iPad vs paperPad

What are the benefits of 1:1 device learning?

iPad
Image: “iPad”[CC BY N2.0] by Sean MacEntee on Flickr

The current educational trend of moving from “traditional” teaching methods to using portable devices is causing many parents to ask many questions.  Naturally there are apprehensions about this shift. Most certainly, before this move is even contemplated in a school, intensive background research needs to be done.  I have been teaching for 26 years and adopting a 1:1 iPad program has to be the greatest challenge to my pedagogical practice thus far.

The first reaction of a teacher who is confronted with having to make this move is that of “But I don’t know how to teach using the iPad.”  It took me a while to turn 360 degrees, realizing that you don’t “teach using the iPad.”, rather, you think of ways the iPad can enhance the learning and teaching process.  Nearly one year down the track, I can clearly see the fantastic transformation in my students’ attitudes to their learning, their confidence and the ways in which they are able to demonstrate their learning in a variety of fun, interesting ways.

Drawing from a still life image.
Image: K.Peasey

In order to be successful in using mobile devices in the classroom, one needs to have clear guidelines of what you want to achieve.  We adopted a model designed to help teachers integrate technology into teaching.  The SAMR model was developed by Dr Ruben Puentedura.  The aim of the model is to help teachers design, develop and integrate digital learning with the aid of technology to transform learning experiences.

The SAMR model is made up of 4 levels:

SAMR model found at http://www.appsineducation.blogspot.com.au/

1. Substitution: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change.  An example would be a word processing activity.
2. Augmentation: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional change.  An example would be locating places on Google Earth.
3. Modification:  Significant task redesign.  For example, class working collaboratively on an online project.
4. Redefinition:  Tech allows for a new task, previously inconceivable.  An example of this would be creating an iMovie on a popular book in the class, incorporating video clips, still, annotated images and audio.

Dr Ruben Puentedura explains his ideas about teaching using technology and his SAMR model in the following clip:

The positive aspects of using the iPad in the classroom far outweigh any negatives.

1. Benefits such as the assistive tools like audio reader for students who are poor readers or perhaps visually impaired.
2. An instant, interactive dictionary allows students quick access to word meanings and pronunciation.
3. The presence of a camera enables students to interact with others from around the world using Skype.
4. The ability to instantly share work with the whole class via the data projector using AirServer and receive instant peer feedback.
5. Using an iPad as an e-reader allows searching, bookmarking, tagging and sharing of content.  This could turn any book from a static resource into a learning hub.
6. A 10 hour battery life makes the iPad ideal for full day classroom use.
7. All their work is kept in one place, with the option to store it in a virtual storage space, such as Dropbox which can be made available to as many or as few viewers as you wish.  This enhances the ability for peers, parents and teachers to access and comment on work.

Paper vs iPad
Image K.Peasey

Negative aspects of using iPads in the classroom

1. They can become a distraction, and if students are not clearly monitored, the could end up going on sites such as YouTube or gaming sites.
2. Inappropriate use of email and messaging.
3. WiFi connection issues

I felt obliged to add the negatives, but I believe that the first two possible problems can easily be averted by starting off and continuing with a good Cyber Safety program. We run a compulsory evening Cyber Safety workshop for both students and their parents in the lead up to the start of the year.  We have only had a few minor issues over the course of the year.  It is our goal to revisit Cyber Safety rules regularly during the year to remind the students of their responsibilities.  As far as the WiFi connection goes, well who ever has control over that?

New Stranger Danger – Kik Social Media

There are a number of excellent Australian cyber safety programs available online to use with Primary and Secondary school children:

CyberQuoll is an excellent site for younger students in particular
Image: screenshot by K.Peasey from http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/cyberquoll/

Cyber Safe Kids provides a unique, sustainable and holistic approach to educating students on digital citizenship
Image: screenshot by K.Peasey from http://www.cybersafekids.com.au/

Cyber smart is designed to support and encourage participation in the digital economy by providing information and education which empowers children to be safe online.
Image: screenshot by K.Peasey from http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/

One thing is certain, we have a duty to our students to prepare them for the 21st Century.  The following video clip answers the question:

“Why 21st Century Learning?”

