TEACHING & TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
Jordan and Raven
High-Tech
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Teacher Tube
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Prezi
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Newela
Some high-tech options for technology are: Teacher Tube, Prezi, and Newela. Teacher Tube is basically a YouTube for teachers. This site is just education based. The advantages of this site is that students can look up videos on this website that may help them understand things better. The particular one we’ve chosen also includes a PPT with the teacher discussing fractions as they go along. The disadvantage to this website could be the students don’t understand how the teacher in the video explained the material. Although, students can email teachers during this time we have to remember that face to face and virtual learning are two totally different things. Another high-tech option would be Prezi. Prezi is basically a PowerPoint BUT there are more options of doing fun things with this. Some believe it helps get the point across, and that would be an advantage. It’s also easy to use. Disadvantages of Prezi could be students are a little confused on how to work it. Lastly, we have Newsela. One of the advantages of Newela is that offers high-interest articles that will meet students at whatever level they’re on. It also is a source that teachers could use to boost student’s reading when it comes to nonfiction. A disadvantage of Newsela is that most of their stuff is usually subscription only but while distance learning is going on they are offering free access for the remaining of the school year!
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Low-Tech
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Flipbook
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Creating a poster
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News print out
Some low-tech options for teaching students from a distance are: flipbooks, poster creation, and news print outs. Using a flipbook can help students still get the information from video’s and could be used with Teacher Tube. The teacher can send screenshots of videos with the caption dialogue to the students. The biggest advantage to doing this is the video information can still be received by the students who may not have access to the internet. The disadvantage to distributing these is they are very time consuming for the teacher. To create these, the teacher will have to take a screenshot of majorly important parts while also creating a chat log for the students to read. Another problem with this is that students may have a hard time understanding the information without hearing it, requiring the teacher to talk to the student over the phone. Creating a poster is a great substitute for Prezi and PowerPoint. The advantages to doing this is it allows students to be just a s if not more creative than the students with access to technology can be on this project. The disadvantage to this is students will need supplies to create the poster and these may have to be supplied by the teacher. Newsprint outs is a great way for teacher to still use sites like Newsela even with students who may not have access to the site otherwise, this is it’s best advantage. The disadvantage to this is that the students only have the new that the teachers provide them and can not explore other topics that may interest them, also the news may be up to a week old before the students get the printouts.
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Example Flipbook for the linked video ​
Bonnie and Sam​
High Tech
Google Drive
Advantages
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Access anywhere
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Collaboration
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Offline Options
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App
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Saves work automatically
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Slides, Docs, Excell
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Storage
Disadvantages
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Need Wifi/ Connection
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Bug problems
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Cannot work with too many users at a time
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Cannot exceed 15 G on free version
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Summary​
Google Drive is an application that can be accessed by mobile or desktop. As long as you have an internet connection then your work can be saved. There are options for offline accessibilities, but if other are collaborating then they cannot see the additions unless there is internet connection. Furthermore, there are different programs accessable for Google Drive including slides, docs, and excel as well as storage for pictures and downloaded documents. However, you must pay for more storage after 15 gigs.
Flip Snack
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Advantages
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Cloud storage
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Create magazines, brochures, flyers, books, etc.
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PDF converter
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Download work JPEG, PNG, or PDF
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Public or Private
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Include Gifs, videos, or websites
Disadvantages
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Expensive $$$
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Accessibility
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Wifi/ Connection
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Summary​
Flipsnack is an online publisher for creating magazines, flyers, books, or even brochures! One could include a website, gif, or videos. Once the work is finished Flipsnack allows the work to be downloaded as a JPEG, PNG, or PDF file. However, there is not a mobile option, after the free version it becomes pricey, and there must be Wifi or internet connection.
Bubbl.us
Advantages
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Available on mobile or desktop
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Teacher and Student friendly
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Download as Image, embedded onto websites, blogs, or can email
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Creative
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Easy to use
Disadvantages
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3 mind maps on free version
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Wifi/ Connection
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Summary​
Bubbl.com is a mind map/ organizer that can be accessed by mobile or desktop. This application is easy to use and student friendly. The mind map/ graphic organizer can be emailed, saved as an image, or embedded. The down side is that the application needs wifi or internet connection and the free version only allows 3 mind maps saved.
Low Tech
Mind Map/ Graphic Organizer
Advantages
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Organize thoughts
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Visual
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Divided information
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Creativity
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Making connections/ relationships
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Retaining attention
Disadvantages
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Cannot include links
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Might affect comprehension
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May miss out on feedback
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Summary​
Graphic organizers are a great way for students to lay out their facts, ideas, and more. The downside to graphic organizers is that it is hard to give proper feedback and make sure the students comprehend their information.
Brochure
Advantages
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Visual
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Creativity
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Time efficient
Disadvantages
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Limited space
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Comprehension check
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Summary​
Students are able to condense their research into a brochure. The students are able to be creative with their designs and what information they want to include. However, there is limited space
Writing a Book
Advantages
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Writing skills
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Sentence structure
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- Vocabulary
- Learning to edit
- Learn to plan
Disadvantages
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Long term project
Summary
Writing a book is a long term project for students to learn writing skills including sentences structure, practice usage of vocabulary, planning, and editing. However, this project might not be time effective.
