Month: April 2020

Hey! I am Kate O’Neill and I am majoring in Elementary Education with a dual license in Special Education. The purpose of this site is to give you an insight to all the things I have learned in my ECI 201 class at NC State. This class has taught me all things technology and how to incorporate it into the classroom. I hope the blogs and helpful links provide encouragement to incorporate some tips and tricks into your classroom too!

Social Media Accounts

Professional Twitter: @koneill_ncsu

Email: kaoneill@ncsu.edu 

The following are helpful links that I have found most helpful through my ECI class and I hope to bring into my future classroom someday.

1. Flipgrid– Flipgrid comes in website and app form that allows for video communication. I recommend Flipgrid to all teachers because it allows the teacher to send mass videos to students regrading lessons and activities. It also gives students the opportunity to give reviews via videos, and they can reply to one another. Flipgrid is also enhanced with emojis and other fun filters to spice up video communication!
2. Playposit– Playposit is a very interactive site that keeps tabs on students for teachers. Students watch videos, answer questions, and learn new material while their teachers track their progress. I recommend this site to teachers because it’s a good way to keep students engaged in learning because of the questions they have to answer along the way of completing the lesson.
3. Kahoot– Kahoot is a super fun educational based game to incorporate into the classroom. Teachers can create or use already created lesson based questions and students can answer via computer or smartphone. I recommend Kahoot to teachers because it’s a great day to test the knowledge of students, and they love the challenge and competition Kahoot has to offer.
4. Padlet– Padlet is a site that allows students to connect with each other and their teacher via virtual bulletin boards. I recommend Padlet because it helps to get conversations going and posts can remain anonymous. Padlet was used a lot in my ECI 201 class and really put into perspective for me how helpful it would to use in my own classroom someday.

What is Gamification?

“Gamification of education is a developing approach for increasing learners’ motivation and engagement by incorporating game design elements in educational environments” (Gamifying education). Gamification is the process used to solve problems using game based elements, this differs from game-based learning which is games with specific educational purposes. The main difference between the two is gamification is a more complex process of designing and fitting in the elements, rather than creating an educational game. Gamification takes the educational game and designs it for further and more engaging use.

The article 'The Neuroscience of Gamification in Online Learning' provides ten statements that dig into 
the foundation of gamification and why it's so useful.

I believe these ten statements provide clarity for all the positive goals gamification provides. Gamification is more than just a time waster on a video board, it’s a defining applicator that helps to reduce negative applicators and produce positive ones. This mentality can be brought forth into the classroom to bring the fundamentals of gaming into any lesson!

Gamification in the classroom

Gamification is becoming more up and coming in today’s classroom with the help of technology. Teacher’s are expanding their lessons to incorporate gaming fundamentals to help engage and teach students. Teachers say they like using gamification in the classroom because of the four C’s; challenge, chance, competition, and cooperation. These elements work together in the classroom along with the Gamify System, to produce satisfied learning objectives. The applicators listed below are both in and out of classroom apps that demonstrate gamification learning:

1. DuoLingo– Language learning platform that allows users to achieve badges through language enhancing games.
2. Brainscape– Game designed to make flashcards for students to help improve learning.
3. Knowre– Designed to help grades K-12 in math, making it more fun and less frustrating.
4. Ribbon Hero– Allows users to grasp how to use Microsoft applicators in game form; Requires windows download.
5. Medieval Swansea– Game intended for older users, solve a mystery using historical contexts.

After doing research, I would recommend any of these apps to teachers depending on the age level of students. These games plus many others, deliver the challenge for them and then offer the reward. I think it is very important that students are able to feel accomplished and have a sense of value when they reach the next level or complete the game.

Check out the TED Talks below about the effects gamification has on our mental state and the world around us!

Gamify System

Points- Points are used to calculate the user’s achievements in relation to other users. Points bring value to games, and can typically revert to rewards.

Badges- Badges symbolize the goal the user achieved in a visual form.

Levels- Levels create intensity for games and encourage users to reach the next level to gain a higher reward.

Leaderboard- Leaderboards organize the point system by rank, and encourage users to reach leaderboard status.

Each of these elements offer the opportunity to make any educational process and turn it into a game. Teachers define the objective of the game and students put it upon themselves to reach various goals. This system does not have to be the objective of every game, but it will help students believe learning is fun. Students can enjoy learning while solving puzzles, concurring quests, earning badges, and seeing their name at the top of the leaderboard!

This blog post defines gamification, clarifies the impact it has on our mental, emotional and physical state, and looks at gamification in the classroom. Gamification is not just a fun time occupier, it has positive effects that can be linked to any study or occupation. In terms of education, I think more teachers should incorporate gamification inside the classroom because it’s more adapted to the desires of the students and gives them an uplifting change of pace when learning. Gamification can be used in any K-12 classroom and even higher education. The resources in gamification leave the opportunity to stress educational lessons while providing an engaging game piece for students.

