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KidzVuz and the Technologies Curriculum
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KidzVuz and the Technologies Curriculum

Looking for a fun, innovative, and interactive way of introducing vlogging to the classroom?

Look no further!

Kidzvuz is a safe, carefully monitored site where students from ages 7-12 can Vlog on 🙂

Firstly,

What is this term ‘Vlog’?

A vlog is in fact, a Video Blog. 

As defined by Cambridge Dictionary:

[It is] “a record of your thoughts, opinions or experiences that you film and publish on the internet.“

So what is Kidzvuz?

Kidzvuz is a site that facilitates the skills and knowledge for vlogging. Students can use this site to watch, review and create their own vlogs to express their passions and ideas. KidzVuz heavily promotes their philosophy of “letting kids have their say.” Prior to being uploaded, every video and comment is reviewed and approved by the site administrator to ensure a safe, appropriate and positive online environment is kept.

A classroom activity for this resource:

Vlogging opens up many opportunities in the classroom for students to express their interests and opinions confidently through technology. The subject students decide to vlog about can be chosen by the educator or by the students and it can be done individually or collaboratively. In the year 3/4 band description, it is outlined that students need to “develop an understanding of why it is important to consider the feelings of their audiences and apply safe practices and social protocols agreed by the class that demonstrate respectful behaviour.” When introducing Kidzvuz to the classroom, these areas are great to cover and for students to understand the power of influence they can have in their vlogs.

How to use:

Students will need to primarily sign up with the educator/parental consent since this site is heavily supervised. This will then grant access for students to upload vlogs they have created in class to the site for teachers, parents and peers to view. Students can provide encouragement, question or provide constructive feedback to their peers (peer assessment) by commenting on others’ vlogs.

Additional Resources:

Although this may seem like a ‘kid only’ zone, don’t be deceived! There are many resources available for teachers and parents alike! There is a parent blog associated with the site here. In this section, educators and parents can share ideas, resources, advice etc.

The ‘Nitty Gritty’

In alignment with the Australian Technologies Curriculum:

Subject: Technologies

Year Level: 3/4

Strand: Digital Technologies

Sub-strand: Collecting, Managing and Analysing data

Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems. (ACTDIP009)

Link to resource:

https://www.kidzvuz.com/

Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities:

  • Literacy (LIT)
  • Numeracy (NUM)
  • Communication Technology (ICT Capability)
  • Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)

Links to other learning areas:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
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More than your Standard Bug – Bee Bot

Bee Bot

Video Support:

 

Bee Bot is an exciting an enjoyable digital technologies resource. It engages students in simple coding and equips them with the basic computing programming skills to attend to the early stages of the Digital curriculum. The Bee Bot resource provides multiple opportunities for cross curricular integration with the abilities to consolidate skills such as positional language, sequencing, and basic algorithms within your digital technologies teachings. Students engage with a Robot Bee and program it to move and rotate various times. Students can create simple coding algorithms before building on these skills to develop more complex algorithms.   I integrate Bee Bot to assist in teaching mapping skills, in particular positional language and grid references as you can engage students to manipulate the Bee Bot a certain amount of spaces in any direction to arrive at a particular reference.   Bee Bot supports the development of fine motor skills and also provide audio/visual support for student who may require this. There are many complementary resources that can accompany the Bee Bot resources including placement mats and tactile extension/ support command cards. Bee Bot also has an accompanying iPad application that allows students to transfer their knowledge of simple coding commands from the concrete physical, to the abstract digital.

For more Information on the Bee Bot resource, visit the website at: https://www.bee-bot.us/

An Example of a curriculum link to support this resources is :

Year 3

Process and Production Skills.
DIGITAL IMPLEMENTATION

Use visually represented sequenced steps (algorithms), including steps with decisions made by the user (branching) (ACTDIP011)

 

 

Twilight Seminar for Teachers – Technologies Curriculum and Coding in Schools
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Twilight Seminar for Teachers – Technologies Curriculum and Coding in Schools

We had an excellent group of teachers and school leaders for our twilight seminar on the technologies curriculum and coding in schools on the 11 and 15 February 2016. Both nights were fully booked with over 500 teachers attending these events.  I shared my research on the use of technologies in schools and a range of ways to introduce coding and computational thinking.

