1. A number of us are using Popplets for the purposes of cloud computing and to facilitate collaboration. Popplets are like Wikis in that multiple people can work together on projects. Unlike Wikis, Popplets tend to focus on primarily visual ideas, so they are great for graphic organizers, portfolios and galleries.
Check it out!
2. Likewise, cloud computing in the form of Google Docs or Drop Box is starting to become popular here. The benefits are that they make editing papers easier for students and teachers can give feedback electronically. It also allows teachers and students to work on tasks from anywhere and reduces how much anyone needs to lug around in backpacks or bags or keep on USB keys that can be easily lost. There is even a Drop Box app for the iPad! Check out this descriptive video!
3. For his astronomy unit, one of our colleagues had his class conduct a speed dating activity. They each represented one planet and as they meet on the speed dating track, they "get to know each other" via questions and answers. Very clever!
4. Our Communications Technology teacher has been using Bamboo Tablets in his classes. He loves it because it enables him to demonstrate,
draw and communicate with a pen tool rather than a mouse. He can also create
diagrams and share on his course management system. His students love it because they can
Create
storyboards, cartoons and animation more naturally with a pen tool and manipulate
and create images and art digitally more freely than with a mouse. Here is a link to the Bamboo website:
Here is a demo video:
5. Instead of assigning a pen and paper task, one of our Social Studies teachers allowed her students to do a physical simulation of how bills are passed in the House of Commons.
6. One of our French teachers is having her students prepare their summatives using various methods such as poetry, music, art and creative writing.
7. One of our Science teachers conducted her Ecology unit with the "Nature Deficit Disorder" theme. She had a "no student left inside" policy whereby every class was conducted outside (rain or shine). This actually took them away from the culture of technology and required them to be influenced by the "affective domain." There job was to choose a tree and discuss the Re-Birth of a tree. Every student presented an "exit interview" whereby they presented a "patty cake" to the teacher explaining what they learned. I would love to know more about this and I bet you would too!
There were two requests with regards to innovations. First, one of our teachers inquired about a way to allow students to display their poems, songs, art, etc. I would highly recommend Voice Thread for this sort of thing. I believe I have already blogged about Voice Thread in the past. If you have forgotten what Voice Thread is, here is a link to their demo video:
http://voicethread.com/?#q.b409.i848804
Second, one of our colleagues asked for ideas about applications that would allow for computer-based collaboration between students (i.e. building a sample essay together). There are so many options for this. As mentioned earlier, you could use Google Docs. Many of you have experience the collaborative features of Google Docs as we worked on the CAIS assessment document together. I also describe the Popplet earlier, which would work nicely. Or, you could use one of any number of Wikis. At this time, I tend to prefer the wikis in Wikispaces. They offer a good product to teachers for free and it is really simple to use. I would be happy to help you set one up!
As always, if you are interested in learning more about any of these tools to help us continue to innovate in our classrooms, please come see me.
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