Using QR in the classroom

Last week fourth grade found a fun activity that used a math word problem on a notecard.

Start with a problem (I’m going to grab a sample test item from a test generation site that you might want to consider as a resource)

An example test item from http://my.triand.com/

Under the problem post a QR code and a short URL (web address) to the answer.

http://goo.gl/YQACqU

In this way the student can use a phone, iPad, or netbook to look up the correct answer.

I took the screenshot of the question and put boxes around the answer using skitch. https://evernote.com/skitch/

I used http://imgur.com/ to host the answer image. (it’s free)

I used an extension in Google Chrome to make the QR code and short URL.

Mystery Language Skype/Hangout

Have you heard of mystery Skype? Basically two classrooms get together on a video call and play 20 questions trying to figure out where they other class is located.

It seems pretty popular

http://mysteryskypes1213.weebly.com/

https://education.skype.com/mysteryskype

https://education.skype.com/projects/2832-mystery-skype

It has even moved to Google Hangouts

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmX4OGnL6zzudGhxMEN3Rzk4YnVkNk9iM2xzTWRiNUE&usp=drive_web#gid=1

It just seems natural to me that we would add the component of language to the mix. Evidently, I'm not the only person to whom this idea has occurred. https://education.skype.com/projects/5823-play-with-us-mystery-skype-in-french

So here it is a google spreadsheet. Add yourself to the list and connect on your own.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmX4OGnL6zzudGhxMEN3Rzk4YnVkNk9iM2xzTWRiNUE&usp=drive_web#gid=1

Art work and the inner child

I was wandering around one the elementary schools this morning admiring the artwork on the wall. I love how they have some framed and presented from contests in years past.

I love this pic by Donald Thomas in 2001.

As I wandered down the hall I saw some great current art work as well. But this assignment caught my eye.

It got me thinking about Carol Dweck and her idea of mindset. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICILzbB1Obg

Which of the words that the students used to describe themselves are examples of fixed mindset and which are examples of growth mindset? I haven’t even looked at the individual words yet. I’m just going to copy them down below and let everyone look at them together.

tough, smart, funny, brave, strong, wild, loving, wonderful, sweet, crazy, fun, awesome, nice, lucky, cool, confident, wacky, kind, sensitive

Sharing documents with young students

You can share a Google document (document, presentation, spreadsheet, etc...) with students without Google accounts, but that document would have to be set to a sharing option of open to "anyone with a link". (See video on how to do that here) This means the document is literally open to anyone with the link directly to the page, but the page is not included in any Google searches. Making it highly unlikely that anyone would stumble upon the document by accident.

However, it is also public so make sure you tell students that they should only use first names.

Another alternative which I used yesterday in a classroom is an etherpad. (https://etherpad.mozilla.org/) Again this is an open document, but is not included in any search engines. The advantage of the etherpad is that each person who uses it is given a different color highlight so it is easy to see who has done what. (Video on opening an etherpad here)

With either option then the hard part is sharing the URL (the web address of the page) because they tend to end in a looooong string of random numbers and letters. (for example this is an etherpad https://etherpad.mozilla.org/SL2ewWbm2R and this is a google document https://docs.google.com/a/rbchs.com/document/d/1OhXsRzjkHP0iel46VaI3GazY4JfxZPNCOB5whitZf1Q/edit)

I like to use http://tinyurl.com/ to make the address easier to remember. To use tinyurl take the web address of the page one of the really long URL’s from above and paste it into the first box. Then I like to add a custom alias in the box in the bottom, such as murphypad1. This way it is easy to remember and type into the browser. Then click Make TinyURL!. (Video on how to do that here) Because every web address has to be different you cannot reuse the same custom tinyurl more than once.

You can use both an etherpad and google doc again and again. Here is an international company that reuses the same note pad for meetings on a monthly basis https://teach.etherpad.mozilla.org/mentors-thursday Yes they hold monthly meetings with an open notepad and not only can anyone watch live, but you could participate if you want.

Apps in the classroom

With the new technology in the schools there are a lot of people asking what apps to use with iPads. This is a very difficult decision for me to make. I’ll share some ideas, but frankly they will leave you unsatisfied. At the end of the day the apps you use in your classroom will depend on what and how you teach.

Some apps are great for use in centers. Some are better for individual use. Some track student usage, most don’t unless you pay for it. Some tie into other programs such as BrainPOP. My best solution is three fold.

First, do like the kindergarten team and discuss apps together and decide which ones you want to use across the grade level. (Don’t forget to include support staff or at least supply them with a list of the apps you use)

Second, use app review sites. Here are my suggestions. There are many out there and I like to find the ones created with education in mind.

Third, share what you learned. I have a form here where you can review the apps you use. If you don’t have time then send the apps to me and I will put them in (it just won’t be as good because I don't use them in the classroom)

App review sites
http://www.appitic.com/index.php/themes/themes/category/math-3
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/app-reviews
http://www.iear.org/

Also don't forget about my website and Diigo list. Which are really the same thing in different forms.

A list of webapp review sites with notes on the quality (feel fee to add any you know)
https://docs.google.com/a/rbchs.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AnRphNkFHPvrdDdCa0dMM0J5eEpyM0tra0p1TDZXeUE#gid=0

New and improved Google Forms

A few years ago I suggested the idea that a teacher might use google forms to create self grading quizzes for pre-tests.

This is a pretty decent idea I think, as a pre-test  should be low stakes enough so that you don’t need to worry about cheating. I also liked the quick graphs to see what questions were the most and least troubling.

Most teachers, I think, use something a bit easier to set up like using their HaikuLearning account.

Recently Google upgraded their forms to allow inserting pictures and now video.

Imagine the flipped classroom now. Insert a video, ask three questions, insert next video.

It doesn’t have to be a measure of mastery, but simply a quick check to see if the student is getting the main idea. Later, in class, the teacher can use the answers to make groups for the day, start the conversation from a general point of contention, etc.…..

How I would run an independent study in school

During a training the other day a teacher was ruminating on the possibility of creating learning stations in math class. Of course it stuck in my head until I wrote it out. So here is my first thoughts on the concept.

There are a lot of math programs out that that allow a student to learn or supplement learning online. I’ll talk about implementing two of them. Khan Academy, because it is the 800 pound gorilla and Manga High because it seems to take an almost complete opposite approach to teaching math. Both are free for US educators.

Both have a full curriculum, both allow you to assign work to students, and both allow the teacher to monitor student progress.

What does the classroom look like?

Students are given the curriculum at the beginning of the year. Using an LMS I create learning modules. Students are given a choice each day.

1. Learn what I am teaching
2. Work a lesson in Khan Academy
3. Work a lesson in Manga High
4. Conference with me

Students who work on their own sit around the walls with the computers facing out so I can easily see if they are on task.

Every evening or during break I quickly check to see the progress of each student. I can add assignments to students as I see fit.

The assessment for each module consists of one or more of the following. Common assessment created on the LMS. reflection by student of standards learned, including their interpretation of the math concepts involved. Paper and pencil assessment.

Students should share their reflections on the general discussion board in the LMS so that later students can read if they get stuck.

Students who find themselves stuck, or in need of assistance can schedule a conference with me. (Even when teaching the later part of the period should be open for impromptu conferences). They can also check the discussion board for each unit. The answer might already be there or they can ask a question.

I wonder how you might do it?