Technology Play # 3

Tech Play 3

Based on the SAMR model, I have chosen two web integration programs to explore.  Let's begin. The tools explored  were Kahoot and Google Classroom (which compass Google Drive along with Google Email). The following depicts aspects of each web creativity tool that allows enhanced student learning to happen. Many campuses currently have Google Classroom, therefore, it allows students access to a platform which incorporates a digital environment that students can interact within and collaborate.  

S-Substitution (Kahoot will provide students with an alternative mechanism to paper and pencil/pen quizzes/review worksheets. Kahoot gives students a fun, game-based activity for learning content.)

Kahoot is a collection of questions on specific topics. Kahoot was created by teachers, students, business-people and social users where they are asked in real-time to respond to an unlimited number of "players" on any subject-matter, creating a social, fun, and game-like learning environment.

A-Augmentation (Kahoot allows students to interact individually or work together as teams within a fun, game-based web program to answer predefined questions from content that has been taught. Kahoot, thusly, provides tools and applications that teachers as well students can use to assess  what they (students) need further assistance in comprehending through the creation of questions. Kahoot provides access to teacher prepared questions on specific content in the form of a Game PIN or creation of questions/answers from students on the  digital platform to be used in group settings. Overall, Kahoot provides a way for educators' to gauge students' learning and understanding on curriculum that has been taught on a specific topics in an unit.

Like/Dislike:  

I like Kahoot, because it is a game-based platform that allows learning to be fun. In addition, it allows teachers/instructors the capability to provide reviews of content via questions in an alternative format for students.  Kahoot is a creativity tool students' can interact with where they can use either 1:1 devices or a team environment using varied internet ready technological devices.

Creativity Tool

This satisfies the integration of technology to replace what the teacher usually uses in a paper format for reviews and questions pertaining to assignments.  In conjunction with the motivation that students' gain from this interactive platform, the teacher will have access to their responses to assess how much of the content that the student has learned.  Kahoot makes learning fun for the students, since it uses a game-based web platform that can be used for any subject-matter.  
Other Ways

Kahoot can be used for reviews, quizzes, bell work/bell ringers, pre-assessment, interactive questions to replace flash cards, and provides access to create digital team think pair share student groups.

Why?

The main reason why Kahoot will benefit the learning environment is to provoke student with motivation to learn various subject-matter.  It also allows students to become motivated to learn the content in a fun manner by use of technology.  

M-Modification (Through use of Google Classroom, teachers can elevate the learning experience for students to cultivate innovative lessons that provoke critical thinking.  In Google Classroom, students have a platform that allows them to collaborate and discuss aspects of assignments with their peers as well as the teacher 24 hours-7days of week.  This allows students to have full accessibility to all the necessary resources on lessons to succeed, such as assignments, rubrics/scoring guides, objectives, graded work/assignments. With the access to these lesson resources readily available, the students can work at their own pace and refer back to the information consistently throughout instruction to ensure that they fulfill the assignments' criteria.

Google Classroom (It allows the teacher to add a virtual classroom for interaction between themselves and their students regarding assignments/tasks/projects.  The teacher creates assignments in this platform where students are able to complete the assignments, then add a file they created based on the assignment criteria, unless the teacher has created an electronic worksheet, from Google Drive tools.  Students submit the assignment in the same digital forum as they complete their assignments with a click of a button.  Therefore, the students don't have to worry about forgetting their homework/losing their homework/or the cat eating their homework. The students can even in Google Classroom be able to ensure and know that they have submitted their own assignment by  having control over clicking the submit button to upload/submit the completed work. This platform allows the teacher to track the completed assignment submissions for each student within their class consistently. It also allows the teacher to return graded assignments in real-time with any necessary comments/feedback to their students.

Redefinition (Google Classroom  has also created a new, distinctive way of making learning more life-long through access to Google Drive tools and documents within its program. Google Drive, which is a aspect of the program, provides the learner with continuous aspects to allow them to see their growth during different stages of their learning and life span to self-reflect on their progress. Therefore, Google Classroom provides the students with more responsibility and ownership for their individual learning. This transcends to students having the opportunity to successfully complete the assigned tasks provided to them by the instructor/teacher. These documents/projects will forever be a part of the students' Google Drive file storage account that they can refer back to as they progress in their future education/careers.

Like/Dislike

I like the concept of Google Classroom, because it allows for a one stop web-based classroom which allows the teacher to have more instruction time. Also, the digital platform provides students' with the necessary motivation and interaction, because they are using technological devices.  I like that students can culminate real-life skills, such writing, reading, communication, collaboration, and accountability skills using Google Classroom.  The students will be consistently enhancing their writing and reading skills based on using aspects of the classroom such as completing the tasks/assignments. They will communicate with the teacher as well as their classroom peers on various aspects of the assignment that they may have questions regarding various tasks. Therefore, the students will consistently be building their typing and computer skills.  

Google Classroom allows student to be held accountable for their work, because the assignments are completed in this platform, turned in to the teacher for grading, and they receive their grades all in the same location.  I don’t think that there is anything that I dislike about Google Classroom, because it allows students to own their learning and the content of the lesson as well as provides the necessary resources to ensure that they can complete the assignment accurately.

Creativity Tool

Google Classroom changes the total platform from a face-to-face classroom interaction to be web-based.  As stated previously, it allows the students to have access to answers to questions 24 hour-7 days a week from the instructor/teacher.  They can obtain peer support regarding assignments which allows for collaboration.  It allows for the diverse student population to work at their own pace.  Google Classroom also allows the teacher to have more instruction time on the new content, such as modeling of concepts and examples.

Other Ways

Google Classroom allows the teacher to integrate student creations via Google Drive, YouTube to be uploaded as well as teacher prepared electronic worksheets/tests in the same digital location.

Why?

Google Classroom allows for the student to have the capability to work at their own pace and  to be held accountable for their learning. In conjunction, Google Classroom will allow the teacher more instructional time with the physical classroom.