Project based v. Problem Based v. What do we call this?

There is a lot of lingo out there for problem based learning / project based learning, but which is best and what are the advantages of one over the other?  Is it a "strategy" I should or should not be using in my classroom?  This Edutopia article dissects the lingo and gives clarity to this topic.  A good read....

Project Based Learning Vs. Problem Based Learning Vs. X-BL

How do you use "X BL" in your classroom?
Discuss the impact you feel it has on your students and their learning.

What is SAMR?

SAMR is a technology integration model that, in my opinion, is very easy to understand and use.  It is important when using technology in the classroom that we, first of all, have a curricular purpose to our lesson and the technology is a tool used to better the lesson. That is where SAMR comes into play;  to what degree does the technology "better" the lesson.  

Learn about SAMR and think about it when you integrate technology into your lessons.

More SAMR Learning.....

It is Cold Outside... so I played with ThinkLink inside!

ThingLink is a tool that allows the creator to take an image and then create tags that connect content to the image.  My cute little guys above are my example to help you learn about the cold weather we have been experiencing.  The little red targets are the tags that when clicked on link you to content related to my topic.  Once I figured out the tags concept in this tool, this was a super simple tool to use to generate nice looking content.  

Here are some links that talk more about Thing Link in the classroom:

Using ThingLink in the Classroom

65+ Ways to Use ThingLink in the Classroom

Can you make a ThingLink OR do you have a ThingLink idea?  Share it here!

Transform your Teaching ~ Making Math Problems More Real Life

A big theme in Common Core Math standards is relating math to real life problems. These are part of the Math Process Common Core standards.   Many of these resources do that.  I give you these resources as tools to use as is in your classroom, but also as think abouts.  Could your students compose problem solving activities like this as a project to show evidence of their learning?

Dan Meyer is a high school Math teacher who thinks of math as problems to solve and he has created a wealth of web based content.  To understand Dan Meyer's work you need to understand what and how he is thinking.  Here is some insight on his thoughts:

Now, we can possibly better understand some of his work.  It is amazing....

Three Act Mathematical Stories

• The Teacher notes from Dan Meyer's blog
• A Student Sample:  Nana's Chocolate Milk
• The List of Three Act Stories

101 Questions

• The Teacher notes from Free Tech 4 Teachers blog
• 101 Questions blog ~ by Dan Meyer
• A Student Sample

Graphing Stories

• The Teacher Notes from Free Tech 4 Teachers blog
• Graphing Stories Blog Description ~ by Dan Meyer
• The Graphing Stories Sites

Math Video Problems

• Video Story Problems 101
• Video Story Problem Vimeo Channel
• A Video Story Problem Example

More Great Math Problem Solving Sites

• Real World Math ~ Free math activities for Google Earth
• Get the Math ~ algebra in the real world
• TED Ed:  Math in Real Life
• Khan Academy Common Core Map
• Illustrative Math
• K-5 Math Teaching Resources
• Yummy Math
• Math Movie Network
• Math Stories

How can you use some of these resources in your Math instruction?

Sharing a Google Update ~ January 24, 2014

I am sharing with you an update I received from Google that will have a direct impact on you and your students.  While I do not like the update being done, it is outside of our control, so I want to prepare you for what is coming.

 

To summarize the below email, Google will be changing its login screen and therefore no district logins will be able to be used to have teachers and students login.  What does this mean?  This mean that all teachers and students will have to login to their Google Apps account by entering their full credentials.  Here is what logging in will look like for teachers/staff and students in WGSD.  The screen that allowed us to shorten the process to teachers and students will no longer work after the change occurs.

 

As the bulletin below states, the change will be occurring in the next few weeks, so I wanted to prepare you for this change.  Click here to read the Apps Update Bulletin.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is what is will look like for teachers and staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is what it will look like for students.

Google Forms ~ Next Steps

Google Forms has the power to make a teacher's life easier, when used at any level.  This post will highlight some of the functions that take it to the next level. 

To back step and refresh your memory about basic Form functions, Refer to the following links:

Google Forms ~ Elementary Examples

Getting Started with Google Forms

Use these links to learn more about the following Form Topics:

Question Types in Google Forms ~ check out the Scale and Grid question types.  

How could these question types help you collect data in the classroom?

 

Google Forms & Spreadsheet Tricks ~ check this out for quick reminders 

about some powerful Forms functions

 

Forms & Flubaroo ~ Flubaroo is a great add on script that helps the teacher "grade" Form based assessment. Works super on Multiple Choice type responses.

 

Forms & AutoCrat ~ AutoCrat is another great add on script.  Here is what it does:  You collect data using a form.  You also create a template in Google Docs.  AutoCrat will merge the form data into your Doc AND email the Doc or PDF to the user.  Imagine the possibilities!

 

How can you use the power of Google Forms in your classroom?

Apps in Action: Pic Collage

Pic Collage is a super tool for creating digital posters of any content that you, the teacher, deems worthy of such work.  You have the option of creating an account or not. I did my creations without the account and all seemed to work just fine.  I was able to add images from the camera, the camera roll, or the web.  When choosing the web, a simple Google image search appears which once spelling of search terms in tackled was simple enough for even our kinder kids.  Pictures then are able to be moved, turned, resized and placed on your page.  The background can be changed, text can be added, stickers can be used to decorate your creation.

