The art and craft of teaching with technology
My favorite app I learned about in class was padlet, so I will plan on using it for my final IBook project. My partner and I will start with an introduction page, insert an interactive padlet example, discuss using padlet for teachers, discuss padlet for students, give the pros and cons of padlet, and end with a reflection. Our widgets will include the interactive padlet examples. Our learning activity will be appropriate for 2nd-fifth grade students.
I am in agreement with everyone else. I think that it would be fun to make a book using some of the different websites that we work with this semester. This way we can all showcase some of the work we have done that will cover multiple grade levels and subject areas. We would also be able to get creative with the different ways we present our material in the book based on the different widgets that we would be using. This could also be a nice guide for teachers to follow if they like the websites that we choose or if they like the lessons themselves the content would be ready for the students to use right away.
I’m a huge fan of the iBook idea that many others have discussed – that we each pick one of the programs we’ve learned about during this course and write an iBook chapter about it (this could be a little weird for whomever has to write the chapter on iBooks). Once each chapter has been completed, we can combine them all to create a complete iBook that describes what we’ve learned in this course. A book like this would be very useful to each of us as we make our way in the teaching world.
In my mind, each chapter will contain a review on the program, instructions on how to use it (ideally utilizing as many widgets as possible), and some examples of how it could be used in a classroom setting.
I think the idea of everyone focusing on a certain tool that we have learned throughout this course is a great idea. It will give us a chance to put together a book handy for any teacher looking for some extra help with using technology in the classroom. I think each person could either add on to what they have already created or make something new that shows the tools full potential with a completely honest review of whether or not it would work inside a classroom. We should make the book as interactive as possible and easy use and decipher.
For our final class project, I agree with the idea we talked about in class about creating an iBook together that highlights all that we have learned, created, and explored. This iBook could serve as a resource for us as future educators and our co-teachers, students, and parents. In this iBook, each of us as students in the class would take one app or program we have learned about and write a description as well as a demonstration or lesson plan utilizing your program. For example, one person may screencast how to use mymaps in a lesson while someone else may explain how to use toontastic. We have covered enough apps that if everyone can cover one app if we work individually or two apps potentially if we work in pairs.
In this iBook, authors can use the many tools we have learned and integrate them into the iBook – either by directly embedding it into the book or creating a screencast that can be embedded showing us how the app can be used. Once the iBook is done, teachers can use the resource to quickly understand what technology tool to use for a given task, while also receiving a summary of how to best use the technology in the classroom with our students. Students and parents could use this resource to gain a better understanding of how technology is being used in the classroom and can be very helpful for parents feeling connected to what is happening in the classroom.
After a long, wonderful semester of learning about technology in the classroom and a variety of applications that can be used inside and outside the classroom to foster creativity, discussion, and collaboration, I think we should make our final book project be an iBook titled: “A Teacher’s Guide to Technology.” The iBook would be a larger compilation of everything we have explored over the past semester that could be used in our future teaching careers as a reference, as well as a guide for current teachers who are navigating the technological world at this moment. Due to the fact that technology is constantly changing, our book may only be useful for a couple of years, but being able to see all of our work and exploration come together in a shared book could be pretty special for everyone.
In the book, pairs or individuals would create a chapter or section explaining each, or the majority of the applications in depth, from Adobe Spark, to Toontastic. Each pair or person could explain some pros and cons to the application, talk about how they used it (and perhaps include examples that they made), and write a hypothetical lesson plan using the technology! We could do an entire section on “video” and manipulating video, as well as presentations, class activities, creativity, etc. I have loved seeing the past iBooks and I think this could be a cool representation of what we have been doing the past semester!
By: Margaret Buzard and Melissa Sta. Maria
Context – 4th grade, science, research project, summative project on habitats or animals .
Content – the students will be learning about cute but deadly animals and where they are from.
Process – The teacher will give students a list of animals to choose from that are “cute, but deadly”. The students will then be tasked with researching this particular animal and finding out the specifics of where they are from, why they are deadly, and other fun facts. If students have other animals they would like to research off the list, they can speak personally with the teacher.
This information will then be inputted into a Google Form, for the teacher to integrate this into MyMaps to demonstrate their research skills and knowledge of animals and their habitats.
Layout – since MyMaps is not compatible with iBooks we might have to get creative with screenshots and captions to express how MyMaps will work with the lesson.
