BrainPOP Expanding Young Minds By: Mary Lou Cruz and Heather
Weed Presented on January 28, 2013
Slide 3
Introduction Effective Integration of BrainPOP in the Classroom
BrainPOP integrates media and multi-interdisciplinary strategies to
produce a student-centered lesson plan with multi dimensions for
interaction while facilitated by an instructor. BrainPOP encourages
teacher collaboration by uploading lesson plans for the BrainPOP
educator community. Lesson plans involve note-taking, graphic
organizing, videos, student shared communication and
multi-dimensional platforms for lesson plan sharing. Common core
standards are adapted through teacher- designed application of
essential learnings designed to focus on student learning.
Slide 4
Introduction cont. BrainPOP Quotes Founded in 1999, BrainPOP
creates animated, curricular content that engages students,
supports educators, and bolsters achievement (BrainPOP, 2012).
BrainPOP was conceived by Avraham Kadar, M.D., an immunologist and
pediatrician, as a creative way to explain difficult concepts to
his young patients. Today, we're used in almost 20 percent of U.S.
schools, and are growing internationally (BrainPOP, 2012).
Slide 5
BrainPOP Use in Music Classroom Teachers upload lesson plans
with video Lesson Plan Summary In this lesson plan, which is
adaptable for grades 3-12, students use BrainPOP resources to
research, evaluate, and synthesize information about the Harlem
Renaissance from a variety of resources. Students will work in
groups to demonstrate an understanding of the Harlem Renaissance by
creating an interactive presentation that teaches their peers. They
will also create individual non-fiction comics to demonstrate an
understanding of the effects of the Harlem Renaissance on African
American culture.
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BrainPOP Use in Grade 3 Classroom Free use first animal
classification in science class Visuals, audio, and text all
engaging Game Activities Subsequent uses of BrainPOP Jr. and
BrainPOP Science States of matter, changes in states of matter Math
Multiplication and Division English Main Idea Social Studies Voting
Enrichment - Miranda rights, womens suffrage, voting, and
presidential elections. Future plans continuing to integrate into
lessons as part of planning, not just to add to what is already
planned. Looking forward to: Body systems, reading comprehension,
test preparation, geometry, data, graphing, bullying, and
wellness
Slide 7
A ToolNot a Toy Subscription includes teaching tools and lesson
plans. It is easy to fall back on using it as a fun toy or
supplement. It takes work to integrate it into plans. When
integrated, it becomes a teaching and learning tool for
differentiation for levels and for learning styles. Can be
effectively used to introduce, review, differentiate, apply,
provide links to real life and home, and synthesize topics.
Students ask for it and anticipate it as part of the learning
process not just a reward. They expect to be held accountable for
participatory learning rather than just passive watching.
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Benefits of BrainPOP Engaging, exciting, welcoming, and fun
Consistent characters Easy to use Linked to Common Core Standards
Variety of subjects: science, social studies, English, math,
engineering and technology, health, arts and music Topics and
subtopics organized for ease of navigation Extensive content
Differentiated Junior (K-3) BrainPOP (4-High School) Spanish ESL
Different subscription levels: homeschool, classroom, school,
district, virtual school Free games, home link, applications Help
desk, educator community for sharing and support Movies,
activities, quizzes (online and printable), printable worksheets,
games Visual, audio, text, and interactivity
Slide 9
Examples from BrainPOP website (BrainPOP, 2012).
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Challenges of BrainPOP Price ranges from $85 for Junior level
for individual use to $1,495 per year for schools. Districts can
receive from 10% to 25% off school price depending upon number of
schools To differentiate by level or language needs, users must
purchase multiple subscriptions So much content, new users can feel
overwhelmed
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Helpful Hints Search the sight for free movies and activities
before purchasing Print out activities before the lessons, so
students may be held accountable for paying attention as they watch
the movies Set up teams to play the games with a team leader to
give final answer or have students write answers on
whiteboards
Slide 12
Quotes from Others Use of technology vis--vis arts education
will assist children in learning musical elements of key, rhythm,
tempo, pitch, melody and harmony by feeling, understanding and
expressing musical expressions (Sasaki, Watagoshi, Takano,
Hirashima, & Kiyoki, 2010, p. 85). BrainPOP offers a format
both entertaining and engaging. As an innovative way to make some
difficult subjects more entertaining, and for encouraging continual
learning at the elementary and middle school levels, BrainPOP
receives an A+ (Brisco, 2008, p. 77).
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Concluding Summary Brain POP is an effective tool to integrate
technology into various levels and subjects. It is user-friendly
for both teachers and students. These writers used it to introduce,
review, apply, and synthesize learning for students in different
grade levels, with differing needs, in different subjects, all with
success.
Slide 14
References BrainPOP. (2012) [Subscription website]. New York,
NY: Internet Educational Services. Retrieved from www.brainpop.com
Brisco, S. (2008). BrainPOP. School Library Journal, 54(1), 77.
Retrieved from
https://sharklearn.nova.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_t
ab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%
2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_106599_1%26url%3Dhttps://sharklearn.nova.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_t
Sasaki, S., Watagoshi, K., Takano, K., Hirashima, K., & Kiyoki,
Y. (2010). Impression oriented music courseware and its application
in elementary schools. Interactive Technology and Smart Education,
7(2), 85-101. doi:10.1108/174156551011071028