Ipods+-+OLR+-+October+2011

1. Students are reporting on their experience - (2 - 3 students sharing - recorded on video) attach videos 2. Students have acquired new technology skills that they had not had previously - please see the 21st century list below Skills learned include:
 * How do we know we have been successful? **

> Adaptability/managing complexity: students were able to work independently after the first session. When faced with difficulties, they used their problem solving skills before asking for help. We found that some students who may have difficulties in other areas of learning, were very adept at using the apps.
 * **//__ Inventive Thinking __//**
 * Self-direction: Students discovered the timer on the i-Pod and how to set it for daily one minute timings. While other timers were available within the classroom, the use of the i-Pod encouraged students to time and record their progress in developing fluency skills
 * Higher-order thinking and sound reasoning: Many of the apps required students to think through a series of steps. The iPads provided more modalities for various learning styles (ie. audio, visual, tactile). We were able to see many of our students use higher-order thinking and reasoning when manipulating the applications

‍ **//__ Effective Communication __//**
==== ‍ Teaming, collaboration, and interpersonal skills: Students were very collaborative and proactive in using the iPods. They were very helpful to one another and asked each other for help. Many students became very confident and were able to become leaders; demonstrating an app to another or helping with "trouble-shooting" and manipulating the app. ====

3. Students have learned about digital citizenship - please see the digital citizenship list of skills below 4. How has our teaching changed? What practices will you continue? 5. What are some best practices? 6. Listing what I have learned and what were some of the challenges 7. Personal growth as a learner on an online collaborative environment. 8. What are some tips for next time users?
 * advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology: Students have a better understanding of internet safety.
 * ==== ‍ exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity: The students displayed very positive attitudes towards the iPods.They were very collaborative, especially in problem solving situations. They were extremely engaged, at all times. I was very pleased to hear them move from saying " Can I play ....?" to " I am going to work on .....". ====
 * ‍ exhibit leadership for digital citizenship: Students displayed leadership in all aspects (preparing to use the iPads, safe usage of iPads)
 * I will continue to provide opportunities for targeted practice of basic sight words using available technolgy.
 * I will explore ways to obtain technology for specific students in the program.
 * I will rethink the amount of time alocated to "playing" on the devices or using alternate technology in the classroom to see if more time should be allocated.
 * Making directions clear and precise
 * Waiting for everyone to be ready and on the same app or tool
 * Technology can form an important part of differentiated learning activities
 * Allow children opportunities for free exploration before moving to learning activities
 * I am not "techno literate" and found it challenging to learn how to navigate using the i-Pod as I did not understand the function of the buttons and keys. I relied on students to help me understand how to turn off and organize the apps. I was not able to download apps on my own and relied on other staff members to assist me. I would have benefited from additional tech support.
 * We found that not all the apps that we had downloaded worked on a regular basis. We often could not get access to some of the activities that would have reinforced the learning.
 * I needed help to try to tweak some of the sight word lists to match the student needs. I never did successfully manage to do this.
 * Learned how to use an i-Pod
 * Created my first video and used the flip camera
 * Began to explore the possibilities of online reading sources as a way to provide new material for children
 * We purchased some "card " cases which enabled students to keep the i-Pods in their desk and encouraged independent use of them during classtime. The cases were labeled with student name and number. Cases were returned to teacher desk for storage at the end of the week and for charging. This practice encouraged students to use the technology independently, not just at assigned times. I wanted them to view them as a tool, not as a special piece of equipment or "treat".
 * Decrease the number of apps that they access. I found it overwhelming for them to view a large quantity of apps- honing the list and organizing them made it easier for them to practice the skills that I wanted them to focus on.
 * Teacher talk: While it was important for them to be able to explore the technology independently, it was also important that it became a school tool, not an entertainment device. We talked about __working__ on the i-Pod, not __playing__ on the i-Pod.
 * Use of headphones. We did not use headphones as they were stored in each students individual classroom. It would have been beneficial for students to have had easier access to them for some activities.

