SPLASH MATH

Technology can be a great aid in education, many schools teach design, programming and engineering, to the 1+1 laptop and tablet program. The devices our children use are powerful on their own; but what enhances their inherent value is the enormous range of available apps, which let students do diverse and amazing things. It is important to  try to find ones that fit the specific needs of individual faculty members, students and scholastic units. To help your investigation of tools that can enrich the use of mobile devices,  I am sharing my discovery of a fantastic app that can help make learning Math Fun and interactive. 

SPLASH MATH

Splash Math K–5 is a math practice program that contains more than 390 math concepts. It provides personalized learning for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, so each child can learn at his or her pace. Splash Math has fun and interactive math activities, assessments for each skill and progress reports for parents.

Download Splash Math K–5.

School may get a free trial that includes the following:

The trial would include full access to all features of Splash Math School Premium. Some of the key features are:

  *  Fun & Interactive Math Practice
  *  Math Curriculum for Kindergarten through Grade 5
  *  Alignment with Standard’s Based Curriculum (incl. Common Core reports)
  *  Intuitive Teacher Dashboard
  *  Detailed Progress Reports
  *  Easy to Use Principal & Administrator Dashboard
  *  Individual logins for each student
  *  Access on School iPads, desktops, laptops
  *  Home Sharing with Parent Devices (iPads, desktops, laptops)

Classroom Technology:The Effect of Technology on a Student' s Motivation and Knowledge Retention

Does more classroom technology lead to higher student motivation? It depends on who you ask. In most cases, I think the assumption by many teachers is that more technology = more engagement, and therefore, higher student motivation. I was surprised at the results of this study from 2012. 

The study was conducted and published by Mark Granito and Ellina Chernobilsky, and then presented at the Northeastern Educational Research Association Conference. 

The question that guided this study was "To what extent does technology help student motivation and retention of information in a 7th grade Social Studies classroom."  I like the fact that they chose a subject area that traditionally uses very little technology within the classroom. I know there are currently social studies classrooms in my school that utilize very little technology. 

Here are the results:

Based on the data, using technology doesn't reveal much change in test scores or knowledge retention. 

From the student's survey responses, it is clear that students prefer to have the choice to use the technology, rather than being forced to. I was a little surprised that half the class chose the traditional paper based assignment. 
          "It was discovered in this research, that students who chose to complete projects using available technology scored significantly better than students who were forced to use available technology. Much to the researcher's surprise, when given the choice between completing a paper-based project or completing a computer-based project, the class was virtually split down the middle. Previous assumptions would have led this researcher to believe that more seventh grade students would have chosen to work on the computer over traditional methods of learning."

The results of this study definitely got me thinking. I think many of my colleagues do a great job of incorporating technology for the right reasons. However, I also think there are some that do not. I really like the concluding paragraph from this study. 
      "The researcher concludes that technology has the potential to be a powerful educational tool for those that have interest in it. For students with no interest in using technology, they will still benefit educationally from traditional methods. This research alludes to the fact that assigning a computerbased project haphazardly to a group of students will not necessarily generate high test scores. There needs to be interest and motivation with using technology in the first place for students to succeed. As with any instructional topic, technology needs to be taught and embraced at an early age. If students are taught to hate technology at an early age, then their disdain for technology may follow them into their later years."

Augmented Reality Land - Bringing an Experiences to “Life” by Keith Royer

You can read about sharks, but why not swim with them? Yes, in the ever-changing world of technology, we are moving into a world where augmented and virtual reality, along with 360 video, is going to become part of the norm. There are more and more programs out there that allow us to “experience” people, places, and things.

What are these technologies?

Google Cardboard Viewer

Let’s look at augmented reality. Check out Aurasma for example. It offers a digitally enhanced view of the real world. Turn any object, image, or place into an opportunity for AR. Watch everyday things come to life with graphics, animation, video, audio, and 3D content. Major companies like Universal Studios, Nabisco, Disney, and even the Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian, are offering AR experiences. It can turn a simple movie poster into a movie trailer or offer bios on the actors and actresses. Anyone can create a simple AR image using the website and the app. Great potential for schools and businesses.

