Don't underestimate the teacher in the edtech classroom

Just recently with a year 4 class I introduced a project involving

"creating a digital game using the App Hopscotch".

It was a magnificent project with our students learning many things, including higher level thinking skills. I designed the project, demonstrated the basic skills of the hopscotch App and made sure I had lots of opportunities for students to collaborate with each other.

Watching this was amazing. The unit was basically running itself. I decided to conference some students who I thought were struggling and run some sessions with them.

At the end of the unit it was time for each student to show me their game, and receive a mark based on the detailed criteria. What did I discover?

Those students I conferenced with did far better than my tech savvy students. See we all know the importance of feedback and goal setting. The students who I conferenced with did just that. They were able to identify issues, problems with their learning and set goals and identify students and adults in the class who could help their learning. This doesn't come natural to the students and needs to be fostered and encouraged. I can't think of an App that individualises learning for young students like this!

We should never understand the importance of the teacher. As Hattie states (through his extensive research) Teachers are still the most important element in a child's learning!

Yes students can learn independently, but we should never fall into the habit of assuming technology (or the App) will teach our students. The teacher brings about taking the learning to the next level and this should never be forgotten.

My coding tutorials on YouTube can be found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8BMVDk3VSQ&list=PLprciURrC7Fu86bqB5P4nO3GjVuY5RVx4

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.

2013 Finalist - 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.

The reflective student

As a teacher what do you notice when you hand a test back? Do students look straight for the Grade (letter) or do they look through mistakes, reflecting on what went wrong and what they need to do better next time?

I think you would all agree we would prefer students to do the latter, but experience tells us they do the first option.

So how do we get students reflecting on learning experiences? With mobile technology there has never been a better time to foster a culture of analysis and reflection.

Here are 2 quick tutorials using the Book Creator App and the Explain Everything App for iPad to encourage more reflective students in your class.

Reflective student - Explain Everything tutorial:

http://youtu.be/sBKjMF-4_oc

Reflective student - Book Creator tutorial:

http://youtu.be/lS4uq1Ir9Q8

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.

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?

3 awesome iPad Apps to get kids coding

The language of Code is a universal language. We use technology almost every minute of everyday and yet we remain ignorant of how technology actually works. What drives this technology? Code!

With iPads being so popular in schools across the globe what are some iPad Apps that will get kids coding around the world.

1.Daisy the Dinosaur

Description

Learn the basics of computer programming with Daisy the Dinosaur! This free, fun app has an easy drag and drop interface that kids of all ages can use to animate Daisy to dance across the screen. Kids will intuitively grasp the basics of objects, sequencing, loops and events by solving this app's challenges. After playing Daisy, kids can choose to download a kit to program their own computer game.

2.Hopscotch

Description

Hopscotch works by dragging and dropping blocks of code. Build little routines and press play to see your code in action! As you get more advanced, you can add more objects and run your code using events like shaking and tilting the iPad or even shouting at the iPad! We were heavily inspired by MIT's Scratch.

Many of the best coders fell in love with programming as kids at the age of 8, 10 and 12 years old. With Hopscotch, kids can build and perfect their own creations while obtaining an understanding of the fundamentals of computer science.

3. GamePress

Description

Teachers, you can make use of GamePress to teach students about game design, logic and even computer science and engineering! The no programming interface makes learning complex concepts fun and easy. Games have become more than just a way to pass time, they’re perfect for education and learning new things.

Paul is the author of Teaching students to code on the iPad .

Paul is a:

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)
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.

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

Let's get our little students learning to code

Let's get little ones learning to code. Get them off these so called educational Apps and let them experience the magic of programming and making the characters on our iPad react to our commands. Follow up with older learners with Hopscotch App and GamePress App!
http://youtu.be/mqo9K4Dw31M

10 amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom

10 amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom is now available on the iBook Store. Lessons and Apps include: CLICK HERE
Using the Topia App to explore Geography Concepts
Using the Trading Cards App to build knowledge
Using the Tellagami App to develop reading fluency
Using the Hopscotch App to develop thinking processes
Using Formative Feedback for Learning App to encourage feedback giving between students and teachers
Using Explain Everything to compare website data
Using Book Creator to Author and Publish content
Using Doodle Cast App to tell stories and develop communication skills
Using Comic Life App to reflect on past experiences and to teach a recount structure

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.

Youtube channel for ipad classroom ideas

Thanks to all my YOUTUBE subscribers. Make sure you keep checking on my latest teacher ipad tutorials on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/appsbypaulhamilton/videos
IPads in classrooms are revolutionary learning devices - but don't forget it is the teachers who make connections with the curriculum and look for unique ways of using Apps in all learning areas. Think outside the square everyone. An example of this is the Topia App. Why not use this World Building App to explore the Geography Curriculum. Big concepts like sustainability and Over population can be explored with students like never before.

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