Thursday, July 4, 2013

1:1 iPads in Teacher Education - preparing teachers for tomorrow

Presented June 25 at ISTE 2013 in San Antonio TX 

Tim Pelton, tpelton@uvic.ca                       Leslee Francis Pelton, lfrancis@uvic.ca


Introduction
This poster examines the experiences of one instructor working within a pilot program where iPads are being introduced into a teacher education program.  This program was initiated because we see iPads proliferating in homes and schools, and we perceive that iPads are highly suitable for classroom use.  Specifically:

  • The touch interface is more direct and concrete than previous generations of computers.  Its appealing and intuitive interface supports student engagement.
  • The operating system (iOS) and apps are low threshold and low friction - they are easy to master and adopt (Pelton & Francis Pelton, 2008).
  • iOS is sandboxed – even if an app fails, everything else still works.
  • iOS devices are ubiquitous. Many instructors and students are already familiar with these devices and apps in other contexts.
  • There are almost a million apps available, and, even though only a very small percentage of the apps available might be judged to be educationally sound, a small percentage of a large number is still worthwhile – we just need to identify and share what works!
  • Apps and course resources can be easily linked to, or distributed, via a website, blog, class Moodle or email.
  • The costs associated with purchasing an iPad can be at least partially mitigated by adopting course texts that are free or less expensive.



6 Ways iPads can be used to Support Student Learning

  • Acquisition of Information – e.g., textbooks, websites, wikis, videos, etc.
  • Exploration of interactive learning objects - discover relationships, shared learning
  • Consolidation of processes - build mastery and fluency
  • Demonstration of mastery and skills - capture a performance
  • Construction of interactive objects - share representations, problem solving
  • Creation of conceptual vignettes - share understandings, communicate with others



Goals and Expectations

  • Align theory and practice - Pre-service teachers are most engaged when they can see the connection between the theory and tools they are being taught and the practical application of such – from motivational theories, to constructivism and problem based learning.
  • Teacher educators should be role models - Pre-service teachers need to experience the appropriate use of technology as students in order to fairly evaluate the potential of these tools. We want to provide multiple opportunities and situations for students to see and use iPads in authentic ways as students.  This will support their technological and pedagogical content knowledge.
  • Collaborative learning with technology scaffolding - Encourage students to work collaboratively to develop resources, lessons and assessment strategies in a challenging but still low-stress environment.  Encourage and support appropriate integration of technology by students.
  • Systemic change - As faculty and students are dive into this new paradigm together – it is a shared learning experience.  Authentically mastering a set of tools (iPads and Apps) that are readily available will shift the focus from ‘finding ways to teach with technology’ to ‘teaching in a world with transparent technology’.



Some Recommended Apps used in our Math Class (a small subset):

  • 
MathTappers(free) - Seven different exploration and consolidation apps created by the authors
  • ExplainEverything ($2.99) - Create visual manipulatives (teachers and students) and create video vignettes/animations (teachers and students)
  • BackgroundEraser for iPad Mini ($0.99) - Trim unnecessary background for use in animations
  • Paper(Free + in app purchases) - An excellent intuitive drawing app



Initial Observations

  • Paperless classroom (facilitated by a class Moodle) provided enhanced quality, access and use of classroom resources, while simultaneously providing students with resources to carry away. 
  • Annotation tools support focused exploration of resources (zoom, highlight, annotate).
  • Access to video content improved. Very low threshold means video can be part of the flow.  Because it is easy to scrub/search/review content there is less learned helplessness.
  • Creation of sharable resources and video exemplars is supported.  By leading the students through the process, skills and confidence are built.
  • The ever-present camera can be used as a tool to support sharing of resources (i.e., documents and artifacts) and student processes or products. 
  • Airplay (with an Apple TV or an emulator) allows teachers and students to share examples, but a direct cable connection is more reliable (given wifi limitations).
  • Switching between multiple applications is easy – supporting the learning process.
  • Apps that worked well to support learning are used, apps that don’t are discarded.


Thursday, April 11, 2013

50th Anniversary Deans' Lecture Series
Spring 2013 Legacy Art Gallery Lecture: What's New in Education?
Wednesday, April 10: 7 to 8:30 pm, Legacy Gallery, 630 Yates Street
Tablets, ebooks and apps—what are they bringing to the classroom that isn't already there? How will these new tools help children learn? How can teachers, parents and others use them to support 21st century learning?
Speakers: Tim Pelton, PhD and Leslee Francis-Pelton, PhD and Chair, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, UVic.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

ISTE_SIGML Webinar - Explain Everything for Education


Students and Teachers Creating Learning Objects with

Explain Everything


Dr. Tim Pelton
Associate Professor
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
University of Victoria

ISTE – SIGML
Webinar
March 14, 7:00 pm EST


Introduction

Our abstract from our SITE 2013 Paper  (with Leslee Francis Pelton) entitled:

Using an iPad to Explain Everything by Creating Interactive Activities and Vignettes
 
Explain Everything is a fantastic app that has huge potential to support students and educators in the learning process. The Explain Everything App (and others like it) allows teachers and students to create projects such as interactive activities that can be used by others to explore concepts and processes.  As well, through its recording functions, it also allows teachers and students to generate and publish vignettes or video expositions of their understandings, and demonstrate proficiency in applying such knowledge to real situations.  Besides introducing the potential of Explain Everything, this paper presents an outline of a workshop to support others in exploring this tool in their schools and districts.

Note: I am one of the creators of the free MathTapper apps (www.mathtappers.com) - for iOS devices  (yes free - no ads or up-sells either).  I have no affiliation with any of the apps presented below.  They are just useful tools.






