Using Google Lens for research

 

One other way we use technology to assist children to learn more about an insect found in preschool.

We use Google lens (inside Google Photos on the ipad) to find out more about an insect we captured with the camera. Then we enable 'Spoken Content' on the ipad so we could highlight a part of the text to be read to us. Very useful when working with young children or ESOL students.

Technology Integration II

 The next 2 levels of the SAMR model is Modification and Redefinition.

Ways to use moderation includes adding audio, videos, pictures, creating comics, mind maps as in the video.

An example for a preschool insect interest, we use the apps chatterkid and clips to make the following video to show the children's learning during the project:

Redefinition

Another lens is through the Bloom's digital taxonomy:

Reflection question for educator to ask when using technology:

1. How does the tool you use support different cognitive levels?
2. Which tool help you address lower order thinking skills?
3. Which can help challenge children's higher thinking skills?

Project Insect - Collaborative learning

 

Attracting Insect

Following M's interest in the stag beetle,  our room had a lot of activities investigating into insects, M got the children's iPad and researched more into the stag beetle, learning how it moves and it's habitat.

Then someone found a dead bee and a group of children took a closer look.

 

The children started looking for different insects in our garden, sometimes they looked really hard but couldn't find any insects.  

M and E had an idea!  

They put some water and a leaf in the explorer lens,

 'the insect can drink water from this,' E said.

 'I put a leaf so the insect will come,' M added.

What learning is happening here?

M collaborate with his friends to make sense of his interest and the living world. They explore, find answers, and discuss their findings.

Opportunities and possibilities. What's next?

Keep an open mind and let M explore, provide more opportunities to learn about M interest and possibly show what he had learned.

Frameworks

Te Whāriki (with Examples) (Early Childhood)

• Curiosity about the world and the ability and inclination to share interests with others.
• Confidence in exploring, puzzling over and making sense of the world, using such strategies as setting and solving problems, looking for patterns, classifying, guessing, using trial and error, observing, planning, comparing, explaining, engaging in reflective discussion and listening to stories.
• Curiosity and the ability to inquire into, research, explore, generate and modify working theories about the natural, social, physical, spiritual and human-made worlds.

Project Insect - Using technology to extend an interest

 

We found a new insect!

 

Jen, Janny and Mark found a dead bee in the garden. We carefully picked it up and put it in the bug viewer to take a closer look. "How many legs has it got?" "What colour is it?" were the questions we asked.

 

"The bee has wings."

 

"We’ve got 2 legs."

 

"I found a mosquito." P ran to me and said, then we grabbed the iPad to have a closer look.

 

"It’s green."

 

"It has 6 legs."

 

"Is it a mosquito?"

What learning is happening here?

Children got more curious in different types of critters found in the garden, and with technology, we have the opportunities to take a closer look and find out more about our insects.

Opportunities and possibilities. What's next?

To use technology to discover more about a wide range of insects, and keep hunting for small living creatures in our garden.

Technology Integration I

Dr. Ruben Puentedura developed the SAMR model as a way for teachers to evaluate how they are incorporating technology into their instructional practice. You can use SAMR to reflect on how you're integrating technology into your classroom. Is it an act of Substitution? Augmentation? Modification? Or Redefinition? 

 SAMR Model

Turning SAMR into TECH: What models are good for

A fun way to explain the SAMR model:

In a preschool setting, let's say drawing, apps like draw & tell is a Substitute if children only draw on a blank page.  It then becomes Augmentation when children use the feature in the app, such as stickers, patterns, which is very hard to do in hand drawing.  Children can also record their voices to tell their story about what they created, it then becomes a video and can be exported to share with parents.

Project Bilingual - Apps (Chatterkid & Book Creator) to enhance ESOL learning

This is an example of a student who's first language is not English, Chatterkid can be a fun learning experience.  Another example is using the Book Creator app, basically we shot photos of what he was doing during the day, and then make it into a story.  We then made simple sentences for each picture, and the student record the sentence.  It can be exported as a video for the student's learning portfolio and share with parents or other teachers.

 

Games for STEAM to learn problem solving & coding

Code.org is a fun site for students from elementary to high school to learn coding, take a look at the courses.

Star War Coding is one of the popular ones.

Cargo bridge 

Great problem solving games

AI for ASD

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in 160 children has an autism spectrum disorder. Children will grow up and eventually entered the workforce, it's critical to help the general public understand the needs of people with ASD, and assisting people with ASD understand the general public and integrate into society.

With technology, creating an individual learning plan for children with ASD becomes more tailored and efficient. There are apps to help autistic child learn using AI.  With distance learning in the current environment, apps with AI helps parents complete exercises with their child at home.  There're also apps like Brain Power and QTrobot to help with social skills.

 

"The Speed Cubers" on Netflix share the story of Max Park, I really admire the parents' dedication and helping him find his interest.

With the common norm to improve social skills for children with autism, I think understanding that learning social skills takes time (even for a school child) is important. For children in the spectrum, they just need more time and patience with someone to explain the social concepts.  I think the learning focus should be placed on what the individual child do well first (e.g. cognitive, ability to focus), social skills second. I once worked with a child who are genius in programming, with the right environment, people with ASD can thrive and be a valuable part of any community. 

Some more positive stories of how using tech help with ASD:

Educating children on a limited budget

A good resource for parents home schooling children or a classroom with low budget:

All in One Home School

Enough resources for a year, a majority of the resources are online. Rather than having a physical product that could wear and tear, playing learning games utilizes technology in a limited or no budget situation. Games like bad ice cream encourage teamwork. What's the difference between reading a physical book and an e-book? Do you prefer one over the other?  What are the pros and cons for the two options?

Nat Geo Educator Certification

 

During lockdown, I've taken the Nat Geo Educator Certification program, I really like their mission to develop explorers for the world.

With the certification program, I had the opportunity to connect with other educators around the world, and learned some valuable skills.

National Geographic Education's mission is to teach kids about the world and how it works, empowering them to succeed and to make it a better place. What is your teaching mission?

With work, family commitment during lockdown, it was a difficult time, but I'm glad there was a deadline, so I can practice the mantra 'It's better done than perfect', otherwise I know I'd spent a lot of time re-recording, re-doing the slides.  During these few weeks, I've learned to make a presentation video with the resources I had.

Capstone Project

Teachers can also join online learning courses to develop their content knowledge, learn new instructional strategies, or even pursue National Geographic Teacher Certification with other teachers from around the country. Most importantly, teachers will soon be able to join the online National Geographic Educator Network. Here, educators can share ideas, celebrate successes, and gain support in their challenges.