Mindmap

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Present Ideas in 1, 2, 3 with PREZI!

Subject:

Design Technologies

Year Level:

Recommended use for upper primary, however activity is for year 5.

Strand:

Knowledge and Understanding

Sub-Strand:

Technologies and Society

Content Descriptors:

How people address competing considerations when designing products, services and environments (ACTDEK019)

Links to other learning areas:

Digital Technologies – communicating ideas collaboratively online, applying agreed protocols.

Humanities and Social Sciences – exploring why people work in groups to achieve their aims.

General Capabilities:

Literacy – developed through the presentation of the finished product.

Information and Communication Technology – developed through its use to access, create and communicate ideas in a solution based and collaborative manner.

Critical and Creative Thinking – developed through the generation and evaluation of ideas during the mind map creating process.

About the Resource:

Prezi is an extremely engaging and entertaining way to deliver presentations and ideas through mind maps. Its effectiveness can be attributed to the ability to create and deliver ideas throughout the world – including your classroom today! The fourth stage of the design process is experimentation, and this is exactly what this app allows. Ideas can be built virtually, while still remaining visually appealing and so incredibly simple! One of its many perks is that students can work on the same presentation simultaneously, via different log-ins. This means that students can work on their delegated tasks and then allow their peers access to their ideas – inviting feedback and growth of ideas. This app allows students to experiment and evaluate their ideas together, working towards a more desirable future.

Cost: FREE! As long as the school has internet access and a public setting is used.

Classroom Activity:

Objective – students will work in groups to create a mind map on Prezi, which they will present to their peers. The mind map will be exploring environmental campaigns and components that have contributed to its success.

Tips & Tricks – Provide the students with one of the many examples provided by Prezi of a mind map. – Make sure students are aware of how to navigate Prezi first! – A follow up activity could include a mind map of a campaign designed by the students, utilizing their knowledge of successful components to create it.

Link to Resource:

https://prezi.com/signup/public/

References:

https://prezi.com/signup/public/

Popplet – A Tool for All
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Popplet – A Tool for All

1

Year Level:

2 – 7

Subject:

Digital Technologies


Strands and Sub-strands:

F-2:

Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Recognise and explore digital systems (hardware and software components) for a purpose (ACTDIK001)

Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

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

Follow, describe and represent a sequence of steps and decisions (algorithms) needed to solve simple problems (ACTDIP004)

Explore how people safely use common information systems to meet information, communication and recreation needs (ACTDIP005)

Create and organise ideas and information using information systems independently and with others, and share these with known people in safe online environments (ACTDIP006)


3-4:

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)

Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)

Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

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

Plan, create and communicate ideas and information independently and with others, applying agreed ethical and social protocols (ACTDIP013)

5-6:

Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Examine the main components of common digital systems and how they may connect together to form networks to transmit data (ACTDIK014)

Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Acquire, store and validate different types of data, and use a range of software to interpret and visualise data to create information (ACTDIP016)

Plan, create and communicate ideas and information, including collaboratively online, applying agreed ethical, social and technical protocols (ACTDIP022)


Cross-curricular Priorities:

Popplet has so much flexibility that it can be used and link to all the cross-curricular priorities.

Sustainability – No paper allowed. Popplet is a program that allows you to access, mark and share students work without any paper use!

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures – Brainstorms and story mapping.

Asia and Australia’s Engagement with Asia – brainstorms and mind mapping

 

General Capabilities and Links to other learning areas:

Numeracy

Literacy

ICT

Critical and creative thinking

Description (What is it?):

Popplet is a website/app that allows you to make multimedia graphic organisers. It can be used by a wide variety of ages (from year 2 up to adults) for numerous topics and reasons. Because this recourse is so ‘open’ it is a perfect tool that can be used in any subject for multiple reasons. Popplet is a recourse that can be accessed in the classroom and at home, as long as the students have a computer and internet access.

Popplet allows students to think and learn visually. They can add facts, images and thoughts into one or many ideas and see how they all connect to create a relationship. Once students have completed their Popplets they are able to be uploaded and shared with the class/teacher and parents.

Why it is exciting:

Popplet is exciting for the following reasons.