I was supported by an amazing team of colleagues Ian, Travis, Lauren, Mandy and Karen. A huge thank you to the presenters who flew in from Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne to present at these two events. We had representatives from local ,state and national organisations to provide support for our teachers in WA.

Click here to download the slides from the event: Twilight Coding feb 2016

Dr Jenny Lane presenting her research on technologies in schools

Dr Jenny Lane presenting her research on technologies in schools

Thanks to ECAWA, Digital Careers, CodoDojo, Young ICT Explorers and West Australian Curriculum and Standards Authority for supporting us in this event. We are able to share some great opportunities available to teachers and schools as they introduce the technologies curriculum and the exciting field of coding in their schools.

practical-arduino-coverTynkerscratch2.0Blue-Bot

 

 

 

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Class Dojo

Resource:

Class Dojo

https://www.classdojo.com/

Description:

Class Dojo is a fantastic research that can be used by students, teachers, and parents.  Not only is it simple and safe to use but it is also an extremely effective classroom management tool that I have seen used during my professional practicum experience.  Class Dojo can not only be used to encourage students in the class room but it also allows teachers to communicate with parents and keep them updated on what is going on in the classroom.

Class Dojo is free an can be accessed online or by downloading the IOS or Android app.  Parents can sign up by providing their child’s teacher with their email or phone number so they can be sent an invitation.  This allows the teacher to share updates, messages and photos with parents and keep them in the loop.

This program can be used as a rewards system by awarding ‘positive points’ to students for good behaviour.  During my first prac the whole school used Class Dojo as a rewards system.  It was on the interactive whiteboard in each room with the students taking charge and using it themselves.

The instant message function is particularly effective in getting in contact with parents and updating them without delay.  Students can also share photos of what they have been doing in the classroom by uploading these to their Class Dojo page.

It has some additional helpful features such as attendance, a timer, and graphs of positive and negative points that were distributed to keep track of how the class has been going over the year.

Students can log in at home and change their avatar and look at their details whilst parents can log in and look at reports showing how the students are going.

How Class Dojo can be used in the classroom:

This video is a great one to watch as an introduction to Class Dojo and how it can be employed in the classroom.

This tutorial is great to inform you how to set up Class Dojo for a new class.

Year Level: F-10

Whilst Class Dojo is something that can be used across all year levels, I have found it to be particularly effective in lower primary.

Subject:

Technology

Strand:

Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Identify and explore a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007)

Class Dojo can also be linked to other learning areas such as:

  • Literacy (using the program itself requires students to use literacy skills)
  • Mathematics (students can used the Class Dojo data in mathematical problems etc.)
  • Information and Communication Technology (being able to navigate the website etc.)
  • Critical and Creative Thinking (Students can create their own profile character on the page)
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ABC Splash

Resource:

ABC Splash

http://splash.abc.net.au/

Description:

ABC Splash is a fantastic digital education resource for both students and teachers.  This website is free and it provides the user with thousands of videos, games, and interactive tools that will help ignite interest and enthusiasm for the students.

It gives them the option to select their year level and type in what they want to know about and then it brings up all the appropriate videos etc. that the students can use to learn.  Once you click on the video link you are provided with an overview of the topic and video as well as things to think about when watching the video.  There is also a handy tab for teachers that includes all the curriculum links that the video relates to.

There is a STEM section of the website that focuses on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics section that provides information on many digital technologies such as coding and robotics.

This website is super user friendly as it also gives the option to search by subject and year levels, meaning as a teacher we can easily find the resources to assist us in teaching the desired outcomes to our students.