Today’s students will face challenges we haven’t imagined, take jobs yet to be invented, and toil in a workplace constantly reshaped by the exponential progress of technology. Only one thing is certain: classrooms designed for the industrial age won’t prepare students for this dynamic era

For more about iPads in the classroom, visit Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything

A fantastic Australian blog to follow, Apps in Education, have listed apps under the various KLA headings.  Reg Swanson has some fantastic ideas to help you successfully incorporate iPads into the classroom.

We are all in this major pedagogical shift together – let’s make the journey worthwhile by incorporating the best of the paper and the technology world.  As we can see from the video clip below – Paper is not dead!

Play a game a day to keep the doctor away

What do you think the benefits of playing video games are?

Take this poll:

Read more about the health benefits of playing video games here.

Having been actively engaged in reading about the benefits of playing video games and using them as a learning tool in the classroom, I have come to the conclusion that video games have the potential to be an exceptionally powerful learning tool, as well as a health benefit.

Gaming in the classroom

As a learning tool, it there are many benefits.  Scott Steinberg (2011) points out that if you “Look at ‘World of Warcraft’: You’ve got 11-year-olds who are learning to delegate responsibility, promote teamwork and steer groups of people toward a common goal.”  The same may be said when students are engaged in playing Minecraft.  There appears to be a very strong community element to participating in the worlds in Minecraft.  Margaret Rock (2005), in her article, The Modern Parent: What Minecraft can teach kids points out: “Regardless of the task, teamwork is a key aspect of the experience. For seven-year-old Lilly, the thrill is in the discovery. She took pride in explaining to me how she and her brothers found a jukebox in an abandoned mineshaft, and then, exploring further down, stumbled upon a CD to play on their adventures. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Kayla, who plays only with her siblings — blocking strangers is an option — said she regularly talks to friends about the game and checks Instagram for the hashtag #Minecraft to connect with the community.”

In an article, Learning with Video games, Dr K. (2013), lists a number of benefits to playing video games:  “Some games can improve skills such as Working Memory, processing speed, selective attention, and fluid reasoning skills just by playing them. Others may practice skills such as Planning or Time Management, but may not directly lead to improved application of these skill in the real world. Furthermore, some games can really challenge a player’s cognitive skills, while others are simply fun and require little more than some base reflexes and hand-eye coordination.”

I found two interesting pictorial representations of the benefits of playing video games which I found appealing:

Benefits of Video Games
Source:http://www.lacoudhir.com/our-portfolio/benefits-of-video-games/

When Gaming is Good for you
Source: http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/body-versus-mind-gaming-and-your-health/

From experience, when my class and I were involved in Serious Play, a research program run by Griffith University, I found that there definitely were many benefits to playing games in the classroom.  We used the game “Myst” in the classroom.  The students wrote narratives based on the game which were definitely creatively enhanced by the images and audio in the game.  Their ability to focus and ignore irrelevant information, but at the same time take note of important information, definitely improved.  Their observations skills developed to a larger degree as there were small details which were needed in order to solve problems to move to other worlds.  The students definitely enjoyed playing the game and felt a sense of achievement when they reached the end.

I really believe that there are both educational and health benefits associated with playing video games.

 

References:

1.  Dr K.  (2013, April 16).  Learning with video games.  Retrieved October 15, 2013, from LearningWorks for kids:  http://learningworksforkids.com/2013/04/learning-with-video-games-its-all-about-generalization/

 

2.  Rock, M. (2013, August 5).  Hey parents! Minecraft can actually teach kids these things to succeed in real life.  Retrieved October 15, 2013, from Mobiledia:  http://www.mobiledia.com/news/183040.html

 

3.  Steinberg, S. (2011, December 26).  The benefits of video games. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from ABC News:  http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2011/12/the-benefits-of-video-games/

 

You’re all into What???