  • It is a FREE App – This app will cost you and your school nothing. However, there are paid versions (with extra features) available.
  • The students can layout their ideas however they wish – Students are in control of the ‘style’ and design of their project, they can even draw their own images!
  • Popplet allows students to add all sorts of media into it – You can upload images, maps, videos, drawings and music.
  • This App demonstrates students thinking – Each time a student adds a bubble, they are mapping out their thoughts and ideas.
  • Popplet can be used as an app or on a computer – Easy to access.
  • Can be used with any topic or subject – A great way to show and develop students thinking.
  • You can create a classroom Popplet and add each student into the creating – Students word is all labelled with their names.

 popplet

How to Use:

Once the website and App has been opened.

1) Click on ‘Make a new Popplet’ – You can add your name, change the background colour and ‘make it so’ (click to start creating) – Only for Web users.

2) To start off double click anywhere on the screen – this will open a Popple (bubble). It will automatically prompt you to label the Popple.

3) Once your Popple is opened and labelled you can start creating – Click the buttons at the bottom of the Popple to add media, change colours, change font, and draw in your Popple. For a more detailed explanation of the buttons, please watch the video below.

IMG_2934

4) Click on the Popple to drag and place it anywhere on the screen you would like.

5) Click on the grey circles around your first Popple to add a new ‘connected’ Popple – this will automatically add a connecting line between the two Popples.

IMG_2935

6) Follow steps ‘2-5’ to create a whole Popplet.

7) To save your Popplet, click the toggle image in the top left side of the screen. This will open up a settings menu, where you click ‘export’ to save the Popplet as a ‘PDF or Ipeg’.

Please note, to change the size of your Popples, used the arrows around the outside of the Popple itself.
Would you like to see this in action? Click Here.

 

Classroom Activity:

Popplet can be used in many different ways. Here are a few ways you can use it in the classroom!

  • Brainstorms
  • Mind Mapping
  • Story boards
  • Word webs
  • Presentations
  • Note taking

 

How to Access:

You can access Popplet on any apple device or from your computer.

To access the app follow this link:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/popplet-lite/id364738549?mt=8

IMG_2931

To access the Website follow this link:

https://popplet.com/

 

Link to Resource:

https://popplet.com/

 

References:

Australian curriculum [ACARA]. (2016) Technologies

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Popplet

Popplet

Popplet

What is Popplet?

You can use Popplet on an iPad or the computer to allow students to organise and capture their ideas in a visual and systematic way. Popplet was a great app to use during my teaching in a Primary setting. This app can be used as a way to assess students (diagnostic, formative or summative assessment). I found that using this app throughout a learning sequence was very beneficial to the students as they could continually add their ideas and see relationships between concepts learnt. This encouraged computational thinking as students could continually organise their ideas in a logical way which assisted in learning and problem solving skills for different topics.

Enjoy watching this tutorial on how to use Popplet! 🙂

Subject: Digital Technologies (or most other learning areas)

Year level: Years 4 – 6

Curriculum Links/Content Descriptors:

Year 4 – 

  • Different types of data, and the same data, can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)
  • Collect and present different types of data for a specific purpose using software (ACTDIP009)
  • Use simple visual programming environments that include a sequence of steps (algorithm) involving decisions made by the user (branching) (ACTDIP011)

Year 5 –

  • Collect, store and present different types of data for a specific purpose using software (ACTDIP016)
  • Design, follow and represent diagrammatically, a simple sequence of steps (algorithm), involving branching (decisions) and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)

Year 6 –

  • Collect, sort, interpret and visually present different types of data using software to manipulate data for a range of purposes (ACTDIP016)
  • Design, follow and represent diagrammatically, a simple sequence of steps (algorithm), involving branching (decisions) and iteration (repetition) (ACTDIP019)

General Capabilities:

  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • ICT capability
  • Critical and Creative Thinking

Links to other learning areas:

  • English
  • Maths
  • HASS
  • The Arts
  • Science
  • Health and Physical Education

Resource Website:

http://www.popplet.com/

Brain Pop

brainpop

‘BrainPop’ (https://educators.brainpop.com/)can be used within a classroom or at home utilizing mobile devices or PC’s.
Brainpop engages students through animated movies, games, quizzes, concept maps and actives. They also include BrainPop ESL for students whose speak English as a second language.

