Not every teacher can claim to have taught in over 170 countries and all 50 states, but with the power of the Internet, Darlington’s Randy Smith has been viewed all around the world. Beyond a professional persona that has presented on a variety of topics at numerous conferences and to fellow faculty, Smith has also become notable for embracing technology inside and outside of the classroom.
Thanks to support from school administration and the information technology department, the sixth grade earth science and eighth grade physical science teacher has been able to set up a presence on YouTube, teaching from the other side of his MacBook’s camera.
A young boy who played with bugs had no idea that his enjoyment and understanding of how nature works would one day play into his life’s calling as a teacher. Thanks to two high school instructors who were very supportive of raising a hand to indicate that a concept was not understood, Smith was able to make sense of something very early in life about the learning process.
When called to the blackboard to work on a math equation he did not fully understand, Smith had no other choice but to figure out the problem and generate the correct answer. Prior to his experiences with these teachers, this could have been an impossible challenge. He was learning to leave his comfort zone.
“When a person is willing to risk it all for the sake of their own learning, that’s when the magic happens,” said Smith. “I was no longer afraid to ask questions.”
Following his first National Science Teachers Association conference in New Orleans a few years backs, Smith had a revelation.
“I began to see how I could include the use of technology more in my class, in my instruction, and outside of the classroom to benefit students,” he said.
In contrast to a flipped classroom, Smith’s methods focus on packaging material to use as a supplement to time spent in the classroom, and not necessarily as a replacement. Smith’s students have the opportunity to learn and ask questions during class, but also have him “on demand” from just about any device once class has been dismissed.
Smith uses these iMovie-created videos to “pre-teach”, deliver content, review said content, and function as a general tutorial, so students can learn at any hour of the day, any day of the week. Smith feels strongly about the process and believes that it says a lot about the character and work ethic of the instructor.
“It really lets the parents know that you are fully invested,” said Smith. “I am the in-home tutor, and parents love that.”
To date, Darlington’s own “YouTube sensation” has over 350 YouTube clips under his belt, having filmed in a variety of locations. Smith has seen success with these videos, adding to student engagement inside and outside of class.
“When you film something, it takes it to another level,” he said. “You are able to deliver more content and more understanding.”
The science teacher credits Darlington with having an enriching environment that values technology, encourages collaboration, and supports trying new things.
“The tradition in learning and of meaningful relationships echoes in the halls here more than any other place that I have taught,” said Smith. “[Our School] levels the playing field with one-to-one technology.”
Smith cites embracing new ideas as the start and continuation of one's lifelong learning and development.
“We need to be in a constant state of change, and in an attitude of trying to improve and get better,” said Smith. “If you keep pursuing a path to improve, the direction of your life starts to unfold everyday.”
To view Randy Smith’s YouTube channel, click here.
Randy Smith holds of a Bachelor of Science in Education (math and science) from Georgia Southern University, and a Master of Education and an Education Specialist (both in math and science) from Georgia State University. In addition to serving as a Middle School science teacher, he is also the head coach for the boys' Middle School soccer and wrestling teams.
Smith is the recipient of Darlington’s Brown Faculty Award, a co-recipient of the 2012 Carla and Leonard Wood Faculty Professional Development Endowment Award, and most recently, a co-recipient of the 2014 Beachum Master Teacher Award. He is a member of the International Society for Technology in Education.
Smith has presented at numerous conferences and conventions on technology integration, including the 2013 and 2014 iSummit Technology conferences and 2013 and 2014 Annual Georgia Independent School Association conferences. He has been invited to present at the national 2014 Lilly Conference Series in Michigan, the Midwest Education Technology Community conference in Missouri next February, and the Georgia Science Teachers Association conference next spring.
Smith and his wife, Leigh Ann, live on the Darlington campus and have three children, Rand (’18), Lila, and Bradley (‘23).