My collection of what young people find popular can be found on my Pintrest board which I thoroughly enjoyed creating once I understood how it worked.  It took me a while to see any value in just pinning things haphazardly onto a virtual board.  I didn’t enjoy the fact that you cannot actually rearrange the pins.  Being a bit of an organization freak I really struggled with this – not the ideal tool for someone with OCD!!  But, I survived, and learned so much about the things my school children enjoy.

SO, WHAT IS POPULAR?

POPULAR CULTURE SURVEY

THIS is what we like!
(Image by K.Peasey)

The results achieved from trying to find out what really is popular culture among 10 and 11 year old children was more interesting and diverse than I thought it would be.  I naturally believed that there would be a uniform selection of popular culture, but found again that the children had diverse interests in quite a few areas.

A Survey Monkey survey was used to target Year 5 students.  The questions were as follows:

1. What is the most popular movie?
2. What is the most popular book or book series ?
3. What is the most popular computer or console game?
4. What is the most popular non-computer game?
5. what is the most popular TV show?
6. What is the most popular song?
7. What is the most popular singer or band?
8. What is the most popular iPad or Android App?
9. What is the most popular form of social media?
10. What is the most popular website?
11. What is the most popular brand name of clothing/shoes/accessories?
12. Do you think that popular TV, movies, music and games should be part of your learning at school?
13. Explain your answer in the previous question.

Popular Culture among Year 5 Students

The choices made by the Year 5 students caused me to think that they are largely influenced by advertising, their parents and teachers and lastly their peers.  I make this observation because when asked about brand names in clothing, Target, Big W and Best and Less came up quite a few times, and I really don’t believe that those would necessarily be their choices, but rather choices make by parents wanting to find the best buy.  Nike and Vans were named as most popular brands – now that would largely be due to the influence of older siblings and peers.  However, after the survey was complete, I had further discussions with the children to inquire about their brand choices and it was then that their popular brands came through.  Specific labels such as Mambo, Billabong, Hurley and Roxy were named.  Their favourite songs and movies are current ones which they would hear about by listening to the radio and watching TV.  Roar, by Katy Perry, was most popular, possibly because it too, is current.

Best shoe forward
(Image by K.Peasey)

Without a doubt, their favourite website is You Tube, followed by Manga High, which again is influenced by the teacher, as it is used for maths.  The most popular iPad/Adroid App was Candy Crush Saga – a highly addictive game – click on the link to find out why.  Kik, as a social media app came up a few times which is distressing as it is not supposed to be downloaded by under 17 year olds as there is the potential for them to come across adult content.  I have encouraged the students to delete this app from their devices as we did have an incident where inappropriate communication between two students.  I find it incredibly distressing when young people are able to access content which is not appropriate for them.  When it came to popular TV shows, it was more evident that there are quite a few very popular shows.  Slideshow is a hilarious show which I enjoyed getting to know after the survey as I had never heard of it before.  I can see the appeal as it is laugh out loud funny.  I think I have just been introduced to a new TV show!  Other favourites included Australia’s Got Talent, X Factor, and Adventure Time.  I was quite surprised to see that quite a number of the Year 5 students had Big Brother listed as their favourite TV show.  Again, I felt quite distressed that 10 and 11 year old children are allowed to watch a reality TV program such as this.  One would hope that there is parental guidance involved in their viewing.

AdventureTime

Minecraft is definitely the winner, hands down, when it comes to the most popular Computer based game.  It is pleasing to note that traditional games like Monopoly and Lego are still as popular as they when we were kids.  I am totally mesmerized by the range and availability of the most wonderful Lego lands and themes.  I remember Lego being plain little blocks, accessories to build a modest house and some rather plain little people.  How I would love to be a child now!

Wonderful world of Lego
(Image: K.Peasey)

I recently read an interesting article in the Courier Mail on 26th October, called “Legomaniacs – They’re going to outnumber humans and take over the world”  The article was about the number of Lego characters which have been created since 1978.  According to the article, it is predicted that, by 2019, there could be at least one Lego figure for every person in the world.  It is incredible to believe that by the end of 2006, there were already four billion Lego figurines in existence. The figurines have included Santa Clause, pirates, racing drivers, Harry Potter, Spider-Man and even Yoda.  When they were first created, it was decided that the face of the figurines would show a neutral /happy expression and be yellow.  My how things have changed – possibly due to popular culture?