BrainPop has a variety of free resources to try, however if you would like to gain more from this site, you will have to subscribe and pay a fee. I have only used the free videos and quizzes within my classroom and feel they fulfill what is required to direct my students with their learning.

As BrainPop is mostly American, it does not relate to all of Australia’s Educational or ACARA’s needs. You have to decide at the time if the information or learning activity suites your students’ needs within the classroom.

BrainPop can be used for individual, group or whole class learning, the site has an interesting Science and Math’s section, which can relate to the Australian curriculum.

I find the videos content interesting and direct, demonstrating relevant information for a particular subject. I even discovered free information for ‘blogging’ https://www.brainpop.com/english/writing/blogs/, which could help us teachers understand what weblogs are and why they are needed in today’s busy world.

BrainPop incorporates most learning areas:

  • English
  • maths
  • science
  • art
  • health
  • engineering
  • technology.
  • BrainPop uses interesting characters within their  videos that can introduce new topics and break down complex ideas. BrainPop Educators can help with lesson planning, video tutorials and organizers. It also has its own blog, so you can obtain more educative material and information using educator workshops  to keep on top of all the new advances in technology.

Tours:

Educator tour: https://educators.brainpop.com/video/brainpop-educators-tour/

Brainpop junior tour:https://educators.brainpop.com/video/brainpop-jr-screencast/

ESL tour: https://esl.brainpop.com/support/tour/

 

 

Brainpop. (2016). BrainPOP. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from https://www.brainpop.com/

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Popplet, the best app for visual ideas.

Popplet is an app designed for iPad, iPhone and Mac. The app is downloadable from http://www.popplet.com/ for free or $4.99.
With Popplet you can think and learn visually. It is a straight forward organizational tool to create relationships and connect ideas in mind maps. The more students engage with the learning material, the more they will retain it. Popplet offers finger touch technology to engage and inspire students from Foundation to year 12.

Reflecting this tool against the SAMR Model

Popplet serves as substitution of paper and pen. This is the lowest level of incorporating ICT in the classroom (Oxnevad, 2007). Popplet does not have editing features such as spellcheck. But depending on the assignment or task, Popplet can offer higher levels of digital technology skills applications.

Curriculum links:

  • Digital Technology
  • Knowledge and understanding -Digital systems – Representation of data
  • Processes and production skills – Collecting, managing and analyzing data –
  • Digital implementation
  • Literacy
  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capability

General capability
Critical and creative thinking

Use in the classroom
Popplet has very simple gestures and allows students to focus on the content rather that the interface. It is easy to operate and ideal for very young students (Graphite.org, 2016). Foundation year levels can use the program to investigate and experiment with letters and words. Older year groups will use Popplet to make sense of new knowledge through mind mapping. The finished product can be reflected on the IWB to share.
REFERENCES
Graphite.org, (2016). Popplet. [online] Available at: https://www.graphite.org/website/popplet#more [Accessed 11 Jan. 2016].

Oxnevad, S. (2007). The SAMR Ladder through the Lens of the 21st Century. [Blog] Getting Smart. Available at: http://gettingsmart.com/2013/07/the-samr-ladder-through-the-lens-of-21st-century-skills/ [Accessed 11 Jan. 2016].

 

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Popplet

Popplet Application (Web or Ipad)
popp2

Year level: 3 – 6

Strand: Digital Technology – Processes and Production Skills

Sub-Strand: Managing and Analysing Data

Collect and present different types of data for a specific purpose using software (ACTDIP009).

Retrieved from: http://k10outline.scsa.wa.edu.au/home/p-10-curriculum/curriculum-browser/technologies/digital-technologies2

Cross-Curricular Priorities and General Capabilities 

Sustainability, Literacy(LIT), Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, and Information andCommunication Technology (ICT)

Links to Other Learning Areas

English, Science, Health, History

What is Popplet? 

Popplet is online software tool that helps people create, generate, share, note and organise ideas into mind maps, brainstorms and other organisation formats. Popplet is available both of Ipad and on the web and allows you to create boards and access them from either device.

