Archive of ‘Tech Tasks’ category

The Big Finale

I had such a fun time creating my Final Summary of Learning! With some of my classmates from the course, we created a video on iMovie about what we learned over the semester. Through an interview format, we each addressed our favourite tool that we learned about and displayed how it works. We used On Air Hangouts on Google Plus to show videos of the tools. We struggled in knowing how to import the on air videos into iMovie, but with a little help, we managed to figure it out! The video we created is only a small portion of what I learned over the course. Check out my other blog posts to see what else I have been learning over the semester.

I hope you enjoy our Final Summary of Learning!

Hanging Out with Michelle Cordy

This semester, I was able to learn alongside an amazing educator from Ontario. She is someone who integrates technology in the classroom, who is innovative with the curriculum and who is willing to “hack the classroom”. Michelle Cordy was my mentor this semester, and she showed me useful ways to bring technology in the classroom as a beneficial tool for learning. I am confident that my learning from her will go past the duration of this semester and I will continue to stay connected with her! Check out the interview we had and I guarantee you will learn some great stuff!

Michelle’s Blog: http://hacktheclassroom.ca/
Michelle’s Twitter: @cordym

Untangling the Web

This week I was introduced to a lot of online tools that can be useful for myself, as well as my students. I was able to play around on a lot of websites and discover new tools for students to convey their learning.

A few of my favourites were:

Piktochart: Students can display their learning through graphics and present information creatively. http://piktochart.com/
Padlet: It’s like having a online bulletin board! It can be used to share so many things. http://padlet.com/
UJAM: This site is SO cool. It allows you to create music in an easy way! I tried recording a song with my ukulele, but I ended up just humming a tune because it converted my voice into an instrument anyways.http://www.ujam.com/

Capzles: This is another great online tool for story telling. I used this site to share my hot air balloon ride experience in the summer. It was easy to use, and I liked the way it displayed my story. There are many possibilities with using this site in the classroom!

Check out my hot air balloon ride adventure on Capzles here: http://www.capzles.com/e5c44f6a-5529-42fc-8249-66ca1da84907

-Amanda

Coding Adventures

This week I learned a lot about coding, which I had no previous experience with. It was really interesting to learn about it, but it was difficult to do at times!

Before I started experimenting with coding, I took an online hour-long “course” that allowed me to become familiar with it. It was pretty fun to try the coding tasks that they presented, and it was easy to follow. I even got a fancy schmancy certificate.
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After I completed the course on the website, I wanted to test out the skills I learned on the Hopscotch App. I started out by just playing around with it, and then I decided to make a picture with coding. Not going to lie, it took a very long time to finish the project. It took a lot of trial and error to figure out how to complete the picture. At one point, I accidentally removed a part of the coding and I could’t figure out what I deleted! It changed my whole picture,
and I was very close to just giving up.

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However, I was determined to figure it out and complete the project. Finally, after a lot of frustration and persistence, I finished the cake and I was happy with the final product.

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My experience with coding taught me a lot. It allowed me to be creative, required me to problem solve, and forced me to be patient and persevere. All of these skills that I used are important for children to use too. Apps like Hopscotch can give children an outlet to use coding in a kid-friendly manner that allows them to make mistakes, learn new things, and accomplish new tasks.

If you want to see the complete cake project, check it out here: https://community.gethopscotch.com/projects/untitled-uzs43ztvisqv9czh3vg70g

-Amanda

Story Making

This week for our class we were lucky enough to hear Alan Levine talk about story telling. It reminded me about how important story telling is, especially in the classroom. There are so many online tools for students to tell stories, which is why I wanted to test some of them out.

I decided to share a story by using two tools, PhotoPeach and Slideroll. I told a story about the time my family’s dog got a really hideous haircut. I told the same story using both of the tools, which allowed me to see the pros and cons of each tool. The end results of both stories are very similar, but the making of them was quite a bit different.

I liked using PhotoPeach more than Slideroll because it was more user friendly and had more options. Both allowed me to use background music, text and photos, but Slideroll was more limited with its selection. However, Slideroll can be easily used on a mobile device. Even though PhotoPeach worked better for me, other people might find more benefits in the other one. Either one would be a great tool for kids to use because it gives them a good format to tell a story.

Here is my PhotoPeach story:

My Slideroll story can be read here

Even though the stories are very similar, let me know which format you like better!

-Amanda

Finding the Balance

I am starting to really understand the benefits of connecting with other blogs. It helps me expand my learning and gets me thinking about new ideas and perspectives. This week I read a blog post by Kelly Koshinsky on participation in sports. She brings up the question that if children do not excel in a competitive sport or activity, will they be too discouraged to continue on with it? This makes me reflect on my experience both as an educator and a sports participant.

Throughout my time in university, and my time spent learning in Phys-Ed classes, I have been encouraged to use cooperative games and sports as a teacher, rather than promoting individual competition. When students are involved in cooperative games, they experience the benefits of working with others instead of feeling the need to be the best. As a teacher, I use cooperative games because it allows students to work together fairly, help each other, and gives them all equal opportunity.

However, when I reflect on my experiences in life as a competitive swimmer, I realize that competition was important. Competition taught me how to be driven, showed me the value of dedication, and gave me ambition. It also taught me how to deal with disappointment in a good way and prepared me for future let-downs. I am the well-rounded person I am today because of my experiences with competitive sports.

