Assignment Title:  Gliffy/Mind Mapping

Uses in the Classroom:   Gliffy has great potential to be used as a way for students to creatively organize stored knowledge and apply it in a practical way.  The Gliffy would provide an avenue for students to analyze what they have learned, determine how the information is connected, and personalize how the information will be displayed.  For teachers, a Gliffy would provide a tool for evaluation of students' understanding of content.  The teacher would need to be specific with objectives and expectations through a rubric and the student would be allowed creative movement.

Issues to Consider:  The types of computers and systems being used to create a Gliffy needs to be considered.  I had to save my work after each change unknowing if my computer would freeze up.  For whatever reason, running Gliffy on my computer caused the internet to freeze and Gliffy to stop working.  Also, scaffolding of the program would definitely need to be considered for classroom use.  It has similar workings as other word processing programs, but to ensure students are spending their work time actually on the assigned topic Gliffy (and not learning the program), scaffolding that learning will help. 

Copyright:  www.gliffy.com was used to crate this mindmap.  Other websites used to gather information include http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etta_James, http://www.biography.com/people/etta-james-9542558.

  

Assignment Title:  Animation

Uses in the Classroom:  A simple animation would be a great addition to a classroom website for a blended learning environment that incorporates technology.  These simple gif animations would add a dynamic appearance to the classroom website and help associate certain items as 'of importance'.  A simple animation like the one below would improve the learning experience by directly guiding the students to specific areas on the website.  For example, a teacher may post a specific assignment that results in the final project for a unit.  The assignment is completed in steps throughout the unit as concepts are built upon one another.  The below animation would be placed in specific locations within the assignments to specifically point out which part the student needs to accomplish on a specific day.  It would also provide a 'pinpoint' as the project (and lesson) are progressed through.  Using an animation in this way would, hopefully, help to minimize confusion and increase comprehension of what is expected of the students on a daily basis for the unit's project.     

Issues to Consider:  If an animation  is used to help direct students to specific places on the website and specific lessons that need to be completed on certain days, it may be an issue if there certain students do not have website access at home.  If that is the case, this type of online guided learning would not be effective.

Copyright:  This animation was created using Photoshop CS6

Assignment Title:  Infographic

Uses in the Classroom:  Infographics have the potential to create engaging conglomerates of information that connect main concepts for a lesson.  Teachers can develop downloadable images for students to use for concept review.  Students can create images that display his or her mastery of concepts. 

Issues to Consider:  If the teacher is considering using an Infographic for a student created project, the teacher would need to scaffold the development/creation of them.  Basic ideas of design principles, adapted for age appropriateness, would help the students create Infographics that show their knowledge mastery in a visually appeasing way.  Discussions of appropriate images, concise writing, and color themes could support that as well.

About the Below Image:  The below image could be used in an adult learning setting for educators who want to incorporate technology into the classroom with a Blended Learning approach.  It would summarize three ways to begin integrating technology, without overloading the reader with information.  The Infographic also establishes some goals to consider with the three new Blended Learning technologies.  

Copyright:  This Infographic was created using Easel.ly


easel.ly

Assignment Title:  Instructional Video


Uses in the Classroom:  Instructional Videos are very versatile.  They can be created using a variety of programs and incorporated into the classroom in a variety of ways.  You could use simple whiteboard programs or applications, such as Educreations.  Or, you could use more complicated integrations with iMovie.  Either format will provide a means to instruct your students on a specific topic.  Voice over can narrate historical images that relate to a timeline or the steps taken in a math problem to solve and acquire the answer.  Still images, movies, and 'drawings in motion' can help add to the complexity of an Instructional Video.  It's important to be concise with your words, keep the objectives in mind while speaking, and map out how the video will progress throughout your time sequence. 

Issues to Consider: Students can create instructional videos to demonstrate their understanding of a specific concept.  If in a 1-1 environment and using tablets, such as the iPad, be sure to allow enough explore time with the selected application.  Start with classroom mini-projects that allow guided practice time incorporating the concepts with the tablet application.  Ensuring each student feels confident with the device and application will avoid the student having to spend time learning the application, while also having to create the assignment. 

The video below is intended for grades 2 through 4, depending on the level of mathematics the student is working on.  It would be an extension of math fact practice or applied to a beginning study of multiplication algorithms. 

Copyright:  This video was created using the iPad application Educreations.