e-Tools

Behaviour / e-Tools / Teaching — 2 Comments
2
Sep 11

ClassDojo

ClassDojo works by setting up real-time feedback loops in the classroom, to recognise and reinforce desirable behaviours and values. Real-time visual notifications appear via the tool which can also be updated from a smartphone running the same page. Mobile of sorts…

ClassDojo automatically generates analytics, shareable character report cards. What I really liked was the ability to monitor behaviour over time and the developers call for more ideas… not being too shy I added a few to an email. PS – requires a plugin for IE.

 

Behaviour Management

 

I have a passion for game mechanics in education. In fact I would be fair to say, I am always looking for ways to make school FLUN – Fun-learning.

I have a couple of ideas for you….

1. Groups of +ive and –ive – for discussions, for class work, for group work, for independent study, for presentations – as well as day to day lessons.

2. I would like to be able to weight the behaviours – so that some behaviours were worth more points than others. I would like to be able to offer 2 points for the behaviours that I believe would construct the best learning environment

3. Randomness – I am a big fan of randomness – it keeps us on our toes – I would love to be able to ask Dojo to pick a student a random. Currently I use an app for that. Teacherpick (but you have it all there in the dojo).

4. I would like the change to roll dice, dice with rewards and dice with consequences, again I currently use an app for that. Make dice.

5. Timers are good

6. Unlocking levels is very good

7. Lead learners, I would love to be able to leave a marker / gold star for a student, so when we started the next class I could remind her/him just how well they did last lesson.

8. Improved – can dojo recognise uncharacteristic behaviour, eg a student who is negative 4 lessons in a row but then get a positive? Could I get a nudge?

9 Add a warning icon

Looking forward to seeing the dojo develop.

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Popularity: 16% [?]

Digital Learning / e-Tools — No Comments
14
Jul 11

VisualBee

Now, I would have preferred to have tested VisualBee before I recommended it, but I have seen too many poor classroom Powerpoints to think that VB would not improve at least a fair few. So what is VB? Well, it is a pimp my PowerPoint Add-in tool. Simply, complete the Powerpoint text and VisualBee goes to work to automatically match appropriate images, graphics and design with the option to add the finishing touches.

BUT – that is still not the point of this post. With more and more automated tools and plugins like Visual Bee and more creative tools like Prezi, isn’t it about time we teach our students how to select the best tool, rather than trudging through ‘About Me’ presentations.

As for staff presentations, save time and get buzzzy with Visual Bee.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Digital Learning / e-Tools — No Comments
4
Jun 11

Register today for one of our Fun, Free days at Microsoft

from Microsoft UK Schools blog:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ukschools/archive/2011/06/01/register-today-for-one-of-our-fun-free-days-at-microsoft.aspx

A very learning led showcase highlighting free software. Perhaps more educator than technician focused.

Popularity: 5% [?]

e-Tools — No Comments
22
May 11

IFTTT If This Then That

Anyone working in a ‘connected’ fashion will appreciate what IFTTT offers. Its cross pollination for ‘connected’ educators, blogger, social media enthusiasts and more….

If that…. then this. IFT…. TT – get it. Like we need another acronym. TGFT!

ifttOn the very plus side it is beautifully designed, very easy to use and I am confident there will be more ‘channels’ or services to come when IFTTT moves out of BETA. That said, even now, it is an all round, very nifty service.

As my WordPress blog, Google Reader, Twitter, Youtube and Delicious accounts are my main professional development tools, having the opportunity to ‘mash ‘em up’ and cross pollinate is fantastic. Although I did chuckle at Dan Stuckes experiment….

using the Weather channel to email Mrs Stucke every time it rains in Manchester hasn’t amused her on this wet May weekend!!

Request a BETA invite from IFTTT or leave a comment.

Just for the record, posting this to WordPress has autoposted a tweet but note that there are current 9 channels and already 109 actions.

Just a point to consider… if you are already using push notifications, or autoposting, be sure you do not create a auto-posting loop or overload. For example, I really like the daily digest autopost from Delicious to WordPress, but its one IFTTT might take on. 

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Popularity: 14% [?]

#Fail / #Success / e-Tools / Teaching — No Comments
18
Apr 11

Hold the Press

I was just about to bring my SLS project search to an end for today when I found Karaokeparty. Its an online, scoring, battleing, recording Karaoke platform. The basic account is FREE and powered by ads but there is also a subscription service. What do you want to sing? Also means, what do lyrics do you needs to read to improve your score.

Kparty

The things I do for teaching…. I annihilated ‘More than Words’ only to then butcher Katy Perry’s ‘Firework.’ and then managed a mere 4508 points, a lowly 475th TODAY for Bruno Mars ‘Just the Way You Are.’ C’on, there were only 10,318 better attempts this month!

The website is easy to access and comes with all the features you would expect from a modern social network. Given the Karaoke spin, you have the chance to battles other singers, record your own tracks and of course measure your performance statistics. I wonder if this is my route into reading using Same Language Subtitles?

Maybe…. just maybe we can host a party using their Partmode to celebrate the students reading improvements?

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Popularity: 11% [?]

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