Documenting Reading and Writing with Doodlecast App
The more I use Doodlecast Pro ($3.99) the more I like this app. My favorite app for recording audio on a screen has always been Educreations (Free) because of the simplicity of the app. The two things I think Doodlecast offers over Educreations is the ability to have multiple pages and the ability to export the videos directly to the camera roll. I love that the iPad gives me different ways to document things that are happening in the classroom. I plan to use Doodlecast Pro in this way and share the results with parents at our last conference. Here are a few ideas I had app…
Reading: I wanted to document the kids reading their decodable books or leveled readers in a different way than just a simple video. My goal was for the parents to be able to see the story, hear their child’s voice, and know where their child’s eyes were looking. So I took a screen shot of their readers and added those pages to Doodlecast. Then as the kids read the story I asked them to touch under the word just like we do during our reading groups. I think this does a great job of documenting their reading. As I get more and more reading samples I plan to make a library of videos that the class can use as a reading center. I know they will enjoy reading along with their friends. (example below)
Writing: I basically did the same thing as the reading example except this time I took a picture of their journal paper. I like this idea even more than the reading one because I think it will give great insight into their story making process and writing ability. I wish I had done this at the beginning of the year to document their growth. Next year I plan to make one writing sample each month. (example below)
*I decided to leave in the “made with Doodlecast Pro” at the end of the video for these examples. I will be removing that part of the video with iMovie before saving the final product for my class or parents. I will make a separate post soon showing how easy that process is
What other ways do you see using this app for writing or reading?
Excellent post–plan to share with preschool, kindergarten, and 1st grade teachers. It is okay to use your video in a blog post? I will link back to this post, etc.?
Judy,
That is fine with me, thanks for asking.
Matt,
Thank you for sharing this idea for documenting reading performance. Great idea for literacy instruction.
I use Explain Everything to document reading and writing. What advantages are there to using Doodlecast?
Anja, I can’t think of any advantage Doodlecast has over Explain Everything as far as features. I feel Doodlecast is more simple to use so I introduce it first to the class and then Explain Everything later in the year. For documenting as a teacher use whatever you like most for sure!
I love it I can’t wait to get back to school and try this
This is my 2nd year using the Doodlecast Pro. I love it for exactly the reasons that you outlined. It is one of only two apps that are not free that I recommend. It is so worth it!
Once you have saved your doodle cast video to a camera roll, for example the sample of the student reading, where do you upload the video to? I was thinking of creating electronic portfolios for my students and want to import the video file to their electronic portfolio however so far I can’t get Evernote to upload the video from my camera file. Do you use an “organizational” app to keep all your students video files/ portfolio pieces?
, Lisa
Thanks for your help, I love reading and getting ideas from your blog.
Your not so techie follower