Standards:
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Thing 20- QR Codes and Augmented Reality Add a
QR Codes:
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| QR Code that links to my classroom website. |
Reflection:
3 ways to use QR codes in the classroom:
1) To increase independent learning a teacher can put QR codes to websites that students are allowed to go to for enrichment activities. Students would be able to focus on learning what the teacher would like them to learn when they aren't one on one with the teacher.
2) Students can create QR codes to add to their posters in the hallway. They can create videos on YouTube and include them with visuals on their posters or presentation boards.
3) Teachers can add a QR code with a link to the classroom website on student worksheets so the students can turn in assignments in a selected area on the site.
Augmentative Reality:
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| AR Flashcards, the |
Reflection:
Augmentative Reality apps are able to give students actual images of what is being explored. Students can watch a battle instead of just seeing the picture. AR apps let the students interact with learning materials in a way that wasn't thought about years ago. Students can be more independent in their learning using AR apps in the classroom and throughout the building.
Thing 19- Research and Reference
Citations:
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| Using the EasyBib app, I created 4 APA citations in a few short seconds. |
Reflection:
I wish I would have known this app was around a few years ago to make my grad school experience easier. EasyBib made APA seem not so bad. I used to dread doing a works cited page after all of my pages but with this app I would have not minded it at all. The only issue I had was the scanning. I was only able to scan 2 of the 4 books that are on the list. The alternative was typing in the book titles, and that was very convenient. So the pros definitely outweighed the cons.
Dictionary:
Reflection:
I would recommend the Dictionary.com app over the Merriam-Webster app. I felt that the Dictionary.com app had a better microphone to look up words. It recognized the word right away where as the Merriam-Webster app took several tries to hear the word. I also like the synonym feature and how easily accessible it is. The Dictionary.com app has an easy way to store the words by hitting the star. Sharing the definition is also easy to do and it is helpful for younger students to share with a teacher what they have done. The Dictionary/com app also has an origin and history section to help people understand where the word came from, which from an educational point of view is awesome!
Online Bookmarking:
Reflection:
I have a Diigo account and have been using it since I went to Brad Wilson's presentation last summer. I love it! Storing my bookmarks online has been extremely helpful. I can access my saved websites from any device I have. I loved the Diigo Browser! I liked the way I could save my sites easily and have a way to just read the text. The read it to me feature is also very helpful to me because I love to read blogs and would be happy to multi task. I find the feature of saving the websites with a label very helpful when trying to remember what I am looking for.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Thing 17- Creative Expression
Visual Expression
Reflection:
Audio Expression
Using the GarageBand app, I created a very brief overview of my classroom for new students.
Reflection:
http://soundcloud.com/meaghan-Thing 18- Study Skills and Visual Thinking
Study Skills
Reflection:
http://soundcloud.com/meaghan-Mind Mapping
Reflection:
http://soundcloud.com/meaghan-Thing 16- Content Area
Evaluating Apps
Finding Apps
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| Emotions was another app I chose based on the needs of my class. This app shows how people feel different emotions and what to do in certain situations. You have to buy the feelings that say "Info" on them. This app had great illustrations and an easy voice to listen to on a somewhat dry subject. |
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| Remember the Milk was an app that I had heard of. It helps people remember their list of things to do. I am always looking for good apps that help me with lists. This one was highly recommended. |
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| This is my evaluation of the Going Places app. |
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| Going Places is an app that models real people participating in different places in the community. I chose this app because it has a lot of relevance for my students. They could watch is this as they prepare to go out to the community. |
Reflection:
http://soundcloud.com/meaghan-Sunday, April 13, 2014
Thing 15- Assessment
Student Response Systems
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| Student view of single-question activity. |
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| 5 question quiz created in Socrative Teacher |
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| Results of Socrative quiz |
Reflection:
http://soundcloud.com/meaghan-Enhanced Student Response Systems
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| Activity using GoSoapBox |
Reflection:
Thing 14- Universal Design For Learning
Speech-To-Text
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| Using the Dragon Dictation app, I recorded a note that I will send home with my students. |
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| The final note, after editing. |
Reflection:
http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/speech-to-text/20107367/?ref=appemailText-To-Speech: Speak Selection
Reflection:
http://soundcloud.com/meaghan-Guided Access
Reflection:
Thing 13- Classroom Tools
Text Your Class
Reflection:
Monitor Behavior
Reflection:
Teacher Tools
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| GroupMaker App in action for my class! |
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| 3 different timers are set for my students so the staff and students know their limits. |
Reflection:
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Thing 12- Learning Management
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| Edmodo course screenshot. |
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| Schoology course screenshot. |
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| A screenshot of an assignment with an image attached. |
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| A screenshot of a discussion with a video attached with Schoology. |
Reflection:
Thing 11- Productivity
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| A picture of a scanned and annotated document. |
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| A screenshot of an Evernote notebook with 2 scanned documents. |
Reflection:
Thing 10- Collaboration
Shared document link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-M3Jul6tRzTTv5Y-x-zpxhhYzZnkVLe3TF7OwFwpYw8/edit?usp=docslist_api
Reflection: I created a personal shared document. My family and I are always talking about fun vacations we should go on. I sent a document to them so we could all put our ideas on a shared piece of paper. Hopefully one day we will be able to go on an awesome family vacation!