==== ‍9. What is your legacy piece? How have you left a digital footprint to let other know about your important work with kids? (Video, digital storytelling, celebrations with parents, inviting senior administration, manual, collaborative place for yourself and your students) ====

Parents were shown how we used the i-Pods during Parent Teacher interviews.

Students will continue to use my personal Smartphone to perform many of the same activities.

‍‍ Grade One Language Art Lesson
__Unit:__ Word Families

__Objective:__ The students will be able to print "magnetic" alphabet letters to create word families.

__Activity:__ Open i-Pods. Open app labled "Etch Sketch". Ask the students to select a writing tool. . Ask students to print the sounds that they hear to spell the word dicated. Prompt students to create a word by changing the beginning sound. For a challenge ask the students to add ending to the family to create a new word.

__Evaluation:__ Teacher visually watches students manipulate the word family to see who is Excellent, Proficient, Basic and who does not yet have the skills needed to complete the task.Students Response: The students were engaged during the lesson. They enjoyed making new words. Many students asked to be challenged to spell new words.

Lesson 2*

11. Websites, tools, or apps that you used with your students __Tie to school focus on Steven Covey /7 habits__ []

__ **7 Habits of Digital Citizenship** __

• Be Proactive:

I can choose my responses to

others online & take responsibility

for myself. I understand that the whole world is watching.

• Begin with the End in Mind:

I can make smart decisions: I will never give out my personal information online.

I will always ask my parents.

• Put First Things First:

I can do my homework or other chores first and then I can

ask my parents if I can play on the computer.

•

Think Win-Win:

When I am on the computer,

I can solve problems by communicating politely & appropriately

with others.

• Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood:

I can listen to and understand more than one point of view.

I can understand that my parents and teachers

will have rules about my computer time.

• Synergize:

I can learn from others online.

• Sharpen the Saw:

I can balance my computer time with other positive elements

in my life such as family time, reading, recreation and work, etc.

Modified from Covey, 2008

Used most often by the students:

