Capstone

Capstone Project

Dictionary Dig

Both apps worked, but I can see positives and negatives to both. For instance, the Dictionary.com app allowed me to do the voice to text feature, but that feature wasn't working properly on the Merriam Webster app. I prefer the definition display on Merrium-Webster app because it's more straightforward. Overall, I think both would be beneficial to use in the classroom. 

Programming

Problem solving apps can help improve students' skills or competencies by allowing them to manipulate and sequence commands in order to accomplish a task successfully. Students may have trouble if the app closes unexpectedly. In addition, they may get frustrated when if their program doesn't work right away. Having very few iPads would also create problem since many students would want to complete the task, but since it's time consuming it would be difficult for all students to try this. 

Programming

Problem solving apps can help improve students' skills or competencies by allowing them to manipulate and sequence commands in order to accomplish a task successfully. Students may have trouble if the app closes unexpectedly. In addition, they may get frustrated when if their program doesn't work right away. Having very few iPads would also create problem since many students would want to complete the task, but since it's time consuming it would be difficult for all students to try this. 

Mad Skills

1. 
   

   
   
   Post to your digital portfolio a screenshot of two problem solving apps in action.
2. Briefly explain the objectives for each app that was included.
3. Select one you would recommend and support your recommendation with 2-3 reasons.

Cargo Bot-

The objective of this app is an introduction to programming. 

Saving Seeds-

The objective of this app is to use your knowledge of physics to save all the seeds that are falling from the sky and help them safely land in the flowerpot.

I would recommend Cargo Bot because it requires a lot of higher level problem solving skills. In addition, students will practice perseverance because it will probably take them a few tries to get the correct program. Lastly, I think students would enjoy the challenge and satisfaction of accomplishing the task.

Diogo

I'm not a fan of this app since I tried searching the http://iPad.tylerisd.org site on the curriculum resources page  to add to my Diigo browser, but the app just keeps closing out unexpectedly and won't let me search anything else. I saved some sites using the Internet. 

I think if it worked it'd be useful to organize your browsers. 

Citations

Oh my goodness! This app would have saved me a ton of time in college. I can see how convenient this would be for students wronging research papers. They would also be able to check to make sure they cited the source correctly by using this app. Wow! What a time saver!! 

Popplet

I could use Popplet to support my curriculum and student learning in the following ways:

- Brainstorming and story mapping for writing pieces. 

- Story maps to show comprehension of books read

- Students could use this app to find facts about their state reports. 

Quizlet

Click here to see my Quizlet

How can you or your students could use Quizlet to support learning?

I think Quizlet is a great tool to support learning. We have a huge focus on vocabulary at our school, therefore, this app would be an excellent resource to use for students to practice learning and reviewing their assigned vocabulary words. In addition, since the terms can be saved on the app this a great organizational tool to keep all their vocabulary words organized so they can review their words throughout the whole school year.

Holy Cow!

This was by far the craziest thing I've ever seen/done on an iPad. I could definitely see the benefits of using the AR flashcards with our kindergarten book buddies. I think they would be amazed and engaged throughout the whole activity. I think my fourth graders would enjoy the Colar app because I think they would enjoy seeing something they colored come to "life."

GarageBand

Solids, Liquids, Gases song

I had my students help create and sing a song about the states of matter. They thoroughly enjoyed using this app. I think this would be a great tool to use for those artistic/musically inclined students. They would be able to show their understanding of a topic in a more creative manner. 

Stop Motion

Stop Motion

This was a very tedious and time consuming project. Students could use this app to demonstrate appropriate social behaviors. It takes a lot of patience. We only have one iPad per classroom, therefore I think this would take way too much time to benefit the students.

QR Codes

I created these QR codes to use for an iPad person each student in my class made. Of course I can't find a picture of the finished product. 

I use QR codes in my classroom for center activities/scavenger hunts. They either complete the task and scan the code to see if their answers were correct or they scan the codes to give them clues to help solve other problems.  I'm hoping to be able to create a QR code for each student that links a Google doc where I can keep anecdotal notes and work samples. I like to use QR codes to provide parents with quick links to reference.