Audience – this lesson idea will be presented for teacher use.
Our original lesson plan idea:
This lesson would be used during a science unit on dangerous animals. On MyMaps, you will notice several different icons and their general locations on the map. Once you click on a particular icon, you will see the adorable picture of the animal that lives there. However, if you click the arrow to see the next image, you discover the dangerous side of the animal. Below these images, you will find the common location of this animal as well as the reasoning for why they are so dangerous.
In our field experience classrooms, we have noticed how excited kids get when they see dangerous animals. These are typically creatures they may not see on a daily basis, so this lesson would build on their curiosity and invite them to explore the world around them. Students could upload their own cute, but deadly animal to understand how appearances can be deceiving.
For our final classroom project, I suggest we create an iBook that encapsulates all that we have learned, created, and explored during our time in ED 424. This iBook could serve as a resource for teachers, students, and parents – regardless of age, technological capability, or subject area. In this iBook, each author would write about and demonstrate something we have learned in class. One author might create a screen cast on how to use Apple’s “Swift Playgrounds,” while another author may contribute to the project by creating a chapter on “Digital Hygiene” and the importance of citing sources across all areas of content. We have had 14 weeks of class and there are 13 members in the classroom, ensuring that each person would have a specific content area that they could use to create a chapter in the iBook.
In this iBook, authors can use the many tools we have learned and integrate them into the iBook – ultimately making this a summative, “meta”-assignment. Authors can use screen-casting, content creation, and more to create an immersive iBook experience.
Once the iBook is completed, teachers can use the resource to quickly understand what technology tool to use for a given task, while also receiving a synopsis on how to best use the technology. Each chapter could include examples of the technology that we created throughout the semester to further aid the resource. Students and parents alike could use this resource to better understand how to use different pieces of technology that students may be required to use in class. Furthermore, this resource – although designed for teachers – could provide value to anyone seeking to use any of the technology outlined in the iBook.
This iBook, created by ED 424 students, could serve as a significant learning opportunity for the authors while providing immense value to anyone involved with or interested in Education Technology.
Nick
Throughout this class, we have learned about a variety of technological tools that can be valuable for an interactive learning experience in the classroom. The majority of these tools I was unaware of, so I think it has been extremely useful to learn how to integrate these into our future lessons.
One great tool that we got to try is Toontastic. Toontastic allows students to create their own short, animated videos. This is a great resource for students to report on knowledge they have learned, whether it be on a book or on a science experiment, or to tell a short story. There are many options for students to customize their story on the app.
For our final project, we are proposing using Toontastic and screen casting in a science lesson. Ideally, this lesson would be done in a third or fourth grade classroom on their iPads. First there would be a lesson done on what the scientific method is. Then, we would do a screencast on how to use Toontastic. Finally, students would be able to create their own Toontastic video based off of a science project they have decided to do at home. Toontastic would work well for this because there is already a template available to make videos in the format of a science experiment. This would obviously be created for students to use, rather than a demonstration for teachers. I think that this would be a good introductory lesson if we decided to do a book including a variety of science lessons.
Over the course of this semester I have learned about a lot of different tools and programs. This class has opened my eyes to the positive contribution technology can have to classroom lessons and how technology can be used to support rather than distract.
One program that I was really impressed by is TED-Ed due to its ability to transform basic mini-lessons into lessons that can be accessed outside of the classroom. TED-Ed provides teachers with a slew of educational opportunities and allows parents to take part in their child’s learning. TED-Ed is a great way to extend lessons, can be used in a flipped-classroom, allows students to review classroom material and is also a way for students to view lessons when absent. I plan on providing teachers with a brief tutorial on how to use TED-Ed for their future lessons and will also go over the pros and cons of using this program. I will model how TED-Ed can be used in the classroom by creating a fifth grade science lesson.
In this lesson plan, I will include a YouTube video of the characteristics of planets in the solar system. This description of the planets is in the form of a catchy song and will especially help the majority of students who require visuals to learn. TED-Ed also allows for the inclusion of questions that can serve as a formative assessment after watching the video. In addition, students can respond to an open-ended discussion question as well as click access an NGSS website for supplemental information. This website aligns with grade level standards and offers additional vocabulary and lessons that will support the learning already taking place in the classroom. This TED-Ed lesson, once completed, will be accessible for teachers to use and share, and will also serve as an example of how TED-Ed can be incorporated in the classroom.