Month: April 2021 (page 1 of 1)

Lauryn, Judy and I met with our pod (pod #8, Kathryn and Zoe) on the 1st of April and presented our ‘Engaging Technology Platforms to Use in the Classroom’ topic. Below is the link to our presentation, as well as a link to the Pairs and Pods Sign-Up sheet.

Engaging technology platforms to use in the classroom presentation

EDCI 336 A02 Pairs and Pods Sign-Up doc

Kahoot, is an educational platform learning game that allows students to showcase what they have learned. It is a fun competitive game between the whole class on material they have learnt or are currently learning. Questions are either answered through multiple choice or true and false. The goal of this game it to be the fastest one to answer the correct question.

Kahoot, is a great way for students to engage with the material they are learning about in the classroom because it makes them have fun with what they are participating in. It is a nice way for students to not feel insecure about the answer they are choosing because their answers are anonymous – only they know. This game also allows students to interact with each other and the teacher; creating engaging and educational class discussions.

Kahoot, is beneficial for teachers because it gives them a good understanding with what material students understand or what needs to be discussed more in class. It also gives teachers the freedom of making the quizzes how short or long they would like. This game also encourages for class discussion between peers and teacher after each question and it makes for a fun experience throughout the whole classroom environment. A bonus is that this technology learning game is free and easy to use. 

There are also some issues that teachers need to be aware of when playing this game in the classroom. 

1. If students have the ability to create their own name for Kahoot reassure them that their chosen name must be appropriate. 
2. Some students may choose not to participate therefore enforce that this is for participation marks and the teacher will be keeping track. 
3. Do some test trials before presenting the game to your class. Therefore, make sure the teacher knows how to use it and is well prepared before coming into class!
4. Lastly be aware that not every student may contain a phone or bring it to school… which would make them not be able to participe in the game if it was done through a personal device. 

https://judycristante.opened.ca/category/edtech-inquiry/

What is it?

Kidblog is a safe and secure platform for students to publish their writing, audio recordings, or video projects. Teachers can also use this platform to connect their students’ learning with their parents. Additionally, it can be used as a class blog to send out announcements about classroom updates and happenings. Although the platform is geared toward children, teachers, teacher librarians, or school administrators must moderate it. 

Why use it?

Benefits of blogging for children:

• Helps develop confidence
• Improves self-expression
• Gain a sense of fulfillment from posting their work
• Form multicultural links
• Improved reading and writing skills
• Encourages autonomy and creativity
• Creates a sense of community

Getting started with blogging at a younger age also lays the foundation for safe internet use.

How to Use it in Your Future Classroom

Here are a few ideas that I found from reviews that elementary teachers left about Kidblog:

• Use it to extend knowledge about new topics in science (generate hypotheses, connect to the real-world, share thoughts and opinions)
• English Language Learners can explore new vocabulary, sentence structure and terms in a comfortable way. Also lets them look back on their progression.
• Independent reading strategies
• Elaborate on mathematical concepts
• Reading or viewing responses

https://laurynyportfolio.opened.ca/category/edtech-inquiry/