Image: Scan by K.Peasey “Legomaniacs” , Courier Mail, October 26,2013

Most Year 5 students surveyed, agreed that Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series is most popular, with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, coming in second.  Diary of a Wimpy Kid is very popular with children who are not very confident readers, as it is rather non-threatening to pick up and read.

Surrounded by the best fantasy books in the world!
(Image: K.Peasey)

I think that both choices have been influenced by the fact that movies have been made of those books.  I have reluctant readers requesting the books when we go to the library.  I do believe that this has a lot to do with our Reader’s chair that we have weekly and the advertising of the movie,  either way, as long as it is encouraging reading, I’m happy.  As far as movie choices go, Percy Jackson – Sea of Monsters,  Despicable Me 2, Teen Beach and Monsters University were all equally popular.

Monsters University plush toys
(Image: K.Peasey)

Percy Jackson – Sea of Monsters Official Trailer

Despicable Me 2 Official Trailer

The diversity in the choice of popular culture in the Year 5 group interviewed has consolidated the belief that I have that these children are influenced to a great degree by external factors such as aggressive advertising and teacher/ parental choices.  I think that when we were growing up, because of a less aggressive media influence, peers and teachers were possibly greater influences.  I wonder what will influence popular culture choices of the future?

Reference:

Daily Mail. (2013, October 26).  Legomaniacs They’re going to outnumber humans and take over the world.  The Courier Mail, pp14.

Communicating with Web 2.0 tools

Keeping in contact with parents and the wider community

Sydney/Canberra blog
Image: screenshot by K.Peasey

I am traveling  the most exciting journey of my teaching career this year.  For the first time ever, I am part of a 1:1 iPad teaching and learning experience.  I hesitate to call it a “program” as this implies that the whole experience of learning and teaching centers around using the iPad.  Rather, it is a whole new way of incorporating a diverse tool into the daily experience of learning and teaching.  There have been, as one can imagine been some periods in the journey when I would gladly have dashed the iPad against the wall (no not really!) in frustration.  Some of the best laid plans in the classroom can go awry when internet connections are down, the signal is weak or the iPads just don’t want to play!

The beauty of the experience is the contact I have with my students and their parents almost 24/7 – not that I would go that far – I am dedicated, not crazy!  Being on holidays, you would imagine that the children would be out of your mind and you out of theirs.  I was quite touched when a child sent me a photo of the family enjoying some time together on their holidays and he felt he wanted to share that with me.  Some teachers would find that annoying or an encroachment upon their time, but I like being in touch with my students and knowing that it matters to them that I share their awesome experiences.

Where is this going you may ask?  We ended the term with a school camp during which we attempted to blog daily to keep in contact with parents and siblings at home.  Unfortunately this did not happen for many reasons – WiFi connection and enough downtime  to get the blog done.  I was quite sad that I did not manage to do what I had promised by getting the children to blog with their parents, as I have seen it used to great success.  Blogging is a fantastic tool for keeping parents informed of their child’s learning in (and outside) the classroom.  It also gives them an opportunity to pose questions and make comments, and potentially receive instant feedback.

Sharing expectations for the trip ahead
Image: screenshot by K.Peasey from http://stcatscanberratrip.blogspot.com.au/”>Sydney/Canberra blog

Blogging also allows children to reflect on their learning, ask questions and express their thoughts on the topic.  Here you can see the childen’s individual blog posts about their expectations for the trip ahead.  A valuable experience would be for the children to revisit these expectations and comment about the actual experience.

