Using iPads and Chromebooks, teachers focused on discussing, collaborating and developing inquiry-based learning opportunities for students that integrated curriculum expectations and used technology to help differentiate instruction, consolidate skills and allowed students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. Teachers explored a variety of assessment tools using the Chromebooks and iPads. This helped develop professional learning networks with teachers who had common learning goals and supported collaborative networks within our school.
Team Members
Melissa Maney Worden
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Terri Levitt-Chipman
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Theresa Stevenson
Niagara Catholic District School Board
Professional Learning Goals
- We identified ways iPads and Chromebooks could be used to differentiate instruction, integrate curriculum expectations, support inquiry-based learning, and create meaningful assessment tools and teacher learning
- We used Google Apps for Education, Keynote, iMovie, Book Creator, TVO mpower, Compubot, Raz kids and the Internet as research tools
Activities and Resources
Release time was used to discuss and to develop curriculum expectations and integrate them into inquiry-based learning opportunities for students, as well as develop concrete ways to assess and support their learning with the use of iPads and Chromebooks. Release time was used to have teachers’ team teach in each other’s classrooms to share learning experiences, best practices and support each others’ learning using the iPads and Chromebooks. Community experts from Brock University and Apple were consulted to support the use of technology in the classroom. We met informally weekly and formally monthly to dialogue with our teaching colleagues about our learning goals and progress. This provided us with the opportunity to discuss and share best practices as well as challenges we faced to support each other’s learning.
Unexpected Challenges
There were some challenges this year that impeded our team’s ability to meet our goals. At the beginning of the year, we did not have access to iPad apps due to technical difficulties with the school board. Throughout the year, the Internet was inconsistent and apps would randomly disappear and prevent student and teacher use. Tech support to assist from the board was slow to fix the problems.
This year, another challenge in our project was being faced with Work to Rule and the subsequent lockout.
Enhancing Student Learning and Development
Our project used a variety of apps and websites to support student learning and development.
Keynote, Book Creator and iMovie (on iPads) – used to demonstrate student learning in all subject areas. Students took pictures and videos, added text, recorded voices, and created and labelled diagrams.
TVO mpower (on Chromebook) – students played curriculum-based math games that was specific to their academic level.
Compubot (on Chromebook) – students explored Code to develop spatial reasoning skills.
Raz kids (Chromebook and iPads) – students listened to stories and practised reading stories at their individual reading level. They answered comprehension questions.
Internet (Chromebook and iPads) – students used the Internet across all subject areas to explore topics of interest related to the curriculum.
Sharing
Our learning on the iPads and Chromebooks was documented through pictures, learning stories and videos. These have been shared with interested colleagues who are free to visit the classroom. These have also been shared with the school community through our St. Alfred School Twitter page.
We plan to offer afterschool tutorials and workshops for interested staff.
Project Evaluation
Our team believes that our project was a success. Our goals were met. In the future, we would like to have visited other classrooms that are using the Chromebooks in different ways to advance our professional learning, and student learning and engagement. We foresee that teacher collaboration will continue to flourish in our school as we embark on new goals.
Resources Used
Resources for TLC: Inquiry-Based Learning and Technology in the Classroom
How to Plan Outstanding Tech Training for Your Teachers | Cult of Pedagogy
Resources for Google and Tech
It takes a district to implement technology
12 structures to keep kids focused when using the internet in class – The Cornerstone For Teachers
The new Periodic Table of iPad Apps for Primary aged pupils – ICTEvangelist
How to Integrate Technology without Losing Your Teacher Mind
New Update: Help for Teachers Going From an iPad to a Chromebook
A Principal’s Reflections: Is Technology Being Integrated Effectively?
My Top 10 Sketchnotes in 2016 | Sylvia Duckworth
LIVE – G-Suite in Primary: Ontario Summit – Google Slides
How to Plan Outstanding Tech Training for Your Teachers | Cult of Pedagogy
16 Ideas for Student Projects using Google Docs, Slides, and Forms
Mr. Fahey’s Tech: Insert YouTube Videos into a Google Doc
New time-saving features in G Suite for Education
10 Things Every Teacher Should be able to do on Google Docs | Indiana Jen
15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep [infographic] | Shake Up Learning
DriveSlides by Matt Miller and Alice Keeler
Google Slides: Can We Now Call It A Video Editor?
