Edtech ins and outs for the 2014 classroom

Some predictions, thoughts and ramblings. Might be wrong but these trends have been more evident during 2013 and can see them continuing throughout 2014.

1.
In:
Cordless technology that allows teachers and students more flexibility and mobility. Technology like Apple TV will enable teachers and students the opportunity to share, collaborate and get mobile. It will also allow other teachers and staff to walk into a room without needing specific cords, software and training to use.

Out:
IWBs rely too much on a teacher focus and can encourage teachers and students to use technology to bring about more "chalk and talk" "But it's so engaging"...has lost its power as the students are often engaged in the technology and not the learning. The push to get more mobile, cordless and create flexible learning spaces will see the continue decrease in IWBs in classrooms across the globe. The focus will be getting more technology in the hands of the students. Less students watching and more students actively creating!

2.
In
Students creating their own digital games through learning to code:
The #hourofcode was just the beginning and teachers and students have got a taste for it. Students creating and learning code will continue to flourish. Teachers have seen the benefits and watched their students learning to think. A whole new generation of coders will develop.

Out
Students playing games:
Still some benefits but the push to get students creating content in classrooms will see this decrease. This does not mean creative, world building games won't continue to gain momentum.

3.
In
Augmented Reality using real life images as triggers:
As the technology develops we will start to see an explosion of Apps like Layer and Aurasma in classrooms (if we haven't already). The rise of Augmented Reality in the past 12 months has been massive. Teachers and students will start to hone their skills, creating more effective AR experiences!

Out
QR codes
For those who are too lazy to do Augmented Reality well? Only kidding. Still many benefits but the effect of connecting real life trigger images with persuasive overlays has to be the next step.

About Paul:

2013 Finalist - International EdTech Digest Awards Recognition Program honoring tools, trendsetters and leaders in the education and technology sector. The distinguished awards program recognizes outstanding solutions―and the best and brightest minds―in education and technology.

2013 Nominee - EduBlogs Life Time achievement award.

Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2013. Paul is a leader in the implementation of Augmented Reality in schools to improve learning outcomes, Professional Development of staff with integration of ICTs, and has expertise in the implementation of mobile devices into pedagogical frameworks.

Creator
The Tellagami Project (Presentation)
Teaching students to code on the iPad (iBook)
Augmented Reality in Education (iBook) 
10 Amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom (iBook)
Formative Feedback for Learning and Science AR (Apps)

"Paul, you are a real Leader" - Dr Heidi Hayes Jacobs, author and internationally recognized education leader known for her work in curriculum mapping, curriculum integration and developing 21st century approaches to teaching and learning.
"Paul we designed iBooks Author to be a tool that teachers could use to create content that they develop for the classroom and can share with the world. It is great Paul that you have been using it that way to great success." - Philip Schiller - Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

PUBLIC SPEAKING EXPERIENCE

Guest Speaker - Best Apps for Kids - State Library Queensland 2013
National Leading a Digital School Conference - 2013 (Melbourne)
Augmented Reality in Education
21st Century Skills v Technology

IWB Interactive Teaching and Learning Conference - Sydney 2012
The benefits of teaching game design and strategy.
Technology and Formative Assessment strategies.

3 iPad/iPod Christmas activities for kids

How do we want students using iPads during the Christmas holidays?

How about creating, collaborating and communicating with Project based activities that will both engage, foster and develop 21st century skills whilst having an awesome time!

1. Create on comic/iBook on their favourite holiday moments
Incorporating the camera and Apps like Comic Life and Book Creator, our kids become authors at the same time. It also encourages kids to work together and involve the whole family.
Tutorials Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znrlTHDzr6s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ic5a2-qavFA

2. Time Lapse Photography iMovie
My girls are currently doing this as I write this Blog. The set up their iPod and use the App iMotion HD to take photos at 20 second intervals of the kids putting up the Christmas tree. They then drop into iMovie and add text and music to create an amazing time Lapse movie. Very cool.
Tutorials Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNU6JYW0tI0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SGnIMp43fdU