I teach Mathematics Education to Pre-service teachers so most of my examples will be mathematical – but hopefully it will illuminate the potential for an app like Explain Everything to generate learning objects in any area.  


Outline for Webinar:
  • Big Picture
  • Reviewing the Potential
  • Mastering the Tools






Big Picture


How can iPads (and Tablets generally) support education?
  • access to content (textbooks, websites, blogs, wikis, etc.); 
  • exploration of interactive content/activities – to discover relationships, to master concepts, etc.;
  • consolidation of processes within some context – to build mastery and fluency;
  • demonstration of mastery and skills - by capturing a performance;
  • creation of interactive activities to share understandings; and
  • creation of conceptual vignettes to support the learning of others.


What are Learning Objects?
  • a digital object that can be used to support learning
  • interactive spaces or linear presentations
  • stand-alone activities, demonstrations, observations, etc. – or collections of such
  • purpose created or collected and repurposed
  • easy to share
  • created by educators to support learning or by learners to demonstrate mastery
  • may be augmented with supporting content and search terms
  • e.g., learning objectives, teacher guides, assessments and other information

 

Who is going to create them and why?
  • instructional designers – to illuminate concepts and processes
  • educators – to support their classroom learning process
  • students – to demonstrate understanding
  • students – to educate younger students
  • parents – to share their understanding
  • scientists, authors, etc. – to share their discoveries/creations/ideas







Reviewing the Potential of Explain Everything


Interactive objects to support exploration and consolidation

Project files can be created, retrieved, exported, imported, shared by email and by websites.  They end in ".xpl"

E.g., 1
Canadian coins:  This EE project presents Primary and Intermediate level learners with an activity where they can manipulate images of coins (high fidelity) and record the process as they demonstrate proficiency in recognition, counting change, making change, explaining relationships, etc..


Video using the EE coins project 




E.g., 2
Fraction Strips:
Students can use images of various fraction strips to explore such concepts as equivalent fractions and comparative size of fractions.

Download project file:


Video using the EE fraction strips project: 






E.g.,  3
Multiplying Fractions: 
By creating a collection of fraction regions  (1/2. 1/3, ¼. 1/5) and then generating a set of the possible fractions that might be represented – in horizontal and vertical orientations - we can manipulate these to examine the potential meaning of fraction multiplication, and use that model to support the development of an understanding of the nature of the traditional process.

Download the project file:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/147x7pnld2er51z/rect-mult-fractions.xpl


Video using the fraction multiplication project





Grant underway to encourage the development of more Explain Everything Learning Projects - both Teacher and Student generated








Animations/vignettes to support student understanding through demonstration

  • How tall is a tree?


  • Sum of fractions 

  • Trip to Grandma’s house


  • Volume/capacity of a box   












Mastering the Tools:  Quick overview of some useful apps


Paper 53  (free +)
  • Nice interface – e.g., Sketchbooks
  • Tools: eraser, pen, watercolor and others + rewind (bi-directional)
  • Free for fountain pen, some additional cost for additional features
  • Export by screen capture
  • No zoom
  • www.fiftythree.com/


Background Eraser for iPad Mini ($0.99)
  • iPhone app also works – and scales up well.
  • Easy to use

1.    Import images
2.    Crop
3.    Erase background (adjust threshold and feathering)
4.    Export (PNG or jpg)  - note that the background looks black on ‘Photos’ app

iMovie ($4.99)
  • Nice interface – Easy to use
  • Everything on your iPad – no need for external devices
  • Can take audio from external mic
  • Import movies and improve audio, add background, etc.
  • www.apple.com/ca/apps/imovie/


Photos (free)
  • photo managing app for iOS


Explain everything ($2.99)
  • Create slideshows
  • Screen casting with animation
  • Effective set of tools
  • Each slide can be recorded independently
  • Newest version supports editing within a slide
  • External (mac based) compressor available for $15
  • www.explaineverything.com





Guided practice


Choose a simple example that supports the exploration of all of the tools and share it with the participants. E.g., Angles in a triangle

Use the problem solving process to complete

Understand the problem: 
What needs to happen for this learning object to be effective?
  • Clear voice and diagrams
  • Accurate information
  • Short (very important!)
  • Visually appealing


Make a plan: 
E.g., create a storyboard with Paper 53.


Carry out the plan
Using Paper 53:  Sketch a triangle
  • Moderately careful sketch
  • Angles are distinct (recognize that they will have to be inverted)
  • Color in, and trim with eraser
  • Screen capture (hold down power button – then tap on home button)
  • Now in Photos – with white background



Using Background Eraser: Trim off the background so that it can be manipulated
  • Load image 
  • Crop
  • Erase background
  • Export as PNG file
  • Now in Photos – with transparent background  (shows as black)






Using Explain Everything:

Make first slide – title page
  • Choose template (color of background and text)
  • Text “The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°”
  • Audio overlay after ‘The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°’


Make second slide – One triangle turns into three copies
  • Import image from photos – three copies of the triangle – stacked
  • Audio overlay ‘to demonstrate this … 3 copies’
  • Simultaneously move the 3 copies apart
  • Duplicate slide


Make third slide – with the two outside copies rotated and brought together 
  • Rotate the two outside triangles 180° (without recording animation)
  • Audio overlay ‘rotate two of the triangles… bring them adjacent…”
  • Simultaneously move triangles adjacent to the middle triangle
  • Then draw a arc showing 180°
  • Duplicate slide


Make Fourth slide
  • Zoom in on central triangle
  • Audio overlay ‘To sum up…’
  • Simultaneously use laser pointer tool to highlight angles
  • Export project as video
  • Save it into Photos





Add finishing touches in iMovie        
  • Add audio track overlay (music – quiet)
  • Export to YouTube account







Questions?