AP Bio Cell Communication Using Stop Motion

Thinking about how to learn concepts in a different way is always exhilarating and challenging.  Of course it's easier to read (or lecture) about the content and answer questions, but DOING seems to allow the content to be understood in greater detail.








Mrs. Vertz did an amazing job of transforming cell communication content into an active learning and creating opportunity.

See the details

Watch some video here, here, and here!

View a final product.

Google Docs, Slides, Sheets Templates Workflow on iPads

The Google Docs, Slides, and Sheets apps provides some great TEMPLATES for students to create something that will "show what they know".  All of the screenshots in the presentation below are from the iPad app.  While this was the workflow I used for Lunch N' Learn, all of the same template options are found on a computer.

VIEW THE PRESENTATION

The presentation above was created on Keynote on my iPad.  I "made a copy" of it and sent it to my Google Drive.  If you are desiring students to make Keynote presentations, this is the workflow to get the presentation to a teacher.  As blogged about earlier, I really like Keynote on my iPad while presenting.

IMPORTANT: Teachers must have students turn in any assignment in Canvas that requires a Google Doc, Slide, or Sheet to be submitted as a "File Upload" through Safari and not simply a "Website URL".  See poster below.

Canvas Settings For Google Assignments by ClayReisler

Adobe Spark Pages and Video for Creation of Content

The Adobe Suite, specifically Adobe Draw, Spark (formally Slate) Pages and Video are a great set of tools for students to create content on the iPad.

Adobe Draw allows for so much creation. 

During Lunch N' Learn, examples and features of Adobe Spark Pages and Video will be presented.

👉Adobe Spark Video

👉Adobe Spark Pages

Book Creator App on iPad Export as Movie and eBook

Book Creator App on the iPad which we have used since 2014, will be our creation tool of choice to create both videos and eBooks for "7 Minute Workouts" developed by students.  We chose the app because it can be published as an interactive eBook (suitable for the iBook app), a PDF, or a movie.  All of this can be sent to our Google Drive for sharing!  We also wanted the ability to have words, images, drawing, and embedded video.  Lastly, we wanted to try a different creation tool.  Readers of iPaddiction know that Explain Everything is a go to app, because it's that good!  We'll allow students to use this app to broaden their creativity toolbox. 

The Movie

The ePub Book that can be opened in iBooks. At this time, we are not sending books to iTunes so the iBooks are not interactive.

The PDF book that can be opened anywhere. Video examples of exercises won't work.

During the day, I team taught with Mrs. Logue and Mr. Karcz.  I taught two of the classes while Mrs. Logue observed.

During the third class, Mrs. Logue taught the entire technology piece.  I supported her a few times during her presentation.  However, she did a great job of teaching with confidence.  This was a perfect demonstration of the gradual release teaching strategy.

3 Digital Artifacts Every Graduate Should Have Before Leaving High School

As we progress through our Flex Mod homeroom, we have a Universal Learning topic every Thursday.  This Thursday, we are presenting students with "3 Digital Artifacts Every Graduate Should Have Before Leaving High School".  I incorporated an iRig Mic, iPad, and iPad stand to record the "guest speakers".



Appreciate George Couros for some direction.

Two Alternatives to Skitch on the iPad

PechaKucha Created With Explain Everything On the iPad For Sociology Final Assessment

*My PechaKucha example at end of post.

In spending more time in our high school Sociology class with Mrs. Krause, we have experienced a few "Show What You Know" learning opportunities with the iPad as the technology tool of choice.  We've already used  Popplet as a tool on the iPad to "Check For Understanding".



As we approach the traditional "final exam" period which comes at the end of Semester 1, we will not be conducting the multiple choice, true/false, essay exam.  Instead, students will be analyzing all of the content they discovered over one semester and apply that to their life.  We are focusing on taking one or two concepts that spoke to the students. Students will then take these concepts and demonstrate how it has impacted their life.

To do this we are incorporating a "presentation" method of PechaKucha.  Truthfully, until TIES 2015 and Ben Friesen's introduction, I had not heard of this presentation method.  Discover the history behind PechKucha or see one of many examples.

Of course, readers of iPaddiction know we are focused on creation and workflow utilizing iPads. In other words, how are we going to create a PechaKucha on the iPad?

Explain Everything is going to be our tool of choice.  Placing one image or a collage of images on a stage while recording is easy. Since we are modifying the PechaKucha format slightly (using 10 slides x 20 seconds each vs. 20 slides x 20 seconds each) Explain Everything's visible clock while recording is SO helpful.  Students will record each slide for 20 seconds.
Their thoughts. 20 Seconds. Don't Go Over!