3. Create a digital Video Game
Using iPad Apps like Hopscotch and GamePress students can immerse themselves into the world of video games. But there is a difference! The kids can create their own, test, evaluate, work together and learn how to code at the same time. A really worthwhile activity!
Tutorials Here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8-y0nIhmbY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SuFr_MUPUU

5 activities all students should use iPads for

1. Learning journals
Still one of the most powerful activities I have ever given my students. Challenging and confronting at times but so effective. When do children have the time to sit down and reflect on what they have learnt and what they have struggled with? Do you really think tests do this. Take a look at Learning Journals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3QfgF1HahI

2. Learning to Code
Watching a kid code is like watching them think! There has never been a better time to teach kids to code on mobile devices. Hopscotch and GamePress two of my favourites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU1WOuvMh4I
https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/teaching-students-to-code/id729919770?mt=11&ls=1

3. Reading Response activities
Too much pen and paper! Doesn't fully show what students know or what they are thinking. Allow students to respond to text with pictures, video and audio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIYrN5OMT2I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-ujNMUedD4

4. Creating Multi-Media presentations
The iPad is not a computer, so stop using it like one. Utilise the plethora of effective Apps like Explain Everything so that students can create presentations that are effective and engaging for the audience. Not only that but multi-modal presentations often show a deep level of understanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mB-hiFqfAw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaPYls4TUmo

5. Collaborating with other students
Being mobile and having access to collaboration tools such as Google Docs presents a range of new opportunities for students to collaborate with each other. Imagine taking video during a Science field trip and collaborating with a scientist on the other side of the world?

iPad App workflows for students

One of the aspects of using iPads in schools is iPad, or App, workflows. If your students are still staying in a single App to do all the work they are probably (no, certainly) not utilising the applications the iPad has to offer.

Here is an example of a single App with no workflow.

A young student stays in an App, such as I write words, until the time or task is complete. It is limited, often lacking in creativity or real purpose.

As students become more comfortable with the iPad and transition from App to App, the opportunities to make the most of individual Apps in order to present or create a piece of work that is rich, purposeful and effective.

An example might be:

1) Students use Camera App (still the most powerful App available!) to take pictures of his/her schools surroundings.

2) Students create an artistic approach to a scene at their school using procreate or drawing pad.

3) Students use the Socrative App to survey individuals in the school about favourite places that hold meaning for them.

4) Students research history of the school using Safari and takes screenshots of images and data.

5) Students compiles all this into an iMovie documentary with a voice over to present to the class (or possible the world on Youtube).

Not only does this task tap into a range of different Apps it also ticks a lot of boxes on how we should be using technology with our students. Let us take a look the Apps and usage again and match to 21st century skills:

1) Students uses Camera App (still the most powerful App available!) to take pictures of his/her schools surroundings (creativity).

2) Students creates an artistic approach to a scene at their school using Procreate or Drawing iPad (creativity).

3) Students uses the Socrative App to survey individuals in the school about favourite places that hold meaning for them (collaboration and communication).

4) Students research history of the school using Safari and takes screenshots of images and data.

5) Student compiles all this into an iMovie documentary with a voice over to present to the class (world on Youtube).  (global)

So there you go. An example of iPad (App) workflow. 

Paul

ABOUT PAUL:

2013 Finalist - International EdTech Digest Awards Recognition Program honoring tools, trendsetters and leaders in the education and technology sector. The distinguished awards program recognizes outstanding solutions―and the best and brightest minds―in education and technology.

Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2013. Paul is a leader in the implementation of Augmented Reality in schools to improve learning outcomes, Professional Development of staff with integration of ICTs, and has expertise in the implementation of mobile devices into pedagogical frameworks.

Creator
The Tellagami Project (Presentation)
Augmented Reality in Education (iBook) 
10 Amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom (iBook)
Formative Feedback for Learning and Science AR (Apps)

"Paul, you are a real Leader" - Dr Heidi Hayes Jacobs, author and internationally recognized education leader known for her work in curriculum mapping, curriculum integration and developing 21st century approaches to teaching and learning.
"Paul we designed iBooks Author to be a tool that teachers could use to create content that they develop for the classroom and can share with the world. It is great Paul that you have been using it that way to great success." - Philip Schiller - Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

PUBLIC SPEAKING EXPERIENCE

Guest Speaker - Best Apps for Kids - State Library Queensland 2013
National Leading a Digital School Conference - 2013 (Melbourne)
Augmented Reality in Education
21st Century Skills v Technology

IWB Interactive Teaching and Learning Conference - Sydney 2012
The benefits of teaching game design and strategy.
Technology and Formative Assessment strategies.

