2014 Term Four Week Three

What did Team Kahu get up to this week?

We cooked green bananas to get a taste of Pacific (fish and) chips!

We journeyed around the Pacific on a magical flying carpet ride (thanks to Google Earth)!

We heard the road safety messages presented by Share the Road, ahead of the major sport event, The Cycle Tour of Southland!

And we were excited to hear back from NZ author, Susan Brocker!

Using Padlet | a blog post link from Minds in Bloom

Another suggestion for using Padlet as a tool...click the link below...

Integrating Technology in the Classroom Using Padlet | Minds in Bloom

iPads in the classroom workshop 31-07-2014

Some practical activities using iPad apps in the classroom...an e-learning workshop for teachers...

Remembering the SAMR Model...we will be aiming to be actively creating (modifying and redefining) our own products to share information with the ipads (rather than just "playing games" with apps)...

Today's task/s: incorporating maths, writing, oral language, visual language...

1. Use the camera to take 5-6 photos of 2-d shapes in the playground or classroom.
2. Use the Skitch app to label the photos. Then you can use the photos from your PhotoStream or CameraRoll to...

• Create a Tellagami in which you verbally describe the attributes of one of the shapes you photographed.
• Your Tellagami can be saved to use as a video file (to upload to Vimeo* or You Tube), or shared to Facebook, Twitter etc (if you have activated those accounts) or sent as an email for further sharing via a laptop.

• Create a ShadowPuppet presentation about your shapes. - this can also be saved as a video to be shared in various ways**

• Create an Explain Everything or Show Me presentation about the shapes - also make into a video to share.

• Create a QR code for one of your presentations and share it to a blog or send it as an email to print - the ipad has a QR Creator app as well as a QR Reader app.

* from Vimeo or You Tube the video can be embedded into a blog for immediate sharing, or the URL link can be copied to use in a document or website eg a Facebook post

** The pupils and I usually set a criteria for the work that is to be shared - this often happens during the writing process that occurs before the app is used - we use the appropriate text type features to suit the purpose of our video and the audience that will be viewing it. This means that the pupils write a draft and peer check it against both the criteria of the text type eg an explanation as well as then having a criteria of what needs to be included when the writing is 'published' via the video app.

• I usually also set a time limit eg for an iMovie they are only allowed maybe 30 seconds of completed/edited video in which to share their message (iMovies that are too long will clog up the memory space of the ipad account)

Maths - lines and angles challenge

Today the pupils are using the iPads to photograph lines and angles around the school to use in a Comic Life page, to put together in a book for other pupils to be able to learn about the different types of lines and angles that shapes can have.

Some pupils wanted to label or draw on their photos so we are trying out the Skitch app as well.

QR codes vs augmented reality

An interesting overview, with suggestions for the classroom, from Free Tech For Teachers...

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2014/06/qr-codes-augmented-reality-when-and.html#.U5_29EBdBRA

And just for fun!

Tellagami app and Aurasma app

Tellagami - my class are getting to know this app.  At the moment we are creating Gami vids to use with Aurasma (like a QR code) to help new pupils or visitors to our school know about different classrooms and areas of the school.

How to create a gami avatar and create your own video (thanks to 5 Minute Tech, You Tube)



Aurasma - is an augmented reality app similar to a QR code but uses an image as the trigger for the overlay to play. My class are just deciding on what symbol to use to attach to items so people will know they can use the Aurasma.
Here is a You Tube video of how UK primary school Shaw Wood makes use of the app...

Using the SAMR model with ICT devices in the classroom

I currently have 10 ipads in the classroom; all are set up through a classroom Google account.  This allows automatic/passworded access to:

• our blogs
• gmail - we can email many of our app creations
• the itunes store/icloud storage (controlled by teacher via a separate password)

Our ipads are used individually, in pairs, or in groups of 3 (video projects only)

And are used for: writing, maths, reading, inquiry and for general exploring!

When planning activities or selecting apps for the ipads I try to keep in mind the SAMR model for technology tool use in the classroom (aiming for transformation activities where-ever possible:

Image created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, Ph.D        http://www.hippasus.com/rrpweblog/

APPS WE LOVE TO USE ON OUR CLASS iPADS:

• SUBSTITUTION - iBooks, Vimeo, Google Maps, Wonderopolis, WWF Together, Number Line,Weird But True (Nat.Geog), Touch‘n’Slide Calculator, Math Slide (Add/Sub etc), Tap Quiz Maps, Safari (for reading websites/searching for info)

• AUGMENTATION - Blogger, Comic Life, Wonderopolis, Typing Game, Google Earth, Kura, Piano, Maestro, padlet.com (used via Safari), Kibo 360, Let’s Get Inventing, Toon FX, PhotoBooth, and many MANY maths/spelling apps!

• MODIFICATION - Shadow Puppet, Tellagami, My Story, Show Me, Puppet Pals, Sock Puppets, Comics Head, Friendstrip

• REDEFINITION - iMovie, Explain Everything, GarageBand

Some links I have found interesting/useful as I consider how best to incorporate ICT tools such as laptops, digital cameras and ipads in my classroom programme.  I want the pupils to be getting maximum benefit from their use of these devices and the SAMR model keeps this in focus for me...

The SAMR model as applied to the use of a wiki - good visual example

Chart with simple explanation

Using the Tellagami app in class

Tellagami allows the pupils to create an avatar known as a Gami.  They can choose a background or take a photo of their own background and then record a 30 second message that the Gami will be animated to 'present' when played back.

New ICT tool - padlet.com

Padlet.com is an online app that is designed to work just as beautifully on an ipad as it does on a laptop or similar device - accessed viz the internet, its uses are numerous: for independent, group or whole class activities, for teaching, for learning - you are only limited by your imagination!

This is a great overview of some ideas, created by Suzy of the Technically Invisible blog and you can get your own free copy of it here

My class have been used the site for reading responses and inquiry brainstorming/sharing of ideas.