The secret life of things

The secret life of things is a great resource for educators to use when teaching sustainability.

There is a terrific video that suggests the perspectives of ‘things’ that we use on a daily basis in and around the home. It has engaging animations that portray the daily situations everyday items find themselves in such as clothing, vegetables and appliances to suit the learning level of students between years 1 and 4 (most suited for years 3 and 4 in regards to curriculum links).

On the website there is a video to support the other resources provided on the website in regards to teaching students about sustainability and what choices and actions can be made to assist in creating a sustainable environment.

Even though it is a teacher focussed resource , it also has resources available for students to use independently and further their learning on the topic of sustainability.

Curriculum Links:
This resource relates to the Design and Technologies area of the Technologies learning area within the Australian Curriculum. This resource links in nicely with the Technologies and society area of the curriculum for year 3 and 4: Recognise the role of people in design and technologies occupations and explore factors, including sustainability that impact on the design of products, services and environments to meet (community needs, ACTDEK010).

Resource Link: The secret life of things

Categories; Design and Technologies; Generating, developing and evaluating ideas; Planning, poducing and evaluating designed solutions; Technology and society; Year 3-4

 

Communicating through Padlet

Year Level: 1+

Strand: Digital technologies

Sub Strand: Processes and Production Skills

Content Descriptor:

Year 1-2: Collect, explore and sort data, and use digital systems to present the data creatively (ACTDIP003)

Year 3-4: Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems (ACTDIP009)

Link to Resource: https://padlet.com

Cross Curricular Links: Literacy, Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology capability, Personal and Social capability, Critical and Creative Thinking.

Links to other Learning Areas: This website/app can be applied to many different learning areas. For example posting questions in correspondence to a history lesson or numeracy lesson.

Classroom Activity: Using Padlet in the classroom can be done in a number of different ways. You can be using Padlet to communicate information to parents by sharing video clips and links to web pages we have been viewing in the classroom, by consistently updating the information on the homepage each week about what we are doing in the classroom for different learning areas and to also post questions for the students to answer in their own time at home (or at school if the internet is not accessible) to develop deeper thinking and ideas in certain learning areas. Padelt can be used for informal assessment when asking questions- students will post their questions on a page you have created.

Some ideas for getting started with padlet-

  • Create a KIDS HUB/ KIDS ZONE this is where you can ask questions and students can respond or post their own questions
  • Create a PARENT WALL this is the place for parents to communicate with you (the teacher)
  • Ensure that you are consistent with sharing information as this will keep the parents interested and willing to help their child use Padlet (especially in junior primary)
  • Be sure to check all posts before approving them

How to use this resource: Padlet can be beneficial for those parents who unfortunately cannot make it into the classroom, however this is also a place for students to use technology in a fun but still educational manner. Ensuring that you are posting questions frequently for students to answer will maintain their engagement in using technology to communicate and express their knowledge. Not only is this webpage/app exposing students to technology, at the same time it is keeping parents informed about student learning. This program can be used both on computers and iPads/tablets.

Tellagami for Junior Primary

Year Level: 1-2

Strand: Digital Technologies

Sub Strand: Knowledge and Understanding

Content Descriptor: Identify, use and explore digital systems (hardware and software components) for a purpose (ACTDIK001)

Strand: Digital Technologies

Sub Strand: Processes and Production Skills

Content Descriptor: Collect, explore and sort data, and use digital systems to present the data creatively (ACTDIP003)

Link to Resource: https://tellagami.com

General Capabilities: Literacy, Numeracy, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Critical and Creative Thinking.

Classroom Activity: Students have been researching Dinosaurs during multiple learning areas. They are acting palaeontologists to conduct a report on a chosen Dinosaur. Students conduct a plan and 3 chosen points to share about their Dinosaur. Following their planning students begin to create their Tellagami, individualise their “gami” and take a picture of something relating to this topic to use as the background. Using their plans students begin to share their knowledge about their chosen Dinosaur in a spoken report.

Links to other Learning Areas: Literacy- report writing.

How to use this resource: This resource can be used throughout different year levels. However, I would be using this in junior primary as the video is limited to 30 seconds. This app can be beneficial for students who lack social skills and are not comfortable presenting in front of the class. Additionally, in regards to a summative assessment task this app can be used for students whose writing skills are still developing so they can express their knowledge fairly. To use this app you create an avatar called a “gami”, you can change their clothing and appearance to look like yourself or a character of your choice. Using this resource you can take a picture on your tablet to use as the background, encouraging students to explore the use of a tablet. Once designing your “gami” and setting the background students record their voice and what they want to say.

