App Smashing - Show what we know

In Year 4 we are having a great time being able demonstrate our understandings with more than just pen and paper. We are also collaborating to publish our findings.

Using our information gathers (camera, safari, QR reader), we apply the information using a variety of oral presenters (e.g. Tellagami, Chatterpix, Explain Everything, Shadow Puppet, Puppet Pals) and visual presenters (Strip Designer, Skitch, Pic Collage, Word Cloud, Type Drawing) to make a collaborative project using the publishers (iMovie, Book Creator, Keynote). Anything you can send to the Camera Roll can be used in the project.

Working Together (iLive and iLearn)

 In groups of 3 or 4 (iBelong), the students gather their information and outline what they are wanting to include in their final presentation (iThink). To start with this can be done in collaboration with the teacher. Later, they can be given a brief (including a rubric as well to self access). They then divide the information up into sub presentations (storyboard) and assign who will prepare the information using which app. Each group member works on their "part" (iCreate). They may even work on some parts together such as Puppet Pals. The students then collaborate their efforts onto one device using one of the publishers. Final touches such as titles, credits, music and any final narration is done together. A presentation afternoon would be a very powerful motivational tool for the students.

The biggest challenge for the students (iCommunicate) is to make sure all the group members are clear about what they are doing towards the project (iSelf Manage), fast workers help others who need more support (iSupport). They also need to make sure the project will flow and they make it interesting.

The History of the Anzac Biscuits 

Explain our Learning Desktop Style

Explain Everything has been a very popular app on the iPad due to its versatility including giving the learner the ability to explain their understandings both orally and using drawing or annotation.

So, the challenge for classes where we have a mixture of devices is how we are able to simulate a similar experience for our learners on the desktops or laptops.

We could use Photo Booth, but finished product is in mirror image and any writing or symbols are reversed.






A better solution is to use iMovie:

1.  Open iMovie, File ➜ New Event ➜ Name the event
2. To open the camera File ➜ Import Media. This will open the FaceTime Camera
3. Click on red button to start and then click on the same button to stop. Close the window and the clip will be in the event.
4. Create a new movie (plus button on the top bar labelled "New").
5. Import the event into the movie project.
6. Share the project as a new file on the desktop.

You can try to angle the camera on the laptop to film over the students shoulder as they write on a whiteboard, a scrapbook or use equipments to explain their learning.
When using a desktop, use a portable whiteboard to write on while explaining their learning. They could use props such as books, photos, conduct interviews or create a demonstration.

I have created prompt sheets for the students to use while creating their recordings for both iMovie 8 or 9 and for iMovie 10.

Click here to see an example using iMovie to record and explanation of learning

OR


Using Quicktime to screen record while using Kidpix to draw and/or annotate.

Open Kidpix

You can import an image if you wish to annotate a photo, a picture or turn a pdf into a jpeg (through Preview) to annotate a document.

Get it all set up and ready to go, then hide it (place it in the dock)

You are able to create a template if you would like your class to explain the same strategy (maths) or subject.

Then open Quicktime:

Once you have clicked on the "Record" button you will see this message.

Click on Kidpix in the dock and you can start your explanation straight away.

When you have finished, press ⌘, ⌃, ␛ (command, control, escape) and this will stop the recording and bring up the finished recording ready for you to give the file a name and save it.

Click here to see an example of using Qucktime and Kidpix to record the student's learning

These files can be then uploaded into Google Docs, inserted into Keynote, Book Creator, iBook Author or any other applications that can use .mov or .mp4 files.

Kahoot! - Quizzes, Discussions and Surveys

Click here for the website

Found this very useful website lately, which I am using at the moment to encourage my students to read the text for meaning.

The first quizz we all completed was very well received as you can see below.

It is bright, engaging and easy for both teachers and student to use. It can be used on any platform. We used a mixture of devices (iPads, laptops and desktops).

What's the difference?

What I am sold on is not only the flexibility of use, but there is an "under 16 student" sign on which switched off the public sharing options. This potentially provides another great way for the students to demonstrate their depth of knowledge, in a fun way which gives them the chance to take the lead.

There is a comprehensive User Guide as a pdf on their blog and an FAQ section on the site which is excellent at answering most questions regarding creating a Kahoot, playing the Kahoot, collecting/reviewing data and how it can be used in the classroom.

The data shows who came first, based on correct answers and how long it took them to answer them (you set time limits). How each of the questions were answered which can highlight any misconceptions.

Green = Correct, Pink = Incorrect/Unanswered

I have started by integrating this into my Shared Reading programme with a formative quizz and discussions with a video to stimulate the students thinking before we read the text and then a summative quizz to monitor effectiveness.

Bottom line: my students loved it and they got really excited at the prospect of being able to create their own quizz.

MLE (Modern Learning Environment)

My team and I are on this collaborative journey into the world of Modern Learning Environments (MLE). This is a quick presentation of what we think our journey is looking like. We have just finished taking our students on camp, thus our reference to our recent experience outside of the classroom.

Making presentations in PowToon is so easy and your students would enjoy the change from Keynote.

Mobile Technology and this is why...

I found this infographic about the use of mobile technology that reiterates the opinion that:

Technology is a given, not a debate
                               - Scott McLeod
(http://dangerouslyirrelevant.org/2013/01/technology-is-a-given-not-a-debate-slide.html)

Find more education infographics on e-Learning Infographics

                     

Original Source

App Smashing to Create a Learning Artifact

Thanks to Allanah King, we are using her idea from ULearn 14 to continue to move our way up the SAMR ladder. The point is that these creative apps are not subject dependent, but can be used by all curriculum areas to demonstrate learning and understanding.

Click Here to View the Keynote

There is also a link to the support material for the apps used.

iStopMotion

We found this was a great way to record an event such as a tree that grow crystals over a 2 hour period. It was very effective and gave the children the experience in just over a minute which for 5 year olds is the perfect timeframe. This is the movie we made. The children added their understanding of the sequence of events that lead to the making of the tree.

Click here to view the movie

If you wish to find out more the website is http://boinx.com/istopmotion/ipad/ This is a paid app, but I have found it very useful. The iStopCamera is the app which will turn your iPod, iPhone or another iPad into a remote camera on the same wifi network. Very useful if you have a tripod and you are using the app for stop motion animation.