Finally, collages can be shared in many ways ` probably the most useful are by saving to the camera roll or by sending by email.

Ease of Use:  Super Simple for even the littlest of students
SAMR Ranking:  Depending on the curricular connection, I think at a basic level this is augmentation because access to pictures is better using PicCollage's search feature, which makes this an improvement over making a paper and glue type picture collage.  I think our littlest students could be highly creative in making visual content for a variety of purposes. I think we can move up the SAMR ladder with this tool if we save the picture to the camera roll and then bring it into a second tool, like Educreations,  and have students share more content auditorily.  Post final projects out for greater audience, sharing and feedback and you may continue up the ladder.  Check out links below for curricular connections.  
Cost:  free

Review of app: appo learning 

Importing:  I was able to add images from the camera, the camera roll, or the web.  When choosing the web, a simple Google image search appears which once spelling of search terms in tackled was simple enough for even our kinder kids.

Exporting: I had many export choices, Post to Pic Collage, which would involve creating a Pic Collage login, Facebook, Twitter, Tumbl, as well as Save to Photo Library and Send by Email.  These last two would be my choice.

Other Links to Classroom Ideas using PicCollage

Easily Create Classroom Posters on iPad using Pic Collage App

Pic Collage ~ More than just making posters

Think Share Teach Pic Collage

Teaching Academic Vocabulary using Pic Collage

Pic Collage and Kindergarten Daily Goals

Visual Dictionaries using Pic Collage

Apps in Action: Fotobabble

Fotobabble is a simple tool that allows the user to take pictures (or use pictures) and then record their thinking or thoughts about that picture.  It is a simple, but useful tool for teachers to hear what students are thinking, what they are wondering, or what they want to share.  Imagine using this tool to create a visual word wall or dictionary of terms related to a unit of study.  After taking a photo of a student's work, the student could talk about their work as a self reflection or as an extension of their thinking.  Imagine, having students take photos of a school event or a field trip and then recording their thoughts to the pictures.  It could be used for describing characters from a story or as a means of sharing a biography project.  Fotobabbles could be created to communicate fun facts from your classroom each week to an audience of parents and more.  This tool is perfect for short and concise sharing of information.  Its possibilities are great!

Fotobabble requires an account setup for saving and sharing pictures.  That login then allows you to access your fotobabble creations at http://www.fotobabble.com.  You are able to share your creations through an email, with a link, or embed it into a webpage.

Ease of Use:  Super Simple for even the littlest of students
SAMR Ranking:  Depending on the curricular connection, it is basic substitution but can move up the ladder depending on how you use the content to share and collaborate with others.  Creative teachers could definitely use this to augment or modification if this tool allows our little students to share their thinking and then others are given a venue to react or share thinking or feedback back to the student.
Cost:  free

Review: appo-o-learning review 

Other Links to Classroom Ideas using FotoBabble

iLearn Tech: How to integrate Fotobabble in the classroom

FotoBabble Ideas

Second Grade FotoBabble Ideas

Teacher Garden:  FotoBabble App

Getting Started with Google Forms

Google Forms are an awesome way for teachers to gather all sorts of data (assessment data, interest data, just plain ole' data....) from many different groups of people (students, parents, colleagues, etc.).  

Your first question is probably, what exactly does a form look like and what can it do (or what kind of data can I gather using one)?  This Tech PD page will show you oodles of examples to help spark your thoughts and ideas for using this tool:  Tech PD Forms Examples  

Now that the creative juices are flowing, the next question may be, Ok, how can I create my own Google Form:  Tech PD Getting Started with Google Forms

In an upcoming Tech PD session, I will dig deeper into Google Forms and share with you some add-ons that make Google Forms even more powerful for you.

Make a comment about this blog or even better, fill out this quick Google Form for Form Feedback!

Click here to access form.

PLN Toolbox ~ Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Pay Teachers is another great resource for teachers to find great ideas.  If you are a Pinterest user, you have probably stumbled across TPT already.  Again, you need to create a free account.  Do not be worried that this site has to be a site that you buy stuff.  While some stuff is worth buying, in my opinion, some  things are great to preview or spark ideas and many things are even free.  What is also nice is that depending on the format of the document or resource, you may be able to edit it and adapt it to your liking and needs.

A few other Teacher Creation sites to check out
(although these all may, in fact, be interconnected....)

Teacher's Notebook

Teacher's Clubhouse (for Primary Teachers)

Lightbulb Minds (for Intermediate Teachers)

Here are a few tricks to help you find success with TPT:

1.                                                                                                                            

2.                                                                                                                            

3.                                                                                                                            

Share your thoughts about Teachers Pay Teachers.  What great ideas have you found with this tool?

PLN Toolbox ~ Pinterest is Awesome!

If you haven't check out Pinterest (with your educators lens on), you are missing out on a great wealth of good stuff. Mind you, you might get lost in the fabulous recipes and home decor ideas that are also in mass quantities, but stay the course.  Pinterest in not only a great place to look and see what others are doing, but it also becomes a great place to organize the things you find.  

To get started, you will create a login.  Check out Tech PD for some quick tips for navigating Pinterest.

A great place to start might be here.....Teachers on Pinterest

And please, if you haven't check it out.  It is well worth a few minutes.... which may turn into a few more minutes.......

Share your thoughts about Pinterest.  What is your favorite or best find from this tool?