Vaggelis Sfakianakis Learning Diary about use of tablets in classroom (http://www.europeanschoolnetacademy.eu/web/tablets-in-schools) by Vaggelis Sfakianakis

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-04-13 20:44:44 UTC

Why use tablets in my teaching?
1) Students are familiar to technology and happy to use it,
2) A new way to approach the knowledge,
3) A personalized manner for students to get involved with many subjects,
4) Ease of collaboration among students,
5) Almost every family have a tablet, and students can easily bring tablets in their schoolbag,
6) Many apps (about any science) can interact and produce 'real' experiments (in many cases Greek teachers don't have labs),
7) Teacher controls student's progress -also- by home
8) Freedom of search in internet and find out much more things than a teacher can teach.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-04-13 21:11:45 UTC

What whole-school challenges do i anticipate facing when using tablets?
1) No previous experience by any means,
2) Difficulty on access web, and in many cases unstable connection,
3) Economic crisis means that many schools can't afford the cost.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-04-13 21:36:55 UTC

Classroom challenges i anticipate using tablets.
1) I don't know how to organize (and manage) the time in my classroom, because of the inexperience (certainly no advisor is expected in school),
2) Greek students are not familiar with these 'ways' and i'm afraid some may act immature and cause noise,
3) In younger students seems easy, but in older .. i thing it's a bit difficult (because the 'style' of Greek exams demand more and more exercises for final success)

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-04-13 21:50:03 UTC

Edmodo app.

I'm planning to do so. I'm fingering out what can i do with that, and i have come to a conclusion, that i will use it as LMS, also i could prepare small quizzes to examine student's knowledge (by web feedback). Finally it would be a great opportunity to 'socialized' with the students in a different way (more pedagogical) than the classic social media (facebook, twitter etc)

Vaggelis Sfakianakis

sfakvag — 2015-04-19 19:11:08 UTC

Hi enerybody, i'm a Greek teacher. I teach Physics in secondary education institution. I teach Physics the last 15 years and i'm planning to do so for the next years of my life! I try to be innovative at my work, that's why i participate in this course. I usually use facebook groups (or padlet groups) to get in touch outside the classroom with my students and give them links with simulations from internet, ask them to answer at quizzes online etc. I do this with groups of 5-10 students in same age, hopefully they'll stay close to what i teach..

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-06 18:04:15 UTC

Learning Styles of your Students

At the beginning of each year, i pay attention to each student's behavior and try to force them participate in any way at classroom's discussions. This provides useful conclusions about them immediately. I ask parents about special needs, learning difficulties etc. I firstly read them an article, secondly discuss, thirdly show them a video about a common subject trying to get them involved. Each pupil's participation based on the way he likes to join-hear-discuss a matter.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-06 18:38:07 UTC

Tablets and Personalisation

One of the advantages of use of tablets, is that in 'real time' , inside the classroom, when i 'introduce' them a new subject, they can find a video of demonstration in youtube or a simulation to immediately understand it. They can look at it or hear it, in real time and that makes things much more easy. Students can google the subject in real time and easily get to the point at a glance to their tablet. Each one can walk on his own internet path and prepare his own questions, as there is no border lines in searching at internet. A first touch of a new subject is unique and in classroom all the different aspects come to a concrete conclusion after all.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-06 19:10:13 UTC

Flipping the Classroom

Never tried it. There are many practical problems (internet connection, not all pupils have tablets and schools can't provide tablets to them etc). In fact it seems very interesting, with lot of benefits. Too much work outside classroom, (including the rest homework) would made parents worry about free time of their children. If practical problems could be solved, students could used to it if we do that from younger ages. Culture of learning is a good term for that!

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-06 19:38:11 UTC

Challenges of the Flipped Classroom

The most significant matter is student's motivation (in my opinion). Needs continuous technical support. Teachers must learn how to prepare flipped lessons and how to get it right with classroom time. Parrent's help and support is needed, so school must help them understand the whole purpose of that.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-06 20:11:05 UTC

Apps and Tools for Personalisation and Flipping the Classroom

interactive physics (ip)

crayon physics
crocodile physics
Phet (sims)
youtube
padlets
edmodo
pinterest
etc.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-07 08:40:35 UTC

Main points and thoughts of the whole idea of using tablets in my opinion:

1. learner at the center (additional resources 1.6 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTrgMIOG2j0&feature=youtu.be)

2. more engagement outside of classroom (same video as previous)