Next is the world of virtual reality. It is rapidly expanding into everything from business to education to pleasure. Oculus is leading a charge with the Rift, to allow anyone to experience VR with their headset (albeit, not very cheap...yet). Schools are jumping on board the cheap side of VR with Google Cardboard. It offers 360 degree interactive video. Explore anything from the Museum of Natural History to the lands of Star Wars. Awesome...and cheap!

One of the newest member of the team is 360 immersive video. An amazing technology! There are plenty of free videos out there, and YouTube seems to be leading the way (more in this article from RoadToVR.com). Simply open the YouTube video on your phone or tablet, and look around...up, down, left, right, behind...and get immersed in an environment. Now, you can also do the same thing on a computer, but it is not as nearly as awesome of an experience. Go ahead, fly along with the Blue Angels, become part of a scene in a Paranormal Activity movie, and even swim with sharks. YouTube has their own dedicated channel (#360Video) to these videos.

Want to check out the experience? Join Mythbusters under the sea. Open this link on your phone or tablet (add a Google Cardboard viewer to enhance the experience even more): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQd41nbQM-U (like I said, you can use the computer too, but not nearly as fun). 

Already viewing on a phone or tablet? Here is the video:

Screen casts making life easier!

Screen, Lights, Action, Camera!!!

Did you develop a new app and want to show it out to the world? You can direct a presentation with the content and not missing out the eye contact with various screen casting software’s available now-a-days.

Screencasts are recordings of computer screens, and increasingly, mobile device screens. Screencasts are an effective way to scale knowledge delivery because you can record once, but deliver the content an unlimited of times.

Virtual classroom sessions and virtual sales meeting are getting more and more popular these days and these screen casting software’s. For potential clients, screencasts can be used to deliver product demos, sales presentations or instructional videos. Internally, screencasts can be used as sales enablement tools to educate reps on company products or for sales tips/tricks.

 REASONS WHY VIDEO CONTENT IS KING

1. Ideas are communicated and comprehended quicker as you can simultaneously show and tell with video.
2. Rather than reading reams of text, we prefer to be see and listen to the idea
3. You will get less questions about topics that you’ve made videos about, as the viewer can rewind to the point he is not clear about and listen to it again. Lot of time is saved in back and forth communications.
4. The cost of video production has tumbled. The tools and equipment are now so cheap, that the biggest investment is the time it takes to familiarize yourself with the software.

Here is a great example of the ease of usage

"So far this year Help Desk students have been experimenting with various screen casting tools including QuickTime, Screencastify and most recently Screencast-O-Matic. In their latest tutorials, you can hear and see the Help Desk students since they recorded both their screen and used the web cam feature in Screencast-O-Matic. This was the first time the Help Desk students had ever created these “on camera” type videos and I am extremely proud of what they have created. All of their videos serve as great examples for teachers who are looking to flip their lessons. Help Desk students are available to assist any BHS teacher who wants to learn how to use Screencast-O-Matic."

As a software developer, screen casting is an everyday activity my job demands. If I did a new development or enhancement to the existing program, I educate all the business users by casting/sharing my screen to all the people attending the call. Screen sharing made my life easier as I explain the new developments to users in 10 different states. It saves lot of time and money or else I have to fly to all these locations to educate my users.

Collaboration Online Web 2.0: How Technology is Improving Student's Communication Skills

Pew Research Center found that "71% of teens ages 13-17 use Facebook as their primary social media site". They also state that "92% of teens ages 13-17 go online daily with 24% of those who stated they go online "constantly"."

USA today claims that "social media and modern technology destroying our interpersonal social skills". And that recent research and studies say "as more generations are born into the social age, social media will continue to be the favored communication form among young people. However, this shift may begin to affect their ability to properly communicate in person with peers." in their 2012 article "Why Social Media is Destroying Our Social Skills" article. 

So what does all this mean for those of us that teach those 13-17 year old students who go online all day, every day? How can we combat the loss of social skills that result in constant online, but limited face to face interactions?