‍ As Recommended by Diane Nunziato Tolley, SLP REACH
12. Other unexpected findings from your project The use of apps were not the primary source of the learning that went on. While the apps were fun to use and provided good examples of additional practice, it was the use of the tools that provided more educational learning. Developing fluency was obtained through the use of the timer and self-recording of stories. Students developed confidence in their reading and were excited to share their increased knowledge. We found the apps to be fun to use, but they did not necessarily promote active learning and opportunties for discussion. 13. Final thoughts about your project. My goal was initially to use the devices to provide additional opportunities for students to access reading texts at their level. I did not find this to be possible as the choices of material available did not contain texts that were suitable. The texts that we were able to access were not good samples of rich literacy materials. I have since discovered that an alternate source of leveled reading material could be found through a paid subscription to Reading A-Z. and then accessing the texts. However, these materials may be better suited to i-Pad use as it would provide a larger screen which would be necessary for children to easily read the text and make use of the illustrations.
 * **APP NAME** || **DESCRIPTION** ||
 * ==== ‍101 Science ==== || ==== ‍From the book “101 Things Everyone Should Know About Science”. For ages 8 – 12. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍123 Counting ==== || ==== ‍Counts as you match the numbers to the pictures. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍ABC Lite Pocket Phonics ==== || ==== ‍Looks at letter sounds and cursive writing, NOT printing. It has a good game where they ask for the sound and you have to find it, but again in writing. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Alphabet ==== || ==== ‍Has pictures for letters of the alphabet. Names the pictures as you scroll through and touch. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Alphabet Tracing ==== || ==== ‍Shows a picture and the proper way to make a letter. The student can trace the letter. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Animatch ==== || ==== ‍Memory matching. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Arithfit ==== || ==== ‍Game similar to tetris adding numbers to 10. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Audio Note ==== || ==== ‍Voice recording Function. Synchronizes notes and audio functions. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Autism Express ==== || ==== ‍Audio paired with an emotional face. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Balloonimals ==== || ==== ‍Cause and effect game where you press multiple times to make an animal balloon and then pop it. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Bus ==== || ==== ‍An interactive book. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Cat in the Hat ==== || ==== ‍An interactive book. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Circuits ==== || ==== ‍About electricity. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Colour Play Lite ==== || ==== ‍Select a colour, touch it, and select play button. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Connect Dots ==== || ==== ‍Connect dots by numbers. Hard drawings and lots of numbers to connect. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Cookie Doodle ==== || ==== ‍Make virtual cookies. The eggs crack and you need to stir and shake the salt in, roll out the dough, decorate. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Cyberbullying ==== || ==== ‍Garfield comic about cyberbullying. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Depict ==== || ==== ‍Requires internet. An online multiplayer game. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Doodle Buddy ==== || ==== ‍Drawing ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Draw 4 Free ==== || ==== ‍Draw and colour pictures. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Dreams ==== || ==== ‍Interactive book. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Dropbox ==== || ==== ‍A way of syncing and sharing your files online and across computers. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Duck Duck Moose ==== || ==== ‍Interactive storybook but doesn’t read the book. You poke or slide things to see what happens. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Expressionist ==== || ==== ‍Communication app with feelings, questions, requests, actions, health, senses, and common phrases categories. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Faces I Make ==== || ==== ‍Makes faces with toys and food for eyes, nose and mouth, but no real body parts. All lessons require internet. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Finger Piano ==== || ==== ‍Piano Keyboard. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍First Then ==== || ==== ‍Can use to create a schedule. They have stock images you can use. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Fit It! ==== || ==== ‍This is a puzzle game where the students have to fit the pieces into larger shapes. It starts at an easy level of dragging one piece across. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Flashcards ==== || ==== ‍Requires Internet. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Frac Factory ==== || ==== ‍Game for fractions. Place fractions in their correct position on a number line. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Freddy Fraction ==== || ==== ‍Game using fractions, decimals, and percentages. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Free Map ==== || ==== ‍Maps of the world. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Frog Dissection ==== || ==== ‍Dissect a frog. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Glow Colouring ==== || ==== ‍No pictures. Just draw and colour in and make glow. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Glow Doodle ==== || ==== ‍Like Drawing Doodle. Can draw and then make their pictures glow. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Good Reader ==== || ==== ‍File manager. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Google ==== || ==== ‍Mobile app that requires Internet. Same as desktop version. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Google Earth ==== || ==== ‍Same as desktop version. Requires Internet ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Graphbook ==== || ==== ‍Move and rotate and zoom and change colours of items. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Groove Maker ==== || ==== ‍Song mixing app. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍G Whiz MLA ==== || ==== ‍Need to register online to write stories. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IBird ==== || ==== ‍Shows pictures of birds, gives you the bird’s song and info on it. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IBraille ==== || ==== ‍Do English to Braille or Braille to English ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IBooks ==== || ==== ‍Download free books. One book that I recommend to download for free is the IPad User Guide. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍ICanada ==== || ==== ‍All purpose Canadian reference to travel, government, history, and news. Requires Internet ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IComm ==== || ==== ‍Picture and voice communication aid for children. Can add your own photos. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍ICommunicate ==== || ==== ‍Has a variety of pictures and you can make story boards and it will say what it is. Need a microphone for custom audio. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IConverse ==== || ==== ‍Has some simple pictures but can edit and add buttons. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Ideas Boards ==== || ==== ‍Select type of board to draw on….whiteboard, chalkboard, etc. and make shapes, write, etc. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IFish Pond ==== || ==== ‍Fishing game with nice graphics. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IMindMap ==== || ==== ‍Graphic organizer. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Inkling ==== || ==== ‍Need to make a profile to log on. Book reader. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍In A World Comedy ==== || ==== ‍Can make your own movie trailers. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍In A World Drama ==== || ==== ‍Can make your own movie trailers. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IRespond Pro ==== || ==== ‍Can distribute tests to devices connected to a class session via Wi-Fi. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IReward ==== || ==== ‍A reward program that provides a picture of the reward and from one to twenty stars that have to be filled in to get the reward. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IReward Chart Lite ==== || ==== ‍Charts to show rewards for different activities. Can have different students and collects data. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍ISeismo ==== || ==== ‍Responds to movement like a seismograph. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍ISign Lite ==== || ==== ‍Signing app. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍I Speech ==== || ==== ‍Great app for ideas for articulation ==== ||
