Algebra + Desmos: The Power of Screen Recording with Audio to Model Think Aloud

There is so much power in modeling your thought process for students in math class. In Algebra, my students benefit from listening to my words and watching my process, step by step. I use screen recording to capture and share this media for students to watch, pause, rewind, and replay.

This example below includes the process of graphing the line y = 64x and it's corresponding table of values for x = {0, 1, 2, 3} as it relates to the problem situation that follows.

Problem: Did you know? Health experts recommend adults drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day, or 64 ounces a day. If someone follows this recommendation, how many ounces will they drink in 2 days? 3 days?

To create a screen recording like this on iPad, open the Desmos app and orient your iPad landscape.

Go to Settings Go to Settings  > Control Center, then tap + next to Screen Recording. Open Control Center, tap the Screen Record button, wait for the three second countdown, then the recording will begin. The video will be saved in your photo library in your Photos app. You may read more about this in Apple Support.

To create a screen recording like this on Mac, go to Desmos.com.

Press Shift-Command-5. Select the tool you want to use. The first three, left to right, are used to capture a screenshot. The last two are used to capture a screen recording. The tools listed left to right are: Capture the entire screen, Capture a window, Capture a portion of the screen, Record the entire screen, Record a portion of the screen. Select options and select the microphone you would like to use. I prefer to use the built in MacBook Air Microphone. You may read more about this in Apple Support.

 

Did you notice the large square pointer I used to indicate where I was touching my iPad screen? That's assistive touch and used in this way, it can draw attention to where you want your students to focus. You may learn more about assistive touch in Apple Support.