​By: Garrett Derr
This year, our technology team has been a part of our district's leadership academy in efforts to improve equity while also closing the achievement gap across our schools. At these sessions, a lot of ongoing discussions take place. We're often asked to use the prompt cards pictured below for a deeper level of discussion. During a discussion, you hold up the section of the card that explains how you feel — agree, disagree, more to add, or I have a question. On the back of the cards are prompts to further that discussion. I did not personally make the cards pictured below, but it sparked inspiration! I immediately thought of how powerful this could be if we used it for student discussions within the walls of our classrooms. Because Keynote is our favorite app, I made interactive prompt cards for teachers and students alike! Check it out below.
Feel free to use this with your students today! You can download the Keynote template here! Here's a link for the file in Dropbox as well. Have fun! ​ Follow #SDOLTECH on Twitter to learn more about how we're empowering creative digital learners!
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By: Garrett Derr At this point in the school year, I'm sure you've had plenty of time to explore the apps that work best for you and the ones that empower the learning that takes place within the walls of your classroom. You've heard us beat the Keynote drum and it's likely you've explored Pages, Clips, iMovie, and possibly even Numbers. I would venture to say that many haven't explored the possibilities within GarageBand and probably for good reason. It's a music app. There's not enough time in the day. It's overwhelming. The list goes on and on. But, I'm here to tell you that GarageBand is more than just a "music app". Would you believe me if I said you could use it across all content areas including ELA and math? Let's explore a few ways how you could use GarageBand to empower digital creative learning with your students! Fractions Are you having a difficult time introducing fractions with your students? Are your students struggling with the concept of the numerator and the denominator? Within GarageBand students can explore fractions using Drums Beat Sequencer. Customize the number of columns for students or allow them to create with the default settings. Check out how Mary Kemper's example! Teach the basics or allow students to show the simplest form of a fraction. Check out the image below for some inspiration. Not only do our students get to learn in a new way, but they are creating music in the process! Adding Music to Video The other day I was in a classroom where first graders were creating videos using Clips to show their knowledge of nonfiction texts. It was incredible. The only thing that would have made it even better would have been student-made music to go along with the videos. Of course they could add the soundtracks within Clips, but why not give them the chance to create their own? Within GarageBand, students can choose from a variety of instruments including drums, strings, bass, guitar, and much more. Adding music can help emphasize the video's theme or mood. Digital storytelling at its finest! Podcasting or Audio Recording GarageBand is more than just music making. Within the audio recording studio, students can utilize the audio recorder to capture audio or record a podcast. If you have students who need a challenge, allow them to share their knowledge with their peers by creating a podcast on a specific piece of content that they are learning in class. In addition to the studio, students can do enhancing voiceovers with intriguing sounds such as sharks, robots, squirrels, and much more. Check them out below! Enhance Literature and Poetry We often ask our students to engage in various types of literature and poetry. When it's time to create their own piece, wouldn't it be empowering for them to have self-created music to go along with that piece? When presenting or sharing that piece, they are sure to engage their audience. Another integration idea is to use Garageband's audio recorder to record fluency and to track progress! It's time to explore!
Last week Paddy Muench, STEM extraordinaire 6th grade teacher at Reynolds, asked me if there is a space where teachers could share all the cool things they have been making in their classrooms. I though, "huh...our iCloud drives are FULL OF STUFF!" So, I started uploading them to this Padlet to make them easily accessible to all SDOL teachers. Most of what you'll find are learning materials SDOL teachers have created, but we've also sprinkled in things the Apple community has created that are free to use.
Creativity doesn't happen on our own. At the heart of learning is working together to design the best, most empowering learning for our students. And a little inspiration is usually just what we need! Be encouraged to follow the "Give One, Get One" rule. Share your creations too by tapping on the PLUS and uploading your own files. Download files by tapping on a tile and selecting the correct app to open into! Swipe left and right to view all content areas! We will definitely keep adding, so check back! |
Wes EmletCoordinator of Instructional Technology Gidget Dejesus Instructional Technology Coach
@MsGMDeJesus Tara Morcom Instructional Technology Coach
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