Nearpod and M-learning Apps. Experiences
M-learning or Mobile Learning allows students to learn on the go by providing them the content straight to their smartphones. Using mobile learning permits learners’ flexibility and convenience (Burton, 2023). Collaborative learning is an instructional approach that focuses on students working together to achieve a common goal. Collaboration amongst students allows for deeper thinking (Alber, 2017). Through mobile learning applications, students can collaborate and engage in higher-order level thinking while working on grade level standards. Applications such as Nearpod, Canva, Miro, and Quizlet allow for student collaboration while providing students with the advantages of M-learning. I chose to focus on the aforementioned applications because I have used them in the past but wanted to learn more and explore some of their advanced features. I have used Nearpod and Quizlet with my students, while Canva and Miro as part of this degree program. Nearpod was the easiest to use. That is in part due to the fact that I have attended district workshops offered by the company and had experience interacting with many of its features. Canva and Miro are also not difficult to use. Both companies offer a myriad of templates that you can customize to fit your needs. Quizlet is the most popular out of the three M-learning applications I reviewed in terms of its connection to curriculum. It is specific to education as it provides tools for studying and learning (About Quizlet, 2023). I would recommend all of these applications to my colleagues. However, I would provide them with examples of how they can be used and share the Nearpod presentation so they can get a better understanding of all of them. Nearpod has a great Teacher Resources section where teachers can find lessons by standard and with clear, measurable learning objectives. Nearpod can also support collaboration through its Collaborative Board where students can collaborate with classmates on specific lessons. Canva can support collaboration by allowing students to work on a project simultaneously. They can draft, revise and collaborate in groups of up to ten members. Miro can support collaboration by allowing students to work on a project simultaneously. Collaboration classroom games such as Pictionary, Hangman, Tic-Tac-Toe, Circle the Number and Crossword can all be used in all subject areas. Finally, Quizlet can support collaboration through game-based activities like Match, Gravity, or Quizlet Lives. The multiplayer games foster collaboration and teamwork, allowing students to work together, discuss concepts, and collectively solve problems. Resources that teachers can use to learn more about these tools are listed below:
Managing M-learning devices & Troubleshooting
In order for students to maximize their learning when using any sort of technology, rules and procedures have to be set in place from day one. Those technology rules will also apply to managing all m-learning devices. A great starting point is to utilize the district resources. Cobb County School District provides links for parents and students regarding digital resources on their Digital Citizenship and Responsibility page. The Cobb County School District believes that technology and its utilization enhances the quality and delivery of education and is an important part of preparing children for life in the 21st century. The District Administrative Rule IFBG-R Technology Acceptable Use describes the district’s AUP along with consequences for noncompliance. In addition, rules and procedures for managing devices will be reviewed as necessary. Students will have realistic learning goals, they will have opportunities to use a variety of mobile tools and platforms, and continuous feedback will be provided (Technology, 2023). For troubleshooting m-learning applications, students will have a few steps in place:
Ideas for Implementing M-learning in the Classroom
The resources provided above that teachers can use to learn more about Nearpod and the three M-learning applications, provide great ideas for implementation. However, as Davis and Davis (2020) remind us, most students are not "equipped with digital citizenship." As such, before any implementation can take place, teachers should consider teaching their students digital citizenship, how to properly manage and troubleshoot their technology, and remind them of the why behind the what. Students should have a clear understanding of what they are learning before using any other resources. Please see below for additional ideas for implementing Nearpod and the following M-learning applications:
M-learning App. Evaluations
Digital Tool Evaluation - Canva Digital Tool Evaluation - Miro Digital Tool Evaluation - Quizlet
Nearpod Presentation
Below you will find the Share With Teachers edition embedded link. To see the Student Paced version, please click on the link that will expire on December 4th or join at join.nearpod.com or in the app using the following code: RVJF4.