According to Zack Blois of Wowzers "Here at Wowzers, we tend to disagree with the notion that today’s kiddos are becoming less interactive with their peers as the number of tablet and computer screens increases. In fact, we feel that the recent advances in educational technology actually provide greater avenues for collaborative skill development within, and outside, the classroom."

How does Wowzers suggest teachers facilitate and develop these "greater avenues" you ask? Increasing collaboration and building student communication skills can be accomplished through the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other innovative tools available online for free!

Discussion posts added to LMS allows students to communicate in a online environment. The discussion can be as structured or unstructured as the teacher permits. The topics can be broad to allow for varying opinions and addition of research findings, or narrow so that key concepts are hit and understanding is easily monitored. 

Student led blogs are another way to increase student communication and collaboration. Blogs can be build through the LMS or the teacher can utilize an outside tool such as blogger or wordpress. Similar to the discussion post, the blog can be used as an open free write area, or it can be more structured with assigned writing topics. Students can work together to create a classroom blog, or they can serve as editors and researchers on a group blog. Teachers can open the doors further by incorporating students for other classes into the blog. Whether it is another section taught by the same teacher, students from the same school within varying grades, or students from across the country. Blogging provides students with the opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts, research topics that are interesting to them, comment on the work of others, and gain insight about different people places and cultures. Check out this teacher's video about her classroom blog. It will make you want to write about Walter too!

A LMS can also provide an opportunity for face to face conferencing between students and researchers, experts, guest speakers as well as other students in varying places. Video conferencing teaches students the importance of good communication skills, first impressions and professional demeanor. A colleague of mine recently setup a video conference with her 4th grade students and their fellow 4th grade pen-pals from a neighboring state. She detailed how there was excitement in the air all day before the conference and how proud she was of her students and their preparedness. She also commented on how well behaved and experience the other class was. They had conferences with scientists and authors throughout the year so they were very used to the dos and don'ts of conferencing! 

Other ideas for increasing collaborating and communication skills in the classroom are suggested by the folks at Remind (have you heard of remind101, its them!) with their 5 ways to improve student collaboration article. "Encouraging group work" tops the list with "using the right tools" coming in second. So what are some tools that increase student collaboration? There are endless lists of collaborative project creation tools such as PowToon, Glogster and Prezi. And no web 2.0 article would be complete without mentioning Google and all of it's collaborative facets such as Docs and Slides. Check out this video on how to implement Google Docs in the classroom:

Next on Remind's list is assigning discussion homework to encourage frequent collaboration. Also, creating an environment that's conducive to collaboration is important for students in a face-to-face environment. Simply rearranging desks can allow natural collaboration and communication among students.

Lastly, Remind suggest "handing over the mic". Giving students the chance to share their ideas, suggest topics of study, or assigning a rotating discussion leader can help create a classroom culture where collaboration is normal, positive, constructive and helps students reach higher levels of achievement. 

Collaboration among students is one concept that can be implemented no matter the subject area, grade or ability level. All teachers should strive to increase collaboration within their lessons so students are building the necessary skills needed for their future careers. Technology can be used to combat the lack of communication skills we see in our teens today and it can also open up doors for students to collaborate in ways previously impossible.

Classroom Technology Land - Technology and Engagement by Keith Royer

Every student is following directions, listening, actively engaged, and learning. This is what we all want in the classroom.

Classroom technology allows teachers to change the way we interact in the classroom. research has found a positive impact with the use of classroom technology. According to Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards by Robert Marzano (which can be found in ASCD) The use of interactive whiteboards, which can be found in most schools, in some form, have created an increase in student achievement. In an article on CampusTechnology.com, tells how devices in the classroom lead to better interaction.

Classroom technology is giving a voice to students that may otherwise not be heard. Our quiet, shy students that may never volunteer in class can now communicate through text or video without have to raise their hand and speak in front of peers. With interactive tools, like clickers and game play from apps like Kahoot!, all students can participate together without having to stand-out in front of their peers.

