I've been getting to know these three tools this week, and exploring how they can have an effective impact on teaching and learning in the classroom and beyond.
The first is Google Live Forms.
I've always loved this application, it's usefulness as an assessment tool is massive:
You can reach students wherever and whenever they have Internet access with traditional style assessment tools i.e. quizzes and worksheets that will automatically collect, correct and organize the the assessment information. It's a great way to very efficiently gather both formative and summative data from the whole class.
Here's a sample form that I made in > 5 min: SAMPLE FORM
Please fill it out to generate some data!
Here is the Google Spreadsheet that collects the results.
Pretty handy!
iPad: Made by Apple
Umm, actually to be specific, I am exploring a tool within a tool: Guided Access on the iPad. There are so many great teaching and learning applications (in all senses of the word!) for the iPad... but there is also a tendency to exit some of those apps and go find Angry Birds! Guided Access solves this as I will demonstrate:
(please let me know if the you aren't able to view video... I'm not sure I shared it correctly!)
I have been making recipes!
That is, I've been trying out "IFTTT" the, 'if this, then that' application that has that generality that can literally be used in an infinite number of ways to enhance teaching and learning (just won the world record for most uses of the word that in a sentence!).
Not only can an educator create efficiencies for learning (for example setting up notifications and records of students' posts to come to any app [mail, evernote, oneNote] when any student posts to a shared doc, social media page, etc.) but students and teachers can co-create recipes that in a very basic way introduce programming and hacker/makers' skills = developing 21st C inquiry skills! Identifying problems or needs, planning solutions, collaborating to put plans in action, and communicating about outcomes.
There are so many resources available online, downloadable on your computer or on your mobile device. It can be mind boggling!
Here’s a great filtered list for Teachers that leads to professional learning, lessons, activities, games and more that are connected to the Ontario Curriculum! You may be required to set up an account, or use an existing membership through your board:
A great link from this page is to http://www.tvokids.comwhich has tonnes of fun games to get your learners engaged in literacy, numeracy, science and fun! (Grades K-6)
Also talk to your DSBN teacher about Ministry approved software that you can use at home!
I've put together a little review of 3 excellent blogs... all a little different from each other!
Which was your favourite and why?
Not a single blog I looked at had Fair Use of Fair Dealing statements! Or use of Creative Commons licensing... was that a similar experience for others?