Cut!

Count on Me Trailer

I've made several movies using iMovie, however I never made a movie trailer. This was fun to create. I think students would enjoy using movie trailers to create an interesting hook for their writing piece, to promote/recommend books for their peers to read, and to make "highlight reels" that focuses on important topics that have been taught.

Yak-it!

Persuasive Santa letter

1. I could use these apps to have students present their writing. I tried having students present their Thanksgiving turkey disguise stories using these apps, but the 30 second time limit wasn't long enough. I had to use Animate Me to have unlimited talking time.

2. They could also upload a picture of their state for their state research paper and have the state do the talking.

3. Students could use these apps to present information to show their understanding on a topic in all subjects.

Creative Expression

Telegami

3 ways to use Telegami in the classroom:

1. Students could create book trailers to promote a book they have read.

2. Students would be able to present a writing assignment using this app. 

3. Students could use this app to explain or present their state research paper.

Finding Apps

Ten Marks-

Ten Marks allows students to work on math concepts at their level. It is an interactive alternative to Accelerated Math.  I prefer using Ten Marks, because the students are excited and engaged since they get to use a device. Also, we have so many issues with the Accelerated Math scanners this is a cheaper alternative because no scanners or scan sheets are required.

Number Bonds Blasters-

Number Bond Blasters allows an opportunity to practice math facts with number bonds. This game goes along with our math curriculum (Engage NY) and helps students fluently add, subtract, multiply and divide their facts. I use this as an alternative to timed tests. Students are able to practice their facts with out the pressure of time tests.

Thinking Blocks-
Children are able to model and solve word problems. This also is aligned with our math curriculum and helps students interact with the tape diagrams.I have used this app to introduce a new part whole model lesson, and students use the app during math stations to reinforce the lessons being taught.

Student Response System

Socrative and Infuse Learning are both student response systems to assess student learning. They both have multiple options for assessment questions and provide immediate feedback. I like how you can draw a response on Infuse Learning. In addition, Infuse Learning allows you to upload your class roster. I think I can see myself using Infuse Learning more in the classroom for students to show their work with drawings especially in math since we have a huge emphasis of showing how and why you got your answer.

Assessment Time

Single Question Activity

5 question quiz

Socrative can be used to improve use of assume to because the results are immediately provided. I think students would be more excited and engaged in assessments if they are able to use a device.the only drawback I can think of would be relying on the technology to work correctly. 

Results:

Evaluation Time

How can an app selection and evaluation process be used by you or your staff to select the best apps to support your needs?

I think this would be helpful to put on a shared Google Doc file for staff members to evaluate apps and give other teachers reviews and ideas how they used the apps in their classroom. There are so many apps out there it is hard for teachers to know what will work best for their class. Evaluating and sharing your reviews will cut down on the amount of time teachers put in to searching for new engaging apps to use.

Guided Access

Guided access is very helpful in disabling students to have access to another other app on the device. This will also come in handy to set a timer on the iPad and the enable Guided access to lock them in on the designated app. When the timer goes off that means they need to transition to the next station or activity. I think it also will help students from accidentally clicking on an advertisement or closing out of the app. I can't foresee any limitations or issues with using Guided Access. 

Text-to-Speech

I used Dogonews to try out the Speech-to-Text tool. I highlighted the text and clicked speak. This would be very helpful for students who do not read at grade level. I could put documents on the iPad and they would be able to have the text read to them. For instance, some students need tests read to them. When you have several students that need this accommodation this tool would be very helpful to manage this feat. Another way this could be used in my fourth grade classroom would be for students to revise their writing pieces. They would be able to hear their writing and have access to make corrections as needed to make their writing sound better. In addition, we could use this feature  for close reading activities. We read a selection three times to gather more details and information after each reading. This feature will allo students to have the text read to them as well.   

Speech-to-Text

http://www.showme.com/sh/?h=nWhRD72

Teacher Tools

Group maker

Groupmaker would be beneficial to randomly populate groups for seating arrangements and collaborative working groups. At times I struggle to make sure each student isn't always sitting worn the same group of students every time we switch seats. I think I would allow students to randomly select students for a chance to show us what they know. This would also alleviate the worry of always calling on the same person. 