Reflecting on the topic of participation in competitive sports allows me to see its benefits as well as its disadvantages. In a school setting, it is important for teachers to help kids realize their full potential in an encouraging way. There needs to be a balance with competition and cooperation so that students can learn from both areas.

Kelly makes a good point by saying that “the best races to watch and participate in are those that tell a story”, especially when “people are striving to reach their full potential, regardless of time.” Despite competition, kids should fulfil their own potential and look at what they are capable of themselves. It is important for teachers to help kids understand that their desire to be first shouldn’t exceed their enjoyment of the sport, and most importantly, they should strive to do their personal best.

Check out Kelly’s Blog: http://kellykoshinsky.edublogs.org/2014/02/09/does-embarrassment-discourage-participating/

-Amanda

My Digital Footprint

As you can tell from my last post, I have been learning a lot about digital footprints. I am making an effort to create a positive digital footprint, and luckily our tech task this week helps with this. We were asked to create an About Me page to promote ourselves in a positive way.

Here is a the link: http://about.me/amandabrace/#

We were also asked to google ourselves and post the results. I first googled myself by typing in Amanda Brace, and I just found links to my Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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I decided to make my search more limited, so I typed in Amanda Brace Regina. I found links that talked about myself when I Synchronized Swimming competitor. I even found out that I was mentioned in a newspaper called the Montreal Gazette when I competed in Italy for a Masters Competition. I had no clue! It is interesting to find out what people will stumble upon if they search your name.

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Building a Personal Learning Network

This week I learned about building my own Personal Learning Network and have come to realize its benefits. I realize how valuable creating networks is with others, especially when it allows me to engage with fellow educators. I am able to exchange ideas with others, reflect on various topics, learn more about incorporating tech into the classroom, locate resources, and stay connected with the online community. Connecting through various communities is important, which is why I have made an effort to follow even more educators so that my online learning can progress. Below I have listed my top five picks that I would reccommend to others to add to their Personal Learning Networks.

1. Beth Holland: Blog: http://brholland.wordpress.com

I first found out about Beth Holland when I stumbled upon an article she wrote about technology integration called “Teaching the Essential Skills of the Mobile Classroom”. She talks about the importance of technology fluency for students, and says that “by supporting the development of students’ technology fluency, we are preparing them to become digital learners who are able to construct new tools and objects, communicate ideas and solve new problems.” I was intrigued to learn more from her, which is when I found her blog. She talks about various topics involving technology in the classroom. Give her blog a follow!

2. AJ Juliani: Twitter: @ajjuliani

AJ Juliani is a great person to follow on Twitter because not only does he have innovative ideas himself, but he also tweets links to other useful and innovative articles. The reason why I started following him was because he wrote a post about the “10 Commandments of Innovative Teaching”. I think his ideas in this post are brilliant and I learned a lot from reading it. I recommend following him!

3. The Classroom Bookshelf: Blog: http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.ca

This is a collaborative blog created by literature experts who review, critique, and give ideas about new books that can be shared with students. They give educated opinions on various books from all levels, and give helpful lesson ideas. Check out their blog for useful ways to incorporate quality books into the classroom!

4.Patrick Larkin: Twitter: @patrickmlarkin

Patrick Larkin is useful to follow on Twitter because he connects his followers with links to hot topics and articles about education, technology, and other relevant themes for educators. He is “passionate about creating a more relevant education for our students”, which is something I am interested in as well. Give him a follow!

5.Michelle Cordy: Twitter: @cordym
Blog: http://hacktheclassroom.ca/

I am fortunate enough to have Michelle Cordy as my mentor this semester for my ECMP 355 class. She is a grade 3/4 teacher in Ontario who has 1-1 iPads in her classroom. After meeting with Michelle on Skype this week, I noticed her passion for technology in the classroom and I realize that I will learn so much from her! She has innovative ideas, creative ways on incorporating technology in the classroom, and she makes it evident that she wants others to become fluent with technology as well. I am excited to collaborate and learn alongside Michelle, and if you want to learn from her too, you will want to follow her!

Feel free to let me know of anyone else I can add to my PLN!

-Amanda

Technology Talk

I am one to constantly use technology in my everyday life, especially when it comes to social media. However, I am very interested in learning about more tools I can use with technology within the classroom. I want to be a teacher who enables students to learn in different ways through technology. Technology can help students be creative, collaborative, and assist them in their individual learning needs.

This week I created a survey that asks what Apps can be used for assistive technology with special needs students in the inclusive classroom. I have had some experience with a few apps because I worked with a student who needed assistive technology. I loved how the apps allowed the student to have a voice despite his inability to speak. It gave him the opportunity to convey his thoughts and emotions in a way that he would not be able to otherwise. Using certain apps and devices with this boy proved to me how successful assistive technology can be and how many doors it can open.

I am thrilled to know how many opportunities technology can bring, especially in the inclusive classroom. However, I feel like I have so much to learn in this area! I want to know more about assistive technology and hear from other educators how they have successfully used it. I am hoping that through this blog, and through the ECMP 355 class I am taking, I will grow in my knowledge with technology and develop the tools I need for an inclusive classroom.


Thanks for joining me in this technology journey!

-Amanda