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Bri and Matt's Technology
As educators, we are experts at adapting and we have this magic ability to adapt to new situations in and out of the classroom. However, our students may not have this ability. During this hectic time of distance learning, we must keep our students in mind. Here are some high tech options followed by low tech alternatives to benefit your students during a global pandemic.
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High Tech Options for Distance Learning:
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Zoom Meetings to communicate and keep in touch with students.​​
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BrainPop videos to teach students about various subjects.
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NearPod is an instructional app to give formative assessments.
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Some students may have little or no access to technology and/or internet connection. This will cause issues when attempting to use these high tech options above.
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Low Tech Alternatives for Distance Learning:
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Facebook Live can be used to communicate and keep in touch with students.
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Video Diaries can be used to teach students without requiring internet access. Just teach your webcam and share it with your students! It may seem a little awkward but it will benefit your students.
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Sending home weekly packets could also be beneficial for students without access to the internet and/or technology
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Open-ended assessments and assignments are similar to Project-Based Learning. These assessments and assignments may not be as long and drawn out as PBLs but will still have the option to have their individual product by the end. These assessments and assignments should be designed so the students can use what they already have at home. Here is an example of one for Art.
High Tech
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Seesaw APP-
For students and teachers with easy internet access, utilizing the SeeSaw learning system would be highly beneficial. SeeSaw provides a means of communication and monitoring between teachers and students. Check out this video for an introduction!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzlrtDR84KY
SeeSaw has so many applications in the classroom and becomes even more useful during remote learning.
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BrainPOP!-
BrainPOP! offers video explanations of various subject areas with content-specific lessons, quizzes, and animated characters that make learning interesting for kids.
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Pros:
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Engaging videos are rich in information and are easy to understand.
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Videos come with quizzes that help reinforce understanding.
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Lessons are taught in a straightforward manner, but also include bits of humor.
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The whole website is very organized
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Cons:
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You need to have an account to view all videos and/or take the quizzes that correspond with each video.
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Videos are not explicitly stated to aligned with state standards.
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Videos can only teach so much, so teachers will have to fill in the blanks if necessary.
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IXL-
IXL is a website for K-12 education that helps students mastery skills from major subject areas such as: Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies. There are countless modules and practice questions that allow learners with different learning styles to improve their understanding of content-specific skills. The website also has a diagnostic and analytic section that helps teachers acquire class data in order to enhance instruction.
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Pros:
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Provides standards-based learning with practice opportunities and progress monitoring.
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Has learning modules and practice questions for every major content area for grades K-12.
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Incorporates a reward system (points, ribbons, stamps, prizes, etc.) to encourage mastery.
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Provides immediate feedback when students get a question wrong and provides thorough written and visual explanations to promote understanding.
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Cons:
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Some questions may get a little repetitive, or lack variety.
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You need an account to access all of the site's features.
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Requires WiFi, which may be a problem for certain students who cannot get access to the internet on a regular basis.
Low Tech
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Content-Area Journals-
Content-Area journals are a great way for students to organize information, jot down notes and ideas, write open-ended assessment responses, and express themselves in different ways. Students can have a journal for every subject area and they can also modify the practice by keeping an online journal instead, which is great for students with severe dysgraphia.
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For this activity, students can be instructed to write in their journals daily or weekly. Depending on the grade level of this students, the requirements of this activity can be modified. Students can journal in many ways including using words and pictures. This is a good mindfulness activity for students to practice during these uncertain times.
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Pros:
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Great way to organize core subject area notes, content, questions, etc.
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Turning in the journal can be used as an assessment of learning.
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Each journal/entry is personalized and can help teachers identify areas in need of improvement.
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No two entries will be the same!
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No need for online accounts and subscriptions!
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Cons:
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Student submissions will not be instantaneous, so teachers will have to wait to receive them, and students will have to wait to get them back.
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Some students may doodle in them just as much as they write content specific information.
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Students with dysgraphia may need to write in an online journal.
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Play-Doh Model-
Play-Doh Models can be fun and creative ways for students to show their understanding of a certain concept. Instead of traditional pencil and paper assignments, building play-doh models allows students to express their creativity as they learn. Many students also enjoy working with their hands, and the activity can give them a little bit of a brain break using materials they may already have at home. Since the activity requires minimal technology, students without internet access can still participate!
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Pros:
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Minimal technology.
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Inexpensive and easy to find materials.
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Active knowledge construction that encourages creativity.
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Endless possibilities (i.e. build our solar system, make a plant diagram, show particle structure of solids, liquids, and gases, etc.)
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Cons:
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Students may have to send/submit a picture of their work, unless Zoom is accessible.
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Some students may not have play-doh at home, unless the teacher provides the materials.
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Students may get help from someone at home, and not use their own brain.
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Personal Diaries-
Pros:
Cons:
Lisa and Abby
Fitness Challenge Day 1:
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25 Jumping Jacks
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10 Sit-ups
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10 Push-ups
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Run in place for 30 seconds
Fitness Challenge Day 2
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5 “I’m a stars”
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20 Mountain Climbers
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Bear walk to one end of the room and back
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10 Froggy Squats
Fitness Challenge Day 3
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Walk for 20 minutes
Fitness challenge day 5
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Complete a yoga routine outside!
Video Project Presentation
Blog Ideas:
https://www.superpharmacy.com.au/blog/why-exercise-is-so-important-for-children
https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/physical-education.htm
https://marathonkids.org/best-outdoor-pe-games/
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