Augmented Reality to introduce Maths Concept

In this Augmented Educational experiment I used 2 Apps. Aurasma and iMovie.

Content:
I wanted to introduce a Mathematics concept without actually telling the students what it was. This way they could analyse the iMovie trailer and collect evidence on what the concept might be. This way the students are already gaining knowledge on the topic even before they know what it is.

Then I created the worksheet to get the students to record their thinking as they were watching the Movie trailer.

Finally I put it all together in an Augmented Reality experience that made the viewing of the content seamless and engaging. The kids loved this concept, especially the searching for clues within the iMovie trailer! Here is the result:

Paul

Augmented Reality and Coding

In my latest Augmented Reality experiment I have combined two of my passions! Teaching kids to Code and Augmented Reality. I have been introducing my Year 5 students to the language of Code this term and I have been wanting to cater for all my learners. Especially those who need extra consolidation.

Using the Hopscotch App, my students have been creating their own digital games. I thought I would use Aurasma to help consolidate these lessons. Here is the result.

I continue to look for Augmented Reality opportunities in my class to consolidate, differentiate and enhance learning with my students.

AR Rocks!

Paul

Augmented Reality in Education experiment mixing App Topia and Aurasma

Augmented Reality in Education experiment mixing App Topia and Aurasma to create a conceptual learning experience for students. We look at fictitious worlds and creatures and relating that to real life worlds and species.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlwbYlz6qQ
All free, information and downloadable worksheets can be found at:
http://www.appsbypaulhamilton.com/#!ar-experiments-aurasma/c23ku

The Tellagami Project Movie Release

The Global Collaborative "Tellagami Project" has been released. This small feature film presents Edtech leaders from across the Globe communicating their passion for technology in Education.

Edtech leaders from Australia, Indonesia, United Kingdom, United States and Canada join together to share powerful messages that will inspired and call teachers to action. Using the amazing, innovative App "Tellagami", these passionate Edtech advocates share their beliefs with the world.

The brainchild of Paul Hamilton, The Tellagami Project was released on the 1st September 2013.

Augmented Reality allows teacher to come home from school

Last night I was cooking dinner and watching my 7 year old struggle with her Mathematics homework.
It was related to weight and categorising objects from lightest to heaviest. It was the all too common problem for parents. When to step in? What have they covered in class? not to mention the bigger question of whether or not young students should have to do homework at all!!!

Anyway, back to the dilemma. It was then that I realised it would be so beneficial for the teacher to come home with my daughter so that both Isobel and I could ask questions.

In my role as Primary ICT Coordinator I am exposed to new technologies on a daily basis. My mind automatically looked at Augmented Reality as a solution to meet my daughters problem. So I started the process of putting together a worksheet that would allow a virtual teacher into my home, using Augmented Reality to put the process all together.

Whilst not perfect and still having to deal with the entire class personalisation, the result was amazing. My daughter was able to engage fully with the homework task, receiving instant feedback on each problem. The situation was also personalised, having already seen what my daughter was having problems with.

Watching her interact with the work sheet gave me an insight of where we can fully utilise Augmented Reality in Education. Our children learn differently than I did as a child and we need to explore such technologies and the potential they have for making a significant contribution to the way students learn.

Paul Hamilton
appsbypaulhamilton@gmail.com

Is this the future of Education?

Is this the future of Education? Year 2 students uses Augmented Reality blended with Virtual reality to complete her Mathematics homework.

The aspects that work here are:

Personalised learning
Instant feedback for student
Flipped Classroom
Engagement in learning process
Caters for all ability levels

It certainly ticks a few boxes. For those wondering how I did this? I used 3 educational apps for iPad. Explain everything to do the tutorials, tellagami to do the virtual avatar and Aurasma to put the Augmented Reality together.

