Tech EDGE: Mobile Learning in the Classroom Podcasts
This week we had to choose one of over 200 podcasts from the Tech EDGE podcast page on YouTube. Tech EDGE is a partnership between Nebraska school districts and the teacher education program at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. The program focuses on creating teachers who are confident using new technology in their classroom and helping students learn about technology along the way.
Review 1 - Google Classroom
The first podcast I choose was called, "Google Classroom." This interested me right away because I had never even heard of Google Classroom before this and it was something I wanted to explore further. I've always thought highly of Google and it seems to be a very student and classroom friendly tool. After downloading the FREE Google Classroom App and exploring, I learned that this is something I would definitely consider using in my future classroom. This app could be used for a wide range of grades. I would say from around middle to upper Elementary all the way through high school. The purpose of this app is to create an online posting site for the class. It can be a place for the teacher to share important information, students to share relevant materials they've learned or even post pictures of class projects, etc., using the announcement tool in the app. The teacher can also post assignments, polls, questions, etc. for the students to answer online. The students are able to post and comment (If allowed... there is option included that gives the teacher the option to allow students to post and/or comment), so it could be used as a form of communication outside the classroom. The pros of the app would be that this a classroom tool that the students are able to access from home and to communicate with each other. The parents can also view this site and see important announcements and to just keep up with what their child is doing at school. On the other hand, some cons include that giving students the freedom to comment and post whatever they want could potentially turn out badly. Students could share something that is irrelevant to the class or comment something inappropriate on another students work. Thankfully, the teacher has the power to not allow comments or posts. Another problem that could occur would be if a student does not have access to Internet at home. In which case, the teacher would need to find a different way for the student to receive the same information. Overall, though, this app would be an excellent classroom tool.
Google Classroom App Link
The first podcast I choose was called, "Google Classroom." This interested me right away because I had never even heard of Google Classroom before this and it was something I wanted to explore further. I've always thought highly of Google and it seems to be a very student and classroom friendly tool. After downloading the FREE Google Classroom App and exploring, I learned that this is something I would definitely consider using in my future classroom. This app could be used for a wide range of grades. I would say from around middle to upper Elementary all the way through high school. The purpose of this app is to create an online posting site for the class. It can be a place for the teacher to share important information, students to share relevant materials they've learned or even post pictures of class projects, etc., using the announcement tool in the app. The teacher can also post assignments, polls, questions, etc. for the students to answer online. The students are able to post and comment (If allowed... there is option included that gives the teacher the option to allow students to post and/or comment), so it could be used as a form of communication outside the classroom. The pros of the app would be that this a classroom tool that the students are able to access from home and to communicate with each other. The parents can also view this site and see important announcements and to just keep up with what their child is doing at school. On the other hand, some cons include that giving students the freedom to comment and post whatever they want could potentially turn out badly. Students could share something that is irrelevant to the class or comment something inappropriate on another students work. Thankfully, the teacher has the power to not allow comments or posts. Another problem that could occur would be if a student does not have access to Internet at home. In which case, the teacher would need to find a different way for the student to receive the same information. Overall, though, this app would be an excellent classroom tool.
Google Classroom App Link
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Review 2 - Curiosity
The second video I watched from Tech EDGE was over the Curiosity App. I was "curious" to find out more about this app, so after watching the video, I downloaded the app, which was FREE. This app basically gives a "daily digest." It included articles and stories that seem interesting, such as "The sugar high is a myth," or "Acoustic levitation uses sound waves to float objects in midair." Or, you can chose the "discover" option and choose from different categories to view articles about a specific topic. For example, they have a "learning" category, and within this category, some of the articles included are, "When Deep Sleep is Disturbed, Your Ability to Learn Suffers" and "Replacing Detention with Meditation." This category would be useful for both teachers and students to read. Some of the other categories are Intelligence, Culture, History, Galaxies, and much, much more. For teachers, you could find an interesting article to have your students read during a lesson or as homework, if they download the app. Or an assignment example could be to have the students search through the app to find an article to share with the class that relates to a certain lesson they learned, that way each student would find something different so the students learn from other students articles. I would say this app is designed for older students, mainly high school, due to some articles being inappropriate for younger students to read. If I found an article that I believed would be useful for an elementary or middle school class, I would have them read that one specific article, rather than giving them the freedom to roam around the app. The pros to this app would include that it provides students with the opportunity to keep with current events around the world. Many students do not watch the news on TV or read the newspaper, so this is an alternative way to keep students in the loop with things that would interest them. The cons would be that the app includes some articles that could be seen as not school appropriate and there is really no way for a teacher to block certain categories or articles within the app. This app is an excellent learning tool for students and teachers!