With Popplet you can create your own individual topic headings can be created and then selected on the opening page of your Popplet app. Within the topic selected you can create and/or find your organised data. Popplet allows you to organise thoughts, create, and draw information and share with others. Popplet allows you to upload any data (images, text) stored on your computer or device. Popplet gives you the option to post on social media websites, email your Popplet, export and save into files on your device like: dropbox, webdav, pdf, and/or put onto a blog website. Popplet is used by many, business, planner, food growers community advocates and educators in all to develop skills in organisation and think systematically and create solutions for the needs of our community and society.

In The Classroom

In the classroom and at home Popplet helps students to think visually by addressing to colour coding organisation and helping them see connections between ideas and concepts. students can share thoughts, facts and images to develop their understanding, share with others and create and build on understandings to create solutions. This Application is a great device for students to explore and present data, once your logged in via school account or personal account students can access old and new popplets that they have created whenever they need.

popplet2

How Does Popplet Work? 

Firstly you can find Popplet on the Apple store.

Downloaded the app (Internet access needed).

Sign up for an account.

Then you can login in and get started.

Watch a video to help you discover all the cool things you can get up to on Popplet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxLDsWHsQ1g

Have a go, and begin to shape your thoughts. 

 

 

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Lesson 1 – Bridge Construction

Screen Shot 2015-08-20 at 9.47.26 am

Task 3:

In society we often come across problems that we are required to find solutions to. In the past people were always discovering and experimenting with ideas and technologies to solve problems or make things easier. Society is still continually developing new ideas and technologies to come up with solutions, make things more efficient or to assist sustainability. This series of 5 sequential lessons, allows students the opportunity  to practise their problem solving skills and using their creativity to create designs and technologies. Students will focus on and investigate bridge construction. They are given the opportunity to investigate, plan, test, evaluate and re-construct bridges, while exploring purpose, material selection and design. Students will also look at people involved in the process and the impact on the community.

design process

Please follow the link to see my lesson 1 overview:

https://www.mindmeister.com/573589025

Mindmap: Renewable Energy

Prior to this lesson students have completed web quests based on renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and geothermal. The students have been introduced to the these briefly and models were used as a way to build interest/queries. Students were able to pull apart the models and look at the structure and design of these. Students completed these tasks in pairs/small groups.

Lesson two:

Continuing on from the end of lesson one students have come up with five questions per group based on the information collected through the web quests.

A class discussion is used as a debrief to recap the previous lesson and check for understanding. Students share question examples and analyse what makes a good question and wether they fit in the criteria.

Students are explicitly taught step by step how to create a Google form online.

In pairs students create Google forms then using prior knowledge/skills they are required to share their form online via the class blog

  • For students who work at a faster pace than others allow some time to explore Google forms and change the design/layout or add more questions.

google form 2

Once the links have been shared on the blog instruct students to select another groups form and complete it. Students must screenshot their results and post them as a comment on the blog that the URL was found.

To conclude the lesson students should return to the smart board area and as a class go through two-three groups quizzes depending on time. Students are encouraged to discuss the answers to questions focussing on the design and impact of the renewable energy sources. This is also used as an opportunity to check for confusion and clear up any misconceptions. Students are also given a brief description of the upcoming tasks of completing Electrocity, an online program that allows you to design a sustainable and environmentally friendly city.

electrocity

This is also used as an opportunity to check for the series of lessons I have planned not only link with science but they cover literacy, numeracy, ICT and design.

Safety and risk management are fairly minimal with the lesson sequences planned. As year six students they are aware of the online protocols and correct form of communication. Students are required to share information/ideas through a class blog online and create a Google form that is only visible to the class/people that have been invited to view.

To enhance critical thinking:
Students are involved throughout the entire process of the five series lesson and are rarely sitting around wasting time or not paying attention. To enhance students critical thinking it is important to pose questions in a way that requires students to analyse their knowledge. Asking questions such as how does the structure of a wind turbine affect its prices of converting energy rather than why do turbines have three blades? It is important to foster a student-centered environment where collaboration is encouraged. Students are able to work off of one another’s ideas and challenge/promote critical thinking

Alternative approaches to assessment:
Students are being assessed on their ability to design, create and share an online quiz to gather information regarding other students knowledge and communicate in safe environment that allows shared input. Another way to assess students understanding could include building their own renewable energy resource to replace the ones currently in place. Students could further this by evaluating and predicting the effect on the environment using the knowledge they have obtained from the web quest process.

