Karmen's learning diary for Creative use of Tablets in Schools by Karmen

I think that today's generations should be prepared for future to come based on using ICT in everyday life. Teaching and learning by using tablets makes us more independent, creative, makes us explore and convert data into informationsin in less time.The progress of integrating tablets in schools in Croatia is in early fase, still depending on donations and sponsoring. Shortage of quality education is also presented so it depends on us, innovative teachers to make changes.

simor — 2015-04-14 16:07:34 UTC

The progress of integrating tablets in schools should start with education, both teachers and students; what do they offer, why tablets should be used, how should we use them and finally the results should be evaluated. I decided to start this course, Creative use of Tablets in Schools, to find the answers to questions above.

simor — 2015-04-14 16:15:02 UTC

This should be motivating! The result of Introduction quiz. :-)

simor — 2015-04-14 16:38:25 UTC

simor — 2015-04-14 16:41:20 UTC

1.1. How to explain the need for tablets in learnin process?; pro and cons

simor — 2015-04-15 08:09:55 UTC

Using tablets in teaching would provide:
a) lifelong investment considering that modern technologies are rapidly taking part in our lives,
b) lowered expences for notebooks and books that is useful for eco awareness and us being part of eco-schools,
c) e-diaries,
d) students would become a subject of learning process instead object of learning process (more independent, would explore more and convert data into information in less time etc.),
e) changing the approach focused on content to approach focused on a individual,
f) collaboration with other schools in Croatia and worldwide through various projects,
g) development of entrepreneurial skills,
h) introducing students with different ways of lifelong learning.

In my school tablets are not used, yet, but some of us hope to use them pretty soon. That depends on donations and sponsoring beacuse ministry of science and education is taking baby steps to do the changes in that field. Also equipment can be provided applicating throw projects of EU fund an their partners.

Cons do not exist- tablets are welcome!!

1.3.Tablets in school - what I need to know

simor — 2015-04-16 10:47:58 UTC

As I already mentioned in Facebook status in Creative Classroom Lab,the main priority is to teach both, teachers and students, the purpose and ways of using tablets . The other very important fact, as Diana Bannister mentioned, is forming a team of experts (or future experts :-) ) in school as a core of the whole process. They would spread theit knowledge to the others. What I am interested is who enables courses for quality education for teachers? In my country agencies do not offer that kind of education. We are obligated to look for that outside our homeland. As I started...

1.4.Tablets in classroom - what I need to know

simor — 2015-04-16 12:01:14 UTC

The most challenging will be to create individulas who will use tablets for learning and not for playing, who will explore and become independent. I think that changing the way of learning will motivate them enough.
Also a problem could be that everyone wouldn't respect the rules (refering to my collegues) .
This videos really thought me and enlightened me!! Thank you!

App for teaching : Edmodo

simor — 2015-04-17 16:10:07 UTC

I haven't used Edmodo neither nay other application since I'm not using tablets. Hope to use it soon for better collaboration, research, examing, discussing and achieving all learning goals in virtual environment.

1. module done successfully

simor — 2015-04-17 16:12:08 UTC

simor — 2015-04-17 16:16:16 UTC

2. Using tablets for content creation - Learning scenarios

simor — 2015-04-22 11:06:26 UTC

Film scenario comes to my mind...:-) Me as a main actress... but I think that it takes a lot to make a good learning scenario.

Generally there are two types of courses. Some are all about pushing information out to the learners, others focus on changing behavior and performance. Both have their roles in the world of elearning.

Interactive scenarios help students practice and apply our content. They also help assess the learner’s understanding. By creating an immersive learning environment, students can explore and make decisions based on the information we want to share.

2.2. Content creation

simor — 2015-04-22 12:01:42 UTC

A good example , for me, would be cretaing content for a unit Symmetries. Till now I used cameras for making photos of monuments that are symmetric or have symmetric details. Students explored the informations about the monument, learning about historycal and cultural contest, drew simmetry lines and made a .PPT presentation or a video. All can be done with tablets and apps in the future, I hope.

