Baltimore School report

Baltimore School report
Table of Contents
Introduction .....................................................................................3
Teachers Using Torah Live: School Breakdown.........................4
Learning & Advancements ...........................................................6
Testimonials .....................................................................................7
Courses .......................................................................................... 10
Learning Management System & Teacher Tools ................... 11
2
Introduction
We would like to first and foremost express a sincere hakaras hatov to
dr. Paul volosov for providing Torah Live with the opportunity to partner with
the schools in Baltimore. This has been an incredible opportunity for schools
and teachers to provide unparalleled Torah learning opportunities for their
students.
In this short report we would like to showcase both what has been
accomplished to date and our vision moving forward.
SCHOOLS & USES
By the Numbers
durring the 2015/2016 School year there were 78 teachers in Baltimore using
the Torah Live material in 8 different schools:
• Bnos yisroel of Baltimore (34)
• Beth Tfiloh (7)
• Talmudical Academy (1)
• ohr chadash (4)
• Beis yaakov of Baltimore (2)
• neimus haTorah (1)
• Melvin Berman hebrew Academy (28)
• cheder chabad (1)
3
# Teachers Using Torah Live:
School Breakdown
cheder chabad, 1
Bnos yisroel, 34
Melvin Berman
hebrew Academy, 28
Bais yaakov
Baltimore, 1
neimus haTorah, 2
Beth Tfiloh, 7
ohr chadash, 4
Talmudical Academy, 1
4
Usage by School
The different schools each integrated Torah Live into their learning in
different ways:
Bnos Yisroel
Teachers are using TL to enhance the limudei kodesh classes. Piloting unique
program with 2 classes for students who are not adjusting to the regular classes and
hoping to expand this learning model with Torah Live to additional type classes
Beth Tfiloh
Principal of Judaic Studies developed a Torah Live study track that students are
learning specifically with TL materials. Teachers are using TL to enhance their
kodesh classes
Talmudical Academy
Principal of Judaic Studies wanted to test it out first, he now wants to add his rabbeim,
need to schedule training before setting them up with accounts
Ohr Chadash
TL is being implemented in two classes as the primary Judaic Studies track. TL is
accessed by students in the resource room for students who are having a difficult
time in regular kodesh classes
Neimus HaTorah
A very small yeshiva, being used to enhance the students learning
Bais Yaakov of Baltimore
The director of technology requested 1 account to use as a resource room alternative
that teachers can direct students who need additional help in Kodesh classes
Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy
Being used extensively in many classes to enhance the Kodesh curriculum. 1 teacher
is piloting TL as the primary curriculum for the classes that he’s teaching which is
being accessed
Cheder Chabad
1 teacher requested access and recently asked to add additional teachers, need to
conduct training before setting up
5
Learning & Advancements
This year has been an exciting learning process for both Torah Live
and our partnering schools, and can be summarized as follow:
• The schools have been experimenting with the Torah Live platform in a
wide range of educational settings to see how it best fits and adapts to its
educational needs.
• This year has been a unique learning process for teachers. For many of the
teachers this was the first time that they have been given access to high quality
multimedia content for Torah learning. This required a delicate understanding
of how to best integrate new content within an existing Kodesh curriculum.
• This process has also enabled teachers to better cater to a broader student
population to offer those students unique learning opportunities within
the Torah Live platform.
• This learning process has also provided crucial feedback on how we can
better improve both the platform performance and our services to the schools.
Vision Moving Forward
Going forward, we feel the project would best advance with:
• The expansion of Torah Live learning tracks within each school
• encouraging other schools to adapt the program which was piloted in Bnos
yisroel by opening up smaller classes for students who are not fitting into
regular kodesh classes and using Torah Live as the primary curriculum.
• More teacher training and professional development opportunities
• Torah Live would greatly benefit from having a tracking system that would
enable the Torah Live team to better track user engagement with the Torah
Live platform - logins, viewing, volume of usage. This system will also enable
us to better cater to schools to provide ongoing reports on student usage of
the platform.
6
Testimonials
The following is a taste from the feedback that we have received from
administrators and teachers in the schools...
Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy
rABBI JeFFery FrAncIS - MIddLe SchooL reBBe
As a rebbi in the middle school of the Berman hebrew Academy in rockville,
Maryland I have found Torah Live to be an invaluable tool in enhancing
the learning of my students. The topics covered are relevant, the content is
substantive and very well organized, and all aspects of the production make
Torah Live’s curriculum not only memorable and entertaining for the students,
but also meaningful. The way in which the presentations are organized in a
cumulative manner with quizzes and culminating in the student being able to
print a certificate of accomplishment is also something which my students find
to be meaningful. even well after they have completed the units, I see their
certificates peeking out from behind their worksheets in their Tanach binders
and folders. I have personally used Torah Live to create self-guided lessons for
my students when circumstances required I be absent, but have also utilized
them as an adjunct to topics covered in class as well as our Mishmar program.
Additionally, by registering “groups” (Group 1, 2, 3) in classes instead of
individual students, I was able to adapt a unit to create a competition between
groups of students in a classroom using chrome books and wifi in a larger
classroom situation.