How does technology improve student engagement and interaction? Check out this video from Pearson’s Research Network (full article found here):

Mobile Land: Use of qr Codes in the Classroom

Have you seen one of these on your McDonald's or Starbucks products lately? 

When I first saw a qr code it reminded me of a magic eye puzzle. You know the ones that used to be in the newspaper and your parent, grandmother or friend would cut it out and tell you to "cross your eyes" or "tilt your head" so you could see the hidden image? Well, that's not how a qr code works, so stop holding it close and then far from your face. You look silly.

Qr stands for quick response. A qr code is a scan-able image that serves as a link to a website, a forum or really any other type of online content. In order to use a qr code, a smartphone user needs to download a qr code reader or scanner from their app store. The scanner works similarly to a grocery store check-out scanner.

Businesses are adding qr codes to their merchandise to provide customers with a link to nutritional facts, recipe ideas, contest applications, and even feedback surveys. Qr codes are also popping up in the educational world where teachers use them for quick access to websites, mobile friendly calendars, and to make the classroom a little greener.

Qr codes help teachers provide students access to websites in a faster way. Some websites have URL addresses that are quiet long with odd combinations of numbers and letters. Students waste precious instruction or activity time when they are required to manually enter a site's URL. Requiring the student to visit several different sites means several different URL addresses. Qr codes also provide an alternative to having students log on to a wikispace or learning management system as a intermediate step before accessing web content.

Teachers can use qr codes to make their classrooms and activities greener by using less paper. Qr codes on worksheets can route students to helpful websites, a tutorial or a supplemental video. They can also take the place of paper heavy activities such as a "ticket out the door" by having students scan the qr code that matches their answer.

Kelly Walsh, from Emerging Ed Tech, complied a list of 25 fun ways to use qr codes in the classroom and the ideas are from teachers that are actually using qr codes! Teachers suggest using qr codes as a way to communicate with students and parents about due dates through an online calendar. Other ideas include using qr codes as hot spots around a classroom for students that finish their activities and need extension work. One way I use qr codes in the classroom is to route students who wish to re-take a test to an online Google Forum. They fill out my re-take survey (did you study, where you absent for a lecture, did you take notes, etc.) and they can even schedule their re-take.

Creating your own qr code is fairly easy. No need to draw your own magic eye design! There are several free qr code generators available online. You can even create qr codes for MP3 files and images. Use the qr code above to check out Karen Mensing's TedEd talk on The Magic of QR codes in the Classroom.

Will qr codes revolutionize your classroom? Maybe. Are qr codes just another fad that doesn't accomplish anything new? Probably yes. But they do make you and your classroom more tech-savvy and there is always the chance that they increase student engagement. Most students have smartphones capable of scanning qr codes and rather than fighting them to put away their phones, this is one way we can embrace them.

Mobile Learning Land: Should Schools Choose Mobile Devices Instead of Computers?

As technology use within schools is increasing exponentially, many schools are moving towards a 1:1 system, or at the very least, embracing BYOD (Bring your own device.)

Whenever technology comes up in discussion, my viewpoint is often different from that of my colleagues. Most teachers are utilizing technology to teach the content. In my case, technology is the content. 

I have noticed a significant change in my classroom within the past 5 years. The general computer skills of my students have dropped. I believe this is because of the emergence of mobile devices. Students are spending less time on a traditional computer during their free time. They can surf the web and use social media on their tablets/phones, so there is no need for a computer. 

Here is an excerpt from Edutopia's A Mobile Dilemma. 


" -With the acceptance of the smartphone 
as the truly personal computer of choice for most 
Americans, it stands to reason that educators 
should be modeling and mentoring its use for the 
very skills we are touting as "21st century." A digitally 
literate culture in a technology-driven society should 
be teaching its children how to use the devices of choice to access, curate, communicate, collaborate with and create information."

If schools begin to push the use of mobile technologies within the school system, I think traditional computer skills will soon begin to fade out. The skills that we once considered "basic office computer skills" will not longer be taught or reinforced within the K-12 school system. Nearly all business-related or clerical jobs require "basic computer skills." If our students are not introduced to a traditional computer at home or at school, where will they learn these skills?

