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Bringing Books to LIFE: Using Scholastic’s TrueFlix

Discover how TrueFlix, a nonfiction resource aligned with the Common Core Standards, brings books to life by combining videos, eBooks, additional resources, project ideas, quizzes, and lesson plans. Promote high achievement, effective use of technology, community access, and timely support for diverse learners.

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Bringing Books to LIFE: Using Scholastic’s TrueFlix

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  1. Bringing Books to LIFE:Using Scholastic’s TrueFlix By Christa Mariakis Mathis ITEC 7445 Spring 2016

  2. What is TrueFlix? • TrueFlix is a nonfiction resource designed with the Common Core Standards in mind. • TrueFlix lessons invite students to “Watch, Read, Explore” nonfiction topics. • TrueFlix can help students learn content while incorporating English/Language Arts skills from the Common Core. (TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website, 2013)

  3. What does a TrueFlix lesson include? • Introductory video to activate prior knowledge or give students background information • eBook version of a Scholastic True Book • Links for students to explore additional resources about the topic (fiction, documents, online articles) • Project ideas • Online quizzes and/or vocabulary activities • Complete Common Core aligned lesson plan (TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website, 2013)

  4. How will TrueFlix help us reach our goals? Dalton Public Schools Information Technology Vision Statement The Dalton Public SchoolsInformation Technology vision is to provide innovative technologies, contemporary training models, and superior support that: • promotes high achievement for all students • promotes highly effective faculty and staff use of technologies to enhance curriculum, assessment and instruction, • promotes community access to technologies that support and improve the learning environment, and • provides timely, high-quality support, and improves systemic communication, and offers diverse, flexible professional learning opportunities. (Dalton PublicSchools, 2012)

  5. How can TrueFlix promote high achievement for all students? • Books are leveled by Lexile. • Extended learning options allow for differentiation. • Read along is available as scaffolding for struggling readers. • “Explore More” option available for enrichment activities Jonker, T. (2011). Scholastic TrueFlix. School Library Journal, 57(5), 68-70. TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  6. How can TrueFlix promote highly effective faculty and staff use of technologies to enhance curriculum, assessment and instruction? • Each lesson offers a video “hook” for students with a guiding question. • Each lesson comes with a generic lesson plan for teachers to build on. • Library Media Connection calls TrueFlix an “online curriculum support system” that can supplement regular classroom instruction. Jonker, T. (2011). Scholastic TrueFlix. School Library Journal, 57(5), 68-70. TrueFlix. (2011). Library Media Connection, 30(2), 96.

  7. How can TrueFlix promote community access to technologies that support and improve the learning environment? • Unlimited access for multiple users from school or home to: • 80+ eBooks with project ideas and videos • 1,345+ Grolier Online articles • 760+ Educator reviewed internet links • 500+ Primary source documents • 160+ Open ended questions for discussion Roncevic, M. (2013). Directory of E-book platforms for libraries. Library Technology Reports, 49(3), 14-32,2.

  8. How can TrueFlix provide timely, high-quality support, improve systemic communication, and offer diverse, flexible professional learning opportunities? • Usage Statistics are available for teachers. • Quizzes available for students in each lesson. • TrueFlix University is a monthly online training session for teachers offered by Scholastic. TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  9. Who should use TrueFlix? • TrueFlix is designed for students in grades 3-5. • Content meets science and social studies standards. • ELA skills in reading, writing, language, and speaking/listening are incorporated into every lesson. TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  10. How can we access TrueFlix? • Teachers can display content on SMARTboardfor whole class instruction. • Access is unlimited, so multiple teachers can use the content at the same time. • Students can access content from home for homework, research, or review. • Students without internet access at home can use the library computers or the computer lab in the morning before school. • TrueFlix can also be accessed on tablet devices. TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  11. What equipment is necessary for using TrueFlix? • Pentium II Processor, T1 connection or higher, and Windows XP • Flash 9.0 or higher • Speakers for whole class instruction or headphones for individual use TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  12. Is Tech Support Available? • OES has a full time IT professional. • Scholastic has a staffed phone line available Monday-Friday, 8:00-5:00 Eastern. • Voicemail option available after hours. • Email support is also available. TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  13. Are there limitations? • TrueFlix does not contain every science/social studies focus for grades 3-5. • Students may not have internet access at home, but they can access the site from the media center or computer lab in the mornings if they arrive early. • Each classroom has only 4 desktop computers, so only 4 individuals could work at a time. • Students would need to be aware that they should not share their password with others outside of Dalton Public Schools. • The subscription would need to be renewed yearly.