Also, if students error while recording one slide, the entire presentation is not ruined.  Students simply rerecord the slide that is incorrect.

Another awesome feature to Explain Everything is the feature of easy access, viewing, copying, and moving of each stage (slide).  Ten slides are needed.  Since we have used Explain Everything before, it will be very easy for students to create and arrange the slides according to their needs.

Once students create, arrange, and record each slide to their liking, students will export the video to the camera roll.  Students will then "submit" this video as their assessment to Canvas which is our Learning Managment System.  Students will view each other's creations.  While students are watching presentations, students will be engaged in a discussion utilizing Canvas' Discussion option.  We provided them with a rubric and guidance.

My PechaKucha example to the students is below.  

Option:

• Have students create each slide with silence and have students speak in front of the class while their "silent movie" is running on the screen.

Creating a PechaKucha utilizing Explain Everything was extremely simple and effective.  I'll post more about the process and student examples as the students complete the learning opportunity.
Images from our "recording day" are HERE.

• Students in our Spanish II class are utilizing the PechaKucha speaking option.  Due to the "second language" concept, students are being given the "leveling up" option.  This option gives an "exceeds expectations" status to the presentation if note cards are not used.  If note cards are used, a "meets expectations" status is given.  We feel that with the added element of speaking in a second language students should have the opportunity to have note cards.  It is our hope, however, that they will be used sparingly.

Reflection:
I am so impressed with our students and the presentations they have conducted.  The fact that the "slides" kept moving motivated the students to talk to the audience as opposed to reading cards.  Students also needed to "think on their feet" if they finished early on a particular slide or "fill in" if they finished early.  There was also REAL connection from concepts in Sociology to their life.

That's what we want!

Students applying knowledge gained to life experiences.  The PechaKucha format really provided a great medium for students to "Show What They Know".

Explain Everything PDF to iBooks to Teacher Google Drive Folder

In the past, anatomy students used multiple Skitch images for annotating the flow of blood through the heart. This required students to transfer all of the individual images to one per Google Slide.

This year, we decided to use Explain Everything and only the image annotation.  No audio involved.  Exporting the creation using the PDF to iBooks and Google Drive allows for the teacher to receive a "slide show" as is shown at the end of the the video presentation below.

Toontastic iPad App For Social Studies

Mr. Rodal, social studies teacher, wanted a "Show What You Know" tool so that students understand the process of resolving conflicts through conversation in an organized manner.

Many video tutorials exist for the Toontastic App


However, presenting a video to students may be too long or not personal.  I created a presentation using one of the 24 unique Google Slide templates from Slides Carnival.

Presentation Link


In year two of this project and in the flex mod, students will be introduced to the idea in Lab 1 (60 minutes) on Monday.  Students will receive the printed words from the picture at the top of this blog along with a Toontastic Storyboard which was created in Google Docs and with Google Draw.  On Tuesday during small group (30 minutes) students will view the presentation on how the app works.  On Wednesday in Lab 2 (60 minutes) students will complete the Toontastic project and export the final movie to Google Drive and share it with their instructor using Canvas.

You Can Do That On An iPad?!

Based on the Top Tech Tool Infographic

The Sketchnote Process

One of the twenty-four Google Slide templates serves as the backdrop for explaining Sketchnotes to students. Sketchnoting is a process that I started about two years ago.  It wasn't until the implementation of the Flex Mod schedule and true designation of "large group instruction" time, that I found a place for Sketchnoting.  Now, I am certain that Sketchnoting will fit into a student's life.

After extensive reading, speaking with educators, and practicing, I believe Sketchnoting can be and should be a tool used often in a student's educational life.  Whether completed using paper and pencil or a tremendous art app (Paper 53 now free) which is included in my "Top Tech Tool" infographic, the process can truly revolutionize one's ability to remember concepts.

A presentation intended for teachers and students on the "Art of Sketchnoting".  It will take about 25 minutes to share all the information with students or adults.  Consider giving students or staff a blank piece of 8.5" x 11" paper to "sketchnote" the presentation.  It's a great eye opener to see how the notes start with all words and progresses to images and words as the end of the presentation draws near.
View In Different Window


Eighth Grade Student Examples
As Mrs. Hoffmann, one of our middle school art teacher, stated,
"My 8th graders today really enjoyed it and wished that their other teachers would do this and actually give them time to do this because their teachers just rush through everything so they feel they have to write everything."

iMovie: Integration Apps For The iPad

It is important to understand the tools that exist for efficient, effective, and engaging productivity by our students and staff utilizing the iPad. 