 * ==== ‍I Talk ==== || ==== ‍Voice recorder. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Itsy Bitsy Spider HD ==== || ==== ‍Interactive game. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍IWrite Words Lite ==== || ==== ‍Favourite printing program. Allows student to trace upper and lower case letters. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Jam HD ==== || ==== ‍Difficult traffic game. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Jibbigo ==== || ==== ‍Personal interpreter for different languages. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Journey ==== || ==== ‍Book from the “Guardians of Ga’Hoole”. Audio book with no visuals. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Just Fractions ==== || ==== ‍Give you fraction problems to solve with step by step solutions. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Juxtaposer ==== || ==== ‍Lets you combine multiple pictures into fun photos. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Kidcalc Free ==== || ==== ‍Kid’s calculator ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Key Note ==== || ==== ‍Creates slide show presentations. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Learn Time Lite ==== || ==== ‍Allows the student to move the hands of the clock. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Learn to Talk Sampler ==== || ==== ‍Audio flashcards. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Long Division ==== || ==== ‍Used to teach and study long division method. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Lunchbox ==== || ==== ‍Monkey with a preschool lunch box. A counting game that counts it for you as you touch the items. Colour word to match to items. Good for following directions. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Magic Piano ==== || ==== ‍Piano keyboard. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Make Change ==== || ==== ‍Making change with American money. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Matching Deluxe ==== || ==== ‍Memory game. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Match Magic ==== || ==== ‍Student gets to match pictures. You can do shapes, numbers, and counting. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Math Board Addition ==== || ==== ‍Adding numbers. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Math Magic ==== || ==== ‍Adding, subtracting, and multiplying using games. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Mini Piano ==== || ==== ‍Piano keyboard. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Mobile Mouse ==== || ==== ‍Turns the IPad into a wireless remote and trackpad for your computer. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Mobile Studio ==== || ==== ‍File manager. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Moon Globe ==== || ==== ‍Virtual globe of the moon. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍My Guitar ==== || ==== ‍Learn to play the guitar with only 4 chords. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍My Homework ==== || ==== ‍Allows you to keep track of homework, classes, projects, and tests. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍My Talk Mobile ==== || ==== ‍Can choose pictures or create your own to touch and use for expressive language. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍NASA ==== || ==== ‍Images from NASA. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Notes and More ==== || ==== ‍A note taking system with folders. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍NRM Communications ==== || ==== ‍Connects to radio stations. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Online Safety ==== || ==== ‍Garfield comic book about online safety ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Oregon Trail ==== || ==== ‍Online game. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Pages ==== || ==== ‍Word processor for Mac. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Patchwork Notes ==== || ==== ‍Note taking and organizing ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Photopad ==== || ==== ‍Puts photos into albums and edits photos. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Photospeak ==== || ==== ‍Takes still photos and transforms then into an animated 3D version and repeats back what you say. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Piggy HD Math ==== || ==== ‍Count by 1s and 2s, number position, connect words and numerals, add and subtract. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Pixter ==== || ==== ‍App for playing with photos. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Planets ==== || ==== ‍Shows you the constellations, planets, and moons. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍ProLoQuo2Go ==== || ==== ‍Communication app. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍PS Express ==== || ==== ‍This allows you to edit, import photos and organize them. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Random Haiku ==== || ==== ‍A haiku generator. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Science VL ==== || ==== ‍Dictionary and lesson provided on website. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍SciFI Stories Lite ==== || ==== ‍SciFi stories in text only. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Scripts Pro ==== || ==== ‍Write your own scripts. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Scrabble ==== || ==== ‍Game ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Shakespeare ==== || ==== ‍All his books for reading. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Shapebuilder Lite ==== || ==== ‍For ages 21/2 to 6. Put shapes together in a puzzle. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Showcase ==== || ==== ‍Mobile journalism. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Simple Mind X ==== || ==== ‍Graphic organizer. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Sign 4 Me ==== || ==== ‍Signing avatar – 3D signing. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Simon Says ==== || ==== ‍Memory game with colours and notes. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Sketch Nation ==== || ==== ‍Helps you create your own online games. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍SkyORB 3D ==== || ==== ‍Star map, 3D planetarium, etc. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Speak It ==== || ==== ‍Text to speech software. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍SplitScreen ==== || ==== ‍Lets you do two things at once. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Stanza ==== || ==== ‍Read books on your device. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Stars ==== || ==== ‍Displays constelaltions. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Story Kit ==== || ==== ‍Create an electronic storybook. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Stories 2 Learn ==== || ==== ‍Create personalized stories using photos, text, and audio. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Strip Designer ==== || ==== ‍Create personal comic books. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Talk 2 Me ==== || ==== ‍Social networking. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Talking Tom ==== || ==== ‍Repeats back what you say in a funny voice. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Tap to Talk ==== || ==== ‍Provides some photos but requires a subscription to customize and expand. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Tell Tale Heart ==== || ==== ‍Book ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Time Timer ==== || ==== ‍Visual timer ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Tonepad ==== || ==== ‍Easy, soothing music by tapping fingers on the screen. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍TypeDrawing ==== || ==== ‍Use to create typography art and unique watermarks. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Video Science ==== || ==== ‍Science class experiments. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Virtual Villagers ==== || ==== ‍Book ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Vocaballistic ==== || ==== ‍High level dictionary for learning words. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Whiteboard ==== || ==== ‍Free drawing space. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Wide Noise ==== || ==== ‍Tells you the decibel level in the classroom. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Wikipanion ==== || ==== ‍Access to Wikipedia. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Words ==== || ==== ‍Helps you create scrabble words. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Zentap ==== || ==== ‍Helps you write easier and faster on the phone or pad. ==== ||
 * ==== ‍Zentap ==== || ==== ‍Helps you write easier and faster on the phone or pad. ==== ||

