Posts

Showing posts from February, 2019

Making Number Stop Motion Animations in KK

Image
The students in Mrs McCulloch's class learned to make short stop motion animations of number counting up to 6 using the Stop Motion Studio app . In groups the students placed a matching number of items next to a number, 1-6. They then learned how to take photos (frames) of each number station that were not blurry and showed all the pieces that made up the number. They then watched their photo frames in animation to check that they were in the right order, counting on and counting backwards also. Some students re-ordered their frame if they were incorrect and reviewed them again until they were correct. The students were proud of their animations and had smiles all round after watching and reviewing them. Next, the students will learn to make talk-for-writing based narratives using the iPads.

Exploring Place Value with Number Pieces App in Mrs Allen's Class

Image
The Year 1 and 2 students in Mrs Allen's class learned to use the Number Pieces app  to create numbers with 100's/10's/1's. By using the inking tools in the app they were able to differentiate the place values of the 2 digit numbers they created by rolling two dice. They also learned to take screen shots of their numbers and find them on the Camera roll. For the second part of the lesson the students learned to use Popplet app to demonstrate which of their numbers (screenshots) is 'greater than' or 'less than'.

Creating Data Games with Microbit in Grade 6

Image
A student screen casting and sharing their code. Some students change the LED display to their own rock, paper, scissor symbol.  If/else logic in green. Data tables in Pages app incorporate many of the features of the Numbers app for organising and representing data. The students in Mr. Dowding's class continued their learning of data in Maths by creating a rock, paper, scissors game with Microbits. The class learned to use if/else logic to create the code for their game which included drawing their own symbols for each option to appear on the LED screen. The choices ranged from letter indicators for rock, paper, scissors to totally different symbols for the student's own game creations. The students were keen to share their algorithms by screen casting their code developed with block code language for all the students to see. The students then looked at using data tables in Pages app to collect three sets of data from their rock, paper scissors algorithms to

Explaining Shadows in Year 3

Image
The students in Mrs McMurray's class began to explore their learning of shadows in Science by documenting answers to key questions in their digital journals, made with Explain Everything app . In pairs, the class learned to type their key questions and then record their responses using the audio recorder. Also, the students learned to edit their responses and string them together in one recording to match their response to the written question, thus considering the viewer of their work. Further, the students learned to use the drawing tools to draw what a shadow could look like based on the discussions they had with their partners and the class while recording their answers to their key questions. Next the class will draw the same shadow example using the shapes tool to help ensure their diagram is a model labelled diagram with a title, names and a line to connect the names with the parts of the drawing. They will also explore how shadows change by drawing a labelled sh

Exploring Beneath Our Feet with Technology in Year 4

Image
Mr. Spilcker's class continued their investigation of the Earth 'Beneath Our Feet' by describing their observations of a map from long ago using the Explain Everything app. The class learned to input an image of the map and also crop and resize it before using the audio tutorial feature to describe their observations and how it may have changed compared to the present time. The class then learned to communicate in an online space appropriately and productively by accessing a Padlet wall created for the unit via a QR code and following the guidelines to make posts to the wall about what they Think they Know and Want to Know about the topic, as part of a class TWLH chart. The class followed the guidelines well to make posts that were about the topic, contained no emojis (as it is a formal text), were full sentences and most importantly identified the writer with first name. Well done Year 4 on beginning your exploration of this exciting unit.

Types of Lines in Kindy

Image
The students in Mrs McCulloch's class learned to draw types of lines to connect with their learning of numbers. After talking about how to sit with the iPad flat at the table, in small groups the class used the finger inking feature in the Book Creator app to draw lines from top-to-bottom and side-to-side. They then recorded their voices using the audio note feature to describe numbers they had drawn. They even got to take selfies of themselves as the cover of their mini-books. Fantastic work Kindy team!

Designing Technology Posters in Mrs. Allen's Class

Image
Flap down, wings on. Walk with 2 hands and arms. Count for friends. Finding the Camera app with device search. Posters on Pic Collage app. The Year 1 and 2 students in Mrs Allen's class learned to use the technology they use at Creaney PS in a safe and helpful way. After creating class guidelines for using iPads in the classroom the class learned how to take photos with the camera app and take photos with their friends to create a poster showing the guidelines for other students in the school. The students learned that by having the 'flap-down, wings on', counting down for their friends to be ready and using device search to find the Camera app they can take good quality pictures, quickly. The class will now look at heading/body text and colour choices for their posters using Pic Collage app.

Making Digital Dice in Year 6

Image
The students in Mr. Dowding's class explored how to code and create a digital dice with micro:bit as part of their learning of probability and data in Maths. The students used the micro:bit app on the iPads to create a code that used the accelerometer on the micro:bit as the input, basically a chip that responds to gravity fields. After setting a value range of 1-6 to mirror the possibilities on a 6 sided dice the class paired their micro:bits with their iPads and activated their codes by shaking the micro:bit to generate numbers between 1-6. The class will now generate number data via this code or data using a 'Coin-Flip' code to make predictions about probability and learn how to back up their statements with data. The class reflected on their micro:bit experience, see image below.

Explaining Everything about Shapes and Sizes of Our Solar System in Year 3

Image
The students in Mrs McMurray's class continued their exploration of the Sun, Moon and Earth by creating a digital journal with the Explain Everything app. On the first slide students learned how to take a close up image of their own drawing (linking with the Camera app) of these elements of the solar system and crop and re-size for their audience. Then they learned how to use the tutorial recording feature to describe the elements of their pictures with tools such as a laser pointer to make them as short as possible. The class then learned how to use online resources such as www.pixabay.com to search for and save copyright free images of the Sun, Moon and Earth to help make a comparison with their own pictures for slide 2. Well done Year 3s.

A Window on Teaching and Learning with Technology

This blog provides a window on the ongoing Professional Development programme with Winthrop Australia being conducted in 2019. The focus of this blog will be on products and processes developed that integrate Educational Technology in the context of the learning areas at Creaney PS. Please feel free to use the blog to comment or share any elements of your own journey or seek further ideas from others.