To find out more about Augmented Reality in Education download my free iBook from the iBookstore at:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/augmented-reality-in-education/id641019829?ls=1

Paul

Tellagami Project building momentum

I have been overwhelmed with the response to the Tellagami Project. I thought it would be a wonderful platform for teachers and edtech leaders to share what they believe in and what they are doing in classrooms. The messages I'm getting at the moment are amazing and I hope I can share with the world.

Why Tellagami? I love the App. I use it with my students all the time and thought I would get adults having the same benefits as my students.

The Global aspect of this project is what is most pleasing. Powerful messages from across the world, all speaking from the heart and with passion.

I have started putting together all the Gami's and I think everyone will be surprised with how it turns out. Here is the opening credits teaser.

Still time to get your message/Gami in? Absolutely. Details of procedure can be at:

http://appsbypaulhamilton.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/collaborative-tellagami-project-looking.html

Collaborative Tellagami Project - Looking for Edtech Gurus

Hi everyone

Looking for EDtech Gurus to be part of a project that pulls together some of the most inspirational messages for the Edtech community. You have an opportunity to inspire others in what will be a sought after and influential short movie. What I require:

1) Short 30 sec Gami using the Tellagami App or website:
2) Must follow the below format
3) Let you passion come though in your short speech
4) Email movie file (from camera roll) to appsbypaulhamilton@gmail.com
5) All movies will be put together by Paul into a short film (presentation)
6) please change the avatar as much as possible to avoid duplicates

Template for narration is simple:
My name is............(insert name) and I am............(what you do). I believe..........(insert statement that defines you and how you believe technology plays a part in education).

So what do you need:
Tellagami App
Create a short Gami using your own voice (it's really easy!!!)
please change the avatar as much as possible to avoid duplicates
Make sure you save to camera roll first and then email me straight from camera roll.

Quick tutorial here on how to make a GAMI
Link to App HERE
Link to website HERE

Example structure here

Tellagami App applications

On Thursday I gave a PD on the Tellagami App. My staff then started brainstorming some applications for using Tellagami with their students in the classroom.

You see I believe the magic of Apps lies in the imagination of the teacher, not the App itself.

This is what the teachers came up with:

Mathematics - students take a photo of a specific shape or angle and then use as a background in Tellagami. Students then communicate through avatar the elements/characteristics of this shape/angle. Great way to demonstrate knowledge.

Science, field work. Take photo of creek, pollution.....and use App to give news report on what has happened and what is required to rectify.

What about getting guest speakers to email text and use Tellagami to do a virtual presentation??

Short narrative films, especially in Year 11 when students have to create a short film. Would be better to use recorded voice so we can leverage vocal qualities. Also useful in analytical tasks where students have to deconstruct representations of characters/places/events, etc.

Integration within the App “Explain Everything” - unlimited possibilities across multiple Learning Areas.  Students could take a snapshot of a page in EE, using this as a background and then have the Tellagami introduce the topic/elaborate on a part or summarise at the

Science; predictions with reasoning or observations told by the tellagami and placed over images of investigations in process. An excellent chance for personal reflection post investigation too I think!

History; showing a comparison between two groups of people (Eg aboriginals and white settlers) - video documentary style presentation of the two opinions or perspectives of events in history?

Literacy: reading responses to a set piece of text - photo of the text as background with types or spoken short responses, questioning (question stems) from a set text, summarising, reflecting and even reviewing through the lens of different audiences for the same text (girls vs boys, preps vs upper primary etc)

Hopscotch App Lesson Plan

Using the Hopscotch App to develop thinking processes

Students learn the language of code, developing a range of thinking skills.

Lesson Plan

Introduce learning intention:

To expose students to the language (vocabulary) of Code. To create a simple digital application (Game) for others to enjoy.

Special note for teachers:

For students to discover they can learn through experimentation and trial and error. 
The Habit of risk taking is vital in learning new things and we can learn in a number of ways.
Create video tutorials online that allow student to view and learn at their own rate. This could be through tutorials for Hopscotch that you find online, tutorials that you create or your students create.