Power Teacher

I chose Power Teacher because I am able to take attendance without having to be in my classroom. I also enjoy this app because I have a mobile record of contact information for each student. This will come in very handy.  Unfortunately, students wouldn't be able to use this app since they would have access to student information and grades. 

Teacher Tools

Group maker

Groupmaker would be beneficial to randomly populate groups for seating arrangements and collaborative working groups. At times I struggle to make sure each student isn't always sitting worn the same group of students every time we switch seats. I think I would allow students to randomly select students for a chance to show us what they know. This would also alleviate the worry of always calling on the same person. 

Power Teacher

I chose Power Teacher because I am able to take attendance without having to be in my classroom. I also enjoy this app because I have a mobile record of contact information for each student. This will come in very handy.  Unfortunately, students wouldn't be able to use this app since they would have access to student information and grades. 

Class Dojo

I use Class Dojo regularly in my classroom. Unfortunately, like many tools I start of great at the beginning of the year, but slowly start to slack on using these tools. I love the messaging tool Class Dojo offers. I have kept in contact with many parents using this tool. I also like how parents can get instant notification  when their child receives a positive or negative. I think Class Dojo is extremely beneficial and motivating for most students. 

Remind

I had great intentions to use this app at the beginning of the school year. Unfortunately, I didn't stick to that plan once the year got under way. I had a few parents who had trouble logging on so I didn't want to have to still send out several different reminders using different tools. I think it is a great too. To use when you have 100% or close to all of your parents signed up. 

Schoology

I have used Edmodo in the past, but didn't get very many students participating. I think I will try it again this year since I've been exposed to different ways to use the tool, and more of my students have access to devices. I think both would be great to provide a platform where both students and parents could have another way to communicate and monitor their child's learning. I would probably use Edmodo more at this time because I am more familiar with the set up. I think Edmodo looks similar to Facebook. Therefore, I don't think parents would be as intimidated to try yet another form of online communication. 

Edmodo

Productivity

The positive aspects of digitalizing, annotating, and storing paper documents and notes "in the cloud" would be that you wouldn't have to worry about students losing their documents or research for a project.  The negatives would be that if the technology isn't working properly, which generally happens a lot, then we would lose class time to work on research papers and assignments. I haven't used these apps yet in my classroom. My class uses Open School ePortfolios to display and store their writing pieces. 

IBook PDFs

I think using PDFs with iBooks in the classroom would be extremely beneficial. If I had all 

my in class documents uploaded and saved as PDF files in iBooks students could grab the iPad and reprint the materials they may have misplaced.  In addition, PDFs in iBooks is another great option for struggling readers or even as a test taking accommodation since you can change the settings so that if you click on a words or set of words the iPad will read the words to you. This would be phenomenal for the special education students I have in my room for science and social studies who need all tests read to them. I have one student in particular that would benefit from this application tremendously, because not only does he need the information read to him, but he has trouble staying focused to complete any task. I think this would be more engaging to him and he may even put forth a little more effort and try his best.

Gutenberg ePub

I think there are many benefits of using digital highlights, notes, speak, and define options in an eReader. For instance, for those students who have trouble staying focused when reading "dry" material this is a great interactive tool to help them stay on task. In addition, I think using an eReader would be extremely beneficial for students doing research projects. They are less apt to lose their research notes and important information if it is all stored on the computer.  However, this may not be the preferred method of research for all students. Some have a hard time transferring and comprehending information from the computer. 

Run, Turkey, Run!

I created a book titled, Run, Turkey, Run! My class is writing turkey disguise stories, so I thought this would be a fun way for them to present their stories once they go through each step of  the writing process. I could see my class using Book Creator to present their writing pieces, presenting information on their state research project, and/or as a culminating project to show what they have learned from a topic being discussed.  I think having them create a book as a culminating science unit project would fall under the Redefinition level on the SAMR model since without technology their wouldn't be able to make an interactive book displaying their knowledge on a topic that has been discussed in class.