This does not dismiss the importance and necessity of Google apps or Creation apps used on the iPad, but "showing what you know" is a critical skill for students. 

Continuing a four part series of Integrating Apps for the iPad will be our Lunch N' Learn's focus.


Four Apps. True Productivity.

Week 1: Notability
Week 2: Recordium
Week 3: Explain Everything
Week 4: iMovie

Define: Integrat(ion)

iMovie has been used, either in movie mode or trailer mode forty-seven documented times in our middle and high school.

Extremely Versatile Creation Tool

All About Your Image
Age of Reason Fantasy Draft in Social Studies
40 Seconds With Flex Mod Digital Workflow
Assessment Ideas At Your Fingertips Using the iPad
Food Talks Using Chatterpix
Flex Modular Scheduling - Here We Go
iPad and iMovie Brings Smiles On Fishing Trip
n2y Winner, Mrs. Morgan!
iMovie on iPad - Adding Subtitles
4th Annual Good Triathlon
App Smash Options For End of Year Projects
Final Four App Madness Breakdown
Teacher Sub Plans For Substitute Teacher Via iPad and YouTube
Splicing iMovie and Exporting To Explain Everything
App Smash PicCollage and iMovie Student Example
G Drive (Green) App For Downloading Video To iPad
Basic Anatomy Students Helping Patients
Illustrating A Book On an iPad or Online
iMovie Updates in iOS 7
Lunch N' Learn Promotion Using Canva
Storyboarding For iMovie
U.S. History 1990 and Early 2000 iMovie Trailers
Meograph - Four Dimensional Storytelling
Teacher's First iMovie Creation
3rd Annual Goody Challenge
Many Students Taking Video To Google Drive To iMovie
iMovie Trailers For Renewable Energy Resources
Students Using iMovie Trailer To Promote Alternate Energy Business
Creation Apps and Web For Anatomy Problem Based Learning
Lunch N' Learn Trailer Using Intro Designer App
8th Grade Scheduling Open House
FACS Infomercial Using iMovie
iMovie To Document Hunger Banquet
Anatomy PBL Video
Aid To third World Country Using iMovie
Project Based Learning In Anatomy Using iMovie
iMovie Trailer Student Reaction
iMovie Trailer For Absolute Ruler Promotion
iMovie Trailer Options For Students To Acquire Material 
iMovie Tutorial For Teacher To Show In Class
Transfer of Matter Through iMovie and Skitch
Story Term Project
iMovie For Seven Deadly Sins of Video
Creating America's Story on the iPad
Best Learning Experiences 2011-2012
iPad, iMovie, Extras4iMovie, and Scroll Credits
  

24 Google Slides Templates You Can Use On Your iPad

There is no shortage of Google Slide templates found on the web that can be in addition to "already created" templates with in Google Slides.

While browsing for templates, SlidesCarnival makes the "Hey, Look at me!" statement that you can't ignore.  The templates are fantastic!

View them within categories

• Formal
• Inspirational
• Creative
• Simple
• Startup
• Elegant
• Playful

or All Templates

On the web, using them is quite simple,

• Find the template you like
• Scroll down slightly and click "Use This Presentation Template"
  
• Logged in or not
• The template will show up in a browser tab
• Click File
• Make a copy...
• Rename if needed
• Edit, Duplicate, Add slides as needed

Start creating...

However, this process does NOT allow you to use them on an iPad.

My solution.

Using THIS GOOGLE FOLDER, all of the templates have been downloaded into this folder as a .PPTX.  Clicking on this FOLDER in the Safari web browser will allow for downloading the file.

Once the download has completed, A "Open In..." feature will be present so that it can be opened in the Google Slides app.

Once you have opened it in the Google Slides app, adding images and adjusting the text is easy.

View how to...


On the iPad and in Safari, CLICK HERE TO CHOOSE A TEMPLATE.

Explain Everything: Integration Apps For The iPad

It is important to understand the tools that exist for efficient, effective, and engaging productivity by our students and staff utilizing the iPad. 

This does not dismiss the importance and necessity of Google apps or Creation apps used on the iPad, but "showing what you know" is a critical skill for students. 

Continuing a four part series of Integrating Apps for the iPad will be our Lunch N' Learn's focus.