Teacher instruction:

Introduce Hopscotch App.
Demonstrate App and how you save your projects.
Discuss with students the functions of the iPad e.g tilt, shake........
Make clear with students we want to focus on learning new things and in different ways. The teacher doesn’t have all the knowledge.
Introduce the “3 before me” concept where student must ask 3 others before the teacher.
Teacher creates a basic tilt game where the character moves up, down, left and right by titling the iPad.

Student Steps:

1. Allow discovery time (approx 4 lessons). This promotes risk taking with no set project in minds to discover all the functions. Students can trial, relearn, make mistakes and discover that they are in control of their learning.
2. Plan the game through pictures and a storyboard.
3. Game development.
4. Students review initial plan. It is it achievable/realistic? Should I scale back? Should I expand my game?
5. Partner students with others. Partner offers feedback. What works? Doesn’t work from a players perspective?
6. Students create games and have a gaming expo where they invite other classes, teachers and parents to play games.
Reflection:
What did I like about my game?
What would I change next time?
What did the players think of my game?
Did I enjoy making the game? Where could I go to learn more about coding”

Excerpt From: Hamilton, Paul. “10 amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom.” v1.1. Paul Hamilton, 2013. iBooks. 
This material may be protected by copyright.

Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/10-amazing-lessons-for-ipad/id668251958?mt=11

appsbypaulhamilton youtube channel

We are about to hit 40,000 views and 300 subscribers. Don't hesitate to pass on the website to other educators out there using iPads on the classroom. Thanks everyone. http://www.youtube.com/user/appsbypaulhamilton/videos

iBook for the iPad classroom hits no1

Thanks to all the support. Proud to announce 10 amazing lessons for the iPad classroom has been top of the Computing and Internet category on the iBook Store (Australian Store) since its release.
Hopefully teachers are getting lots out of it and the students in their classrooms more engaged!!

10 amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom: iBook coming soon

Sneak Peek at my new iBook out July 4th, 2013 on the iTunes iBook Store. Will include detailed lesson plans and in depth video tutorials for the teachers.

“For the first time in history, we have a technological device that is so intuitive to young children, that the educational possibilities are endless. No longer is technology a hindrance to student learning. However, teachers are struggling to make connections between Apps, the Curriculum and 21st Century Skills”.

First 4 lessons outlined in the iBook:

Lesson 1:

Use the Topia App to develop concepts related to Geography. Students make connections between fictitious worlds and our own. Big concepts explored include sustainability, global trends and interconnectedness. 
Lesson 2:
Use the Tellagami App to develop reading fluency skills. Students developing the ability to give effective formative feedback will also be developed within this lesson.
Lesson 3:
Use the Hopscotch App to teach students to code. The language of code can be used in many different areas from web design to complex animations and game design.
Lesson 4
Use the Formative Feedback App to encourage effective feedback to be given between students. Students will use symbols to prompt effective discussion.

3 things that tell you your iPad program IS working

1. Your students are authoring and publishing content

Not playing educational games, not touching balloons that explode into number facts and not data processing huge amounts of content.
Instead - creating ebooks, multimedia presentations, podcasting, movie making and taking amazing photographs. Students are publishing for the local school community to view or publishing world wide.

2. Your students are integrating more than 1 App and suggesting App to the teachers

Students are jumping between the Camera App and Explain Everything to personalise projects and assignments. Students are embedding video and audio into Apps that results in rich media presentation.
Students are making connections between Apps they find and learning that is happening in the classroom.

3. Your teachers are talking Apps at lunchtime!

Teachers sharing WINS and great use of technology in the classroom. Teachers identifying and analysing Apps that are purposeful and hitting outcomes and the curriculum. Teachers are using a single App in a variety of different areas.

iPad Teacher Tutorial June Newsletter

What's the secret to an effective 1:1 program in schools? Devices? Infrastructure? User agreement? Whilst all of these areas play a role, the classroom TEACHER is the most important and significant ingredient in an effective 1:1 program. Let me be a little more specific. The teachers imagination and creativity, their ability to make connections with the device and applications, their knowledge of the curriculum and the 21st century students who sit in their class. See it is the teachers who see the hidden wonders/magic of an App like iMovie or a web2 tool like Todays Meet. This edition of the appsbypaulhamilton newsletter pays tribute to the creative and innovative teachers in our schools and the impact they are having on young minds across the globe.