After learning all about gamification in my ECI 201 class, I want to incorporate it into my future elementary classroom for engagement purposes. Students are more likely to listen to lessons and stories when they can relate to it. Games follow a story line that also provide the challenges that can end with feelings of accomplishments. I want my students to be able to engage in learning games, be able to comprehend what they learned, and apply it to the real world. Never let your students stop learning, it’s going to follow them wherever they go!

What exactly is VR?

Virtual Reality (VR), in education is the enhanced communication between teachers and students using virtual technology. VR can take the form of providing a 3D stimulation via game or learning applicator using special goggles or a headset. Experiences can be planning and creating lessons, delivering mass productions, and giving students the opportunity to learn independently.

What exactly is AR?

Augmented Reality (AR), in education is the enhanced communication between teachers and students using fixed virtual technology. AR in education is still developing in ways that it gets students to visualize and understand the complex concepts that would otherwise be harder to grasp. AR takes the comprehension of textbook learning and transforms it to be compatible with the learning and engagement students need.

VR in the Classroom

There has been more of a push for virtual reality in the classroom. Teachers are now finding more ways they can incorporate VR into their lessons to give students the full effect. There are many online lessons that give teachers access to VR in the classroom.  ClassVR in particular, has the developed software to make the connections between teachers and students for VR learning. The following points of interest come from ClassVR and what they offer for VR.

Planning and Creating Lessons: ClassVR lets you select their resources or upload your own plans for VR. This site allows you to “search from over 500 resources by subject, topic, or keyword.”

Delivering: ClassVR can transmit the preplanned lessons to the headsets participating in the stimulation. The headsets can be locked to help retain focus, and are equipped to specialize in the interest of students to grab their attention.

Independent Learning: Put control into the lives of the students when using VR. With ClassVR, they can use printed worksheet for self guided learning with the headsets. Make centers more engaging when they are able to navigate around the lessons themselves.

Click the button below to see Virtual Reality in the classroom!

AR in the Classroom

Augmented Reality in the classroom takes the form of educational apps for learning and fun in any classroom! The following are apps recommended to be used in any K-12 classroom to help bring the learning to life!

• Quiver
• Anatomy 4D
• Elements 4D
• Curiscope
• AR-3D Science
• AR Freedom Stories
• Chromville
• Magicplan

Consider the image below that explains the growing use of AR/VR in K-12 Education (2016)

The above image depicts the growing use of VR and AR in the education system. As more technology becomes available, programming is being developed to teach teachers how to use VR/AR. In the upcoming years these percentages are expected to rise as educators become more comfortable using such technology and it becomes more affordable.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Both VR and AR come with similar benefits and drawbacks when it comes to the connection related between teachers and students. Below are a list of advantages and disadvantages VR and AR have to offer.

Benefits 

Drawbacks

Check out the Following articles for more about Benefits and Drawbacks of VR and AR: ‘10 Ways Virtual Reality is Already Being Used in Education‘ & ‘How to Effectively Use Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality Transform the Industry of Education‘

Virtual and Augmented Reality is the next big thing in today’s world, especially in the education system. Educators are researching and learning the software that is required for Virtual Reality and turning it into lessons for their students. Technology has changed tremendously just over the past fifty years, and plays a part in just about all occupations. Educators are taking matters into their own hands and preparing students for their future by incorporating technology into the classroom on a daily basis. Virtual and Augmented Reality provide the perfect stimulations for students to prepare them for their future.

I want to incorporate Virtual and Augmented Reality into my future elementary classroom. I believe that by given the right directions, I can publish lessons that are going to benefit my students into learning bigger through virtual reality. When reading through the history books, I want to be able to take my students to “destination unknown”, or on math scavenger hunts, and learning languages of a different country. The possibilities are endless when using VR and AR, and I want to make that known throughout my classroom. Students will be able to stay engaged and pick up on items that a textbook can’t teach them, instead they are getting the experience. I also believe that getting to experience VR is a privilege, and should be treated as such. As previously stated, this technology hasn’t been around long, students still should be able to read and analyze from pencil and paper. Virtual and Augmented Reality will then come into play to transform into the wonderful experiences learning has to offer from other dimensions and point of views.

Nobody ever excepted for their lives to be abruptly interrupted by a national pandemic. Healthcare workers and officials have been placed on the front lines battling this virus to save lives. This is also a time to think about those who are working from the front lines at home and how they are trying to maintain the peace. These people consist of state governments and law enforcement, small business owners, and the educators who are bending over backwards to create a new normal for their students.

What exactly is the new normal for educators and students in need?

K-12 teachers describe the new normal as trying to find ways to keep their students engaged and feeling safe in such a  troublesome time. The way education is being monitored varies between state, district, and county because of the resources available. In North Carolina in particular, most schools are not “requiring” that work be submitted and graded, teachers are still working to ensure a stable connection between them and their students.