Four Apps. True Productivity.

Week 1: Notability
Week 2: Recordium
Week 3: Explain Everything
Week 4: iMovie

Define: Integrat(ion)

Readers of iPaddiction will realize that Explain Everything is well used in our school district.  Well used in the fact that it is moving toward being invisible.  Invisible in that our students don't ask for instructions, they understand the app and therefore focus on the learning! 

Putting together a compilation of Explain Everything may help in continuing to provide teachers and students with an excellent technology tool to...

• Record and annotate lectures - student action
• Show What You Know - student action
• Describing step by step directions - student action
• Preparation and direction for students - teacher action
• Testing and assessment - teacher action

30 Learning Opportunities:

Video Tutorial

Inserting GIF

Logging Out of Other Accounts

Coaching Teachers Through Using The Explain Everything App

Mitosis Project

Perfect Tool For Analyzing Text in An American Literature Assessment

American Literature Using EE to Discuss

Enhances and Clarifies AP Stats Project

In High School Science Planets

Inserting Objects For Creating & Reflecting

Google Presentation To Explain Everything

Audio and Visual For Junior Papers

Math Discussion  Part 2

Newton's Laws & Rube Goldberg

AP Stats

Summarizing Informational Text

Enhanced Notes of Content

Splicing iMovie and Exporting To Explain Everything

Explain Everything Calculus 2

and Google Forms For Analyzing Exponential Functions

For Individual Instruction

Magnetic Poetry

Connections in Algebra I Lab

Explain Everything, Google Form, and Paper For Assessment

Continues To Enhance Note Taking

Insert Video with Explain Everything

Making Common Craft Videos of History of Psychology

For One Form of Assessment

Common Craft Videos Day 2

Common Craft Props

Recordium: Integration Apps For The iPad

It is important to understand the tools that exist for efficient, effective, and engaging productivity by our students and staff utilizing the iPad.

This does not dismiss the importance and necessity of Google apps or Creation apps used on the iPad, but enhanced audio recordings can be created with ease while using the iPad.

Part two of our four part series of Integrating Apps for the iPad starts now.


Four Apps. True Productivity.

Week 1: Notability
Week 2: Recordium
Week 3: Explain Everything
Week 4: iMovie

Define: Ingerat(ion)

Recordium iPad App Free Paid $4.99

Recordium for iPad is a powerful audio-recording app that lets a student/staff member

• highlight parts of speech while speech continues to be recorded
• tag portions of the speech
• drop a note exactly at the point of the speech while still hearing the lecture
• add an image exactly during the time of the speech that it's needed
• trimming tool of the speech to cut out unwanted parts
• Pause/Start feature that is seamless
• share the recording via Google Drive or email

Images of Recordium Options and example of Recordium projects.  (The projects in this folder are in a .CAF format which is only accessible by using the Recordium app.  As is shown below, changing the settings BEFORE recording can provide two options for listening without the app: MP4 & WAV.

Our student's first use in AP European History

• Must change recording settings to a WAV file PRIOR to recording
• Was able to upload to Google Drive to share with students, but they will be downloading it to their computer and must have QuckTime installed in order to listen
• Listen to the teacher's lecture - if an iPad exsits, the Google Drive "open in" option will allow for Recordium to be the option (Use Free Version)

Student Reaction

I personally used the Recordium app in Anatomy Class. My reflections:

• Easy pause/record when there was a break in the lecture
  
• Tags of "New To Me" and "Review" were SO HELPFUL when adding quick
  statements to audio 
• Loved that all annotations were placed directly where I placed them during recording
• Photo feature allowed me to zoom in to take a quality photo of the slide and that it was placed directly at the point in which the teacher provided the information
• I needed to have the microphone input greater than normal (image can be viewed here)
• I was in the back of the room and was able to pick up the audio of the teacher.

Resources: Recordium YouTube Channel  TNW Blog

If all of the additional features are not needed from Recordium, consider Audio Memos Free.  However, some functions you will NOT get with this app.

• Folder organization
• Exporting to Google Drive

Item you will get in free version: 

• Ads
• Password Protection of Recordings

IMPLEMENTATION:
As we move into the Flex Mod schedule, these apps would be PERFECT for large group instruction time.  Recording and annotating a lecture can lead to reviewing of that lecture during Personal Learning Time (PLT).

Student Learning Emphasizing iPad as a Learning Tool

As our district has a staff inservice to discuss/collaborate/move forward with student learning, I was asked to provide ideas that utilize the iPad.

