I wanted to post my Blendspace assignment. I still have a video to add, I am working on it. I have the script just need to decide on the format. I would love any feedback that is out there.
Thanks!
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/GlUoG6BLbS3NNw/how-can-i-restructure-my-curriculum-so-that-my-young-learners-are-using-technology-to-play-create-apply-knowledge-and-show-understanding-at-their-level
10x Feedback-
ReplyDelete• We currently have about 1 iPad per 3 students in our classroom too. I like the idea of having the same 3 use the same one all the time in order to save profiles and such. Does it save a lot of time for logging in? Does it ever create a scheduling hassle trying to make sure it is available for the student that needs it/do they ever need to use it at the same time and end up having to use one not assigned to them?
• Could you explain what a T1 and T2 teacher is? I assume T1 is Title 1, right? I have never heard of a T2 though. It may be helpful to explain a bit more about this in your paper, for those like me who may not know, if it would help strengthen the point of your solution.
• Sharing their knowledge is the key to engaging students with constructivist learning technology, I agree. I assume “My Story” is something that your school has already purchased for the iPads. Are there features of this app that make it better to use with 1st graders than other free apps (like how there is a way to add a picture, I noticed)? Is there a way for students to have the writing read to them or record their writing by speaking, rather than typing, as a UDL strategy (rather than require a classroom paraprofessional to be present)? Does it offer a sharing option to comment on or edit/revise each other’s stories, like Google Docs? Can students produce and share with others outside the classroom walls? I am wondering how the project might be transformed into a redesigned lesson on the SAMR model where students are able to share their creations with anyone around the globe in a way that has been previously unimaginable.
• I’m glad to hear your results were good. It sounds like students were allowed choice of topic. That is a great way to increase student engagement, but your high readers may need a little more structure with what levels they need to pick from and what is expected. Did you use a rubric? I find having them help you make one before the project is started motivates those above-average learners to work harder and strive for an above-average grade. Posting their work publicly online, to an authentic audience, might also motivate them to allow themselves to be more challenged.
• Thanks for sharing your ideas. I wish I would have had something like this to motivate me to become a better writer in first grade!
The iPad are a management nightmare, but one you quickly learn to work with. I will assign the iPad in the second month of school that way I have an idea of the levels. I try to put like minded levels together. Thar way an iPad center is varied levels. I have learned to keep a cheat sheet of who the iPad groups are so that when I assign centers I am assigning them in different groups. The kiddos get made at me when I mess up and they cannot use their specific iPad. All the iPads are logged in as Grade 1. Each app I set up the users or teach the kids to when I introduce the application.
DeleteT1= tier 1 T2=Tier 2, sorry I need to fix that.
As for the App we have a app money each year and as a team we buy apps for the iPads, this was one that someone on the team had purchased. I like it for many reasons. I liked the ease of use and the multiple authors the best. I guess I need to explain better the ability to share globally because they can share through email or text. They emailed me their final projects all by themselves. It does not read to them, but they can speak to it, in a quiet space. My kiddos that worked with the para also have huge speech issues. I did not use a rubric, but will consider it. I do think that my higher learners just may need that. I think that they might push themselves better. My goal has been to add their parents email to the specific email they are on, so they can email it home too. Thanks for the feedback..
I understand what you said about technology being put to the side on a busy day. Just like I had today we had 30 minutes to get our math lesson complete so I did not have time to do rotations with my students so they did not have time to get on the chrome books. We had to go to the computer lab which the kids worked on Kidbiz and reflex math which help them but it's just not the same to me. What type of games do you have your students play? Do you do rotations in language arts and math? If not how do you allow the students to get on the iPads for 15 minutes each day since one iPad is shared between three students? Do your students share the "my story" with others in the school? Do they share online and are others able to comment? This may further their thinking. I had the same question as Vallory about a rubric. Rubrics always help students know exactly what the teacher wants. I believe it helps and even sticks with the students more when they are a part of the process of creating the rubric.
ReplyDeleteWe use a lot of apps on the ipads, reading games, spelling games, sight word games, math facts, bingo, I have so many favorite apps it would take forever to share them. As a team we look at apps and buy them with app money and grant money. All of our games have educational value. I have done use center rotations with iPads at one center in both LA and Math, but I have also used a workshop method and only rotated the iPads on a timer. So each group drops what they are working on to work on the iPads. Both work, but full centers are easier to manage and I tend not to forget to roate when everyone has to rotate. They have not shared yet, they will goal is to share with me, and then share with a parent or even the principal. We are not sharing online. Right now our administration is weary of our young kids sharing on line. My goal is to have them post the My story to Blogger JR. I will have to play with it more. Rubrics are tough with my young kids. But I am willing to try. I just have to get it set up so it will apply to all ELA activities. I find that things that stay the same are easier to use.
DeleteIs T1 and T2 tier 1 and tier 2?
ReplyDeleteyes!! I fix that
DeleteWell, one thing you have done is sold me on Story Me app!
ReplyDeleteI think that your wondering around text levels is spot on. Encouraging students to find and make learning choices that are appropriate for themselves at the "just right" mark can be difficult and like you I found that my higher learners had a harder time with this. Yes, assign levels, and set very clear expectations with them.
I really love that students were engaged and all felt successful through the three days.
I would love to hear more about where you will use this next in your classroom. Will it become a permanent station or do you have even bigger plans for it's use?
Another wondering I had was could you or how could you use this as an assessment and would that be for writing or other areas?
I am not sure of next steps. I think that it will be a weekly station rotating from math to ELA. I think that might work. My bigger plans are sharing with more than just me through email and hopefully posting on Blogger JR for parents to see and comment on.
DeleteI could use it as a formative assessment especially in math.
First, your video was awesome. I have not used Tellagami, and might have to try it! It sounds like you have quite a few resources available to you, and as you point out, using technology is not the problem, student affect is.
ReplyDeleteJournaling with Story Me in the early grades sounds like an effective way to start students on the path of reflection about what they are learning. In later grades, as student meta-cognition improves, they will be able to draw on their experiences as journal writers.
-I am not surprised that your students who read best were amongst the silliest. Explaining thinking is often harder for students who "get it." They need structure just as much as those who struggle. In first grade I would give those students some models of higher end work and not so good work, and have them analyze which models are better and why. Make sure you convey that you expect the higher quality work from them.
-Story Jumper has a gallery feature. I am wondering if Story Me has something similar to share with families and extended families.
-Is there a translate feature in Story Me to allow for other languages?
- My groups change almost daily, and I am wondering how having three students assigned to one iPad might constrain your groupings.
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Ill have to check out story jumper...
DeleteI do not have the need for other languages as my school has no students that need this.
My kids stay pretty much the same, I do not assign the ipads until month two that gives me an ideas of levels. I also know that I can easily create folders for students or reading groups for different level. As for my pulled reading groups, they are pulled form rotations. I just try no to pull when they are on the iPad.
Hi Kate!
ReplyDeleteI love using Tellagami with my students. I think that you're onto something with the journaling, especially using it with iPads. What other apps are you using to provide a variety of choices? I was thinking that you could use other storytelling apps like Sock Puppets of Puppet Pals. Taking a page from 6106 journaling, have you thought about having students partner up to give feedback? I think another added piece would be if you could send the entries to parents. If they have iPads at home and truly enjoy the process, then they have the chance to practice at home!