 

iBrainstorm

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Resource name: iBrainstorm

About resource:

iBrainstorm is a free educational tool which can be used in the process of planning and developing designed solutions within the classroom. iBrainstorm allows students to collaboratively plan through the use of the iBrainstorm Companion application, which allows up to four other people to contribute to the brainstorm and design process using separate devices. The ability for multi-device collaboration allows all group members to be engaged in the process of brainstorming and the development of project plans. Students have the ability to draw and write on the background of iBrainstorm. Students can add post-it-notes and categorise ideas. As it is a gesture-based application, students can easily share their notes at the swipe of a finger. It is a simple tool that could be easily implemented in the early stages of a design process. This tool is only available as an iPad application.

This resource is supported by the Victorian Department of Education iPads for Learning website and is one of many educational resources listed.

Subject: Design and Technologies

Year level: 5-6

 Strand: Design and Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Sub-Strand: Collaborating and Managing – Develop project plans that include consideration of resources when making designed solutions individually and collaboratively (ACTDEP028). (Australian Curriculum, 2015).

Link to resource:

The application can be downloaded from the Itunes store: https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/ibrainstorm/id382252825?mt=8

http://www.universalmind.com/portfolio/ibrainstorm/

General Capabilities: The general capabilities that are expected and developed through the use of this tool could include; Literacy (LIT), Numeracy (NUM), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Critical and Creative thinking (CCT) and Personal and Social Capability (PSC).

Cross-curriculum Priorities: All cross-curriculum priorities could be addressed and developed through the use of this tool.

Links to other learning areas: This resource could be easily linked to all learning areas including English and Maths, depending on the intended aim.

The below learning activity is linked directly to the Design and Technologies curriculum – Develop project plans that include consideration of resources when making designed solutions individually and collaboratively (ACTDEP028). (Australian Curriculum, 2015).

A classroom activity using this resource:

I would use this application to assist students to collaboratively brainstorm, plan and design a water saving product (or any other product), outlining the planning and production steps needed to produce this product using digital technologies. iBrainstorm would be used in the initial design process to allow group members to collaboratively plan, design and outline the steps, process and materials in order to develop their product. This tool would allow students to analysis, adapt and create the design, allowing the final design to be shared. After designing, students would then commence the construction and development of their designed solution.

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How to use this resource:

  • To begin using this resource access to the Internet/Wifi is required to download the application. Simply click on the application icon to launch iBrainstorm.
  • You use your finger as a pen to make notes, draw, or scribble down whatever you want on the screen. To erase any portion of what has been drawn, just tap the eraser button at the top of the screen, and your finger switches from marker to an eraser.
  • Select the ‘+’ sign and a colourful post-it note presents on the screen ready to capture your first idea. If you tap or hold down a finger on a post-it note, a keyboard appears, allowing you to type on that note.
  • Simply hold and drag the iBrainstorm post-it note to match and link ideas.
  • To change the background, push the ‘i’ button  in the right corner and select from a range of graphic organisers and diagrams.
  • Using iBrainstorm Companion, you can write suggestions on an electronic post-it note; you then flick that note upward off screen to make it appear on the original iPad version of iBrainstorm. The student using the iPad can then move and connect new ideas as required, therefore storing all group member’s ideas in the one place.
  • To share work, simply tap on the top left corner and select people to invite, or share using AirDrop.

References:

Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA). (2015). The Australian curriculum: Design and technologies. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/design-and-technologies/curriculum/f-10?layout=1#level5-6

Universal Minds [Online images]. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.universalmind.com/portfolio/ibrainstorm/

Design a Vegie patch for the school

Subject: Design and Technologies

Year: 5-6

Strand: Design and Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Link to Resource: http://www.homelife.com.au/gardening/how+to+grow/

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities:
Science, English, Mathematics

Background Information:

Home life website is a great resource as it is Australian based and gives students a good idea of how to plant and grow different types of vegetables. This gives students accountability when looking after vegetables that they grow.

Navigation of website:

Website is very helpful and gives a lot of information on how to grow vegetables and how to maintain a successful veggie patch.

Design a wheelchair friendly home using Splash

Subject: Design and Technology

Year: F-6

Strand: Design and technology – Design and Technologies Knowledge and Understanding and Design and Technologies Processes and Production

Links to ACARA:

Foundation: Identify how people design and produce familiar products, services and environments and consider sustainability to meet personal and local community needs

Year 1: Identify how people design and produce familiar products, services and environments and consider sustainability to meet personal and local community needs

Year 2: Identify how people design and produce familiar products, services and environments and consider sustainability to meet personal and local community needs

Link to Resource: http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/media/1662194/

Background Information: Designing a wheelchair friendly home give students the understanding that not everyone is the same. It also students to develop an understanding that houses need to cater for everyone, not just people that can walk. It give students the opportunity for them to think outside the box and think about needs of others that require special assistance doing everyday tasks around and outside of the home.