Icebreaker Ideas:

• Have participants draw a self portrait in a certain time frame using
• Explain Everything
• Brushes 3
• Whiteboard
• Take a selfie and decorate it, share with group
• Have participants describe themselves using
• Chatterpix (take a picture of themselves or anything that they can put voice to)
• Have participants create a three image story that describes a joy in their life using
• PicCollage
• Play a "Game of Phones" or "Game of Chromes
• Use already made cards
• Create your own
• Participants use Smartphone or iPad

List of Creation Apps:

• Explain Everything
• Haiku Deck

Workflow apps are numerous, but some are better than others

• Google Drive is the best app for uploading images or documents to share with others
• Any creation app that can produce something, can be uploaded to Google Drive
• Be sure to save to the camera roll
• All Google apps for the iPad 

Notability: Integration Apps For The iPad

It is important to understand the tools that exist for efficient, effective, and engaging productivity by our students and staff utilizing the iPad.

This does not dismiss the importance and necessity of Google apps or Creation apps used on the iPad, but note taking is a critical skill that students need to have.

Starting now, a four part series of Integrating Apps for the iPad will be our Lunch N' Learn's focus.


Four Apps. True Productivity.

Week 1: Notability
Week 2: Recordium
Week 3: Explain Everything
Week 4: iMovie

Define: Integrat(ion)

Notability iPad App $2.99, Mac App $4.99
Notability For iPad: Much More Than A Note Taking App, includes many features that help students efficiently take notes and complete assigned writing tasks.

I utilized a number of Notability features in the screen shots and videos below.

Specifics include:

• Full-featured handwriting
• PDF annotation
• Advanced word processing
• Audio recording linked to notes
• Media insertion of photographs, web clips, figures, drawings.
• Class, Subject, Content organized by color
• Integration with MANY other apps
• Cloud storage 

In addition to this, the integration with OTHER apps are numerous.  As the picture on the right demonstrates.  Often used apps such as Google Drive are easily integrated.

Handwritten notes, typed words, diagrams, web pages are all incredible features that can be utilized with Notability.

In addition, anything on the note can be cut and moved to any other place on the note.

With the drop down menu, any one of five media options can be included in a note.  This could be a tremendous way for students to prove what they are writing about by providing resources.

Students can also write on and return any worksheet that a teacher may create.

Watch a student demonstrate using Notability.

Watch how students use Notability for creating Cornell Notes.



If you would like to see all the features, you can watch the video below.

Infopics via Tony Vincent

I'm always trying to find methods for our teachers to assess students using any technology device.  Tony's Infopic would be perfect for...

• Analyzing video clips 
• Summarizing student presentations
• Reviewing a concept
• Discussing steps to a math problem
• Reviewing a lecture 
• Summarizing a science lab
• Book report

My first creation used a screen shot of Tony's video on the iPad, Pixlr app to focal, and PicsArt to add the text.  As Tony states there are a number of apps that can be used for creating infopics.

Create your own or have your students create Infopics after you watch Tony's eipsode.

PicCollage and PicPlayPost iPad App For Present Progressive Tense In Spanish

Ms. Slusarek and Mr. Vanseth created an amazing app smash with the PicCollage app and the PicPlayPost app.  These teachers are doing some amazing things with iPad apps and thinking outside the traditional educational box.  Students are empowering their creative minds with the integration of a technology tool!

As Ms. Slusarek states,

"Our learning objective is for the students to distinguish between the regular present tense and the present progressive verb tense. 

To do this we are "app smashing" PicPlayPost and Pic Collage! We wanted to add text to our picture and video, but PPP doesn't include this feature. So we are using Pic Collage to add text to a picture and then combining the pic with text to the video and framing at PPP offers!" 

The directions are below.

Stick Around App in High School Anatomy Class

Mr. Anderson integrated the Stick Around app into the "learning about the skull" activity for students.  The Stick Around app was a perfect tool for students to create interactive learning opportunities for students based on student textbook resources.

View The Students Working and The Workflow


Note: We were able to publish the Hour 2 projects as puzzles and export those puzzles to the Google Drive folders.

Students now have 18 interactive puzzles to master the bones of the skulls.

Creativity & Critical Thinking:  Students needed to establish the exact placement of the stickers and the answers so that no answer areas were conflicting.

Collaboration: The puzzles were created in groups of two or three.  Students were held accountable for their creations as all of the puzzles were shared with the teacher and placed in a Google Drive folder.  This allows all students to view the creations of students.