15 Best Google Drive Add-Ons for Education @coolcatteacher
20 Tips to Transform Your Class with Google Apps – Teacher Tech
*pedagogy not included | LearnTeachLead.ca
Ed Tech Trends 2016 | Online Learning Insights
Creative Differentiation with GSuite – Google Slides
35 Awesome Apps that Integrate with Google Classroom | Shake Up Learning
Five Great Ways To Use Google Drawings in the Classroom! – Medium
How to Make Your Google Presentations Shine | Shake Up Learning
15 Awesome Blogs to Follow for All Your Google Needs | Shake Up Learning
10 Ways to Use Google Maps in the Classroom
Going Down the Rabbit Hole with Google Tools! – Google Slides
Digital Learning Day HyperDoc 2016
Google Sheets: Create A Student Response Box – Teacher Tech
Using Apple Teacher for Professional Development | Edutopia
EdTechTeam: Just in Time! G Suite Holiday Tools
Google Boot Camp #2: Slides | Smore
5 Awesome TED Talks On How Technology Is Changing Education – Springboard Blog
Sites – Google Learning Center
How To Use docAppender – Google Slides
How to Integrate Technology without Losing Your Teacher Mind
5 Ways to Use Scannable Tech in the Math Classroom | Edutopia
GeoGebra 3D Grapher – Android Apps on Google Play
Sphero Lesson Plans .pdf – Google Drive
Worksheet Trapped in a Notebook – Teacher Tech
Inquiry
http://www.wavelearningsolutions.com/thinq
Problem-Solving: An Inquiry Approach
Allow choice but insist on depth | Time Space Education
Bringing Inquiry-Based Learning Into Your Class | Edutopia
What the Heck Is Inquiry-Based Learning? | Edutopia
Cosburn Inquiry Model – YouTube
Inquiry-Based Learning: Developing Student-Driven Questions | Edutopia
Mastery-Based Learning TED Talk Khan Academy
What are the 21st-century skills every student needs? | World Economic Forum
(Hey, Teacher) Leave Those Kids Alone | Edutopia
What if education was about improving the world? – What Ed Said
New School – 3 Ways Technology Will Transform the Classroom: Goldman Sachs’ Victor Hu
21st Century Learn Design Microsoft
Math: Discovery and Conjecture
TED Talk: Math Class Needs a Makeover
Three Act Math – Video Subtraction
Three Act Math Video – Addition
Andrew Stadel – 3 Act Math Lessons
Roger Antonsen: Math is the hidden secret to understanding the world | TED Talk | TED.com
9 Ways to Inspire Student Inventors | Edutopia
What is Genius Hour? – Introduction to Genius Hour in the Classroom
10 Things That Happen When Students Engage in Design Thinking – The Principal of Change
28 Awesome STEM Challenges for the Elementary Classroom – Teach Junkie
Project Based Learning: Start Here | Cult of Pedagogy
A Complete Guide to Project Based Learning (in 10 Easy Steps) – A.J. JULIANI
Knowledge Building Gallery – The Learning Exchange
Growth Mindset
5-Minute Film Festival: 5 Videos to Explore Growth Mindset | Edutopia
Why Growth Mindset Isn’t Working in Schools…Yet | EdSurge News
5-Minute Film Festival: 5 Videos to Explore Growth Mindset | Edutopia
Key Themes | Growth Mindset Thinkers
Resources on Developing Resilience, Grit, and Growth Mindset | Edutopia
5-Minute Film Festival: 5 Videos to Explore Growth Mindset | Edutopia
Maker Space Mindset | The Learning Exchange
Learning Spaces
Flexible Classrooms: Providing the Learning Environment That Kids Need | Edutopia
The Science of Effective Learning Spaces | Edutopia
Visualizing 21st-Century Classroom Design | Edutopia
Purposeful Learning Spaces – 4 O’Clock Faculty
Flexible Seating and Student-Centered Classroom Redesign | Edutopia
Documentation
34 Strategies For The Stages Of Assessment: Before, During & After
Not all Documentation is Pedagogical Yet – and that’s Okay! | Technology Rich Inquiry Based Research
The Trouble with Amazing: Giving Praise that Matters | Cult of Pedagogy
Comparing Formative Assessment Tools – TeachingForward
11 Essentials for Excellent ePortfolios | Edutopia
53 Ways to Check for Understanding | Edutopia
Sharing the Depth of Knowledge Wheel With Students | Edutopia
5 Reasons You Should Seek Your OWN Student Feedback | Cult of Pedagogy
Apps/Games/Activities
Techno Rookie: Getting Started with Scratch Coding in a Primary Classroom
Oh, The Things You Can Do with GoAnimate! | Cult of Pedagogy
How Audiobooks Can Help Kids Who Struggle with Reading | MindShift | KQED News
Raz Kids
Pixton – History and Social Studies
Using Technology to Inspire Independent Readers | Edutopia
Powtoon: Fun, High-Quality Videos Made Easy | Cult of Pedagogy
8 Great Educational Podcasts for Kids | Cult of Pedagogy
Language
Alphabet Flies for Frogs: Kindergarten English Language
Resource ID: ELO1301620
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will visit the pond to identify and order both capital and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
Words and Sentences: Kindergarten English Language
Resource ID: ELO1069320
Description: In this interactive game, students are asked to identify things such as number of letters in words, number of words in sentences, uppercase letters, periods, etc. Students will be exposed to terminology used in words and sentences such as. They will begin to identify reading and writing strategies that are appropriate for beginner readers. Kindergarten students are often confused by the differences between a letter and a word. In this activity, they will learn to understand that sentences contain spaces, periods, question marks, and capital letters at the beginning of sentences.