Curiosity App Link
The second video I watched from Tech EDGE was over the Curiosity App. I was "curious" to find out more about this app, so after watching the video, I downloaded the app, which was FREE. This app basically gives a "daily digest." It included articles and stories that seem interesting, such as "The sugar high is a myth," or "Acoustic levitation uses sound waves to float objects in midair." Or, you can chose the "discover" option and choose from different categories to view articles about a specific topic. For example, they have a "learning" category, and within this category, some of the articles included are, "When Deep Sleep is Disturbed, Your Ability to Learn Suffers" and "Replacing Detention with Meditation." This category would be useful for both teachers and students to read. Some of the other categories are Intelligence, Culture, History, Galaxies, and much, much more. For teachers, you could find an interesting article to have your students read during a lesson or as homework, if they download the app. Or an assignment example could be to have the students search through the app to find an article to share with the class that relates to a certain lesson they learned, that way each student would find something different so the students learn from other students articles. I would say this app is designed for older students, mainly high school, due to some articles being inappropriate for younger students to read. If I found an article that I believed would be useful for an elementary or middle school class, I would have them read that one specific article, rather than giving them the freedom to roam around the app. The pros to this app would include that it provides students with the opportunity to keep with current events around the world. Many students do not watch the news on TV or read the newspaper, so this is an alternative way to keep students in the loop with things that would interest them. The cons would be that the app includes some articles that could be seen as not school appropriate and there is really no way for a teacher to block certain categories or articles within the app. This app is an excellent learning tool for students and teachers!
Curiosity App Link
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Review 3 - Pokemon Go
The last and final video of Tech EDGE I viewed was the one about Pokemon Go, which is an app that has you create your own personal avatar that sits on a map. The app uses your location and has your avatar stand exactly where you are on the map and only moves as you physically move locations, which is how you collect points. I briefly played Pokemon Go a while back, so I chose this video because it is something I am already familiar with, but I have never thought about how to use it in a classroom. After re-downloading the Pokemon Go app, which is free, and watching the video, I learned quite a few different ways to use this app in an educational way. Of course, there will be times when this app can become a distraction, but in today's society, children will be exposed to these types of games whether we allow them to or not. So, as educators, we might as well create a learning opportunity out of this. One way Pokemon Go can be beneficial in the classroom is by utilizing the Pokestops. To earn points, there are specific locations you have to go to in order to collect them, which are the Pokestops. The locations are often times historical sites, such has museums, monuments, etc. Once you reach the location, there is an option on the app which will give you information on the site. This is where it can be beneficial and exciting for the students. They are using an app they are already familiar with and turning it into an educational opportunity. An assignment idea for this app could be to assign students certain locations to go to, giving them a time duration of at least a couple days, and having them answer questions about the information they receive through the app after arriving at the location.
The pros for using this app is that it is current and it is something they will be excited and motivated to use. It is also an app that people of all ages have been engaged in. I have seen adults and all the way down to young children using this app, so it would be good for almost any grade level. Some of the downsides to using this in a classroom would be if the student either didn't have a smartphone to complete this on or didn't have the transportation to travel to these locations. Another downside could be that it is a distraction in the classroom. But, if you have the students complete this outside of class as homework, it wouldn't become a distraction in the actual class. I think Pokemon Go is a cool resource to use in a classroom and the students would really enjoy this experience!
Pokemon Go App Link
The last and final video of Tech EDGE I viewed was the one about Pokemon Go, which is an app that has you create your own personal avatar that sits on a map. The app uses your location and has your avatar stand exactly where you are on the map and only moves as you physically move locations, which is how you collect points. I briefly played Pokemon Go a while back, so I chose this video because it is something I am already familiar with, but I have never thought about how to use it in a classroom. After re-downloading the Pokemon Go app, which is free, and watching the video, I learned quite a few different ways to use this app in an educational way. Of course, there will be times when this app can become a distraction, but in today's society, children will be exposed to these types of games whether we allow them to or not. So, as educators, we might as well create a learning opportunity out of this. One way Pokemon Go can be beneficial in the classroom is by utilizing the Pokestops. To earn points, there are specific locations you have to go to in order to collect them, which are the Pokestops. The locations are often times historical sites, such has museums, monuments, etc. Once you reach the location, there is an option on the app which will give you information on the site. This is where it can be beneficial and exciting for the students. They are using an app they are already familiar with and turning it into an educational opportunity. An assignment idea for this app could be to assign students certain locations to go to, giving them a time duration of at least a couple days, and having them answer questions about the information they receive through the app after arriving at the location.
The pros for using this app is that it is current and it is something they will be excited and motivated to use. It is also an app that people of all ages have been engaged in. I have seen adults and all the way down to young children using this app, so it would be good for almost any grade level. Some of the downsides to using this in a classroom would be if the student either didn't have a smartphone to complete this on or didn't have the transportation to travel to these locations. Another downside could be that it is a distraction in the classroom. But, if you have the students complete this outside of class as homework, it wouldn't become a distraction in the actual class. I think Pokemon Go is a cool resource to use in a classroom and the students would really enjoy this experience!
Pokemon Go App Link
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