3. wide spread of knowledge through internet with mixed-moving content

(2.6 Additional resources http://creative.eun.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=c98f7705-f465-48a6-a835-f8cfa7ef207d&groupId=96459)

4. Teacher must reconcil his role in order to succeed

(3.6 Additional resources http://creative.eun.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=3773b6b6-9f7f-4ccb-bd30-ec0412d44590&groupId=96459)

5. Collaborative work between pupils becomes extremely easy with the use of internet via tablets (same video as previous)

6. Trust students and give them reasons to trust themselves (http://creative.eun.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=3773b6b6-9f7f-4ccb-bd30-ec0412d44590&groupId=96459

7. (http://creative.eun.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=cc91c707-e3ec-40a3-8e8c-99b971020250&groupId=96459)

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-07 19:46:12 UTC

What kind of content can you produce with your class?

We could produce a project about reflection or refraction of light. We could use apps like crocodile physics or interactive physics along with pictures (or videos) of live demonstration in classroom. Videos and pictures from internet can easily add to the final product. Experiments inside classroom can easily take place (lighten a glass of water with a lazer beam in darkness from different angles) and -if we are lucky- an observation of a rainbow would bring great results.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-09 17:59:17 UTC

An actual piece of content that can use as an example for a content creation project in classroom

Using a great app 'thinglink' students can produce a great result, based on a project like this one (reflection and refraction of light)

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-09 18:22:48 UTC

Learning ScenariosWhat do you make of the Learning Scenarios concept? Maybe you have even used Learning Scenarios yourself (in another project)? Share any reflections and ideas linked to Learning Scenarios here.
First time ever heard of that. It seems very interesting. I think i could 'explore' these seven phases in younger students and gain much of this. Phases like 'dream or show' seems easy but phases like 'map, ask or show' needs teacher's and student's experience in order to get things done.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-09 18:57:30 UTC

Forming Groups for Group Work

How do you form groups of students for group work and why do you take this approach? Based on your experience what strategies of forming groups work and which do not work? Why? Share your ideas on these questions here.

A group of students, in my opinion, should consist of:
1. same age (common syllabus, interests etc),
2. similar spiritual level (best result for each one without anxiety of less capability),
3. students with sympathy for each other (a collaboration needs positive thinking and joy),
4. preferable living at the same neighborhood (in case of meeting each other outside of classroom).

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-09 21:50:46 UTC

Challenges of Collaborative WorkHow do you keep your students focused and on track during collaborative projects? How do you ensure all students contribute to the task? If you have organised a similar project share your experiences (positive and negative) here.

When i want to force a student to get more involved with the issue
1. I ask him to post online each day what he did or thought about the project. I give him an advice on how to go on, and that encourage him to keep trying.
2. Assign a specific thing to each partner, so a group needs anyone to take his part seriously, otherwise the project will be out of time. Αlso at the presentation of the project we make clear who did what and everyone is proud of his participation.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-09 22:02:06 UTC

Success factors of school-to-school collaboration projects We know many of you on the course are already etwinners, so take this opportunity to share your successful school-to-school collaboration projects here, in particular if they involved tablets. And even if you are no etwinner yet, what do you think are the success factors for a school-to-school collaboration project?

I' ve never been involved in etwinning. As far as i can see there are many advantages in these projects.
1. Different cultures,
2. Different languages,
3. Different culliculumes,
4. Sharing thoughts, ideas, apps, knowledge and exports,
5. Communication,
6. Hints for a better results,
7. Progress assessment etc.

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-10 05:34:52 UTC

Assessment & Collaboration

After participating in the webinar or reading the case study report (link above), what other strategies have you used to assess group work? What are the main challenges for you when it comes to assessing group work?

1. Trying to help students to keep on track with advices, or help them stay in time
2. Keep in mind that the export is what we care most,
3. Avoid arguments between members of the same team,
4. Each day in and outside classroom keep in touch via tablets, so make assessment in 'real time'. Thinks could improve with advices by me or by an other member,
5. In each phase an opinion of a colleague (in or outside my school) could be critical, to get thinks more clear to me or pupils.
6. In every phase needs support from experts (to teacher and students) at practical, technical and structural problems that bring out

Vaggelis, Greece

sfakvag — 2015-05-10 05:44:11 UTC

Apps for collaborative learning

Share any apps for collaborative learning here.

Padlet
Edmodo
Google docs
TeamUp
Padlet
Facebook
LMS
Onenote
Skitch etc.

Vaggelis Sfakianakis

sfakvag — 2015-05-10 06:51:30 UTC

Preparing a lesson plan

My lesson plan (first attempt!)