For this post I chose to focus on Content Objects because I think right now where I am as a math and science teacher, I am wanting to look at tools that can be used with students in my classroom right now to help with content. I am always looking for ways to engage and motivate my students in content that might be trying and difficult while trying to find ways they may choose to study and review these items on their own.
Tool Number App Pretty Random
While practicing long division with my students, I was struggling coming up with problems off the top of my head. So I looked for a random number generator app and found this app Pretty Random. I like this app because as the operator, I was able to set simple parameters on it. The one that I used with the my students and then was able to have the students use during independent work/station time is a minimum number of 0 and a maximum number of 9, specifically the digits. Students push the randomize button or can even shake the device to make the next number appear. It will even repeat digits as well. Using this app I was able to come up with different problems without me having to think about them and thus the students had different computation problems. I feel like this something I could also easily use with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division (if the students are ready for remainders.) When we get to fractions this tools will be helpful as well. This tool affords the students to independently make up problems for them to calculate. Students do not have to use paper that the teacher has had to copy. Since a piece of technology is added to the process, for whatever reason it motivates the students. They seem to like the unknown of knowing what problem they are going to solve. This tool can be used in multiple grade levels covering many computation standards. I like this is simple to teach any student and I as the teacher doesn’t have to make up the problems.
Tool Number 2 Quizizz
Quizizz is a game based program where students compete with each other. Teachers can either choose from a large bank of questions (or even edit ones that are already on there) or can create their own. I will caution that it is best to check through the questions for mistakes if you are choosing one that is already created because there are often mistakes. Students answer questions at their own pace, but there are many optional features. For example, students can earn more points for answer quicker or a teacher can turn that feature off. Questions AND/OR answer choices can be shuffled to assure students are doing their own work. There are other teacher options as well. There are some options that the students really enjoy. At the end of the question there an option to have memes and music can be turned on as well. These are valuable things that make it “fun” for the students while they are review skills. In conclusion, this is a fun way for formative assessments and bonus fun for the kids.
You can read the review of this app from Common Sense Media on the link below.
Common Sense Media Review of Quizizz
Tool Number 3 Shadow Puppet
Shadow Puppet was introduced to us this last summer through our math curriculum and so I decided it was time to give it a try. With this app, students take pictures with their device and then can add them a roll of photos. Then students are able to record their voice and say something. In our class, we have been struggling through long division, so I had a technology part with Shadow Puppet. The students worked literally step by step through a problem. Students were given this site as a resource:
https://www.mathsisfun.com/long_division.html
This walks students through a long division computation question step by step. This helped the students not skip a step in the shadow puppet video. The students worked with a partner, did a problem, took a picture of each step and then added it a shadow puppet. The hope was this would reinforce long division and help some students understand who were having difficulty. I can see this app being useful across the curriculum.
Common Sense Media Review of Shadow Puppets
TPACK Model for Shadow Puppet
TPACK for effective technology integration should always be considered when deciding it use technology in the classroom. First, Content should be considered–what is being taught. Shadow Puppet appears to be a tool that would allow for many different grade levels and many different topics to be effectively reinforced using this tool. It is very open ended and as long as a teacher know the standard being taught and the grade level expectation, Shadow Puppet can be used for students to share knowledge. Next, Pedagogical Knowledge should be thought about–the teacher’s knowledge of how the students are going to learn. I believe when students are able to work together and collaborate, amazing things can happen in the classroom. I also think when students are given the chance to design and create with technology students are motivated to do more and thus learn more. Lastly, educators should consider the technology knowledge–how the program/device is used. Shadow Puppet needs to be done on an Ipad or possibly a smart phone. It is actually very user-friendly. Students take pictures with their device and then upload them to the app. After the pictures are uploaded, students simply push the record button and the microphone picks up their voice. When completed the saving to the roll is standard and then it can be shared however the teacher chooses.
Could the Tools Accomplish the Same Goal
I do believe that each tool has unique attributes. Pretty Random and Shadow Puppets could be used together. Students could create a computation problem using Pretty Random and take a picture of each step and then explain the computation using Shadow Puppet. Then Quizizz can be used to review that computation. I do think overall, each tool is unique with different affordances.
EDTech 