Fun supplemental tool to enhance lesson topics
Submitted 4 years ago
Community Review for Shmoop
Heather M.
Brentwood High School
Pittsburgh PA, US
My Take
The videos are short and summarize topics - great supplemental tool to incorporate into teaching but serve more as a means to vary instruction vs. teach content.
How I Use It
I have used shmoop videos to introduce topics or reinforce concepts presented in my math class. They have a fun presentation that strikes the attention of teenagers which is not always an easy task! Sometimes I use them to generate converstions and discussions about topics while other times I use them as an "exit activity" to recap topics. The videos also provide connections to real life which is helpful for students to see purpose in what they are learning.
More community reviews for Shmoop
Cynthia C.
Teacher Leader with UC Merced Writing Project, a California Writing Project site and affiliate of the National Writing Project.
November 6, 2014
Videos are engaging and hook students immediately!
My overall opinion of Shmoop is favorable. Using their videos to introduce or wrap up a topic or concept helps me switch up the way I teach and deliver my lessons. The Shmoop videos seem to get me in a more creative mood when designing my lessons. I want the rest of the unit of study to hold their attention the way the video did. A draw back of Shmoop is not always finding a video suitable to what you will be teaching.
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Rae O.
Co-Director UC Merced Writing Project
September 13, 2014
Videos are great for flipped classrooms or for introducing a concept.
The videos are attention grabbing and short enough to not bog down a student with too much information at one time. Sometimes the presentations are presented in such a way that might lead students to believe that is the only way or the only interpretation. This could limit a students ability to think outside of the box or try something new and innovative.
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1 person found this helpful.
Michael B.
Teacher
Armada Area High School
Armada, MI
August 18, 2014
A fluent site to help and engage everyone
I think it's great overall. I have told kids to get fond with that site more than the classics of sparknotes, etc. It offers all fields in math, science, english, social studies, gives great summary and analysis that every kid can understand, has tests and quizzes to support, and a ton of other things. Some teachers may dislike the occasional crude or risque comments or jokes, but I teach seniors, so it's generally pretty informal and they can handle a wide range of topics.
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