ICT Tools
1. Kahoot
Description: A quiz platform which delivers and presents questions. It allows students to play individually or in groups. The questions are on the communal board, and then the shapes and colour buttons which the students can pick answers on their device. Students gain points as the game goes on and at the end there is a leader board.
Links: https://kahoot.it/
Pros: - engaging for students, there are colours, music and competition.
- great for revision as it tests what the students know and the gaps in their knowledge.
- great for teachers, as they are able to see what they should teach more.
cons:
- cheating can occur
- some students don't like competitive
- students have freedom on their names, hence can be inappropriate
- if a student gets a question wrong, there is no explanation provided.
Use in classroom: Kahoot can be used as a revision before tests or assessments, allowing the teacher to re-teach anything the students aren't sure of. It can also be used to test the prior knowledge before starting a topic.
Link to ICT models: Kahoot relates to the SAMR model because it substitutes pen and paper. On the augmentation level Kahoot gives immediate feedback and they can be customised to suit what the students have just learnt.
2. QR code generator
Description: QR code is a barcode which holds a link to information. The generator makes codes.
Links: https://www.qrstuff.com
Pros:
- print them off and send to home to parents, hence parents can connect on the websites
- quick and easy to get the information
Cons:
- students aren't held accountable
- QR codes sometimes only have a few hits
Use in classroom: These can be used in the classroom for things such as a QR treasure hunt. They are also a great way for students to research and use the internet to find information as the teacher can choose the sites, hence less room for inappropriate behaviour on IT devices.
Link to ICT models: QR generator links to the SAMR model as it allows teachers to use a simpler and easier way for students to access websites or other resources. It also allows a redefinition as new learning experiences are available, such as scavenger hunts, virtual field trips.
3. Answer garden
Description: Answer garden is a minimalistic feedback tool, which students can anonymously put in answers to a question. It then creates a type of word map
Links: https://answergarden.ch/
Pros:
- Easy to use - it is a simple tool to create and for people to use
- Fast response - can display and see answers quickly
- Anonymity - can support more honest feedback
Cons:
- Anonymity - can also be seen as a con as the teacher is unable to see who writes what - hence can't assess students individually,
- Word limit - in case students want to write more, they can't.
- Unable to customise the font, etc.
Use in the classroom:
It is great to use in the classroom as a prior knowledge quiz, it is also really great for testing what the students have learnt. It is also great to find the gaps in the knowledge before tests or exams.
Link to ICT models: Answer garden relates to the SAMR model as it allows teachers instead of doing a brainstorm when students need to put their hand up, etc., the students are able to just write what they think and want to share immediately on their device. It also modifies lessons as they can become more collaborative, due to the students being able to come up with answers as a whole class.
4. Word cloud
Description: Word Cloud is a great app which the user is able to put all different words in for example adjectives to describe something. All these words then get put into a collage with some words larger and some smaller.
Links: https://monkeylearn.com/word-cloud/
Pros:
- Easy to use - it is a simple tool to use as students are able to put words straight in.
- Visually pleasing to the eye as they can be colourful and words can be larger or bigger
- Easy to share - can be printed, shared online. They are easy to put up in the classroom.
Cons:
- Can only put in single words, no sentences therefore its not beneficial for students to understand.
- Only a display app - not for gaining information
Use in the classroom:
This can be used in the classroom for get to know you activities, for example students could put things in their life or about them which are important to them, creating a collage of them. This could also be used for testing students knowledge, or finding their prior knowledge.
Link to ICT models: Word cloud links to the SAMR model as it replaces traditional ways of brainstorms. On a modification front it allows a redesign of learning tasks as students can have more interaction and collaboration with peers as they can work more collaboratively.
5. Seesaw
Description: Seesaw is a platform which students are able to upload their work to a group which their teacher and parents are on. It is beneficial as parents can see what students are doing. Teachers are able to provide feedback and use the work students upload for assessment.
Links: https://app.seesaw.me/#/login
Pros:
- Parent involvement - allows parents to be involved in what students are doing at school.
- Assessment - teachers are able to assess students as they have a record of student work and they are able to access it from anywhere.
- Collaboration - students are able to see other students work, give kudos and comment on their peers work.
Cons:
- Due to students having access to other students work this can lead students bullying other students, commenting negative comments on their peers posts.
- Some students and parents may not have easy access to technology at home - leads to a divide in classes.
Use in the classroom:
It is beneficial to classrooms as students can create a digitial record of all their work they have done in certain subjects. For example they might upload all their english work - including iMovies, typed worked, etc. to Seesaw.
Link to ICT models: Seesaw links to the SAMR models as it allows students to showcase their work online and can get feedback digitally, versus paper based show casing of their work and written feedback. Augmentation is relevant as it allows students to make their feedback experience more beneficial as teachers can like and comment on their posts.
