As the quarter draws to a close and I prepare my loaner Ipod Touch for the next student who will use it, finding something new or insightful to say about this project challenges me.
If the Ipod Touch has one significant power, it's its allure. Every kid seems to want to get their hands on one and see how it works. In this way, the Ipod Touch could really stimulate an apathetic kid's curiosity. A good app like the NASA app or the How Stuff Works app could inspire some students to want to learn new things -- if simply by virtue of offering a novel method of investigation. An ordinary vocabulary lesson with my fourth grade Juanita buddy became much more compelling once the Ipod was brought out for dictionary research! However, this kind of differentiation is something all kids will want to "qualify" for...
While I didn't get a chance to explore all of the uses I suggested in my initial blog post about the Ipod Touch, I do still think there is good potential for the apps I talked about to differentiate learning. For instance, Logic Box could provide great enrichment for more advanced math students and Pocket Phonics could help struggling readers learn to more successfully decode words.
In the end, the most use I made of the Ipod was as a recording device. Ulitmately, I think I see this as one of the best uses of the Ipod Touch for differentiating instruction. Supplementary notes could be recorded for students to refer to when working in their journals or completing their homework. Students could record lessons and listen to them again later. Instructors could record conferences and be able to easily track students' progress. ELL students could hear native speakers' pronunciation of English words in a recorded word list or listen to annotated narratives to foster fluency.
To be sure, if the Ipod fairy came by and said she was dropping off thirty free Ipods for my classroom, I could make good use of them. I just don't know whether they'd be on the top of my priority list if I had to buy them with real money.
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Friday, March 4, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
current thoughts: differentiating instruction with an ipod touch
I'll confess to finding some uses for an Ipod touch in the classroom over the past few weeks. I particularly like its usefulness for recording student interviews and assessments. I've also run across some apps I really like which might have value in the classroom. One app, Logic Box, could augment mathematics instruction by fostering spatial and geometric thinking. Another app, NASA looks like an excellent supplement to an astronomy unit. I like the Whiteboard Lite app, too, for its potential to eliminate noxious dry erase fumes from the classroom - although the iPod screen is a bit small for any detail.
As far as differentiating instruction with an iPod goes, though, my opinion hasn't changed much. In fact, a few things that have happened in my classroom recently have further convinced me that our efforts are better spent - at least in my school - ensuring that all of our kids have equal access to a quality education before springing for dozens of iPods. If we were reasonably close to that goal, I'd be open to exploring iPod touches for instructional use. One certainty is that kids would love being able to use an iPod touch in school!
As far as differentiating instruction with an iPod goes, though, my opinion hasn't changed much. In fact, a few things that have happened in my classroom recently have further convinced me that our efforts are better spent - at least in my school - ensuring that all of our kids have equal access to a quality education before springing for dozens of iPods. If we were reasonably close to that goal, I'd be open to exploring iPod touches for instructional use. One certainty is that kids would love being able to use an iPod touch in school!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
differentiating instruction with an ipod touch
The past week or so, I've been thinking of ways in which the Ipod Touch could help differentiate instruction for certain students in my 4th grade main placement classroom. I've come up with a few possibilities, based on specific needs I've noticed.
One student (I'll call her Joy) is very low in reading and my master teacher informed me that she doesn't yet have full phonemic awareness. During independent reading or word sort activities, she could be using an app such as ABC Phonics Animals or Pocket Phonics to boost her ability to recognize phonemes and sound out words. The big drawback is that these apps are very basic, and very "baby" looking. A 4th grader would probably be embarrassed to use some of these apps. An alternative might be to create custom word sorts for her that she can practice at home. You'd need to devise a way to monitor her progress, so you could adapt future sorts to her current skill level.
Another student (I'll call him Brian) has been diagnosed with an Emotional/Behavioral Disorder and has co-created a plan for managing his behavior with our special educators. Brian has a behavior goals book that he can review when he needs help sticking to his plan and meeting his goals. I recently came across a couple of apps that might benefit him. One is called Model Me Going Places. This app contains narrated social scenes that he could reference when he needs reminding. This app could prove to be a helpful refresher for Brian - he could watch the playground scene before recess, for instance. Another potentially useful, and also more flexible, app is called Story Kit. Story Kit allows you to create your own unique and original multimedia story. The special educators could create social stories just for Brian (and are able to use personal photos and record their own audio). Bear in mind a couple of potential drawbacks, though. If Brian used his Ipod during instruction time, he could be quite distracting to the other students. Also, apps like Model Me Going Places could prove to have limited use in the classroom. Model Me Going Places only contains one potentially school related social story - visiting the the playground.
