Author Archives: juliab
List.ly apps
Best Bible Apps
View more lists from Keith Crawford
Primary Learner Apps
View more lists from Tim Nielsen
Apps for Teacher Use
View more lists from Kathy Casey
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Fighting plagiarsm article Jamie Mackenzie
Fighting PlagiarismBy Jamie McKenzie, ©2013, all rights reserved.About authorWhat are the best ways to combat the trend toward plagiarism?How can we best teach our students to value and practice original thinking?How can we structure research so that students must make answers rather than just finding them?
App creators
I have been trialling a few app creators for students to use.
There are quite a few app_builder tools. Some of these can be found at my app_builder bookmarks on diggo.
Each has its advantages and disadvantages and must be considered in context. All of the below are web based apps, not native apps.
They listed below are in order of cost.
The first one I used is the iBuildApp.
The plan I am currently using is free. This tool would need the students to have more technical knowledge but allows for android and iOS devices.
This is the app I designed.
Recently I have been playing with tools that will also allow students to design ebooks. One of these is the Creative Book Builder.
This blog post explains how to use CBB from the point of view of Bloom’s (from Appsinclass blog). The advantage of these tools is not technical understanding is required (WYSIWYG).
The Creative Book Builder data can be converted to an app via the in-app purchase TouchApp Creator. The cost is roughly $10 (as you need to purchase both CBB and the TouchApp Creator).
Considerations for me with these apps (apart from costing) is that the data is retained in the app on the particular device (not via login). As I am currently managing shared devices, this can be an issue. Additionally, it only creates for iOS devices (note: ebooks created can be converted to a PDF). A positive is the upload/export option using the cloud (eg. Dropbox).
These are excellent apps that I can see would be simplest for the students.
This is an example of a converted CBB to an TouchApp Creator app.
The JS LIBRARY epub (image) data was then converted to an app.
This SAMR SDS web based app was designed using TouchApp Creator from the converted data.
SAMR SDS
The JS LIBRARY web based app designed using TouchApp Creator.
Finally, the most interesting choice to me, from an educational perspective, is Blippit as it allows me to manage and review student work before the apps are published.
A free App about the Blippit App Maker
The cost is an annual subscription (online payment). The support has been very prompt and encouraging so far.
Blippit
Screenshot of the QR code and link that is generated.
JS LIBRARY app designed using Blippit.
I can see great potential for our students creating their own apps to support their PYP Exhibition journey.
Stay tuned for where we go from here.
Please note: the apps created with Blippit are no longer active.
As of March 2014 Blippit has changed to Blippit IO App Maker.
To retain the work of the students this presentation was created.
Introduction to Programming
This term we are running an Introduction to Programming for students in Upper Primary.
We are looking at a variety of apps (initially) in order to identify prior knowledge and to consider what is possible.
The free apps are excellent for developing programming concepts with younger students. The apps below (some come with in-app upgrades) were selected as they build on each other, don’t take long to learn and set the scene well.
- BEEBOT
- DAISY THE DINO
- A.L.E.X
- HOPSCOTCH
- CARGO-BOT
As a part of this course students will consider WHAT that actually wish to do. To support this the Introduction to Programming Moodle course has tutorials and guides so students can be self-directed in their learning. journey. Students have the opportunity to access these resources outside of school time and to share and collaborate about what they are learning and doing with others via the Edmodo Programming group.
Students will also reflect and complete a GOAL SETTING sheet to clarify their thinking and give some direction to their inquiry.
For example, they may wish to explore the games and gaming, use the apps and websites (eg Kodu, Scratch) to create a games (focusing on visual programming language)
OR
Build their own app using a platform such as Blippit or iTouch App after you have created your book using Creative Book Builder.
Blippit – the original pop-up app maker from Get Logged In on Vimeo.
Creative Book Builder for CBB from Digital Roadtrip on Vimeo.
As these sessions are purely to expose the students to programming and creativity through this medium, I am looking forward to seeing what the students create and what they are interested in, to develop resources and future sessions.
Please note: the apps created with Blippit are no longer active.
As of March 2014 Blippit has changed to Blippit IO App Maker.
To retain the work of the students this presentation was created.
New resources (weekly)
SAMR SDS ICT WEBLINKS
10 Steps to being a better writer
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Source
http://www.copyblogger.com/10-steps-to-better-writing/
Supporting reading @SALC – ideas for parents
Sometimes it is hard to know where to get ideas to help your child with their reading.
Luckily there are many resources and books to give you ideas about how to do this.
READING RESOURCES (Books)
We have many books in the Parent Library that give ideas and support for promoting reading. One of these is Mem Fox’s Reading Magic. Please let us know if you would like to become a member of the Parent Library and borrow books from the Parent Library.
READING RESOURCES (online)
The following websites have great advice for parents.
READING TIPS – SCHOLASTIC
Recently recommended by James Nelson (Director of Student Development) is the FOR THE TEACHERS site.
This excellent graphic (also downloadable as a PDF) suggests WAYS A PARENT CAN HELP A CHILD WITH READING (select this link for their blog post).
Here you will find a link to a Early Reader and Older Reader version of this resource (scroll to the bottom of the post).
The image is reproduced with permission from For the Teacher blog.
Source
For the Teachers [online], Ways a Parent Can Help a Child with Reading, < ;http://www.fortheteachersblog.org/ways-a-parent-can-help-a-child-with-reading/#.UYBPFLX-H4Y>;
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next generation online networking for children … engage with digital media….