Using iMovie in the classroom:

What better way to grab the attention of our students than with a movie trailer. Even better, get students creating narratives through iMovie. This tutorial looks at creating a Narrative using iMovie on an iPad.

Just recently I discovered the world of Podcasting and thought I would use it as a way of discovering great Apps that are out there. I plan to interview Teachers, App Developers and Parents but thought I would start by asking our target audience in this entire discussion: THE KIDS! As Dan Pink suggests we should talk with our students more about what they require/need at school. Here is the Talking Apps with Paul Hamilton first episode. In the first episode, I chat with my 8 year old daughter on her favourite Apps and how they could used at school. Email me if you would like to be on the next show.  

Teachers please take a listen HERE.

Utilizing screen recording animations within an Augmented Reality environment:

Augmented Reality is starting to filter into classrooms across the globe. The Horizon Report is a yearly publication that highlights, analyzes and predicts the ways in which technological advances will change teaching, learning and creative inquiry. The 2013 report describes how and why augmented reality will play an important role in teaching and learning over the next two to three years. Luckily for educators Augmented Reality is available. Using 2 Apps (Aurasma and Explain Everything) you can create your own Augmented Reality experience for your students.

Interesting Observation:

I often get frustrated with those who continue to see the iPad as a solely consuming device. We want our students creating and the iPad delivers creativity and content creation in spades. Our students are using technology differently than we did (and more of it). Anyone who has kids will notice this on a regular basis. As Sir Ken Robinson observes:

“When my son, James, was doing homework for school, he would have five or six windows open on his computer, Instant Messenger was flashing continuously, his cell phone was constantly ringing, and he was downloading music and watching the TV over his shoulder. I don’t know if he was doing any homework, but he was running an empire as far as I could see, so I didn’t really care.” 

The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything

Students viewing Movies and posing questions:

I have no doubt that students viewing videos adds worth to the educational experience. However, how do we optimise the students experience so that we go further once the video is finished. Traditional note taking is limited. In my experience it is the posing of questions that we want our students to do so that they build a deeper understanding of the concepts. Also, allowing students to find and add content to the lesson needs to be encouraged. Using Today's Meet allows for this. Can students watch media and pose questions at the same time? Absolutely.

Using Video to give Formative Feedback:

Giving effective feedback to students has one of the highest impacts on student learning. As Professor John Hattie states: “Feedback is one of the most powerful influences on learning and achievement” and “This evidence shows that although feedback is among the major influences, the type of feedback and the way it is given can be differentially effective.”

In my experiences video feedback is one of these highly effective methods. Using video as a form of feedback allows: student-student feedback, teacher-student feedback and self feedback.

Upcoming Professional Development for School Leaders:

Looking forward to presenting at the Leading a Digital School conference at Crown Casino in Melbourne next term. My 2 sessions will be on Augmented Reality in Education and 21st Century Skills V Technology. Those who have a leadership position in schools should definitely attend!
For registration details visit:
The IWBNet website HERE

Free teacher tutorials.

Don't forget to check out my free teacher tutorial channel on youtube. It is approaching 40000 views and has plenty of useful and practical tutorials for teachers.

About Paul:

Author of the iBook Augmented Reality in Education, creator of the Science AR App, the critically acclaimed educational app Formative Feedback for Learning and the revolutionary iBook series My Prep Year, Paul is changing the way digital content is being delivered in schools. Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2013. Paul is a leader in the implementation of Augmented Reality in schools to improve learning outcomes, Professional Development of staff with integration of ICTs, and has expertise in the implementation of mobile devices into pedagogical frameworks.

Apps and iBooks by Paul Hamilton

    

appsbypaulhamilton@gmail.com
http://www.appsbypaulhamilton.com
twitter: @PaulHamilton8