Balance.
I'm totally into using new technology in the classroom. But, I also think hands-on problem solving is a must for today's students.
This morning I was a sub back at my old stomping grounds. I had anticipated subbing the whole day and had failed to see it was just a half-day gig. No worries...my fourth graders were just a hallway away!
After I finished subbing, checking in with the school secretary (told her where I'd be if they needed more help), I was able to help with a little prep for my former student's next week. I was allowed to play a fractions game with some of my former math students. I was also able to touch base with what my former students are currently studying. The coolest thing I did though...learned first-hand how a new app works. My mentor teacher finds AMAZING resources! Today the students shared Kahoot.it! with me.
This app is a source in which a computer is used to launch questions on a big/main screen. Students (and it could be anyone really) use another computer, an iPad or a smart phone to log into the app. There are a set number of questions to answer and as many players, as able or around, can join the game. The administrators (whoever has written or is launching the quiz) has control of various parameters: names of players, number of players and when to go to the next question.
When the game starts, questions are asked one at a time on the big/main screen. There is Jeopardy style music...which definitely adds to the fun! Players use their phone/iPad, computer to answer the questions. Imagine you are looking at a Simon game on your phone (etc)...four primary colors, representing four possibly answers. After everyone has answered the question, one can tell instantly what the correct answer was, and if they got it correct! Then a list shows the top five players on the big screen. So, to make that clear, you see the question, a picture and the four answer choices on the big screen, as well as a timer and hear the stress causing music. On your phone (etc) you see the four colors of the answers. You have to pick one answer within a certain number of seconds! Tick-Tock. Tick- Tock!!!
Today, the quiz I took was written by two of the students. It was about a comic book they were writing. They read the book to us first, showing their drawings on the document camera. Next, we all logged in. I logged in as Elsa, of course,..they know I love Frozen!
After every question, one can see exactly where you are placing in the grand scheme of the other players. I was only close to the top one time!
What a blast! What an amazing tool! This app does not need to be limited to just the classroom. There are all ready public tests that can be previewed, edited and used. At home I created my own profile, then called up and took a HARD QUESTIONS Frozen Quiz. I suggest you try your hand at your favorite topic! For a teacher, there is instant feedback. What are students getting? What areas do they need more help? Did they understand that book/article you just assigned and they read, or concept, or facts, etc? Besides answering the quiz questions, students can build their own quizzes, as the two students did today. Just think of the knowledge they gained from doing that! I'd say that's a real world life skill they are learning.
I have plans to write my own quiz for my former students before I head back into sub for them later this month. :) I'm thinking it needs to be on Indiana History! They are in fourth grade after all.
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Back to balance though...hands-on problem solving. Kids nowadays need to be able to think without technology all the time being in their hands. This summer I will be teaching several science camps for my favorite children's museum in town. One in particular will be called Tinkering and will be for grades 2-3. Simple tools will be used to create. I do believe that students need to be able to ask why something works, take things apart and then re-create. I believe students need to be able to take take their questions further though. They need to solve problems. How can they make it, what ever they may be interested in, better? What does better mean? What if they don't have all the same materials originally used to make something? Does that mean they are just out of luck? Do students know how resourceful they really are? Part of growing means having failed, but persevered. I'm not sure students are receiving the message all the time in school that they really do have what it takes to grow and persevere.
After I returned home today, I noticed a few pictures that a teacher friend posted of two of the boys in her class. They build a wonderful colonial ship from recycled materials found mostly in her classroom! I'm hoping she lets me share her pictures.
**insert pictures here, if possible...stay tuned**
~Lisa
