Findery, and the world, is your classroom!
While it may seem like you just wrapped up finals, packed up the classroom and headed for a well-deserved summer break, the (sad) truth is a new semester is right around the corner!
As you sit on that beach, you may be wondering how can you incorporate more project-based learning activities into your course syllabus and grab the attention of your students who, let’s be honest, have the attention span of a gnat.
Even if you’re not currently enrolled in college, Findery is a powerful informal learning platform where you can tap into the collective knowledge hidden in Findery Notes and learn (or share!) more about Australia, space travel, candy, San Francisco architecture or anything else that matters to you!
Introducing Findery University
Today I am happy to share the launch of Findery University!
Findery, is a geo-location based website where anyone can share local knowledge, hidden secrets, stories and information about the world around you. Using Findery, your students (or you!) can annotate places in the real world, leave media rich (YouTube videos, SoundCloud audio, Instagram and your own images) notes tagged to a specific geographic location.
You can even embed Findery notes into your class blog or website or share them via Twitter or on your classroom Facebook or Google+ page.
Findery for Students
Findery is a great way to create a multimedia project for just about any class. Demonstrate your learning by adding notes infused with video, images and text along the paths of your explorations. Ask your classmates to contribute their reflections, narrative feedback and resources on your Findery project through the comments.
Be sure to follow @Campus on Findery to discover and contribute notes about student life and campus history. Your notes could capture memories with your friends or pay it forward by joining the Findery Campus Challenge and leaving tips for your current and future classmates!
Findery University for Educators
Here are a few examples of how you can use Findery University to support formal and informal learning:
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Are you a professor of film studies? Why not leave notes on the Findery map about the making of Giant? Or other famous movie locations?
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Studying community supported agriculture? Investigate and map local food in your area, then leave notes for food sources with commentary on sustainability.
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Have writer’s block? Explore the notes in a particular region and build a story around the local knowledge of that place.
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If you teach American Literature, create a Set that has Notes with facts, images or videos for books or authors included on your course reading list.
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Encourage observation through illustrating places. Go on a sketching excursion and post a note with the picture of your sketch. Tag your notes with #sketchproject to contribute to urban sketching fans on Findery.
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Use Findery as a way to create a living history map. Share a picture of your ancestors at the docks in Liverpool with an excerpt from their diary talking about how they feel about leaving England for America.
Share a note with a video clip about the hazards of transatlantic boat travel in the 1800s and include a passage from their diary about the challenges they faced during the journey. Bring your family history to life!
Enroll in finderyU
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Go to findery.com
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Click "Sign Up!" and follow the prompts. Don't be afraid of the FAQs
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Update your settings, jump in and create your first note, or just start exploring
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Download the free Findery University handout, or check out more lesson plan ideas at www.findery.com/university
It will be exciting to see how educators use Findery in the classroom, student projects or for your amazing passion projects!
Findery wants to share your Notes and lesson plans with our educator community. Send a tweet @finderyU or share the link on the Findery Facebook page, so they can share your FinderyU contributions!
And, oh--you can find me on Findery, here.
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