  14. How much does TrueFlix cost? • A recent quote for a 1 year subscription for our school was $515.00. • Monthly online training through Scholastic is free for subscribers.

  15. How will we fund this? • Last year, DPS’Scholastic Book Fair sold over $15,000 of books and our take home profit was over $4,000. • The media center budget can easily cover the cost of this technology. • Tech support is included with the cost of the product.

  16. Examples of CCPGS alignment taken from Scholastic.com • Reading Informational Standards • Using TrueFlix, students can draw information from a variety of media and sources: an introductory video; a nonfiction eBook; related articles from Grolier Online; a wealth of stories, plays, and primary sources; and links to related, vetted sources of information on the Web. (Standard 7) • Writing prompts ask students to cite specific examples from their reading that support particular points. (Standard 8) • Related readings in Explore More provide opportunities to compare how different texts—including literary works—address similar themes. (Standard 9) • Language Standards • Writing prompts and project ideas provide ample opportunities for students to practice conventions of standard English grammar and usage in both writing and oral presentations. (Standards 1, 2, and 3) • TrueFlix eBooks contain grade-appropriate vocabulary words with definitions and context clues. Word match games and the vocabulary preview section of lesson plans provide opportunities to assess and reinforce understanding. (Standards 4, 5, and 6) TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  17. More examples of CCGPS alignment taken from Scholastic.com: • Writing Standards • Writing prompts and project ideas encourage students to draft opinion, informative/ explanatory, and narrative pieces in response to a topic. (Standards 1, 2, and 3) • Project ideas include those that require students to conduct short research projects using several sources; gather information from print and digital sources; and draw evidence from literary and informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. (Standards 7, 8, and 9) • Speaking/Listening Standards • Lesson plans include whole-class and small-group instructional strategies that encourage students to engage in collaborative discussions. (Standard 1) • Students can watch and respond to the introductory videos and use the eBook read-along feature to hear texts read aloud. (Standard 2) TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  18. Potential Social Studies/Science Content Correlations • American Indians: • SS4H1 • Ancient Civilizations • The Civil War: • SS5H1, SS5H2 • Continents • U.S. Government: • SS3H1, SS3CG1, SS4CG2, SS5CG1 • U.S. Regions: • SS3G1, • Westward Expansion: • SS4H6 • Disasters: • S5E1 • Earth Science: • S3E1, S5E1 • Ecosystems: • S3L1, S4L1 • Experiments: • S3CS4, S4CS4, S5CS4 • Extreme Nature: • S4E4 • Human Body • Space: • S4E1, S4E2,

  19. How will this resource help us meet our technology (Georgia NETS-S) standards? • 3. Research and Information Fluency : Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information • 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, & Decision Making: Students use critical reading skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

  20. How will this help our students become critical thinkers? • TrueFlixprovides additional resources for further research. • TrueFlix offers project ideas for students that require research. • Writing prompts ask students to evaluate what they have read. Jonker, T. (2011). Scholastic TrueFlix. School Library Journal, 57(5), 68-70. TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013).

  21. Will we be able to use TrueFlix and differentiate instruction? • TrueFlix offers a read aloud option for struggling readers and extension activities for early finishers. • Key vocabulary words are in bold and defined with a mouse click if necessary. • Lexile level information included for each book. Jonker, T. (2011). Scholastic TrueFlix. School Library Journal, 57(5), 68-70.

  22. How can this tool promote communication with students, peers, parents, and the community? • Students can work collaboratively on lessons and projects. • Students have home access, so parents can also view content and work with students at home. • TrueFlix content remains constant, so students could use technology to collaborate with other schools and students with subscriptions to the product.

  23. Is TrueFlix effective? • There are no studies available regarding using TrueFlix in the classroom. • Reputable sources support the use of this product (see next slide).