Please find the link to task three below to find more information/lesson activities and assessment.

For lesson two mind map click here

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Lesson 2: Exploring Materials – Mind Map

Package Creator – Lesson 2: Exploring Materials

For my 5-lesson sequence, I chose to integrate The Australian Technologies Curriculum and Australian Science Curriculum, as there are significant similarities. Parts of my lessons have been based around lessons in the Primary Connections “Package it Better” Australian Curriculum aligned book for Year 4 Chemical Sciences, as seen below.

Primary Connections Cover

5-Lesson Sequence Blurb:

In this 5-Lesson Sequence, students have been focussing on packaging and in particular how to package a fragile item to ensure that it would remain safe and unbroken when being transported in the post.

Part of the lessons include exploring the properties of a range of materials, exploring shapes and their uses within real life contexts. The students will use the knowledge built during these lessons to plan, produce and evaluate a package of their own creation.

Lesson 2 Background Information:

In the lesson prior to the one detailed in the Mind Map below, the students were introduced to the topic/theme for the next 5 weeks, where a sample package was deconstructed to hook them in and give them an example of what they will be creating. A class discussion was held, that allowed students to relate this task to real life and how posting fragile items is a part of life and we need to be able to do so to ensure safe arrival.

From this, as a class a “Design Brief” for the packages the students would be creating was formed, which included the following:

  • The package will be of a suitable size to hold the item
  • Be able to protect the gift from breaking.
  • Low cost
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Aesthetically pleasing (Look good)
  • Waterproof

As a class we then came up with a list of materials that we could possibly make the packages out of, that could be then narrowed down to match the design brief leaving the following:

  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Paper Straws
  • Plastic Straws
  • Fabric
  • Plastic
  • Polystyrene
  • Pop Sticks
  • Masking Tape

To conclude the lesson, students were given time to have a think about possible ideas they had for their packages, before sharing this with a partner. We then had a whole class discussion to allow students to share their ideas with the class and give students who were not sure about possible ideas some ideas to spark their creativity.

Please have a look at the Mind Map in the link below to see the following for this lesson:

  • Links to the Australian Curriculum
  • Prior knowledge of students
  • Learning that will occur during this lessonTask 3 Image
  • Further learning that will occur
  • Preparation and resources required for this lesson
  • The Learning Activities of the lesson (lesson structure)
  • Focus questions for this lesson
  • Assessment in this lesson
  • Possible diversity requirements

Click Here to See Lesson 2: Exploring Materials Mind Map

Proven to Work!

Having used this 5-Lesson Sequence with a group of Year 4’s during my ATP, it is proven to engage all students and produce some fantastic results within the Australian Technologies and Science Curriculums.

Please find some pictures of the final experiment of the student’s packages being dropped from a height of 2 metres below.

 

 

Technology 1

Technology 3

Technology 2

 

 

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Inspiration Software- Visual thinking and Learning

Content Descriptor: 

Generate, develop, communicate, test, evaluate and communicate design ideas, plans and processes for identified needs and audiences using manual and digital technologies and collaborative techniques

Year Level: 4-6

Strands: Design and Technologies processes and production skills

Links to other learning areas: This mind mapping skill can be applied to all learning areas.

General Capabilities: 

Students develop ICT capability as they learn to use ICT effectively and appropriately to access, create and communicate information and ideas and work collaboratively. The capability involves students in learning to make the most of the digital technologies available to them. They adapt to new ways of doing things as technologies evolve. Through the use of this mind mapping tool, they learn how to communicate their understanding in a digital environment.

Inspiration: 

http://www.inspiration.com/lessonplans/inspiration

Visual thinking is a learning style where the learner better understands and retains information when ideas, words and concepts are associated with images. Visual learning helps students organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge and think critically. Graphic Organizers, diagrams and outlines are just some strategies of visual learning. With Inspiration Maps, students become active learners who demonstrate their knowledge using iPad.