A final student for whom differentiation might be supported with an Ipod is a boy I'll call David. David is very proficient in math and often finishes tasks early. While a beneficial extension for his learning has been helping other students, his learning could also be extended with an Ipod. He could use an app like Pi Cubed Lite to construct more difficult equations than those the class is working on, or to practice more of the same kind of problem. There could be a problem, though, if students who don't get to use an Ipod in math equate it with "not qualifying" or "being stupid."
While the uses I've described could prove beneficial to the students in my classroom, one general drawback to allowing students to take their Ipods home is the varying heath and quality of students' home life. It might not be a safe or wise decision to allow an Ipod to go home. Another general problem could be finding a way to monitor students' progress. Finally, when using an Ipod to differentiate instruction, perhaps only a few students will be using IPods. This could cause tension or disruption in the classroom.
One student (I'll call her Joy) is very low in reading and my master teacher informed me that she doesn't yet have full phonemic awareness. During independent reading or word sort activities, she could be using an app such as ABC Phonics Animals or Pocket Phonics to boost her ability to recognize phonemes and sound out words. The big drawback is that these apps are very basic, and very "baby" looking. A 4th grader would probably be embarrassed to use some of these apps. An alternative might be to create custom word sorts for her that she can practice at home. You'd need to devise a way to monitor her progress, so you could adapt future sorts to her current skill level.
Another student (I'll call him Brian) has been diagnosed with an Emotional/Behavioral Disorder and has co-created a plan for managing his behavior with our special educators. Brian has a behavior goals book that he can review when he needs help sticking to his plan and meeting his goals. I recently came across a couple of apps that might benefit him. One is called Model Me Going Places. This app contains narrated social scenes that he could reference when he needs reminding. This app could prove to be a helpful refresher for Brian - he could watch the playground scene before recess, for instance. Another potentially useful, and also more flexible, app is called Story Kit. Story Kit allows you to create your own unique and original multimedia story. The special educators could create social stories just for Brian (and are able to use personal photos and record their own audio). Bear in mind a couple of potential drawbacks, though. If Brian used his Ipod during instruction time, he could be quite distracting to the other students. Also, apps like Model Me Going Places could prove to have limited use in the classroom. Model Me Going Places only contains one potentially school related social story - visiting the the playground.
A final student for whom differentiation might be supported with an Ipod is a boy I'll call David. David is very proficient in math and often finishes tasks early. While a beneficial extension for his learning has been helping other students, his learning could also be extended with an Ipod. He could use an app like Pi Cubed Lite to construct more difficult equations than those the class is working on, or to practice more of the same kind of problem. There could be a problem, though, if students who don't get to use an Ipod in math equate it with "not qualifying" or "being stupid."
While the uses I've described could prove beneficial to the students in my classroom, one general drawback to allowing students to take their Ipods home is the varying heath and quality of students' home life. It might not be a safe or wise decision to allow an Ipod to go home. Another general problem could be finding a way to monitor students' progress. Finally, when using an Ipod to differentiate instruction, perhaps only a few students will be using IPods. This could cause tension or disruption in the classroom.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
moo-ing
I just wrapped up my web 2.0 reflection on my tech portfolio website, and it got me reminiscing about the ancient future of internet facilitated discourse, the MOO. A MOO is an multi-user, object oriented virtual space. I actually built an educational MOO as my senior project in college, called MOO-tropolis. I interned with an intellectual historian who was certain that electronically mediated communication would enable us to remake our very identity.
People connected from around the word to interact in these text-based environments. Many MOOs existed purely for entertainment, but others had higher aims, such as facilitating intellectual discourse (Postmodern Culture MOO) or revolutionizing the way we thought of classrooms (Diversity University). What's most intriguing about these environments nowadays is that a) no one has ever heard of them, and b) the way we approach education is mostly not revolutionized by their once-upon-a-time prevalence. This makes me think twice when I hear something claim it's going to change everything.
PMC MOO screenshot
I use, like, and benefit from modern technology, the internet, and "web 2.0" technologies, but I like to maintain proper perspective, too.
