As we start the year virtually, student engagement is a hot topic. As teachers we know what to do to keep students engaged in the classroom. But, what happens when we need to engage students virtually?
Bitmoji’s are everything right now. Teachers like them and students love them. I am not sure if its because they like seeing our old people Bitmoji or if its pure enjoyment.. who knows.
The great thing about these Bitmoji classrooms is that they are completely customizable. Just the fact that you are using a Bitmoji classroom can create student engagement. But please don’t just leave it at that. Adding interactive links and agendas encourages the students to explore the classroom. The agenda lets them know what is expected each week. Here are some simple tips for virtual student engagement for your Bitmoji classroom or virtual school. Get my templates here!!
What is an Interactive Bitmoji Classroom?
Some teachers only use their Bitmoji classroom as a place holder for students to see when they are waiting for lives to start, which is totally fine. In this post, I’ll be talking specifically about an interactive Bitmoji classroom. This is a classroom with working links that students can click on. each link takes students to something the students need or you want them to explore.
Diagram of a Bitmoji classroom
Your classroom does not have to look like mine. You can add any elements you want. Your classroom needs to customized to meet the needs of you and your students. You can see I have a book that we are reading. when you click on today’s Book it will take you to a link of someone reading this book. You can also post a video of you reading this book and if you read this for a live read aloud you can post that recorded video here, too. Below my book is my bookshelf, I have games and important websites. I’ll probably change this up for the coming school year. You could post links of books your student can read (listen to) any time on the bookshelf. Check out the example under the digital bookshelf. I have my agenda in the middle and my laptop has a clickable link directly to google classroom. Get crazy and add links all over the place!!
Where do you put Your Bitmoji classroom?
Well If you are using Google Classroom you will post under classwork click materials add your title and description. Next click Add, then upload your Bitmoji classroom from your google drive.
If you are using an LMS (learning management system) like Canvas or Schoology you will need to save your Bitmoji classroom as a webpage when the next page comes up you will need to copy the embed code to then paste the embed code in the designated area on your LMS. I will have a video on this really soon, so check back.
Switch Up Your Classroom
If you have older kids, maybe third grade and up, change up your Bitmoji class every few weeks. For younger kids, I would gradually change my classroom just change a few things each week. Keep in mind that with younger kids parents will be helping them, so keep the major components in the same place. Change the wall color, couch, your Bitmoji but be sure to keep the Agenda, bookshelf and your Google Classroom link in the same place, mine is usually on the laptop.
Now that we’ve covered what a Bitmoji classroom is and where to put it and switching up your classroom let’s discuss student engagement. We can have all the pretty things when it comes to teaching virtually but if those things don’t encourage student engagement what’s the point. I know as teachers we are not in the business of working hard for nothing, so let’s talk about how to engage with students virtually. These suggestions accompany online teaching perfectly.
Live Read Aloud
If you are an elementary teacher, then in your classroom you would be doing read aloud on a regular basis. You can also do this virtually. Virtual read aloud can be still be done online with a little planning. Choose a time for your class to meet you on a google meet or on zoom. Then just read aloud just as you would in your classroom.
Flipgrids
This is one of the coolest things I’ve seen and I am hoping to implement this year. Flipgrids is an app the allows the student to record video responses to your content.Imagine doing a Live read and then having students respond using flipgrid. The Flipgrid app is available on laptop, mobile, iPad, or Android devices. Here is a short overview or check out this full tutorial from New EdTech Classroom. The student engagement using this app is amazing! Add a link in your classroom for easy access to the site.
Digital Library
In your Bitmoji classroom, you can create a digital classroom library. The types and amount of books you can add to your digital bookshelf are endless (as long as you have room on your digital bookshelf for them, lol). One of the benefits is that because these books are being read to your students, they can read books a bit higher than their reading level. This is where teachers can really hone in on comprehension skills. Create quizzes for some of your books in Kahoot or Google Forms and let these apps do the grading for you!! Here is an easy graphic organizer you can send to parents to keep all their kiddos log in straight and their learning at home area neat.
Your Digital Bookshelf will consist of videos of books being read aloud. This could even be videos of you reading aloud. This is a great idea if your class is reading a chapter book. Students can use Flipgrid to respond to each chapter.
Do some “Just for Fun” activities
Engage students with some just for fun activities like live scavenger hunts and ice breakers. You could do these at the beginning of your live meeting this will encourage students to show up on time and they will be excited about what new fun activity you have for them today. You could also do these at then of a live meeting to give students something to look forward to at the end of the class. Either way these will get students excited.
We all love the idea of using a Bitmoji classroom but if you are not using it to creating student engagement then please don’t invest the time it takes to create one. Remember to switch up your classroom, engage students using, read aloud, Flipgrid, digital libraries, and some just for fun activities.Most of all teachers don’t forget to just enjoy your class, and these moments.
