Explaining Everything: An App that brings Instruction to Life
Media, Commerce and Physics are behind almost every part of our technology-driven lives. But learning about these topics is often not easy – this is where technology steps in. Explain Everything is an app designed to help teachers break down the complexity of these concepts into instructional videos called vodcasts. Students are loving the vodcasts which include different levels of complexity, combinations of modalities and interactivity and can be viewed and reviewed at any time.
Media teacher Nicole Spanbroek and Drama teacher Sarah Combes use the vodcasts for creating multimodal instruction and feedback. This method is particularly useful for costume design as the visual elements are matched with written and verbal instruction. Television or movie scene analysis is scaffolded by modelling the analytical language students are required to use. Student feedback is enriched through annotated and verbal feedback. For example, Nicole Spanbroek records her feedback as if she were having a conversation with the student. Students can go back to the feedback as and when they need to.
Image: Multimodal Feedback for Short Answer Assessment with Nicole Spanbroek
Image: Modelling Costume Design Revision with Sarah Combes
Commerce teacher Mr Nathan Kime regularly uses Explain Everything for breaking down complex financial concepts. Vodcasts are pre-recorded to introduce students to a new topic. 'Flipping' the lesson allows students to explore and experiment with concepts and calculations in their own time and at their own pace. Class time is used for clarifying student issues through problem-solving and enriching discussion. Lessons are also recorded so students can practise the skills and consolidate learning at any time.
Image: Annotated Instruction for Finance with Nathan Kime
Image: Animated and Interactive Photoelectric Effect Lesson with Brad Watson
During COVID-19 lockdown, Mr Brad Watson from the Science Learning Area used Explain Everything to pre-record lessons for his students to watch in advance. Scheduled class time was spent using Microsoft Teams to answer queries and consolidate knowledge. Explain Everything allows interactive websites to be embedded, so complex concepts, such as the photoelectric effect can be easily illustrated in a highly interactive and engaging way.
The shift in teaching and learning created by vodcasts is exciting. Explain Everything lets teachers create multiple modes of instruction using animation, interaction, annotation, visual and verbally. This approach accommodates a variety of learning styles and learning stages that allows students to practice and gain confidence anywhere and anytime.
Adelle Wilkes
ILT Integration Specialist