Unit 7 Final Presentation

Final Presentation on the Hot Topic of 3D Printing

https://voicethread.com/share/10747774/

I picked 3-D printing as my topic, which is a tool I do not use on the daily with my students. I wanted to broaden my understanding of  3-D printing because this was a tool that my school had purchased about two years ago and I wanted to learn more about it and how it is used within the classroom. Here is a video containing all the information that I was able to gather and put together in this presentation.

References: 
Bozevich, A. (2018, 04 18). Expert on 3D Printing. (S. Hightman, Interviewer)

Michaels, L. (2016, 10). The Importance of 3D Printing in Education. Retrieved from Ask A Tech Teacher: https://askatechteacher.com/2016/10/19/the-importance-of-3d-printing-in-education/


Here is my Flipboard Magazine
View my Flipboard Magazine.

Expert Interview with Anne Bozevich on 3D Printing

Bozevich, A. (2018, 04 18). Expert on 3D Printing. (S. Hightman, Interviewer)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAFFeEW8KRw&t=34s

Mrs. Anne Bozevich is our school's librarian and she actually went to training on how to use the 3-D printer. In this video, I video taped her answering my questions about the 3-D printer as well as explain how the 3-D printer can be used within an educational setting. 

Unit 6- Video Games for Learning

https://pxhere.com/en/photo/764632

Negatives of Gamification
Many teachers are really hesitant about incorporating video games within their daily instruction. I can see how this can be concerning to some teachers. Many teachers who have this concern are hesitant because they're worried that they won't be able to figure it out and do it themselves. Which is completely understandable because some teachers really didn't grow up with video games like others did. Teachers are also hesitant because they feel that the students already spend too much time on their devices at home, therefore they don't want to use it within their classrooms. In addition to teacher hesitation, many districts run into the issue of not having the appropriate technology to incorporate this within their classrooms.

Positives of Gamification
However, in my opinion, I feel that students would benefit from gamification and badging being used within the classroom. Children who are growing up in today's society are being exposed to the different types of technology at a very early age. Within the article The Science And The Benefits of Gamification In eLearning by Christopher Pappas, Christopher provides the reader with infographics showing the positives of using gamification in the classroom. He provides five major benefits of gamification: 1. Increases Learner Engagement; 2. Makes eLearning fun and interactive; 3. Improves knowledge absorption and retention; 4. Gives learners the opportunity to see real world applications; 5. Enhances the overall learning experience for all age groups.

MobyMax
Bringing online games within the classroom is something that we need to do as teachers to help our students continue to be excited about learning. so, for the past 2 years, I've been trying to change the mindset of those teachers who are hesitant within my school, by introducing them to a program platform called MobyMax. MobyMax is an online K-8 program that helps teachers find the learning gaps of each individual student. It allows teachers to give their students benchmark assessments; identifies skills/standards that the student is missing; provides customized online lessons for each student (pretty much in any subject area); it progress monitors and keeps track of their learning through pie charts and graphs that can then be used at parent teacher conferences; it also has a wonderful gaming section where the students can earn game time for the amount of correct answers or lessons they've successfully completed. Teachers can also reward the students with extra game time and badges of achievement. When I presented this program to my administrators, they were all for it, especially since it does so much for the teachers and students.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7560/16223124541_f2cff4e21e_b.jpg

Classcraft
Another educational gaming platform that I stumbled upon while doing this assignment is called Classcraft. Classcraft was created by a team of people who's mission statement states "We believe that the classroom can be reimagined using technology, games, and storytelling to create a learning environment that is culturally relevant to today's youth. Their future is likely to be very different from what we know today. It’s our conviction that fostering cognitive skills like collaboration, empathy, leadership, and self-expression will be critical to preparing students for the changes they will face as adults. We are committed to creating enjoyable experiences that nurture these core areas." ("Using Gamification in Elementary School", 2017). Classcraft also has a Twitter account which is used by both Classcraft staff and teachers to show how they are using this program with their students. I really would like to explore Classcraft further because this is what children who are going up in Today's society are going to respond to the most. The animation is advanced to the point where the students really do feel like they are playing and learning from a video game.

https://d17omnzavs9b58.cloudfront.net/assets/article/2016/02/24/classcraft1_feature.jpg

Thoughts....
Are there any program platforms that you use in your school? If so, what are your likes and dislikes? Or
Is there a program or online gaming forum that you use almost on the daily with your students? If so, what are your likes and dislikes?


Resources: 

Fix learning gaps. (n.d.). Retrieved April 12, 2018, from http://www.mobymax.com/


Pappas, C. (2018, March 14). The Science And The Benefits of Gamification In eLearning. Retrieved April 12, 2018, from https://elearningindustry.com/science-benefits-gamification-elearning


Using Gamification in Elementary School. (2017, September 18). Retrieved April 12, 2018, from https://www.slideshare.net/Classcraft/using-gamification-in-elementary-school-79894742

Unit 5- The Flipped Classroom

I found that this week's assignment on flipped classrooms was very interesting. I honestly have never even heard of the flipped classroom until this school year. My assistant principal in my school is really big on innovation and 21st Century Teaching. So when she mentioned that some teachers are looking into converting their room into a flipped classroom, I honestly had no idea what she was even talking about. All I knew was that direct instruction would change to where the students would be learning their lessons on the computer and I was to monitor them. Naturally, I felt a little stressed because I worry that my students already get too much screen time and that I didn't want them to get even more while they are with me in school. Plus, I want my students to socialize and interact with one another. So, during that time I dismissed the whole idea of converting my room over to a flipped classroom.

However, as I was watching the videos and reading the articles on what a flipped classroom actually entails, I now have a better understanding of why my assistant principal was so excited. I understand that, at first it'll be hard work, all I would have to do is create a video of the content that I would be teaching my students and assign or show it to them on the day as my direct instruction. Then for the rest of the duration of the class period, I could plan out activities for them to do on the topic as well as be able to meet with small groups to reteach or enhance the lesson on the video. I really like this idea because I have a tendency to get off topic and drag out my lessons which takes time away from my students practicing these newly found skills.

My Flipped Classroom Example 

So I created a lesson on text structure using Google's Screencastify and Youtube. This is a longer lesson, however I had five different types of text structure to talk about, plus I wanted to have the whole lesson in there. If you don't watch all the videos that's okay, I would just like to hear your feedback. One problem that I didn't like about Screencastify was that if only allowed you to do 10 minute videos. Therefore I made 2 instructional videos and one of a YouTube video. Thanks!

UPDATED! My apologies on the uploaded videos not working, so here's the links to the videos on YouTube

Part 1- Text Structure

Part 2- Text Structure

Part 3- Text Structure

Resources:

F. (2017, April 06). Retrieved April 05, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kWGQ-_ipBY