Alphabet Soup: Kindergarten English Language
Resource ID: ELO1299340
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will practise matching and sorting letters of various fonts and styles.
Sound Centre! Beginning Blend Sounds: Kindergarten English Language
Resource ID: ELO1140520
Description: Learning to read is a very unique process. Children travel down the same path in their journey to becoming a reader, reaching the same milestones along the way. However, not everyone learns the same way or at the same pace. First they learn to recognize letters, then the sounds the letters make; that letters are put together to make words, words become sentences, and so on. It is important that children are exposed to and participate in a variety of language activities that meet all types of learning styles in order for the information to make sense to them and in turn assist them in becoming great readers. This LO will help beginning readers solidify their knowledge of initial letter blend sounds in words and help build vocabulary.
Chilly Friends: Kindergarten English Language
Resource ID : ELO1279130
Description: This Interactive Learning Object will allow students to be introduced to uppercase and lowercase letters. For those students who have previous knowledge of letters, this Learning Object will review what they know along with giving them an opportunity to test their knowledge of uppercase and lowercase letters. The students will be able to understand what uppercase letters look like and their corresponding lowercase letter. This Learning Object requires students to come with some background knowledge about letters as they will have opportunities to further their learning through this Learning Object.
Syllable Circus: Kindergarten: English Language
Resource ID: ELO1279780
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn about syllables through the use of clapping. They will then have an opportunity to sort words according to their number of syllables. Through the use of an engaging tutorial and sorting game, students will become more familiar with “hearing” the syllables in words.
Resource ID: ELO1161270
Description: This game will allow kindergarten students to first review both uppercase and lowercase letters and then challenge the students to demonstrate their understanding of uppercase and lowercase letters. This Interactive Learning Object will have students seeing letters everywhere!
Resource ID: ELO1069290
Description: Students will listen to a rhyming sentence read to them with the rhyming word left blank. They will look at pictures and verbally play with the language to find the missing rhyming word. Students will begin to hear sound patterns to predict the rhyming word. Rhyming is essential for reading development. A child who is able to hear language patterns and sound patterns will likely be a stronger reader.
Rhyming – The Concept: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1069270
Description: Students use an interactive Memory Game to match rhyming words (e.g., pan and fan). Rhyme is one of the concepts that Early Learners use to develop their emergent reading skills. Use of rhyme begins in the Exploratory Language stage of the Oral Language Developmental Continuum and continues throughout. Early Learners use the concept of rhyme to differentiate beginning sounds and to explore middle and ending sounds on words.
Rhyme Time: Kindergarten: English Language
Resource ID: ELO1283940
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn the difference between rhyming and non-rhyming words. They will learn to listen for the same group of sounds at the end of words to identify rhyming words. Students will listen to and identify words that rhyme.
Math
Star Gazing: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138820
Description: This Learning Object begins with an explanation of the counting principle through a brief tutorial and number matching game. Students will then be invited to play the star flash counting game in which they will have several seconds to identify the number of stars that flash upon the screen. They will then be asked to choose the correct number of stars.
Counting Coconuts: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138850
Description: This Learning Object will begin with an explanation of the counting principle and the concept of quantity. The student will then have an opportunity to engage in an interactive counting game in which they will have to match the correct number of coconuts to the number indicated on the palm tree. Once complete, the student learner will then have to arrange the palm trees in the proper counting sequence.
Busy Bees: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138620
Description: Students will identify and order quantities to and from 10 using numbers and dot cards.
