This time of year, amidst the exhaustion, teachers begin thinking about the next school year. When I was in the classroom, I liked to reflect on what went right and the things I’d like to change and I still do in my role as an ITRT. Hopefully as a part of your reflection, you’re thinking about the instructional tools you like to use. Whether you’re thinking about using eMediaVA for the first time or if you’re thinking about different ways you can use the resources you love, I hope you find something you can use.

To get you started, here’s a quick reflection checklist:

• What specific instructional tools did you enjoy using this year?
• Are there any ways you want to use these tools differently next year?
• Are there any tools you can add to your toolbox that help students who are frequently absent or struggling?

Have you ever considered combining your favorite eMediaVA resources with another EdTech tool? Here’s some ideas to get you started!

Use a video as an introduction to your topic and use the discussion questions to take the learning even deeper. Put the video into your LMS, Nearpod, Wayground, or even Book Creator. My personal favorites for this type of activity are Nearpod and Wayground lessons; they make adding web content to their lessons a breeze. Students then use the platform to watch the video and answer questions. This approach can also be helpful when you need to catch up students who have been absent or struggling with the content. Students also seem to enjoy the gamification of learning. 

Share eMedia VA resources with your students and have them complete a Jigsaw activity or have them create a Gallery Walk, sharing the information they learned with their classmates. This is a great way to review information before an assessment or introduce a new topic. It also requires students to take ownership of their learning. Link the resources into your LMS or another platform and have students complete the activity using Google Slides or use a template in Canva Whiteboard. Either of these platforms give you as the teacher the opportunity to watch as students complete their work, giving you the opportunity for real-time feedback. The Canva Whiteboard can even be projected for the entire class while students work and discuss. 

Use eMediaVA resources as part of a virtual breakout room or scavenger hunt. Students use the videos or other resources to gather information in order to complete a task, or unlock the next set of clues. This would work well with Genially, Wayground, or even a Google Form. My personal favorite platform for a breakout room is Genially. They have precreated templates that can fit almost any topic or theme.

eMediaVA resources are being added to and updated almost every day. Check out their curated collections on multiple topics, from the American Revolution to Environmental Education, and even Algebra. If it is not already, I recommend eMediaVA becomes one of your go-to places for supplemental materials to make your lessons even more engaging!