I know that some of my colleagues used Torah Live in their lessons when
teaching such areas as the Moadim.
I have also found that yisroel Porath and the staff are a model of responsiveness
when it comes to all issues ranging from technical aspects such as students
having difficulty registering or logging in (and often yisroel has been able to
assist in reAL TIMe when something developed) to listening to suggestions
regarding modifying curriculum or quizzes.
on a side note, the fact that this program is created and produced in eretz
yisrael and often in locations that are very familiar (yes...even ranaana!) has
enhanced the experience as many students will remark about how they lived
on such and such street or have been to a particular location. All these things
make it easier for students to identify with what they are learning.
I applaud this effort and would encourage those who seek to support Limud
haTorah and harbatzas Torah to continue supporting TorAh LIve. It is well
worth it and its rewards for those who use it and those who support it will go
well beyond whatever benefit is seen in the immediate.
7
Bnos Yisroel Mrs. Ahuvah Heyman
With hands-on inspirational videos tailor made to every learning level, Torah
Live provides educators with the tools they need to make learning real. The
introductory lesson immediately engages the students, making even those
who are normally apathetic interested in learning more. The organized and
clear materials makes it easy to prepare and raise or lower the lesson’s level
depending on the crowd you are addressing. The ideas presented are easy to
apply and make an impact on both the students and the teachers themselves.
This is one of the best curriculum models I have seen.
Mrs. Loni Goldman
I am using Torah Live in a small classroom of 4 students who have learning
differences. The girls are very much benefiting from visually seeing the
different halachos and hashkafos come alive! I am showing the videos and
focusing on getting the girls accustomed to note taking after our discussions.
In addition, I supplement the videos with different games, assignments, etc..
For example for the Melacha of Borer I had the girls create different centers of
real life Borrer possibilities and then they needed to figure out if the scenario
was Borrer and if it was how would they would deal with it..
For the Maaser- the girls created their own “fake income” and had to figure
out how much maser they would have to give. We also wrote a journal about
how it would feel to collect door to door for something. The girls created a
budget and a cause they had to collect for and wrote about the experience
it would be to actually do that.. I also brought in an article about the Burts
Bees company and how they discovered the mitzvah of giving Maaser their
company started to finally succeed financially..
For Toiveling utensils I plan on taking them to the toiveling mikva and having
them practice what we learned..
Kashrus- we did real scenarios in a jeopardy game
Kosher Animals- we played Tabboo describing diff kosher and non kosher
animals and fish..
These are just a few examples of how we are using the Torah Live curriculum..
Thanks so much!
Are there any plans for having a Pesach video/presentation?
8
Loni Goldman
Teaching Torah live is a whole new experience in my teaching career! I feel
privileged to be learning new ideas and thoughts along with my students
through these amazing powerful videos. The videos are used as a springboard
for practical and hashkafic discussions in the classroom. My students are
really enjoying using technology in the classroom.
Thank you for this opportunity and looking forward to continuing to share our
class’ progress.
Rabbi Lefkowitz
I have played the series of Smiling (7-8 video clips) to begin my classes.
What a positive effect!
After watching the clip on greeting others with a smile, the girls paired up and
took turns greeting each other ‫בסבר פנים יפות‬.
His level 4 of Smiling, “Happy You’re Alive!” I feel is the most beautiful and
inspiring of them all. At one point he asks to stop the video and ask yourself
what in my life do I consider a gift.
We stopped the video and took a minute to ponder this. I asked girls to share,
if they felt comfortable, what gifts came to their mind, during this exercise.
Wow. Such interesting and meaningful things.
Thank you Mrs Heyman for this amazing resource.
Ohr Chadash
Mrs. Randi Orshan/Director of Teaching & Learning
Torah Live is extremely engaging for all students. It makes the learning come
alive, and students do not even realize how much they are learning while
watching. The knowledge they gain is tested after the videos so we know how
valuable the information is and how much the students are retaining.
9
courses
our rich and entertaining multimedia presentations and study aids enable
individuals at all levels to learn Torah like never before!
Anger
Happiness
Kiddush Hashem
Leadership
Chanukah
Blessings
Charity
Four Amos of Prayer
Rosh Hashanah
Joy of Mitzvos
Jealousy
Man Management
Shatnez
Mezuzah
Greeting Others First
Smiling
Success
Traveling
Shabbos
Kosher
Utensils
Yichud
Tefillin
Co
mi
Birkas Kohanim
10
ng
Co
S oo
n!
mi
ng
Prayer Times on Plane
Co
S oo
Blessing over Moon
n!
Tzitzis
mi
ng
S oo
Sukkos
n!
Netilas Yadayim
Ribbis
Learning Management System
& Teacher Tools
Accompanying each multimedia presentation is a wealth of backdoor resources
for educators including custom slideshows, quizzes, workbooks, source materials
and an online learning management system (LMS)!
11
What TORAH Concept
do you want to see
LIVE?
+972-544-624-093 • 20 Sheshet Hayamim, Jerusalem, 97804
[email protected] • www.torahlive.com