Keywords: numbers to 10, dot cards, counting
Cookie Jars: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1161370
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will count and sort jars containing up to 10 items.
Star Traveller – Counting and Comparing with Cawi: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1275660
Description: In this interactive learning activity, students compare sets of objects, determining which has more or less and receive immediate feedback. They will also find sets with the same number of objects. Students will earn gold stars and become Star Travellers.
Planet Zorbitrar: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138810
Description: This Learning Object will begin with a brief explanation of key vocabulary (e.g., circle, triangle, square and rectangle). Students will then have an opportunity to match real-life objects to the corresponding shapes. They will then be invited to the design factory where students will create aliens by matching the correct shape to the alien body part. Once the alien is completed, they will have to count the number of circles, triangles, squares and rectangles used to complete the alien.
We All Scream For Ice Cream!: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1161390
Description: Learning about numbers can be fun and exciting! This Interactive Learning Object will review numbers from one through 10 and then challenge the students to demonstrate their understanding of numbers and number relationships.
Ladybug Frames to 10: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1299280
Description: This Interactive Learning Object helps students to visualize numbers from zero to 10 on a ten frame and begin to notice relationships between them using five and 10 as anchor numbers. They will also become more proficient at recognizing numbers from one to 10 using a variety of tools.
Counting Sheep: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1161750
Description: Learning about numbers can be fun and exciting! This Interactive Learning Object will review numbers from one through 10 and then challenge the students to demonstrate their understanding of numbers and number relationships. This learning object will have students seeing numbers everywhere!
Bunny Hops: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1299320
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will fill in the missing numbers when counting forwards to 10 and backwards from 10. They will play a game in which they are challenged to find missing numbers in order to improve their ability to use stable counting order.
Keywords: quantity, stable counting order, counting forward to 10, counting backwards from 10, number lines
Patterns on the Line: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138870
Description: This Learning Object will begin with a brief tutorial about identifying, creating and extending patterns. Students will then have an opportunity to practise their skills by helping to hang clothes on the clothesline to extend and create patterns.
Clothing Explosion!: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138840
Description: This Learning Object will begin by introducing the problem of having a messy cubby area – so messy that it looks like an explosion of clothes. Mr. Twinkleton, the kindergarten teacher, will ask for help to sort out this mess. This will then be followed by a brief tutorial of one-to-one correspondence in matching. The student learner will then be asked to help sort out the cubby area by matching socks, boots and mittens.
Under the Sea Sorting: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138570
Description: Students will learn to sort objects in a variety of ways. They will also describe the attributes used to sort objects.
Keywords: sort, classify, problem-solving, kindergarten mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1069240
Description: The students will use verbal directions to make pictographs and will answer questions using the graphs they have just constructed. Teaching young children how to make and read pictographs helps them to understand how information can be gained by means other than reading about it.
Barnyard Fun: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1138600
Description: Students will organize a collection of data on a graph. They will respond to questions to help them interpret the data.
Sorting Time!: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1143110
Description: This Learning Object will introduce students to sorting on the basis of common attributes: * Students will gain an understanding of basic shapes, colour and size (big, tiny, medium, small) * Students will gain some experience estimating size * Students will gain experience using computers (i.e., drag-and-drop, mouse click, etc.) Audio and animation have been included to support kindergarten students beginning to develop reading skills. All tutorials and instructions will be presented using audio.
Things That Go Together: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1161790
Description: This Interactive Learning Object will help students become more familiar with ways to sort objects; things that are alike go together. They will learn and practise sorting using the attributes size, colour and shape.
Sequencing an Event: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1069300
Description: In this Learning Object, the student is given three pictures of an event. The student needs to place them in a specific, logical order. It is a click-and drag-activity that places one picture in a “first box,” one picture in a “next box” and the last picture in a “then box.” Students need to understand that sometimes things in life have a particular order to follow. Some happen naturally (e.g., leaves growing, life cycle of a butterfly or frog), and some happen within our daily lives (e.g., brushing your teeth, getting dressed).
Positional Words: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1080650
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students show their understanding of positional language by following oral directions. Students are presented with a visually appealing selection of four animal icons, representative of the four exercises that they will work through. The icons may be selected in any order. Once having chosen their animal, students will proceed to a picture that shows five images of that same animal, located in various positions in a picturesque setting. Now, students will be directed by the audio to select the animal that is “on, near, inside, in front of, etc.”. Two incorrect attempts are allowed. Upon the third incorrect attempt, the correct animal is auto-identified, and students will continue with the exercise. When the students have correctly located all five animals, they are returned to the opening screen, and select their next animal. Upon successful completion of all four exercises, a congratulatory message will appear. A replay option is available. While there are in total 20 challenges among the four exercises, some of the same positional words have multiple appearances, so there will be some reiteration and reinforcement of select positional words throughout the resource.
