Tag: 19-A6

Bubble.us is an app that allows someone to map out their thoughts in regard to a certain topics. It can be used for anything such as a family tree to writing out prompts for an essay. One thing about it is that it is relatively simple as it does not allow anything fancy such as embedding links or pictures. Anything extra may cost the user money in order to use the function. While making the mindmap, users can change the colors of each little bubble and also the background color of the entire mindmap as well. One helpful function of it is that you can download a jpg image of it which students can print out for their reference. This could be beneficial for someone who has a hard time handwriting as the app does make it look more organized versus if you had to write it out yourself. However, in the end, it seems that it may easier and more time manageable to have students physically draw out their own mindmaps rather than go through the trouble of digitalizing it.

This app has a variety of ways of making learning activities fun and easy to follow such as a book review, minilesson, or a timeline. I choose to make a Solar System KWL Chart. In this chart, the students will state what they already know, what they wonder, and what they have learned after the lesson. As a teacher, I would start with this before the lesson and fill out what we know and what we wonder. Once the lesson is complete, we would come back to this and fill out what we learned. This app is super easy to navigate and has fun little tricks so the students can really get involved in the lesson. For example, you can insert photos or gifs into the comments posted. You can also allow the students to comment on other’s posts or like/vote/rate their posts. It’s super fun to use and super fun to make. Definatlely recommend it!

Click on the screen shot above to go to the padlet page where this KWL chart was made.

Padlet is an app and website that is easy to use for educators and students. It allows you to attach images and easily edit already made templates as well create your own. The downside to padlet is that you are only able to create 3 times before you have to pay $8 a month to be able to make new padlets.

Besides creating Know, Wonder, Learn charts like I created for this post you could have students create picture story boards for a book they have read and then post it to a class reading club website. In addition, you could have your students create mind maps.

Mind mapping helps the students because it allows the student to use key words and pictures in a non linear format that makes sense for the student. By drawing arrows you can see how different ideas connect in a non-lin2ear fashion. Mind maps are also beneficial for visual learners (95%) of people.

Mind mapping helps the students because it allows the student to use key words and pictures in a non linear format that makes sense for the student. By drawing arrows you can see how different ideas connect in a non-lin2ear fashion. Mind maps are also beneficial for visual learners (95%) of people.

This padlet is designed to help students delve deeper into stories that they have been reading, perhaps after reading them as a mini report, or just to organize their thoughts. It is an easy way to evaluate the students’ thinking and guide them along the way through the use of comments from the teacher. Comments can also be utilized by students to ask their peers questions and comment on their ideas with support and constructive criticism.

Cover Image: Books by Vicente

By Lauren Alvarez

I think that in my future career as a teacher, I will probably end up using Padlet the most. It is very easy to use compared to the rest. It comes with ready templates that make creating activities simple. Teachers can ban profanity and add comments to everyone’s posts. These types of KWL charts are a great way to ensure all students have a chance to participate. My lesson can be used as a preview activity for a field trip to the zoo with the K and W portions of the chart. Then, students can share what they learned under L!

By: Rylee Seekins

How to tips:

• Express creativity
• Have an idea/ plan in mind
• Keep an open mind

Benefits of mind mapping: 

            Mind mapping allows students to layout their ideas in a creative way that makes sense to them. But it is also an easy layout for someone else to follow along. Very beneficial for visual learners. And is also helpful when a student is stuck on a specific idea. 

Bubbl.us Review:

Very simple and easy to use. Allows students to layout ideas and its very easy for others reading to follow ideas. Only downside is that you can’t get to creative, and it is kind of boring to use.

I think that google sites is a great way for teachers to be able to share their lesson or activities that they do for their students. I made a site that has different lessons from different platforms that teachers would be able to use in their classrooms. All the lessons are interactive and fun for the students, so no boring learning going on here. I would hope that teachers would find the site to be helpful.