The games section of the website provides students with a tactile learning experience allowing them to enrich their knowledge.

http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/games

How ABC Splash can be used in the classroom:

ABC Splash has its own YouTube channel that can be used to further enhance the students learning and providing them with an additional digital resource to use for learning.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ABCSplashTV

This website can be used by the children when they are conducting their own research or it can be used by the teacher during lessons.

Students can also use the website to listen to podcasts such as this one.

Year Level: F-10

ABC Splash caters to students from Foundation Year to Year 10 giving students the chance to identify their year group and what they are searching for and providing them with the appropriate results.

Subject:

Technology

Strand:

Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

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

ABC Splash can be used to teach many learning areas such as:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • The Arts
  • Health and Physical Education
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BTN- Behind the News

Subject:  Digital technology

Year Level: 4-7

Strand: Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Sub-strand:  Implement simple digital solutions as visual programs with algorithms involving branching (decisions) and user input (ACTDIP011)

Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving branching, iteration (repetition), and user input (ACTDIP020)

Link to the resource: http://www.abc.net.au/btn/

Cross curricular priorities and general capabilities: 

  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures
  • Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
  • Sustainability
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and communication technology (ICT)
  • Personal and social capability
  • Ethical understanding
  • Inter-cultural understanding

Links to learning areas: English, Humanities, Society.

A classroom activity using this resource:

This resource is great for getting students to find out what is happening all around the world; there is a weekly news video posted pitched to the younger generation. This helps open students minds to the world around them, making them think and become aware of worldwide issues. Students can watch BTN as a whole class or individually, then answer and discuss the topics being raised.

BTN is on a variety of social media sites and therefore students can use these to discuss topics with others and find out further information. The website holds weekly polls where the results are shown in the next weeks addition, this gets students voicing their opinion safely on-line, as well as seeing the perspectives of others around the world. There is a weekly live Q&A session which students can also participate in, this would involve students searching the website and opening other links from the site in order to further their knowledge. If there is a particular topic students are interested in they can then do some research on-line and then share this information with the rest of the class.

This is an amazing resource to get students voicing their opinions in a variety of ways, and to gain interest in the news and the world around them.

How to use this resource:

  • Go the the website http://www.abc.net.au/btn/
  • Follow the links provided on the page
  • Explore and interact with a variety of interesting and engaging activities
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Spacial Genie – Geospatial analysis tool

Subject: Spacial Genie as a Geospatial analysis tool

Link to resource: http://www.spatialgenie.edu.au/spatialgenie/

Year level: F-10

Strand: Design and Technologies processes and production skills

Sub- strand: Planning, producing and evaluating designed solutions

Content descriptors:

Years F-2

  • 2.7 Use design ideas, materials, components, tools and equipment to play, plan, safely produce and evaluate designed solutions based on personal criteria for technologies contexts

Years 3-4

  • 4.7 Select materials, components, tools and equipment using safe and sustainable work practices to produce and evaluate designed solutions based on identified criteria for success for technologies contexts

Years 4-5

  • 6.8 Develop project plans, manage production processes and procedures when safely using a variety of technologies, materials, systems, tools, equipment and techniques when producing and evaluating designed solutions for technologies contexts

Years 5-6

  • 6.8 Develop project plans, manage production processes and procedures when safely using a variety of technologies, materials, systems, tools, equipment and techniques when producing and evaluating designed solutions for technologies contexts

Years 7-8

  • 8.9 Competently and safely use a broad range of materials, components,  tools and techniques when designing, and project managing production of sustainable designed solutions for technologies contexts and evaluating using identified criteria for success

Years 9-10

  • 10.6 Work flexibly to safely test, select, justify and use appropriate technologies to design, produce and evaluate designed solutions using identified criteria for success and suggesting improvements to design processes

General capabilities:

  • Geography
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Ethnic Understanding
  • Personal and social capability

