Having met some challenges throughout the first part of the year, we now have a better sense of what to expect for the rest of the year. It is very difficult to reach the Redefinition stage of the SAMR model by using technology to modify and redefine its integration for a richer, more engaging education when the apps or systems we are using just don't cooperate. Some of the questions we are asking ourselves at the moment are: Are these students too young or immature to become independent or self-motivated while using eLearning Ontario? How is each child's needs being met with eLO? Those with Language needs may meet challenges when navigating.. Is this appealing to a 10-11 year old? | We feel that our time is mostly spent troubleshooting during activities involving eLearning Ontario. We must always have a back-up plan, making sure that if there is a problem with the eLO website, that we still have a proper lesson for the students. Usually, this would be collaborative work or an independent worksheet. So far, the students have not benefited from eLO. We will begin using the iPads and apps to pull out the communication and use the eLearning Ontario only when something is available, as a secondary resource. Tellagami and Explain Everything will at least give us evidence of the students' learning. Because we have been teaching Math using collaborative inquiry for many years, we have many real-world questions that students can still explore by themselves or with a partner, and they can use their iPad and the apps of their choice to enhance their communication. |
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So.... Things haven't exactly gone as planned. We had such a wonderful vision of this year. Students working independently on the iPads, on various tasks, while teachers circulate and work with students in need.
Unfortunately, neither of us have this type of classroom. Students this year are weaker than expected and are not exactly motivated to explore educational apps. They are quite willing to play games and troubleshoot in their games, however its a different story for the eLearning website. The LMS is not exactly user-friendly. The grade 6 content still does not work with Apple devices. The interactive activities come up with errors. It seems like every time we do find some worthy content on the eLO LMS, we must spoon-feed the students. They so quickly forget how to navigate this site. We have, however, had success with some of the apps in order to facilitate student oral communication in Math. Students seem to enjoy and are successful with Explain Everything. This app allows students to annotate, animate, and narrate explanations and presentations. Here is an example of a student talking about symmetry and angles. Explain Everything --> Symmetry and Angles Another app that is useful for explaining their thoughts and their work is TellegamiEdu. This app allows the students to create an avatar, take a photo of their work or manipulatives, and then record themselves. The avatar then does the speaking in explaining the background photo of student work. Students are able to save their presentation in both of these apps on the camera roll of their iPad. From there, it is easily shared with their peers and teachers through Airdrop. On the Explain Everything app, the teacher is able to record himself / herself giving feedback to the student with regards to their work. From there, students are able to go and edit, revise and improve their work. We are ready to have the students evaluate and share their thoughts about the apps being used in Math class. Which ones are easiest to use? Which ones are most engaging? Which ones are more trouble than they're worth? Tune in to find out which ones they are most engaged with... |
AuthorsMrs. Rinaldi & Mme Marion are both grade 5/6 teachers at St. Francis School in Sudbury, Ontario. Archives
April 2015
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