This can be a very challenging time for students who relied on going to school everyday because it was their safe place, or maybe their only meal a day. Counties all across the country have set up systems to help those in need. I looked at my county in particular, and the ways they are ensuring meals and communication to students. The Gaston County School System has taken many efforts to reach the needs of children and their parents during this hard time. They have launched “Gaston at Home” which allows for parents to download packets for their children to work on while at home. These packets will not be graded, but keep students thinking and learning. Since libraries are closed, Gaston County is enforcing their WOW (without walls) program that connects students to e-books. Spectrum is also granting free wifi to students in need. I think these steps taken are appropriate for students to create a routine while at home, and can continue learning. When it comes to meals, Gaston County launched Grab and Go, which ensures meals to students in need at 16 locations. 

I’m very proud of my county and their efforts to ensure the needs of students are met. Gaston County has a 15.61% poverty rate (from a 2018 report) where people are not having their needs met. It is essential that during these hard times, students know where their next meal will come from, and that they have a support system.

Click here to read more on Gaston County’s policy for ensuring communication and meals to their students.

Education Before Corona?

At this point, it can be hard to quite remember how education was operated before corona. Students went to school everyday and were physically greeted by their teachers and had a classroom and a desk to call their own. Instructions were given by teachers and staff by standing in front of the class giving lectures, providing handouts, drawing examples, incorporating technology, and being a personal assistant. Teachers introduced more lessons and activities via technology, but it was hardly a reliable source for teachers. After the corona outbreak, teachers and staff relied on technology to communicate and teach, but it brought some questions to the table:

These questions are still concerns that may or may not have an answer from education officials. However, all staff and teachers are all hands on deck to work together to take each day one day at time and focus on their students.

The Life of a ‘Zoom University’ College Student

Upon learning that I would not be coming back to campus at NC State University after Spring Break simply broke my heart. I have so much love for the campus that has brought me so many friends, helped me grow as an individual, and learn what it means to be apart of the pack! I also had many concerns on how my daily routine was going to change and how my classes would operate. The University worked with me, as well as all students to continue smooth delivery of coursework through Moodle and lectures via Zoom. This transition helped to change my mindset on how to view technology, and how much I rely on it. I’m thankful for the applicators available in my life that allow me to continue my education from home.

Check out my video on my “Daily Routine at NCSU Zoom University”

Helpful Resources

Below is a list of helpful recourses and descriptions of technology being used by K-12 teachers to help with virtual learning and communication.

1. Zoom-virtual face to face communication, perfect for class size lectures and communication
2. Google Hangouts-face to face communication, better for one on one communication
3. Google Classroom– connection of communication through a google account for teachers and students that provides a feed of posts and assignments
4. Kahoot– educational game were students put their knowledge to the test by answering questions the fastest to see their name on the leaderboard.
5. Starfall– educational game were K-1st grade students can improve on their phonics and number skills
6. Brainpop-educational videos on the topic of the teachers choice with assisting quizzes
7. Classdojo-connection of communication through teachers and students that provides a feed of posts and assignments
8. Flipgrid-Video presentations on the lesson or lecture, and you can even reply back via video
9. StoryBird– allows for students to create art inspired stories to share with teachers
10. National Geographic Kids– accessible online magazine with educational games that reflect todays trending topics

These technology resources are very useful for communication and assisted for learning for teachers, students, and their parents. Many more educational sites and resources have opened up to temporarily free subscriptions for teachers and students to help with the resource gap the nation is currently facing. I want to incorporate technologies like these in and out of my classroom. I feel as if they serve as a strong communication base, and it can even incorporate the parents for more family based learning. Technology within the classroom is constantly growing and changing and it’s important to find ways were it can benefit the teacher and the student.

Click the following article to find more technology resources for teachers to introduce to their students to establish a learning connection.

Reflection

COVID-19 took the world by surprise, and left us with lots of “what next?” questions. As a community we realized how much we operate on technology, and how we use it to stay connected with one another. I personally find it very eye opening to the resources created and expanded to reach the needs of everyone and in particular, students. Children have many questions themselves and wonder when their lives will be returned to normal. It’s important to have the conversation with them too about today’s changing world, and what they can do to help keep everyone safe. Younger students should keep some sort of daily routine, just as if they were in school to help with the anxiety of change. This is done through the communication of teachers and students by technologies that keep them connected. Even if teachers are instructed not to grade work submitted by students, it’s still important to acknowledge that it was completed. I believe teachers should reach out to their students and ask them questions regarding the accessibilities they have at home, what they’ve been up to, and how they are seeing this time as an opportunity for a growth mindset. We see this as a scary time in our history, but it’s the obstacles that we face that have stronger outcomes.