Navigation of website:
Splash for kids is very easy to use. It provides relevant, kid friendly information without using confusing language. Students will be able to watch videos on how people in wheelchairs use their homes in similar, yet different ways to themselves.

iDesign an App

Let the creative thinker in your students shine with this lesson! Each student has to "develop" their own “app”--give it a name, describe what it does, etc.--and then create a logo. Students draw their app logo onto a post-it-note, and add them to the large (21” x 28”) classroom iPad poster! **Great for Bulletin Boards**

 

Digital technologies in the classroom can be extremely interactive and engaging for the 21st century child. In today’s classroom it is our job as future teachers to inspire the children to think innovatively and creatively in all aspects of technology. There are an increasingly amount of resources available to assist teachers and one of these resources is Pinterest.

This resource can be modified and used for a range of ages. iDesign an App is one of the resources that caught my eye when scrolling through this website. This resource is a fun and creative way for students to think about what app’s they would design and what it would be used for. This project ensures students to draft an app of their choosing and write about what their app would include. For older students they might research what apps are on the market and how their apps could benefit children in today’s society.

The link to this wonderful resource is below:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/iDesign-an-App-1417254

In the Australian curriculum in directly links to these strands:

Digital Technologies-

 

Technology Resource – Keynote

Name: Keynote App

Description: Keynote is an app for Apple iPads and Apple Mac that is the equivalent of Microsoft PowerPoint that you can find on PC’s. The app assists you in creating and producing presentations that can be used for a variety of tasks.

Video: Below you will find a YouTube video that takes you through a step-by-step tutorial on how to use Keynote on iPads (as schools are more likely to have iPads).

Curriculum Link: 

***Please note that the curriculum links below are those that would fit every task using this app and more links to the Australian Technologies Curriculum may be made depending on the topic of the presentation (for example – if doing a presentation on Mathematics, the collecting, managing and analysing data Sub-Strand may be relevant.***

Year Level/Bands: K-2, 3-4 & 5-6

Subject: Design and Technologies

Strand: Processes and Production Skills

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Evaluating

  • Use personal preferences to evaluate the success of design ideas, processes and solutions including their care for environment (ACTDEP008)

  • Evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions based on criteria for success developed with guidance and including care for the environment (ACTDEP017)

  • Negotiate criteria for success that include consideration of sustainability to evaluate design ideas, processes and solutions (ACTDEP027)

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Collaborating and Managing

  • Sequence steps for making designed solutions and working collaboratively (ACTDEP009)

  • Plan a sequence of production steps when making designed solutions individually and collaboratively (ACTDEP018)

  • Develop project plans that include consideration of resources when making designed solutions individually and collaboratively (ACTDEP028)

Subject: Digital Technologies

Strand: Knowledge and Understanding

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Digital Systems

  • Identify, use and explore digital systems (hardware and software components) for a purpose (ACTDIK001)

  • Explore and use a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007)

  • Investigate the main components of common digital systems, their basic functions and interactions, and how such digital systems may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Collaborating and Managing

  • Work with others to create and organise ideas and information using information systems, and share these with known people in safe online environments (ACTDIP006)

  • Work with others to plan the creation and communication of ideas and information safely, applying agreed ethical and social protocols (ACTDIP013)

  • Manage the creation and communication of ideas and information including online collaborative projects, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)

Cross Curricular Priorities: Using the Keynote app can allow for links to each of the Cross Curricular Priorities. This will depend on what topic the students are given to create a presentation on.

General Capabilities: I believe that the Keynote app can link with all of the General Capabilities in the Australian Curriculum depending on the topic of the presentation. In saying this, any presentation using this app will link with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability.

Links to Other Learning Areas: Using the Keynote app to create a presentation can link with almost all other learning areas depending on the topic. A significant link will always be with the English learning area, as it requires students to create a range of texts (including Digital Media texts) across a range of year levels. Further information on this can be found in the Australian English Curriculum.

Intended Use of this Resource:

This app could be used in a range of learning experiences across all primary school age groups, though will be used to a different extent depending on the year level. For example, Kindergarten to Year 2 students may choose to add more photos, rather than text.