  24. Praise for TrueFlix • Library Media Connection: “…it is a great way to teach the inquiry method to younger researchers, allowing them to be independent while still having a safe teaching and learning environment.” • School Library Journal: “If your school's curriculum is a close match to the content, this could be an online resource with a lot of value. With helpful ereader capabilities and plenty of additional resources, TrueFlix has clear advantages over purchasing True Books in print.” Jonker, T. (2011). Scholastic TrueFlix. School Library Journal, 57(5), 68-70. TrueFlix. (2011). Library Media Connection, 30(2), 96.

  25. How will we implement this tool? • This tool can be rolled out with the following timeline: • PrePlanning(August 2016): Staff development for teachers to introduce and preview the resource • August/September: Staff will attend TrueFlix University online training from 3-4 after school • Grade Level Meetings (before 1st unit using TrueFlix– date depends on pacing guide): Team will meet with technology coach to carefully view unit and discuss ways to incorporate content into the unit. • 1st lesson of TrueFlix unit– Technology coach will lead class and model use for teacher if desired. • Additional Support: More staff development can be included in monthly technology trainings if needed.

  26. Kotter Change Model for implementation • Step 1: Create urgency • Discuss new standards and new demands placed on 21st century learners. Show how education is changing and how there is an urgent need for educators to change with the needs. • Step 2:Creating a core group of supporters • Present product information to the school Leadership Team. This team consists of the administration and all grade level chairs. Recruit supporters on this committee. (Kotter International, 2012)

  27. Kotter Change Model for implementation • Step 3: Develop our change vision • We are revising our school mission to be more applicable to 21st century learners. We will use this vision to promote this new technology. • Step 4: Communicate the vision • When we have created our new vision, we will promote it around the school by posting it in strategic areas and adding the vision to the signature line of our faculty email. This will keep the vision visible to all. (Kotter International, 2012)

  28. Kotter Change Model for implementation • Step 5: Remove Barriers • We will have an honest discussion of the barriers teachers see in implementing this change. We will brainstorm ways to solve these problems. Anticipated barriers would be: time, technology issues, unfamiliarity with product. • Step 6: Generating Short Term Wins • Recognize teachers who are leading the change process. Highlight successes through the weekly staff newsletter and monthly staff recognition award. Invite teachers to brag on colleagues! (Kotter International, 2012)

  29. Kotter Change Model for implementation • Step 7: Don’t let up • Continue to recognize those who are using the product successfully. Challenge teachers to find new ways to incorporate the product into school instruction. • Step 8: Make it Stick! • Train new employees when the next school year arrives. Continue to keep product as a staple of classroom instruction. (Kotter International, 2012)

  30. Reflections on TrueFlix While I still think this is a valuable product, after carefully evaluating the Scholastic website and professional journals, I realized that the product is not as comprehensive as I had thought. I thought that most topics in all grades were represented, but closer inspection shows that each grade has a few valuable units but cannot rely on TrueFlix to supplement the majority of their units. I do still think this would be a great resource for my school, because it is a way to hook students in to a unit of study and to scaffold them as they learn research skills. We own some True books in our media center, and this resource would be able to be used by many more people at once and would help give continuity to our content units.

  31. My Personal Reflections While completing this project, I realized the importance of justifying my decisions with facts and examples. I had tried to purchase this product last year but was unsuccessful at convincing administration to get on board. I realize now that I was not convincing enough because I did not back up my opinion with enough evidence. I also had not explored the change model before, and going through the module on the website helped me see the ways that I can change my role in the coming school year in order to become a more effective leader at my school by following the steps of Kotter’s model and remaining consistent in promoting change.

  32. References Dalton PublicSchools. (2012). Dalton PublicSchools Technology Plan 2012- 2015. Retrieved from http://www.daltonpublicschools.com/ Jonker, T. (2011). Scholastic TrueFlix. School Library Journal, 57(5), 68-70. Kotter International. (2012). The 8-step process for leading change. Retrieved from http://www.kotterinternational.com/our-principles/changesteps/changesteps Roncevic, M. (2013). Directory of E-book platforms for libraries. Library Technology Reports, 49(3), 14-32,2. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1355696924?accountid=11824 TrueFlix: Bringing true books to life website. (2013). http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/trueflix_freetrial/index.htm TrueFlix. (2011). Library Media Connection, 30(2), 96.

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