Cross- Curriculum

  • Asia and Australia’s engagement in Asia
  • Sustainability
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures

Elaboration to using the technology:

SpatialGenie is a resource that can be used to geospatial analysis related tasks. Using the tool, the teacher and students are able to view, manipulate and research data related to geological information, history, statistics and other such related information. The website allows the teacher to select what information/ format of data that is to be looked at and/or depicted on the world map. The toolbar option contains links and toggles to select between views and screens which allows for layers and additional facts/ statistics about the World including national cities, landmass, population/ vegetation density, hazard data, and history of natural disasters. Using live data from surveys the resource remains up to date and relevant. The resource is a free tool and only requires one to register as a log in.

 

 

SPACTIALGENIESPATIAL 2SPATIAL GENIE

 

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Fact Monster – Google for Kids

Name: Fact Monster

Link: http://www.factmonster.com/

Description: Fact Monster is a website run by the Family Education Network. From the website you can choose a subject to explore including sports, entertainment, geography, history, biography, education and health. It is designed like a search engine for kids and contains an encyclopaedia, games, quizzes and research tools.

fact monster

Subject: Technology

Strand:  Digital Technology, Knowledge and Understanding

Year Level:   F – 7

Cross Curricular Priorities: Sustainability

General Capabilities:

  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
    • Applying social and ethical protocols and practices when using ICT
    • Investigating with ICT
    • Creating with ICT
    • Communicating with ICT
  • Creative and Critical Thinking
    • Inquiring – identifying, exploring and organising information and ideas
    • Generating ideas, possibilities and actions
    • Reflecting on thinking and processes
    • Analysing, synthesising and evaluating reasoning and procedures

Links to Other Learning Areas:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • The Arts
  • Health and Physical Education
  • ICT

 

How this is useful:

Fact Monster is useful as it allows students to explore the web without stumbling across anything they shouldn’t see. It is a website which is monitored and has information that is explained in simple terms. In the classroom I would allow my students to browse Fact Monster rather than Google to limit the time wasting and potential procrastination.

 

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Asia Education Technologies

Subject: Asia Education Technologies

Link to resource: http://www.asiaeducation.edu.au/curriculum/technologies

Year Level: F-10

Strand: Design and Technologies knowledge and understanding

Sub-strand: Food and fibre production  and Food technologies

Content descriptors:
F-2 :

  • 2.3 Investigate sustainable systems of care for plants and animals that are grown, raised and processed for food, clothing and shelter for an identified purpose

Years 3-4:

  • 4.3 Recognise the contribution food and fibre production and food technologies make to modern and traditional societies

Years 5-6:

  • 6.3 Recognise that sustainable resource management is essential in food and fibre production
  • 6.5 Investigate how food preparation techniques can be selected and used to design and produce nutritious food

Years 7- 8:

  • 8.4 Explain how food and fibre is produced in dynamic and interactive systems
  • 8.6 Incorporate principles of food processing, preparation and presentation in designing solutions for healthy eating

General capabilities:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and communication technology capability
  • Personal and social capability
  • Ethnic understanding
  • Intercultural understanding

Cross curriculum proprieties:

  • Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia
  • Sustainability

Links to other learning areas:

  • English
  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • Geography
  • Health and Physical Education
  • The Arts

Elaboration to using technology:

The use of the Asia Education Foundation (AEF) Website is to provide technologies resources aligned with the Australian Curriculum in relation to Asia and Australia’s involvement with Asia. This website is organised in a way that the individual is able to search and filter topics/ information through the search engine tool on the main homepage. Individuals can filter based on subject area, year level and country to find specific topic. Once search has been conducted, the page shows links to external websites and resources based on given subject. Links include videos (i.e. YouTube), recordings, statistic websites, voice recordings and other interactive websites such as Scootle, ABC Splash, The Australian Curriculum and a range of other related websites pertaining related information, resources and tools.

 

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