Because of my limited technology knowledge, I would have benefited from being able to acces some tech help- I was unsure of who to ask as it was not the responsibility of the school tech support person to teach me how to use the device and discover how it could support the school program more effectively.

14. Would you recommend to use this equipment? The use of i-Pods was great for this age level of students. While I was concerned regarding the size of the devices, the students found them great to use in less structured situations. They did not have to be concerned about having a large area to place them on, they were very portable and used around the classroom instead of just at their desks. The size of the text was also suitable for individual reviews.

I had been using my personal phone before having the opportunity to use the i-Pods. I found both devices great to use as motivators, as a source of individual practice opportunities, and as a way to differentiate review activities. I and the students will miss the daily opportunities to use technology in a practical way.

‍ 5. What are some best practices?
====‍ a) We have created a SmartBoard notebook that clearly outlines procedures and expectations. Each lesson, the apps to be used would be listed with pictures of the the app. This helped students work independently at their own pace. ====

====‍ b) Students were called to the carpet where teacher would demonstrate the app(s) to be used before students would work on the IPad independently. ====

====‍ c) We shared names of the apps we were using in our weekly class newsletters for parents to use with their children on their iPod, iPad, or iPhone technology at home. ====

====‍ d) We made a weekly schedule. For example, each teacher had the iPads at the same time for a week, then the next week, they were scheduled at a different time. ====


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