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3 of my favorite APPs in the classroom!

 

Week 6

Techplay #2

3 creative apps

1.       Flipgrid: What I liked personally about this app is that it is google certified, so my district will allow it to be downloaded for classroom use, which makes things so much easier. Also, it is very easy for me to access the students work. When the students post videos or photos, I am able to see them in a nice organized layout. I just click on each one to view and I can respond immediately with either video, audio or text.

a.       2 examples of potential student work I would design using this app:

                                                               i.      I would assign and encourage students to share weekly reflections to monitor progress. I would give them an exit ticket for differentiation, as some of my students will not know where to begin, they can just read the sentence stem and then either answer in their own words or type or write a response instead of creating a video of themselves.

                                                             ii.      I could use Flip for assigning the students to create a presentation to demonstrate comprehension or mastery of the topic or skill. One way this can be shared by the student is by creating a QR or link. The links or codes can then be shared with family or even posted in the hallways for other students to scan and view!

b.       This app offers many affordances such as redefining how the lesson impacts our lives in an extended way. Students could solicit real time feedback from classmates, teacher and even other students and teachers in other states or countries over the discussion material.  

c.       I believe this app could be supportive of my humanist approach to learning by providing students with a safe outlet for communication as well as opportunity to create and respond in their own individual voice and style.

 

2.       ClassDojo: This is my first successful year using the management app ClassDojo. I had tried before when I was a new teacher and it may just not have been the right conditions for me, but I wasn’t able to be consistent with it. I have seen so many of my fellow teachers do fun things with it, so I was determined to jump in this year. How I use DOJO is by having the app downloaded onto my phone and on my computer. While we are walking in the hallway or even outside at recess, with my phone I am able to award or take away points based on behaviors and actions.  

a.       Two of the wonderful tools this app offers are random name generator and grouping.

                                                               i.       During instruction, in order to ensure equal participation and to aide in keeping the student’s attention, I am able to click a button at the bottom and have names randomly generated in many different visually entertaining ways. I can also have the app page opened on my smart board and allow students to walk up and tap the spinner to initiate the generating.

                                                             ii.       I also utilize the grouping aspect of this app. I have all of my students’ names in their table groups under the groups button. Here, I can offer group points when appropriate. We can also see which group has the most points as well as offer an incentive when the entire class reaches a points goal. Seamlessly, with one click, I can also randomly generate groups for participation of certain activities. The students especially like this one because it really mixes things up!

b.       This app offers many affordances such as strengthening the likelihood of desired behaviors by positive reinforcement. A great example of this is when I tell the class to line up for transition to the next class. At first, they’re not moving quickly and can begin to chat with their neighbors. But, as soon as they hear the familiar tune of dojo points being collected into a classmates account, they atmosphere quickly changes and the entire class falls into line.

c.       I have quickly learned how helpful this app really is at managing classroom behaviors and will absolutely be using it again in the future. I think this app encourages students to make good choices. It also gives them the opportunity to shine in front of their peers, with their good deeds not going unnoticed. My favorite part is when they mature from doing these positive actions just to get the points, to doing them because they know it needs to be done and they don’t ask for points. But, I still give them anyways!   

 

3.       EdPuzzle: I was introduced to Edpuzzle two school years ago. It is at the top of my list when im looking for something learner centered to increase engagement and spark critical thinking especially with independent review for at home or even with a substitute. I chose Edpuzzle as my third tool instead of Kahoot for this reason. Although it can be utilized in a whole group lesson, personally I find it best to assign independently.

a.       Two examples of potential uses:

                                                               i.      Teachers can search through a bank of standard aligned- already created puzzles that provide instant feedback on student responses. This was a great tool when I was teaching with stations. After the direct teaching and application with whole group, I would go find or create an edpuzzle in locked mode which makes the student not be able to skip through the video or questions.  I would put that on the choice board and paste the link to the puzzle on my google classroom.

                                                             ii.      Teachers AND STUDENTS can record and edit videos and design questions and or notes. This offers up so many possibilities for creating and presenting information such as book reports, read aloud’s and even how to solve math or science equations.

b.       This app offers many affordances such as promoting higher order thinking, encouraging voice and instant analytics to help differentiate your teaching and make grading effortless.

c.       I have found Edpuzzle helps to create a more meaningful and personal learning journey for students. Giving students a platform to guide them to communicate their thoughts so they may be seen by others, helps build confidence and teachers students to take ownership of their learning.

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