Children sharing their learning experiences
Image: Screenshot by K.Peasey from http://stcatscanberratrip.blogspot.com.au/”>Sydney/Canberra blog

I accompanied a group of students on our annual Sydney/Canberra trip.  Needless to say there were worries about the length of time the children would be away (homesickness is the first thing that springs to mind).  The children and I updated the blog each evening while we were away.  This gave the parents a constant connection to their children as well as the opportunity to see what they were doing and learning about – and yes, to see that their “little babies” were happy and well cared for!  We  had some of the staff members, younger grades and even grandparents from Canada  following our blog to see what the Year 7’s were up to.  I found this all so incredibly amazing!

Please feel free to visit the blog by clicking here.

THE VALUE OF BLOGGING IN THE CLASSROOM

Besides the excitement of seeing their work being accessed by people all around the world, blogging has valuable learning aspects too.  The most important thing about starting blogging would be to educate the children on Cyber Safety and Netiquette.  The basic rules would include keeping personal information private, respecting others’ privacy and rights and being well mannered online, thus creating a positive digital footprint.

The fact that blogging provides students with a purpose to their learning is supported by O’ Connell and Groom, (2010), who reiterate the importance of the activity having meaning and purpose by saying that “Practical engagement in immersive contexts provides the opportunity to construct, support and assess learning outcomes through amazing interactive 3D learning experience with cognitive and social-emotional dimensions.”  By encouraging students to publish their thoughts and findings online for the wider community to read, gives them a sense of purpose in that they are able to share what they feel and receive feedback from people other than their peers and teacher.  This may also encourage them to verbalise their thoughts more eloquently.  The onus is also on the teacher to create more meaningful activities for this same reason; Richardson (2006) supports this by saying that “The idea that the relevance of student work no longer ends at the classroom door can not only be a powerful motivator but can also create a significant shift in the way we think about the assignments and work we ask of our students in the first place.”

BLOGGING PLATFORMS FOR CHILDREN

Kidblog
Image: Screenshot by K.Peasey

Kidzworld
Image: Screenshot by K.Peasey

Edublogs
Image: Screenshot K.Peasey

Weebly
Image: Screenshot by K.Peasey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathleen Morris, on her site, Primary Tech, provides valuable information on blogging, global collaboration and technology integration.

References:

O’Connell, J. and Groom, D. (2010). Connect, communicate, collaborate.  Camberwell: ACER Press

Richardson, W. (2006). Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts and other powerful web tools for classrooms.  London: SAGE

Popular Culture in the Primary Classroom

What is Popular Culture?

Click on the image to visit Initial Teacher Education (ITE) homepage to find more wonderful information about using popular culture in literacy.

Since the onset of learning about popular culture, I have been really interested in how I can actually incorporate these great ideas into my own classroom.  I know, from having discussed this with my Year 5 students, that they would love for popular culture to be used in the classroom.  I guess that there is the danger of trivializing their interests by over exposing them to certain aspects of popular culture.  According to numerous studies, this is not true.  We need to acknowledge that they are the ‘experts’ in this area and that we don’t need to know it all,  as teachers responding to children’s passions can be very rewarding for both students and teachers.

There a many reasons to use popular culture in the classroom:

• Gives the students the reassurance that we, as educators value their interests and that they can make valuable contributions to their own learning.
• It has the potential to be highly motivating, especially for the more reluctant learners in the classroom.
• Popular culture encourages the students to engage in the learning as it provides common and shared interests.

According to Ronayne, Shane & Nguyen (2012) “Traditional teaching methods, … are the antithesis of “user oriented” and “participatory” realities of life.”  We are therefore obligated to making learning more meaningful for our students by bringing their interests into school.

Using Popular culture to teach history

A very interesting concept – earning “pop culture points” in history.  Students gain these points by relating world history facts to popular culture.  A great idea.  Watch the clip and be inspired:

 

Why use popular culture in the classroom?

I recently came across this rather inspiring blog called The Cool Teacher’s Guide to Pop Culture in the classroom.  There are many wonderful ideas on the blog – I wish sometimes I had older children to teach after reading some of the ideas posted.  The challenge is to incorporate some of the ideas using more age appropriate material for my own class.  Visit the blog here:

Cool Teachers’ Guide to Pop Culture in the classroom

Discover some of Australia’s pop culture on this ABC site.