A fellow staff member and myself created a Google Doc to share with the rest of the staff about all of the sessions we attended at MACUL. We were able to update the document after each session. The information included the session title, any resources that were given, and the website with the presentation. Staff are able to view it and ask any questions. It was a great way to share information from a large conference with the entire staff.
I could see how general education classrooms would use Google Drive. Students from different classes could work together on a writing project. Another way would be the teacher could project a Google Doc and the students could brainstorm or add their information. I had never thought before this assignment but using Google Sheets to have students add their own information for a math or science project would be a great way for students to see the different data collected.
At our school several teachers create a shared document to brainstorm age level activities or create assessments that are important to our students' futures. Unfortunately, the way our school year and days are set up, there isn't a lot of time scheduled for group planning and collaboration so these documents are a way for the staff to work together when it is convenient for them.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Thing 9- iBooks
Free ePub Readers
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| This is my Kindle library. I use it all of the time, as you can see. I enjoy reading on my iPad because the Kindle App will sync to my iPhone so it will always remember where I left off. |
Project Gutenburg
PDF to iBooks
Reflection:
I enjoy the Kindle app over the iBooks app. I think that the Kindle app is straight forward and self explanatory, plus I am an Amazon expert so that helps. I only use the iBooks app to open up PDFs or certain stories.I think that there are a lot of great books out there for students of all ages. The downfall is you would have to be able to set up your iPad to read to the students, in my case anyways. I like when you read books on websites on the computer you can have the students click next after a page is read to them.
Using an iPad as an eReader would make sense over a traditional book if you are going to be taking notes like textbooks. With an eReader you can write questions and comments right on the page! It is neat because everything is typed and no one has to decipher messy handwriting. I think for traveling eReaders are best because they are compact and you don't have to bring multiple along if you planned on reading more than one book.
I think the traditional book still works best when students are learning to read, personally. They should be able to see all of the books they have read on a shelf. They can flip along as the teacher is reading a story to learn more challenging words. Sometimes the eReaders don't have the book you want for free like a library so that would be a good time for a traditional book as well.
The eReader has a lot of built in accommodations for all readers. The define option allows the students to figure out the meaning of a word in seconds rather than wrtiing it down then looking it up in a dictionary, which is a whole other skill. The speak portion is helpful so students can follow along as the words are read to them and focus on the comprehension rather than the reading-which is something some students struggle with. Highlighting and notes on an eReader are also something that are beneficial to students. Students with poor handwriting can just type their notes right onto the page. They won't have to struggle reading their notes for a test or re write notes just so the teacher can understand them. For the most part students aren't allowed to highlight directly on their books, unless they are bought for some outrageous amount, so these digitial books would allow students to identify the important parts of the book as they are reading.
I think the traditional book still works best when students are learning to read, personally. They should be able to see all of the books they have read on a shelf. They can flip along as the teacher is reading a story to learn more challenging words. Sometimes the eReaders don't have the book you want for free like a library so that would be a good time for a traditional book as well.
