Cubelets: ICT Mentor Led Sessions

Cubelet Challenge

 

 

 

 

JSL Makerspaces

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SELECT 3 CUBELETS (one from each category)

  • THINK block
  • SENSE block
  • ACT block

Q: What does this cube do and when connect a ____?

 What happens? 

cubelts set

CUBELET YOUTUBE PLAYLIST

Select the link to play all the videos tagged as “cubelets”.

MORE RESOURCES

DIIGO CUBELETS LINKS

Claymation: Year 5 in action

Students in Year 5 have been writing their own storybooks. As a part of this process some students were given the opportunity to recreate the story (or part of a story) using modeling clay and animation techniques.

The first version of Milo and Tom is below.

In the next session the students will have a chance to add sound to the animation.

Stay tuned for more to come

YEAR 3 PROGRAMMING WITH APPS

Programming with Apps

On Monday 27th April, select students from Year 3, with the support of the Year 6 ICT Mentors participated in a PROGRAMMING WITH APPS session.

2015-04-28 11.40.54

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The students were introduced to the following concepts:

  • What a program is
  • How a computer ‘thinks’
  • Computer languages and visual programming

 

They experimented with following instructions and thinking computationally through the use programmable Bee-Bots and the Bee-Bot app.  These tools are excellent for reinforcing directional and procedural language.

Through the use of visual programming apps, the students also learnt to create simple programs. Apps like Daisy the Dinosaur and Kodable support students to learn to code by solving puzzles. The ability to problem solve is a critical and creative skill for students to develop.

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The students were now ready to create their own program using Scratch Jnr. This app has a drag and drop interface designed specifically for programming with younger children.

The students were given the task to collaboratively design a simple story, selecting an appropriate setting and writing an interaction between characters. This task made connections between the story writing process and computer literacy through programming. The ICT Mentors supported and directed the younger students exceptionally well at this stage.

2015-04-27 20.07.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

All these apps are available for free. More apps can be found at Programming for Primary Students.

If you would like to learn more, read some of our blog posts about programming on the JS Library blog or come and see the Bee-Bots in action during first break in the JS Library.2015-04-27 20.49.01

 

Green Screen: It’s not just for superheroes or movie stars

A group of Year 3 students have been experimenting with the green screen as a means to share their learning  this term. These students have been considering ways to evaluate, reflect and report on reading.

These green screen movie reflections were created using a variety of apps on the iPad (using the video, camera, drawing and green screen apps).

  • Touch Cast
  • Green Screen by Do Ink
  • Doodle Buddy

This is what the students have thought about the process so far…

2015-03-29 10.03.09

 

See below for two reviews they have created. When the students create their next review (in Term Two) they will direct this (almost) independently, with the aim to become experts for the other students in the class, teaching how to use the green screen and its associated apps.

These reviews are not polished presentations but have been created in a short time frame as a tool to engage and enhance the learning experience.

Book Reviews

The Cats of Venus

Today the students were introduced to the concept of a book hook to ‘sell’ the book to another reader.

See “How to write a book hook” wiki how with pictures.

The Treasure Island: A Fun Map

The students shared why someone should ‘read’ this map.

As the students become more confident and self reflective, the presentations will become more diverse and ‘professional’.

 

Finally, students are presenting for an authentic audience.

 

 

 

 

CREATING A LISTENING POST IN YOUR LIBRARY OR CLASSROOM

How to create a listening and literacy promoting environment.

MHMS Media Orientation Animation 12 - 10

Gwyneth Anne Bronwynne Jones via Compfight

Find a quiet space…. Pull up a cushion or bean bag… settle in. Let’s begin.

The following resources are some ideas about how to create an environment designed to foster the love of reading and literature.

AUDIO BOOKS & INTERACTIVE BOOKS ON THE IPAD

The iPad is a versatile tool. We can use it to consume books and create books.

AUDIO BOOKS ON THE IPAD

See my DIIGO weblinks to Audio Books  resources (not all of these are for children).

Access  audio books through online subscriptions (and some with free access).

WEBSITES

IPAD APPS

See The Book Chook Apps to Help You Raise a Reader

Another great article – classroom practice and listening posts If you give a student an iPad…

IN THE JS LIBRARY

AUDIO BOOKS

Locate the AUDIO BOOK Collection (labelled as ‘Audio Book’).

When you visit the library you will find the AUDIO BOOK Collection with CD’s for you to listen to and if you wish to borrow.

  • Borrow a Portable CD player and headphones (in library use)
  • Select your book on CD and enjoy.

Additionally, last year we purchased the GUIDED CD’s resource. These are also available for teachers to use with classes.

FINAL THOUGHTS

HARDWARE

WANT MORE PRACTICAL IDEAS

Exhibition 2014 and technology

The students have been engaging with a variety of ICT in order to present and share their learning journey. Below are the websites, apps and auras that were designed for the Exhibition 2014.

Additionally students have also created eBooks, iMovies, Keynotes and presentations in other formats using their iPads.

ART PIECE

The student art piece has been documented using the apps below and have been shared as auras (using Aurasma).

Art – Self Portrait Explained

Self portrait explained

WEBSITES AND APPS

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.

STOLEN GENERATION 6A WEBSITE
ARRANGED MARRIAGES 6A WEBSITE
TECHNOLOGY 6A WEBSITE
OBESITY 6A WEBSITE
STOLEN GENERATION 6B APP
STOP RACISM  6B WEBSITE
OBESITY 6B WEBSITE
RACISM 6B APP
PETS & WELBEING 6A WEBSITE

 

GAMES – CREATED USING SCRATCH

6A  SLEEP  GAME EXPLAINED

Sleepy bird Scratch game (created using Scratch)

SCREENSAVER

Designed using Pages and finalized using Comic Head app.

This has been added to the JS Library iPads.

Social Media screensaver

 

 

 

Resources shared: Create your own images with the iPad

IMAGES, CREATION AND AN IPAD

Susan Stephenson always has great ideas and demonstrates how to use technology authentically to examine literature and to support literacy development. Thanks Susan!
See Susan’s post “Ways Kids can Create Images with iPad” to glean some great ways to use an iPad creatively.
 Link to the original post 
View more lists from Susan Stephenson