This video shows the process of making a QR-Code. A QR-Code is a machine-readable code that is usually used to store URLs. The codes can be scanned using a smartphone's camera. This will take you to the website. I think this would be a great way to add something extra to the projects that the students have been doing in class. It would be a wonderful idea for open house. You can have each child make their own QR-Code explaining what each project is, why they did it the way they did, and what they liked about it. Then, print the codes out and have them displayed next to the students work.
2. iPad Reading Center
In this video, the teacher created a center where the students record themselves reading. I think this could be very beneficial to the students. They record themselves reading the book, and then, they listen to make sure they read everything correctly. It gives them the opportunity to see what words they missed.
3. Poplet
This video talked about an app called Poplet. Poplet lets you create text/picture boxes. When the students read a book, they put the title in the middle and surround it with details from the book. It's a wonderful way to map stories. When the students finish their map, they can screencap a picture of it so that they can hold on to the information. This helps students remember more of what they read because they actually have to do something with the information.
4. Alabama Virtual Library as a Kindergarten Center
This video describes the Alabama Virtual Library. It is an app that the students can download for research. The students search a word. The app will bring up a picture of whatever they search, give information about the item, and sometimes, have a video that accompanies it. This is a great way to introduce students to the process of researching. The teacher in the video had the students look up four words. For each word, they had to glue a picture on a piece of paper and write a sentence describing the item. This becomes a meaningful experience for the child because they found the information themselves. It teaches them how to use search engines for information.
5. Discovery Education Board Builder
This video is about Discovery Education's Board Builder. The students watched a video about the moon and then made a board about it. This app is similar to Poplet. The students create a title for the board. Then, they can add facts to the board via the text box. To finish the board, the can add either a picture or a video to tell more about the subject. This is like a new way to make PowerPoint Presentations.
6.Board Builder Project
In this video, the students presented a Board Builder project they did in class. I think Board Builder would be a good way to get students to learn how to pull together information. The students in this video made their board about whales. You could assign other students things like krill, kale, and plankton. When each student presents their project, they will see how ecosystems work together. It's a good app to use for collaboration.
7. Board Builder Project #2
In this video, the students made a board about an animal shelter. They are collecting money to donate to the shelter. They gave reasons as to how the money will be used to help provide the animals with the things they need. This is a good way to show the students how to reach out to the community. If they were to post the girls' project on the school's website, parents might donate to the shelter.
8. iMovie and AVL
In this video, two librarians were interviewed about the usage of iMovie and the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) in Kindergarten. This video changed my mind about using technology in schools for the younger kids. I thought it would be too hard for the students to learn how to use the technologies properly. After hearing about how the students made iMovie book trailers, I realized that the students can use these programs better than me. If you introduce students to technology early, they will learn how to use it better sooner. AVL is used to teach the students how to begin researching. The students type in words or phrases, and the app will bring up picture and information about what they searched.
9. We all Become Learners
This video talks about how you should introduce new technologies to students. You should teach the basics about how to use the new programs. Let the students explore and learn on how to fully use them on their own. Mrs. Bennett told a story about how she was trying to show her students how to upload a picture to a program. One of her students took the iPad from her and showed her how to do it. As teachers, we don't need to underestimate our students' abilities. We can learn just as much from them as they can from us.
Overall, I think I learn how to use technology quickly. However, a weakness I have when it comes to implementing technology into teaching is that I try to limit what I think the students can do. I need to get out of this mind-set that it's too hard for them to do or that they are too young to learn how to do it. Watching these videos made me realize that the younger students can use these programs better than I can. Another challenge I will face is that I don't know about the technologies that are out there. I've learned about some really neat ones through this blog post assignment. Between now and graduation, I need to surf the Internet and search for programs that I can implement in my future classroom.
Lacey, I liked reading your post. I also liked the iPad reading center . I think children could truly find their mistakes when they play back the recording. I thought the Popplet thing was also pretty cool. I also need to search the web for more PBL projects and search engines I could use.
ReplyDeleteHey Lacey! I couldn't agree more with what you said about underestimating children's abilities. It's so surprising to see how much they can do with their iPads and laptops! I think once we start working in schools more we'll learn a lot more about apps and websites we can use in our classes.
ReplyDeleteVery good blog post :)
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