I came up with the idea of “learning zones” when I first heard about Apple’siBeacon technology. I wanted to setup geographical teaching and learning areas around campus that would draw in students and allow them to run through learning experiences with minimum input form the teachers. This would cater for all ability levels and encourage the flipped classroom approach to learning.
Students will receive a notification upon entering each zone, with the students only having to press the notification in order to open the App and then explore the room to find the Learning Zone. This seek and find concept was pivotal in harnessing the natural instincts of students and the q based nature of learning.
Two of these zone include:
Technology learning Zone, where students find and run through a set of introductory coding tutorials. And secondly an Art Learning Zone where students use customised Art tutorials to create art works.
Although only days I have been extremely happy with how this new, iBeacon technology works. It confirms to me that a persons imagination, in regard to use of technology, is where true innovation and magic happens in the classroom.
1. Get iBooks Author online and collaborative
Brilliant software! Never been easier for teachers and students to create amazing multi-touch iBooks and publish them to a global audience. The massive task of creating online software with sharing options would allow teachers to collaborate on books together in real time.
2. Get iTunes course manager mobile
iTunes U course manager can only be accessed currently through laptop and desktop. A mobile App would allow teachers to create on the go.
3. Promote iBook Store more
Some amazing resources being created by amazing teachers but still harder to reach going through the iBook App. Extra step makes it difficult and out of sight. Many teachers using the Apple ecosystem don't even know these valuable resources exist. Shame, as with new widgets being created daily the multi-loutch experience continues to improve.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With the momentum building in the lead up to Computer Science Week in the States and Hour of Code, I can't help thinking this is just the beginning. What makes me think this? For the past 12 months I have been teaching my students to Code and I have seen the benefits first hand. Rich, deep level thinking, the collaboration, and the ability to see Code come alive are just some of the reasons all students should learn to code in schools.
On the 9th December (and the lead up week) there is a massive push to get kids coding. I think the success of this week and what follows is dependent on an element we have not placed a higher enough priority on - the teachers. See without passionate teachers who believe in coding we will not produce passionate students. The teacher is not the only ingredient, but certainly an important one.
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
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.
Sat down in a funky little cafe in St Kilda this morning (for breakfast) reflecting on a wonderful teaching and learning conference I had just attended over the past 3 days. A young family joined us at the table next to us. The father began analysing the menu whilst the Mum reached into her oversized handbag and pulled out the child's pacifier. The pacifier was a little larger than the normal one. The pacifier was an iPad, an amazing tool that I use on a daily basis with my students and the staff I mentor.
We use the iPad in a plethora of ways from digital storytelling, world building, multimedia presentations, Augmented Reality, student feedback giving, observational record keeping.......I could go on and on.
Not a doubt in my mind the iPad is tool, that when used by motivated students and innovative educators, learning is both enhanced and engaged in.
Back to the family sitting next to me. Mum and Dad converse openly. Child does not make a sound for the entire meal.
Time to fly back to Queensland, family sits a couple of rows in front of me. This time Mum and Dad and 2 children. The first, a boy 4 years of age and the second, a young female toddler. Both parents hand over an iPad each to their children. Over the course of the flight both children say very little, but I watch closely. Both are watching movies and using coloring in Apps.
So what's the problem?
Our world is changing, and the world our children will enter into during and after school is much different to that of our generation. Firstly, we passively consumed Media. We watched TV and later consumed the Internet by browsing websites. Secondly, the work place required a different set of skills to that our children will require.
We are entering a time in history where creativity and divergent thinking is what our children will require in the work place. As Dan Pink states:
"The future belongs to a different kind of person with a different kind of mind: artists, inventors, storytellers-creative and holistic "right-brain" thinkers whose abilities mark the fault line between who gets ahead and who doesn't." I recently viewed a concert on Youtube. The concert was a little different.
This needs a little explaining.
This is a real audience.
The singer is completely virtual.
The concert was sold out in 3 countries.
and
A team of individuals created this character collaboratively using completely open source and free software. No ones owns this character. Anyone, or more likely group, can create a concert using this free software.
I could give more examples. Wikipedia. Who would of thought the largest resource site would be created and fed by us, hobbyists and enthusiasts who don't look for payment or recognition. Wikipedia succeeded because we are changing and the world is changing. Microsofts plans for a CD encyclopedia (ENCARTA), hiring the best academics and writers in the world, was blown out of the water because it didn't involve us. We are creators and collaborators and we own the Internet.
So why do I have a problem with iPads. Young children are being kept quite by iPads. Young students are being kept quite using iPads in a passive and extremely unnatural way. This is the problem Parents need to address. We are fostering an environment that is completely foreign to the generation coming through. We are fostering skills that will be (currently are) obsolete.
I see greatness with tools like the iPad. I see naturally innovative and creatively blessed minds using iPads in creative and innovative ways. Unfortunately I also see something else and it worries me. Paul
“Whilst technologies such as QR Codes and Hyperlinks provide a valuable service with holding data and directing individuals to external sites, Augmented Reality connects real life objects, places and people around us to a variety of information and simulated experiences. The power of students self exploring the physical world around them and discovering for themselves should never be underestimated.
Learning should be connected to life and the experiences our students have already been through and will go through. This will enable more authentic learning experiences for our students. The results outlined later in this book look at a Mathematics Augmented experience. Linking an effective video tutorial to that of a real life object resonates with students. As one of my students stated:
“Next time I look at any triangle in the world, I will remember how to work out the area”.
This comment reinforces the inadequacies of linking tools such as QR Codes and traditional Hyperlinks. By linking a structured lesson to that of a real life objects, the student automatically makes connection with other real life objects resulting in a conceptual learning approach. ”
Excerpt From: Hamilton, Paul. “Augmented Reality In Education.” v1.2. Paul Hamilton, 2013. iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=641019829