Teachers can pose their students with a topic (this is a good opportunity for a link with other learning areas) and ask them to make a presentation on that topic, that they can present to the rest of the class. The presentations could be informative or could even be persuasive. (An example may be for students to create a presentation on a hobby of their choice and persuade others to take up that hobby)

References:

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2015). Australian Technologies Curriculum Design and Technologies Scope and Sequence, from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/rationale

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2015). Australian Technologies Curriculum Digital Technologies Scope and Sequence, from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/rationale

iCopilot. (2013, 2, 4). Keynote iPad App Tutorial. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9z1EcJXhN4

Geoboard by Numberkiz

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Subject:     Mathematics/ Digital Technologies (depending on the context in which you are seeking to teach)

Year Level: Years 3/4

Strand:

  • Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding,
  • Measurement and Geometry

Link to resource: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geoboard-by-numberkiz/id902906755?mt=8

Cross curriculum priorities and general capabilities: Literacy / ICT Competence

Links to other learning areas: Mathematics

A classroom activity using this resource:
This activity could be used as a plenary, to consolidate learning within a lesson that has encompassed geometry, or measurement. This resource gives students a visual of taught concepts. This activity can only be used for classrooms that have access to iPads. Students can be asked to create pictures of a certain measurement. They can also be asked to create symmetrical pictures, to consolidate their learning from a lesson about symmetry.

How to start using this resource:
The school ICT coordinator will be required to download the application onto the school iPads. The app after this will then be accessible for the students to use. The teacher will then be required to give the students a short presentation on how to navigate the application, and the activities that they are required to complete.

Stop Motion App

Name: Stop Motion App

This app can be found on the App Store on Apple Devices and on the Play Store on Android Devices.

Description: This app will allow students of all ages to create simple or complex “Stop Motion” videos. Stop Motion videos are created using a range of images that can be taken using device cameras. Using the app, videos created can be rendered and then shared online or between people in an easy manner.

Video: Below you will find a YouTube video that will provide you with a tutorial through the Stop Motion App to assist in using it to create stop motion videos.

Curriculum Link: 

Year Level/Bands: K-2, 3-4 & 5-6

Subject: Design and Technologies

Strand: Processes and Production Skills

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Critiquing, exploring and investigating

  • 2.5 Explore and investigate needs or opportunities for designing and the resources required to realise designed solutions.

  • 4.5 Critique, explore, investigate needs or opportunities for designing and test and evaluate a variety of technologies, materials, systems, tools and techniques to produce designed solutions.

  • 6.6 Critique, explore and investigate needs or opportunities for designing and analyse and select appropriate materials, components, tools and processes to achieve intended designed solutions.

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Generating, developing and evaluating ideas

  • 2.6 Visualise, generate, develop, evaluate and communicate design ideas through a range of media including digital technologies.

  • 4.6 Generate, develop, evaluate, communicate and document design ideas and design decisions using both manual and digital technologies.

  • 6.7 Generate, develop, evaluate, communicate and document design ideas and processes for a range of audiences, using some relevant technical terminology.

Subject: Digital Technologies

Strand: Processes and Production Skills

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Using digital systems

  • 2.4 Identify, explore, and use digital systems (hardware and software components) for personal and classroom needs.

  • 4.4 Use a range of digital systems and peripherals for diverse purposes, and transmit different types of data.

Sub-Strand & Content Descriptor(s): Creating and interacting online

  • 2.6 Work with others to organise and create ideas and information in the form of text, images and audio using information systems and share these with known people in safe online environments.
  • 4.7 Manage the creation, sharing and exchange of information with known audiences and apply agreed social protocols to protect people when communicating online.
  • 6.8 Use a range of communication tools and agreed social protocols when collaborating on projects and creating, communicating and sharing ideas and information online.

Cross Curricular Priorities: Using this app can have links to each of the Cross Curricular Priorities, depending on the topic or theme set for the video by the teacher.

General Capabilities: I believe that this app could also link with each of the General Capabilities in the Australian Curriculum depending on the topic or theme of the video set. No matter what the topic or theme, this app will link with the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Capability and Critical and Creative Thinking.

Links to Other Learning Areas: The topic or theme of the video set for students to create using this app will have a significant relevance to the links with other learning areas. The biggest link with other learning areas will be with English, as you are required to create a range of texts (including Digital Media texts) across a range of year levels. Further information on this can be found in the Australian English Curriculum.

Intended Use of this Resource:

This app could be used in a range of learning experiences across all primary school age groups.

If teachers pose their students with a topic or theme for the students to base their video on, the students can use their creativity and imagination to establish their ideas for a stop motion video. This can be done individually (if there are enough devices) or in groups, which will also require them to work as a team.

Prior to sending the students to work on their stop motion videos, it would be beneficial to explain the app to the students (the video above could be shown also) to ensure that the students will make best use of their time given to work on their video.

This app can be used in a range of ways, it just depends on how the teacher wishes to do so.

Picture of Stop Motion App

Stop Motion App being used

References:

Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2013). Draft Australian Technologies Curriculum, from http://www.acara.edu.au/curriculum/learning_areas/technologies.html.

Gach, A. M. (2015, 2, 10). Stop-Motion App Tutorial. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_M468S86HI