Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts were a great experience during Peru State EDUC 552. I enjoyed learning about programs like NearPod. After using NearPod, I immediately implemented it into my math instruction the day after being introduced to it. NearPod allows my students to display their thinking and I can view results individually so that I am able to work with them 1 on 1 in the moment rather than in the middle of instruction. My students really enjoyed seeing their answers displayed.

The other resource that I liked exploring was the Exploringbytheseat.com. I have done a few Mystery Skype and Mystery Hangout sessions but have never interacted through a virtual field trip. I liked how you could view previous trips to see how the program worked. I would like to incorporate some of these sessions into my reading instruction or possibly design my instruction around the content presented in the field trip. When my students are exposed to something new, they are always engaged and I definitely learned a few new things during the Google Hangout sessions.

MySimpleShow

MySimpleShow can be used in the classroom for teachers to present topics or skills to learn for the week. I used it to describe a focus skill my students will have for reading. It allowed me to present in a different way than the textbook while still using the same concepts. Students could utilize MySimpleShow to summarize books that they read. Accounts are needed for the program and it is fairly easy to use. All you do is type in your content to a storyboard and allow the program to select pictures based on buzz words that it sees. If you do not agree with the program you have the opportunity to change the pictures or highlight other buzz words. The selection was pretty limited for key words I searched like "boy," which was a bit of a drawback. This program would be best for upper elementary 5-6 and the middle-high school levels. It is important to have your text that you would like to include laid out before hand because there is a lot of available space to write in. I also feel like the more general the buzz words, the easier it is for the program to find available matches as more specific topics may not have pictures available. The narration also sounds a bit robotic so you may prefer to do your own narration.

Show Everything App (Screencast)

This video was created using the Show Everything app. This app is a powerful tool for teachers and students to demonstrate content and generate engaging presentations. I think that this app would be great to use for displaying math instruction and is very easy to use for teachers looking to flip their classrooms. I plan on asking my district to place this app on all iPads within our school and having my students explain their thinking by publishing videos over specific math concepts. I could have a "director of the month" award for the student who has presented the most creative and comprehensive video presentation.

PowToon

PowToon is a presentation program that allows you to create cartoon-like presentations to make them more entertaining. The classroom teacher could use a program like this to add more "pop" to a presentation so that it is not as boring to the students like a typical PowerPoint or Google Slide. The program allows you to add animations and characters to your slides. There is a free version to sign up for as well as a Pro and Business upgrade for a monthly charge. From a teacher standpoint, this can be used in any subject and grade level to present to students. From a student standpoint, it is most appropriate for upper elementary, middle, and high school level students. The tutorials are definitely helpful and are actually entertaining to watch. The timing is also not as easy as it looks to master. I would recommend truly playing around with it before beginning a serious presentation.

NearPod in the Classroom

I was introduced to NearPod during a Google Hangout in EDUC 552 through Peru State. I have heard about NearPod but never got the opportunity to try it. Through the Hangout we were given the opportunity to try it and I was quickly hooked. NearPod allows you to guide a presentation to instruct your students. The program allows you to create slides, pose questions, and allow students to illustrate.

I created a NearPod slideshow for that very next day in the area of math. I typed questions related to the next lesson and assigned them to the draw slide type. I told the students that they must show work and displayed the best examples to every students iPad when I presented NearPod presentation. Students were immediately engaged and were motivated to show their work so that other students would see it. I also had slides that asked them to illustrate pictures for the problems. NearPod is an outstanding app that is worth trying, especially for math.

Week 4 Animoto

I plan to use this Animoto video that I created to introduce my students to Mystery Skype. I will play the video first and then begin clarifying the contents of the video after. There is a short slide on the video that highlights the jobs the students have. I will explain those parts in more detail with them. The main goal I have in mind by playing this video is to spark student interest in the process. Mystery Skype sessions can be difficult if students are not properly prepared and this video will serve as a great introduction to the process.

Week 3

Blog: #13 Free Technology for Teachers
Article: 5 Dice- An App to Help Students Learn the Order of Operations

Who doesn't like to hear "free"? When I ran through the list of the top 100 educational blogs, a blog involving both free and technology really caught my eye. When navigating to the blog "Free Technology for Teachers" I came across the post about the 5 Dice app. The post described the app as a way for students to practice order of operations in math. This is the perfect program for my students because this is a topic that we are discussing right now. Students are given a number, operations, and five dice that they use to write an equation that will total the number given. Looking further into the app in the app store, I noticed that the game also allows students to play competitively and cooperatively using two devices. It also allows them to work out the problems on a whiteboard and will send results to teachers and parents. While the app may lose its appeal quickly, it makes a great review for order of operations. The blog made an excellent resource for free tech to use in the classroom.

http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2016/09/5-dice-app-to-help-students-learn-order.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+freetech4teachers%2FcGEY+%28Free+Technology+for+Teachers%29#.V89vISMrLq0