The Birthday Party: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1279180
Description: This Interactive Learning Object will introduce and review various sizes such as small, medium and large.
Keywords: size, small, medium, large, big, little
Toy Mix and Match: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1161330
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn how to use ordinal numbers and compare the size of objects by putting them in order.
Money Money: Kindergarten Mathematics
Resource ID: ELO1161710
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn what a penny, nickel, dime and quarter look like, what they are called, as well as their denominations.
Other
Community Helpers – Interactive Matching Game: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1069170
Description: Students will listen to a description of a community helper and identify them by choosing the correct answer from four choices.
Keywords: kindergarten, simple directions, police, firefighter, doctor, dentist, workers, professions, vocations, occupations
Resource ID: ELO1073790
Description: This Learning Object is a multiple choice activity. The student will be given a brief description about a community person or a community building. The student will choose the correct answer from three pictures. The student will begin to recognize, identify and describe special people and places in their own community. Students often see special places (buildings) and people within their community but are unaware of the purpose and the specific roles people play within these places. In this Learning Object, the student will begin to recognize, identify and describe the special people and places in the community.
Let’s Get Moving: Kindergarten Science
Resource ID: ELO1299360
Description: In this interactive game, kindergarten students learn about the various forms of transportation (car, plane, train, boat, etc.) and will sort/place objects where they belong (i.e., land, air, sea, roads).
Correspondence – Interactive Matching Game: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1069180
Description: The students will match objects that they use at home and at school to the “job” that object performs.
Nutritious Foods: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1069230
Description: The students will learn to sort between nutritious foods and foods that are not good for them by packing a “Healthy Foods” picnic basket.
Eat Smart!: Kindergarten: Health
Resource ID: ELO1279110
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn about healthy habits and identify different types of food from the four food groups (according to Canada’s Food Guide). They will learn the difference between foods that are nutritious and those that are not.
Eating Right: Kindergarten: Health
Resource ID: ELO1299180
Description: This interactive game introduces and reviews the four food groups along with healthy food choices.
I Am Healthy!: Kindergarten Health
Resource ID: ELO1278510
Description: This Interactive Learning Object teaches students about making healthy choices in their everyday activities. Students will have an opportunity to practise their learning by choosing the healthier choice when presented with two contrasting situations.
Health and Safety Practices: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1080660
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, children will learn and understand basic rules of personal, street, bicycle, play and fire safety by answering Yes or No to a series of 20 scenarios. A certificate will be generated upon completion of the questions. Print-out option available. Replay option.
What’s In Your Lunchbox?: Kindergarten: Health
Resource ID: ELO1283930
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn about the four food groups and will be invited to sort foods into their corresponding categories. In the application component, students will have to pack a healthy lunch for each day of the school week, while choosing items from specified food groups.
Help Our Earth: Kindergarten Science and Technology
Resource ID: ELO1279120
Description: With this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn what the words reduce, reuse and recycle mean and demonstrate their understanding through activities.
Recycle – Interactive Exercise: Kindergarten
Resource ID: ELO1066130
Description: In this appealing drag-and-drop computer activity, the students will learn the difference between objects that should be recycled, objects that should be composted and objects that should be thrown in the trash. The students will be asked to sort an array of diposable objects using these three categories. Correctly sorted objects remain in their appropriate trash bin, while incorrectly sorted objects are returned to the array. Incorrect sorts may be retried until correctly sorted, or will be auto-corrected after two consecutive mis-sorts. Note: Teachers should preview this resource to ensure that it conforms to the local recycling situation.
What are Living Things?: Kindergarten Science
Resource ID: ELO1275540
Description: This Interactive Learning Object teaches students the difference between living and non-living things.
Keywords: sorting, classifying, living, non-living, biology
The Nature of Things: Kindergarten Science and Technology
Resource ID: ELO1279770
Description: In this Interactive Learning Object, students will learn the difference between living and non-living things. Using pictures and words, they will sort various objects into these two groups.
Books Explored:
Innovate with iPads by Karen Lirenman and Kristen Wideen
The Google Apps Guide Book: Lesson Activities and Projects Created by Students for Teachers by Kern Kelley and Tech Sherpas
Resources Created
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