6. Popplet
Description: Popplet is a great tool for brainstorms. Users are able to create brainstorms with clear links and information which is related to each other.
Links: https://www.popplet.com/
Pros:
- Visually easy to read and use - everything is laid out in a clear format.
- Collaborative - students can all contribute to the same Popplet at the same time, hence it can be accessed by many people at once.
Cons:
- Costs - there is a free option of the app however it doesn't have many of the features as the paid version.
- Popplets are hard to save as when exported to an image, the image can be blurry.
Use in the classroom:
Popplets are good for students to display their knowledge of a topic, or prior knowledge. They are also great for revision before tests or exams. As they can be accessed by many students at once it can create a collaborative brainstorm.
Link to ICT models: Popplet links to the SAMR model because it replaces a pen and paper brainstorming practice. On the augmentation in enhances brainstorming as you can add lots of different features, such as images, text sizes, text fonts.
7. Pic-collage
Description: Pic-collage is an app which students can create poster like pieces. They are able to use a range of backgrounds, fonts, size of words, add pictures and drawings.
Links: https://piccollage.com/
Pros:
- simple and easy to use - students can navigate the app easily and they are able to make their collages individual and unique.
- Students are able to add in pictures which they don't have to go onto the internet to find, they can find them straight through the app.
- Easy to share - the collages are easy to share to different platforms. It is also easy to save to camera roll, then they can share this easily onto Seesaw, or a platform to share with a teacher.
Cons:
- Advertisements - teachers have to make sure no inappropriate ads are shown on students Pic-collage apps.
- Requires wifi for the image and stickers features
Use in the classroom:
Great for students to display their knowledge they have learnt in a lesson. It is also great if the teacher wants to display the work around the classroom as students can make their work look visually pleasing. It is also great as a revision tool. Students can display their knowledge which they know before a assessment, then the teacher can identify the gaps in the students knowledge.
Link to ICT models: Pic-collage links to the SAMR model because it modifies tasks, hence instead of creating collages or posters they can create a poster using many different fonts, easy access to photos from the internet. It also links to redefinition, as it allows new and innovative multimedia projects.
8. Chatterpix
Description: Chatterpix is an app which users can add a moving mouth with talking to a still image. Users can create a character using different hair styles, eyebrows, mouths, clothes, facial shapes and expressions. These characters can then be added to, to have a moving talking mouth.
Links: https://www.duckduckmoose.com/educational-iphone-itouch-apps-for-kids/chatterpix/
Pros:
- simple and easy to use as it is easily stepped out to create your character then add the talking mouth.
- Students are able to show their creativity as they can create their own individual, unique character.
- Sharing options - easy to share and add to collages, websites, Popplets, etc.
Cons:
- When recording the voice, you can only do one take hence students have to say everything they want to in one recording.
- Timing - students may get distracted and take too long on creating their character.
Use in the classroom:
Chatterpix can be used in the classroom to create a story time or a persona of a book they are reading. It could be used for students to use their imagination and create themselves at a character. It is also beneficial for language development, teachers can model language and students can watch what the teachers create. Students can then demonstrate their language and teachers are able to assess the students language.
Link to ICT models: Chatterpix links to the SAMR model as it enhances story telling experiences, as it allows students to create new and different characters. It redefines learning experiences as it allows recording voice and talking characters.
9. Canva
Description: Canva is an platform which users can create powerpoints, presentations, infographics, posters, etc. There are many tools such as backgrounds, colours, layouts, texts, etc.
Links:https://www.canva.com/
Pros:
- Simple and easy to use - can pick any type of thing to create.
- Variety of templates and elements.
- Collaborative - many people can contribute to the same presentations at once.
Cons:
- Export/ share options are limited
- Free options are limited, need the payed version for more options.
Use in the classroom:
Canva can be used in the classroom as students can create presentations to present to the class and they can great infographics of topics learnt to summarise their learning.
Link to ICT models: SAMR links to Canva as it substitutes hand written or powerpoint presentations. It offers many elements which make it more innovative, as it create illustrations, photos, icons, different types of presentations. This leads to a redefinition phase as it allows different learning opportunities to occur.
10. Google forms
Description: Google forms is an online quiz or form which users can create and send to people to get feedback or see knowledge of students.
Links: https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/
Pros:
- Simple and easy to navigate - anyone can use it with ease, no need for special technology uses.
- Real time response - the provider of the form gets the responses immediately
- Easy accessibility - anyone can access on any device.
Cons:
- Limited design options
- To create the form the user needs to have a google account.
Use in the classroom:
Quiz the students knowledge, find the gaps in their knowledge. Get to know you activities - teachers can ask questions on what students like and dislikes.
Link to ICT models: Google forms relates to the SAMR model as it modifies the way in which students may learn, as they can fill out forms which then can be used a formative assessment for the teacher to see how the students are going but also the students to see how they are themselves going.