Best Bible Apps
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Primary Learner Apps
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Apps for Teacher Use
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Category Archives: ICT
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.
SAMR SDS ICT WEBLINKS
FLIPPING THE TEACHERS AS WELL!
FLIPPED LEARNING FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In my twitter feed this morning, I came across this tweet about flipped learning for professional learning. This has great potential but obviously required innovative thinking and ability to adapt. I believe that this concept would be embraced by teachers!
Hmmm…flipping your classroom. How about flipping your professional development? Check this out from @techsmith m.youtube.com/watch?v=ox4i9y…
— Tom Hopper (@7thGradeCMS) April 25, 2013
FYI – Flipped learning is not just about videos
My reflections on flipping the classroom
- Flipped learning requires intentional content
- Need to evaluate the content being taught
- Consider what needs to teacher directed and what can be student driven
- Need to change the culture of what is learning
- Does NOT have to be solely video delivery
- Requires flexibility, ability to be adaptive and access to resources
- Need to consider a variety of approaches (situational)
- Use the KISS principle – KEEP IT SHORT (rather than simple) in order to engage
Flipping Professional Development: No teacher bored in the background
FLIPPED LEARNING
DIGGO LINKS – FLIPPED LEARNING
DOGO Book Reviews and online classroom
Do you like to keep up with what others are currently reading? Do you get excited about sharing what you read with others?
Dogo may be the online community you are after. It was voted one of the “Fifty of the best ed-tech products for schools”
We have a class page (JS Library) where I am adding reviews, recommendations and articles for SALC students.
See Mrs Boulton if you would like to join this community.
Exploring the potential of Flipped Learning
The term Flipped Classroom has been a buzz word in education circles for a few years.
The potential for improving classroom practice and engagement is partly why there are many innovative teachers adopting these methods into their classroom practice.
See the links to resources to support your exploration.There are many examples of this being done successfully (with documentation of these journeys).
JSSALC diggo links Flipped Learning
Twitter hashtags #flippedclassroom and #flippedclass
21stedtech has an excellent collection of resources (research and practical examples).
Additionally, an infographic (for those who learn visually) explains the concept and impact succinctly. The statistics on improved student learning are mind blowing.
Source
http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/
Created by Knewton and Column Five Media
If you would like to try this with your class please let me know. Happy to support.
New resources (weekly)
NEW RESOURCES FROM THE SALC JS DIGGO FEED
David Kapuler’s Bucket List of Online Education Resources tags: ict_tools SALC2013
New resources (weekly)
NEW RESOURCES FROM THE SALC JS DIGGO FEED
10 Web Tools to Help you Integrate Technology into your Classroom
“The purpose behind such lists is to empower those teachers who are short of time to go online and look for web tools to use in their teaching and provide them some educational resources in their plates.” tags: SALC2013 Web2.0_tools
Augmented Reality in Education 20 Augmented Reality Experiments in Education
Ideas for action – wallwisher
Using a wallwisher is a great way to quickly gather feedback and ideas.
This wallwisher was created from a conference (ACEC2012) using twitter. A nice addition to wallwisher is a QR code is generated for the wall. Another simple use of QR codes.
http://wallwisher.com/wall/Ideas4Action