The eReader has a lot of built in accommodations for all readers. The define option allows the students to figure out the meaning of a word in seconds rather than wrtiing it down then looking it up in a dictionary, which is a whole other skill. The speak portion is helpful so students can follow along as the words are read to them and focus on the comprehension rather than the reading-which is something some students struggle with. Highlighting and notes on an eReader are also something that are beneficial to students. Students with poor handwriting can just type their notes right onto the page. They won't have to struggle reading their notes for a test or re write notes just so the teacher can understand them. For the most part students aren't allowed to highlight directly on their books, unless they are bought for some outrageous amount, so these digitial books would allow students to identify the important parts of the book as they are reading.
Thing 8- Comic and Book Creation
Comic Creation
Reflection:
It is best to have an idea of what you are going to create a comic about before you go ahead and write it. It is important to know the themes though before you start brainstorming so you are aware of your options. I was really glad I watched the tutorial because that duplicate button saved me a lot of time! I liked how bright and colorful the images were.
1) Students could create a comic strip based on current events or what we read in our News 2 You newspaper. They would be able to pick the characters and words to show what they learned.
2) I could see my students creating comics on how to make a sandwich. They would be responsible for taking pictures and gathering supplies. They would also have to know how to make a sandwich! This would be considered a substitution because the pictures could just be put in a book where I could write the words to describe what is going on. I like that this way the students are responsible for all of the steps.
3) Student could create a comic on preparing to go on a field trip in our class. We could do this as a whole group activity so everyone understands what needs to be packed and brought with us on a trip, no matter how small.
Book Creation
Reflection:
I have learned how important it is to know where to find images you are allowed to use for these types of projects. I found that to be the hardest part, finding the images. If I were to use this with my students I would have a hand out by the computer or on their desk to show them what website to use and how to save the photos so they were able to easily access them. I also learned it is better to have an idea before you start the project then to just go for it, the second way will take longer.1) I would pick a routine for a group of students. They would be in charge of taking pictures of the important steps of the routine and how to do it. They could use the text to describe the routine taking place in the picture. In the SAMR model this would be considered an augmentation because the students would be in charge of taking the photos and deciding what is the important part of the routine.
2) Based on the ULS topic of the month students could work with an adult and create a summary of what they have learned. They could take screen shots of stories from ULS to describe the important parts.
3) Students could go around the school taking pictures of other students and staff who are following our PBIS "ROAR." The students would identify which behavior the students are following and write that below the picture. They could go on to share this with the school to show what they have learned about "ROAR."
Thing 7- Digital Storytelling
Animated Story Project
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| Story board created using Popplet Lite App. |
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| The rough draft of my script using the Notes App. |
Image Based Story Project
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| My storyboard using Popplet Lite App. |
Script from the Notes app: This is a video about how to start your day right with our morning procedure. First you come off the bus and quietly walk down the hall to our classroom. Then you take off your jacket and your backpacks. If you have boots now would be a good time to take them off. Take your notebook out of your backpack and put it on the shelf. Then go over to the refrigerator and get a drink. If you would like a snack pick one from the snack basket on the counter. Find a seat to eat. Once you are done eating throw away any trash then go to the bathroom to wash your hand and face. Finally look at the daily schedule to see what we are going to do next.
This is the image based story I created using Videolicious. I also edited a picture using Photoshop Express and Skitch. http://youtu.be/YY0CZ2CCeqg
Reflection
- I would use image based digital storytelling apps to explain procedures in the classroom. It is visual and auditory to help the students understand the process. I would also use animation to explain rules and expectation for the classroom and school. I could also see a teacher explaining how a center would function or what work the students should do independently. I like that the image based ones can use actual students and objects that have meaning to the students.