References
About Quizlet. (2023). Quizlet. https://quizlet.com/mission Alber, R. (2017). Deeper learning: A collaborative classroom is key. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/deeper-learning-collaboration-key-rebecca-alber Burton, C. (2023). What is M Learning? Mobile Learning Pros/Cons & Tips. Thinkific. https://www.thinkific.com/blog/mobile-learning/ Davis, V., & Davis, V. (2020). Are smartphones in the classroom a smart move? Cool Cat Teacher Blog. https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e387/ Kharbach, M., PhD. (2023, September 24). Explore the power of Quizlet. Educators Technology. https://www.educatorstechnology.com/2022/10/what-is-quizlet-and-how-to-use-it-to.html Technology, M. (2023). What are the best Mobile learning tools and platforms for you? www.linkedin.com. https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/what-best-mobile-learning-tools-platforms-you
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Screencast and Assessment Tools Experiences
The only experiences I have had with a screencast tool have been within the course of this degree. In a previous class, I have used Screencast-O-Matic, now known as ScreenPal. However, for this assignment, I decided to use Screencastify. I found that using this was easier, as I simply added it as a Google Chrome Extension. The videos were automatically saved to my Google Drive and easy to access. When I made errors, I was able to quickly redo the video and use the editing tools to add it to my previous takes. In addition, I have used and am currently using both of the assessment tools that I have reviewed: Prodigy and Quizizz. Because I have used both tools for over a decade, they were easy to navigate and review. Links to the Digital Tools Evaluation instrument that I created in module one for each of the assessment tools and the corresponding screencasts are available below.
Additional information about each tool can be found below:
Screencastify 1. Overview of Screencastify 2. Getting Started--This is a Screencast video playlist that will walk you through installing and creating your first video. 3. Screencastify Blog | Video Tips, Tricks, Trends and News Prodigy 1. Getting Started with Prodigy (Help Guides) 2. Kampen, M. (2020, February 11). How to use Prodigy as an engaging station rotation activity. Prodigy Blog. https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/prodigy-station-rotation-activity/ Quizizz 1. Teacher Resources — Quizizz 2. Williams, S. (2020, October 17). Game-based learning: Kahoot! Vs Quizizz vs Quizlet. A Teacher's Ponderings. https://teacherspondering.wordpress.com/2020/10/17/kahoot-vs-quizizz-vs-quizlet/ 3. Mille, M. (2018, September 18). Meet the fast and the curious EduProtocol (using Quizizz) [Video]. YouTube..https://youtu.be/ExE61eXoOrA
Blended Learning
According to our content videos, blended learning can be viewed as a "marriage" between traditional learning and online learning (Models - Blended Learning Universe, 2021). By utilizing technology, educators can merge a multitude of instructional strategies and provide students with the best personalized learning possible. Though there are many models of blended learning, all of them can do so much more for our students when, as Talbert (2019) mentions, Bloom's Taxonomy is flipped on its head in terms of activities. Of the seven different blended learning models examined by the Blended Learning Universe, the one I consistently use is the Station Rotation (Models - Blended Learning Universe, 2021). Both assessment tools I reviewed, Prodigy and Quizizz are great activities during a typical station rotation as part of the online station (Tucker, 2023). In my fifth-grade math class, students rotate through four different stations. There is a teacher led station, a technology station, a math manipulatives / task cards station, and a folder game station. During the technology station, students have a list of online tools they are expected to use. Prodigy is one of them as students get assigned current content for review. During pre-assessment periods, the technology station also includes study guide practice on Quizizz. References Gieras, J. (2020). How to create engaging instructional videos. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/how-create-engaging-instructional-videos Michigan Virtual. (2018, December 13). Blended learning models [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zly9RMwgjI Miller, M. (2022). Station rotation: Save time, engage students in any K-12 classroom. Ditch That Textbook. https://ditchthattextbook.com/station-rotation/ Models - Blended Learning Universe. (2021, February 24). Blended Learning Universe. https://www.blendedlearning.org/models/ Talbert, R. (2019). Re-thinking Bloom's Taxonomy for flipped learning design. Robert Talbert, Ph.D. https://rtalbert.org/re-thinking-blooms-taxonomy-for-flipped-learning-design/#:~:text=But%20in%20applying%20Bloom's%20Taxonomy,remembering%22%20and%20%22understanding%22. Teachers’ Essential Guide to Formative Assessment | Common Sense Education. (2022, September 7). Common Sense Education. https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/teachers-essential-guide-to-formative-assessment Tucker, C. (2023, June 30). Need Inspiration Designing Station Rotation Lessons for your Math, English, History, or Science Class? - Dr. Catlin Tucker. Dr. Catlin Tucker. https://catlintucker.com/2021/01/inspiration-station-rotation-lessons/ |
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