2. module done successfully

simor — 2015-04-25 10:08:28 UTC

3.1. Introduction to collaborative learning

simor — 2015-04-29 09:53:41 UTC

Group work should be used often because students learn do collaborate, listen, respect each others ideas, value their work and disseminate what they have learned between themselves. I always form heterogeneous groups considering their knowledge and determine a leader of a group who evaluates others work, gives roles to others... Achievements are not set too high so everyone can participate and feel secure (also depending on educational unit that is selected for group work). The final evaluation is formed by leader's mark and presentation of individual work, in front of the class. That is a good practice for future presentations, raising self-esteem.

Challenges of Collaborative Work

simor — 2015-04-29 09:58:36 UTC

Students' tasks and individual asignments do not give them a lot to fool around because the time is limited, in all, and for each part of their work. They know that it will be evaluated so they do their best. I always 'take care' of the ones who boycott, either they will work in a group or choose to work alone. I don't use tablets so the probability of 'getting lost' is lower!

3.3 Success factors of School-to-school collaboration

simor — 2015-04-29 10:00:25 UTC

Each school should have a leader-coordinator of a project, headmaster who supports their collegues and technical support for every activity. Project team is always formed of those individuals who are motivated for expanding their horizonts, experiences and collaboration with other school, Nations and countries. I am a beginner in eTwinning but looking foward to new challenges!

3. module done successfully

simor — 2015-04-29 11:01:50 UTC

4.1. Learning styles of my students

simor — 2015-05-04 14:43:19 UTC

I'm teaching from 5th - 8th class in elemantary school. So, when children come to senior classes we always have a meeting where we exchange informations about the students. That is a data for me which needs to be taken in observation and analizys threw some period of time. After half of the year passed data becomes an information for me and the others after I've been introduced with an individual, his possibilities, skills and learning aproaches. It is not an easy job for us because it takes time to see all that is hidden in each one of them. Often, some of them go undetected...Inicially they get tested for their mathematical knowledge and skills. Those who have special needs involve me even more because it takes time to find a way to their learning preferences. I decided to create a project called ,,Development of learning to learn competences'' so I chould change a paradygm Student-an object of learnin porcess to Student - a subjest of learning process.

Competences of a student

simor — 2015-05-04 15:04:07 UTC

4.2. Personalising learning with tablets

simor — 2015-05-04 15:18:59 UTC

I wish my students and I have tablets but we don't. Also as I started exploring, some of the apps have a Windows version but the problem is that I have no access to the Internet in my classroom yet... The students seem to have more confidence achieve on their own, they explore more and develop their skills. The example that comes to my mind is to record lessons that students then watch on theirtablets, allowing students to learn at their own. This includes stopping and re-watching portions of the videos – things students can’t do in live lessons. The students then practice the skill they’ve learned and later prove they understand the material with an online assessment they must pass before moving to the next lesson. This technique allows students who need more time to have it and allows students who can move faster to spend more time on math enrichment activities. This way I can spend more time working one-on-one with students. This example is applicable for unit in geometry- points, lines and planes.

4.4. Flipping the classroom

simor — 2015-05-06 09:55:37 UTC

I have never tried this model because I haven't learned about it. But the shortage of equipment, at school and students' home is a reason why this method will wait for some time more. But definitely great model, worth of trying.

4.5. Challenges of the Flipped Classroom

simor — 2015-05-06 13:18:32 UTC

This way of flipping is totally acceptable for some units beacuse I' m teaching math, too. The problem would be with those students with special needs. After each unit students would have to do their ''homework'' before proceeding to the next unit. Quizes, excercizes or discussions would also be obligatory.

4.8.My lesson plan

simor — 2015-05-09 09:06:48 UTC

First time using Learning Designer, a great challenge, I am proud of making new steps in personal development. Here's short link bellow

http://v.gd/QLOd86

Mathematical_origami.pps

simor — 2015-05-09 09:37:32 UTC

Presentation prepared for a lesson plan but in stead I will use GoAnimate video which I discovered and made a trial version!

simor — 2015-05-09 09:40:52 UTC

GoAnimate first video

simor — 2015-05-09 11:01:27 UTC