- http://bit.ly/1fSYfJm (Talking Snowman, super funny and the student works on learning a new perspective http://bit.ly/1fSYpR0 (Student explains art project that was created using recycled materials)
- I think the animated story telling would be a good way for students to reflect on their learning. They could create animations of the stories they listened to or read. The students could also create alternative endings to stories using animated story telling. In combination with other apps students could understand the different parts of a story and let it all flow together and create their own story from scratch. Image based story telling would be used more for explaining pictures, assignments, answers, etc. While looking at an image students could describe it and it would be recorded for everyone to hear. Another thing I see it being used for was to create a slide show to show people the process of an assignment or to explain a specific process.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Thing 6- Screencasting
Explore Screencasts
Money Review- This is a video created by a teacher that was made for the students to practice adding money and dollar bills. The teacher asks the viewers to pause the video so they could complete the problem then he shows how got to the correct total so students can compare their answers and steps. http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/money-review/6475497/?ref=appMoney Unit Intro Lesson-This lessons was also created by a teacher to begin her unit on adding money under $1.00. She gave examples http://www.educreations.com/lesson/view/money-unit-intro-lesson/7374192/?ref=app
Reflection: I liked the Money Unit Intro Lesson and thought it was more effective than the Money Review. Although they both used actual coins and dollar bill images the Intro Lesson video had more effective annotations. I also find it hard to believe that students would pause the video to practice independently like the Money Review video asked the students to do. I know they should but will they? And if they don't practice they aren't going to have a clue what is going on in class. The Intro Lesson was clean, which is how I am or I get easily distracted, and included a variety of colors and text. The Money Review presenter was also going quickly. I liked at the end of the Intro Lesson the teacher left the students with a problem they needed to bring into class so it kept the students engaged until the end.
I felt that by searching through the lessons I learned a lot about what I felt would be important in a video I made for my class. It would need to be short with visuals and clear explanations. I shouldn't be doing a lot of annotations because that would easily distract some of my students. I liked the idea of students interacting with the material and showing me evidence that they watched what I had created to help them learn.
Create a Screencast
I created a screen cast on teeth brushing.
I used soundcloud to record my reflection: https://soundcloud.com/meaghan-garbutt/sounds-from-sunday-evening
I was really impressed with the quality of the recording and how easy it was to use!
Thing 5- Presentations
Presentations
The following is a link to my presentation. I reflected on a session I recently attended at the MACUL conference about branding your classroom. It inspired me to think about what was really important in my classroom.
I used Haiku Deck to create my presentation on the iPad. At MACUL a lot of presenters used Haiku Deck and the visuals were amazing! I would recommend to students to first think of words that describe the purpose of their presentation. I think when using Haiku Deck the selection of images can be overwhelming so make sure they are picking out the images that best reflect their point and not just what looks cool. It is also important to choose the correct layout for the audience. Having a lot of words on the slide along with the large image in the background can be too busy so think again of what you want the audience to be focused on.
In my class I see student creating a presentation as a reflection after a field trip or community experience. They could pick the images of what they learned such as manners or a new word on their communication device. I think that this would fall under Modification in the SAMR model because they could just show the pictures but with using a presentation app they would have the ability to pick images and words to convey a message. My students enjoy sharing what they do at home so presenting a story about what they do at home for others to see would be cool. I think my students would like the idea for only using a couple of words to describe what they are talking about. Another idea they could present on would be to explain what they learned in our Unique Learning Curriculum for the month. They would be able to share this with other classes and students to show what they have learned. This would fall under Adaptation under the SAMR model because they could create images right from the internet to add to the presentation and then add to our classroom blog.
Thing 4- Photo Editing
Take and Edit Photos
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| Original Photo taken with Camera |
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| Screenshot of Original Photo |
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| Edited using Photos Tools |
Using photos in the classroom is an invaluable tool. You could use photos documenting student participation and create a timeline of pictures of them doing work from the beginning to the end of the school year. I know parents love to see students being involved with the different activities that go on in and outside of the classroom. As a special education teacher, I will go over to a student working on an academic app and take a screenshot of their work. It is just another way to show what they are capable of doing. We also work on a lot of communication in our classroom so it would be fun to show a picture of an activity and have the students say or create a sentence about what is happening in the picture. Students could go on a scavenger hunt around the building and look for different objects. They could match the objects listen then take pictures. Although some of my students have physical disabilities they are still able to take pictures and be proud of the work they made!
Photo Enhancement
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| Original Photo |
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| Modified with Photoshop Express |
I chose to use Photoshop Express to modify this photo because I already know Skitch. I thought that Photoshop Express was easy and fun to use. I liked the different options that were available to edit the photo. I think it would be interesting to pick a time frame then have the students edit the picture to make it from that time frame. I would use it to spruce up the pictures that I send home or put on the classroom blog for a different look. This could definitely be used as a creative outlet for students by having them bring in photos from home to edit. The students could let their imaginations run free!
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