On the other hand, maybe the traditional computer is slowly going away. Some businesses are merging to mobile technologies, so perhaps we should be encouraging their use. There is also the emergence of hybrid type devices, such as the Lenovo Flex. 
While I love my mobile devices, I will always be old school. Desktop computers, rock on.  

Management Systems Land - Is There a Free Choice That’s Worthy? by Keith Royer

Use Moodle...use Blackboard...use Schoology...use Google Classroom...use Edmodo, and the list goes on and on. There are so many learning management systems (for now we’ll group everything into that category), that it becomes overwhelming. Most educators don’t usually have a say in what a district adopts as their “official” LMS. What educators do have a choice with, is choosing one that’s free. Free to use, free to create, and free to operate.

When choosing an LMS for a classroom, there are many things you should take into consideration (and look no further than the article, from eLearning Industry, that highlights good tips when choosing an LMS). Yes, it takes time to “play around” with the free LMSs that are out there, but within a few minutes you should be able to see how user-friendly the LMS is, and really, that’s the key. Google Classroom and Edmodo both offer a decent LMS for free, depending on your needs.

Google Classroom is an easy integration if your district already adopts Google Apps for Ed (GAFE). The downfall, you can use it if you’re not part of GAFE. It seamlessly integrates with Google Drive, YouTube, or any file you have stored on your computer. It is basic, and does not have a lot of features. You can add questions, posts, and create assignments. There is a page for resources to be stored as well. The most beneficial tool is being able to automatically make copies of a Google Doc for each student with the click of one button. It also organizes and stores all the Docs for you, with student names, no extra work required. That in itself makes it worth using, if for nothing else.

Below is a brief introduction to Google Classroom (link here).

Edmodo is another free LMS (paid subscription is available). It is laid out more like a Facebook for school use. You can post polls, quizzes, and assignments. There is a news feed where students can communicate in that Facebook-style online world. You can add all kinds of files types to your class, so students can view files they need for class. It is a little more full-featured than Google Classroom, and works really well for some subjects. It is a great place for any type of English-related class, allowing for easy discussion online. It is easy to navigate, but for some non-tech savvy teachers, can get a bit overwhelming.

Below is a brief introduction to Edmodo (link here).

If you’re looking for a LMS to help save time and paper, there are plenty out there to choose from. If you don’t like your district’s LMS, see what’s out there for free. Look for the features you want, and go with the one that makes that the easiest. Who knows, maybe you’ll stumble upon something new and have something to share with the rest of your teachers!

Multimedia Land - The Multimedia Effect on Learning by Keith Royer

Images, sounds, text, videos...all ways that we reach our students in today’s educational world.

There are many (many, many) definitions of multimedia out there. One of the best definitions I could find is from the The Value of Multimedia in Learning by Patti Shenk,

“Mao Neo and Ken T. K. Neo, faculty at Multimedia University in Malaysia, extend this definition. They say that multimedia is “the combination of various digital media types, such as text, images, sound, and video, into an integrated multisensory interactive application or presentation to convey a message or information to an audience.””

I feel that Neo and Neo combine all aspects of the multimedia along with its purpose in a concise manner. Multimedia in learning is trend that can be found all over the place. In the article found on Digital Chalk, multimedia, in the form of videos and such, was a top 10 trend in 2015. It is being used everywhere from education to business. Multimedia is comprised of many forms of of both digital and analog media (interested in learning more...check out the article on encyclopedia.com).  

Multimedia is allowing our teaching to become more and more student-centered. Students are able to more freely express creativity and personality in their learning. There no longer needs to be a “one-size-fits-all” approach to presentations, no matter the subject.

We, as educators, need to embrace the multimedia world, and use the tools that we have available to us, and our students have available to them. Let students decide how they will present their information and select ways in which they learn best.

We need to have a growth mindset, and be open to change. Let’s use the technology that is continue to grow and develop. Let’s let our learning goals guide our practice, and the multimedia tools get us there.

If it’s really all about the students, let embrace our every-changing world of technology that our students walk around with in their hands everyday.