People connected from around the word to interact in these text-based environments. Many MOOs existed purely for entertainment, but others had higher aims, such as facilitating intellectual discourse (Postmodern Culture MOO) or revolutionizing the way we thought of classrooms (Diversity University). What's most intriguing about these environments nowadays is that a) no one has ever heard of them, and b) the way we approach education is mostly not revolutionized by their once-upon-a-time prevalence. This makes me think twice when I hear something claim it's going to change everything.
PMC MOO screenshot
I use, like, and benefit from modern technology, the internet, and "web 2.0" technologies, but I like to maintain proper perspective, too.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
the khan academy
The Khan Academy bills itself as "The free classroom for the world." This useful website has video lessons and interactive exercises galore - math is highlighted, but there are lots of lessons in other disciplines (science, economics, history...) and they range from introductory to advanced. Take a look at this PBS NewsHour feature, then then go check it out yourself!
I tried out a few of the interactive math exercises - addition and multiplication. There's a helpful map on the first screen that organizes the math exercises, so students can see the progression of math concepts and select the appropriate exercise. The math exercises I investigated were all drills, so they would mainly be useful for children who just needed to bone up on their math facts. It could be that other exercises are more sophisticated, but I haven't delved deeply into the exercises section. Of course, those kids with comprehension problems can take a look at the lessons, too.
The main drawback of this site is that it requires a computer with internet access to utilize. While we assume that everyone is wired in this day and age, I have found that a lot of kids in my main placement school face significant challenges gaining access to computers. For your kids who do have computers, I'd recommend taking a look at this helpful site.
I tried out a few of the interactive math exercises - addition and multiplication. There's a helpful map on the first screen that organizes the math exercises, so students can see the progression of math concepts and select the appropriate exercise. The math exercises I investigated were all drills, so they would mainly be useful for children who just needed to bone up on their math facts. It could be that other exercises are more sophisticated, but I haven't delved deeply into the exercises section. Of course, those kids with comprehension problems can take a look at the lessons, too.
The main drawback of this site is that it requires a computer with internet access to utilize. While we assume that everyone is wired in this day and age, I have found that a lot of kids in my main placement school face significant challenges gaining access to computers. For your kids who do have computers, I'd recommend taking a look at this helpful site.
Monday, November 1, 2010
curriki
Curriki, a play on the words 'curriculum' and 'wiki', is a not-for-profit organization that is building the first and only Internet site for Open Source Curriculum (OSC), which will provide universal access to free curricula and instructional materials for grades K-12.
I recently received an email about Curriki -- we all know what wikis are now, and Curriki operates on the same principle as our cohort wiki, but is specifically for curriculum development. With Texas loudly exerting its political will by demanding changes such the removal of a so-called "pro-Islamic" slant from textbooks -- and the sheer size of their textbook order means that what Texas asks for is what we all get -- an "open source" alternative is like a breath of fresh air. Curriki states a goal of a "complete curricula solution." You can search for lesson plans and units, revise them, upload your own stuff, join a project, find a teacher to collaborate with, or read their blog. When you sign on for this endeavor, its best to leave your increasingly obsolete (for better or worse) notion of intellectual property at the doorstep. Curriki embodies what we know and have learned about web 2.0. It's an interactive virtual educational community built around resource sharing, content building, and meaning making. Pretty cool.
Curriki has an excellent guided tour of their site. Check it out and let me know what you think of this idea!
The Curriki Blog's Wordle -- the collaborative vision of Curriki
Never heard of a Wordle? They're pretty neat creations, take a look! Try Wall Wisher, too, while you're at it...
I recently received an email about Curriki -- we all know what wikis are now, and Curriki operates on the same principle as our cohort wiki, but is specifically for curriculum development. With Texas loudly exerting its political will by demanding changes such the removal of a so-called "pro-Islamic" slant from textbooks -- and the sheer size of their textbook order means that what Texas asks for is what we all get -- an "open source" alternative is like a breath of fresh air. Curriki states a goal of a "complete curricula solution." You can search for lesson plans and units, revise them, upload your own stuff, join a project, find a teacher to collaborate with, or read their blog. When you sign on for this endeavor, its best to leave your increasingly obsolete (for better or worse) notion of intellectual property at the doorstep. Curriki embodies what we know and have learned about web 2.0. It's an interactive virtual educational community built around resource sharing, content building, and meaning making. Pretty cool.
Curriki has an excellent guided tour of their site. Check it out and let me know what you think of this idea!
The Curriki Blog's Wordle -- the collaborative vision of Curriki
Never heard of a Wordle? They're pretty neat creations, take a look! Try Wall Wisher, too, while you're at it...
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