on their own, but can also be linked to other digital or paper-based resources to support student’s learning on any topic.
Student Accountability
Teachers can use the BrainPOP quizzes before or after the BrainPOP movies to assess student understanding. Taking the quiz as a class before the movie will help teachers assess prior knowledge of a subject. Taking the quiz after the movie allows teachers to assess their students' level of comprehension, and what concepts they are still struggling with.
BrainPOP teachers have many ways of assessing individual student accountability. Some teachers assign a general question that students will take notes on and work towards answering after the movie and quizzes. For example, a teacher might pose the question, "what effects do volcanoes have on the Earth and its inhabitants?" BrainPOPs can supply information through the “Volcano” movie, which students can watch and pause to make notes for their reference.
Classroom Management
As one teacher put it, "any time challenging students are paying attention, they learn more... grades go up." BrainPOP can motivate students who may not be attracted to traditional modes of learning. BrainPOP movies and features are an ideal way to differentiate instruction for different styles of learners who will look forward to BrainPOP every day.
To Review and Reinforce Ideas
Few students are able to retain everything they've read from an initial scan of their textbooks. That's why teachers create multiple opportunities for students to absorb subject matter. By scaffolding reviews into their lessons, teachers are able to bolster student understanding as well as ensure that struggling students have not slipped through the cracks. That's why some teachers supplement their lessons with BrainPOP movies and quizzes to reinforce and review the topic at hand.
To Review and Reinforce Ideas
95% of surveyed teachers believe that their students would benefit from using BrainPOP at home. Teachers can post the BrainPOP homepage link on their class or school website to encourage families to explore curricular content together at home.
