Jigsaw Planet

A while back a teacher asked me if I knew of an online tool to create jigsaws from children's own photo's - today I found Jigsaw Planet

Very easy to use, just sign up and upload a photo. you can choose how many pieces your puzzle has. Puzzles can be shared and embedded in blogs.


Here's an example of one I created

You are timed to complete the puzzle and can have a photo of the puzzle displayed either beside your page or 'ghosted' onto the background.

You can also display a link to the site and/or the number of pieces your puzzle has if you wish.

 How could you use this tool to support student learning in your classroom?

Feedback

Received the first comment on my blog today..........some friendly advice telling me the viewer thought my font choice was awful. Have to admit, I was a little worried when I chose it......I wanted something 'different'......different is not necessarily a good thing! I've spent time tonight changing all the fonts and the colour scheme (to have less red and a more 'traditional' feel). I think it's far easier to read now.

Any and all feedback greatly appreciated.

My Thinking

I discovered this quote online tonight

“In too many cases, we bolt new technologies on top of current learning tools in the standard learning environment, which effectively means we give our kids a thousand-dollar pencil.” – Alan November.

which has lead me to find the author's book "Who Owns the Learning?"

I've been struggling the last few weeks, each night I come home, think about the teachers I have worked with and think about where I would place them on the E-Learning Framework. My inner struggle is that I know for a fact a few of them would put themselves in a very different place than I would. Using 'Mathletics' does not mean you are 'Extending' or 'Empowering'!

I think that in order to make a difference to student outcomes and to prepare learners for life beyond school, we need to change our pedagogy first, then integrate the technology whether that's one computer.......or 30 iPads.

I plan to continue to challenge the teachers I am working with in the time I have left in this role and into the future.

It's NOT about the 'cool' apps, it's NOT about the 'wicked websites'.........

It's about

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Creating a Global Audience

I've just bought Alan November's book (I love the Buy Now with 1 click option on the Amazon store - it means I can download the Kindle version immediately to read via the Kindle App on my iPad) so I am interested to see if he thinks the same.

Manawatu Digi Awards

I have been asked to be the 'Supreme Judge' for this year's  Manawatu Digi Awards. The Awards Evening is on 12th November at Regent Theatre on Broadway. I am really looking forward to celebrating the creativity, innovation and learning that these schools and students have been a part of. Exciting times.


The Manawatu Digi Awards Outline

What's their picture really about?

Today my aim was to teach children the basics of using iPads while also showing their teachers the potential for the device in their literacy programme. I not only wanted to show them that they were engaging (that's a given!) but I wanted to clearly show them how they can support the learning.

With one Junior group as a quick 'starter' I introduced the App Drawing Pad because we can save our finished product to the 'Camera Roll' it means we can do something more with it. We then opened the App Sonic Pics and added our voice to explain our picture. Some learners chose to share elaborate imaginative adventures, some choose to 'retell' the process they had taken to create the picture.

I see Sonic pics would be useful in the classroom for

• Supporting Oral language (Flash cards, Who am I, What am I - ask the question for your viewers?, Where am I?)
• Using for procedural text (eg photographs of a process then retell either with words and/or voice)
• Recording and sharing a class trip or experience
• Retelling a storybook but with the children's own drawn artwork as each page
• Poetry - with photographs and the children's poems
• Book Reviews or 'hooks'

So many possibilities!

Is your blog safe?

Today I removed the 'navigation bar' from along the top of my blog (the bit where you sign in, which a has something on it that you may not have noticed a 'next blog' button - which you DO NOT want your learners clicking on and randomly ending up on any old blog from any random person!)

It's very easy to do and don't panic.......I'll guide you through how to add a 'blogger logo' to your blog so that you will always be able to easily sign in.

Firstly add a logo.
Go to 'layout'
Add a gadget
Scroll down and choose 'logo'
Select which colour you like.
Save and view blog.

Now you will have a little logo button that you can click on anytime to 'sign in'.

To remove your navigation bar (this is VERY easy).

Go to 'layout'
Click on the top righthand button which says 'Nav bar'.
Now your screen will look like the image below

look for the 'off' option, select it and then save (just like in the image above).

All done. Now if you view your blog the nav bar has disappeared and when you want to sign it just click on the logo button that you added. Much safer.

Making Thinking Visible

Today I worked with small groups of students and their teachers to role model and facilitate the use of iPad Apps that support writing, reflection and 'Making Thinking Visible'. These students will then go back into their classrooms (with the support of their teachers) and teach others.

Year 0 Bilingual and Year 1/2 Hungry Fish (Intro to basic use and 'swipe' movement for learners who had never used device before) then moving onto creation rather than consumption. Puppet Pals, Sock Puppets and Drawing Pad (with photo's of themselves and creations imported).

The Bilingual unit had been on a trip that day to a local landmark where they were told the history and local Maori legend which related to it. The Director's Cut ($4.19 Paid version) would have enabled the learners to use their own background photo's with 'character cutouts' of themselves or their own drawn pictures of characters, warriors etc. The school saw the value of this (after learners using my iPad with it on) and plan to invest in this app. 

Bilingual Class year 3/4's Fotopedia Heritage (Free) and Skitch (Free). 
Example of content created in a short session on iPad.

Then when teaching flexibility of the App using same process but using learner generated artwork.

The created 'product' could then be used to support an in class writing session or oral language (recording ideas, creative storytelling). Learners could also complete this learning experience in Te Reo.

Year 5/6's Epic Citadel (Free) and Skitch (Free) and Tappy Memories ($1.29).

Learners explored the App - took the 'guided tour', then negotiated the environment on their own (time limited). Learners then chose their 'place of interest' (The place that - ignited their thinking? What intrigued them? Where would they most like to be?) They took a screen shot of their place (this was also a new skill learnt). This image could then have been used as part of their literacy learning (oral, written), or even in other curriculum areas eg Music, Dance and Drama.

The app 'Tappy Memories' was also role modelled to show the possibilities of using multiple apps to build on and share their thinking and reflections. The fact that the content learners create can be emailed from within the app means that it can then be blogged with ease. When you email your 'reflection' it arrives as seperate files e.g. Photo, Text and Sound File.

This is just a screenshot rather than the exported finished product.

At an after school staff member each staff member discussed their experiences and new learning from the day. All staff had access to an ipad to 'play' with the apps as they were shared. I was able to show examples created both on the iPad (via the Reflection programme installed on my laptop and attached to the data projector) and also those emailed/shared directly to blogs via iPad (Blogger App). I was also able to answer any questions and to suggest apps for other purposes and individual needs.

Education Shapes You

I attended a professional learning opportunity today.......at my old high school (shudder). It was my first time returning after more than 20 years of 'life'. I felt ill just walking through the gate, insecure, uneasy. It lead me to reflect and question as I walked towards the space I'd occupy for the day.

Education really does shape your life, it impacts on who you are and who you become. 

I realised how totally different I am to those teachers who were once in front of me. I realised how purposeful I had been in making sure I was different in almost every way. I believe in inclusiveness, in building a rapport, in seeing potential in each and every learner.

I also acknowledge that I am a Primary trained teacher and after talking with Secondary Teachers today I accept they are dealing with 'a whole different kettle of fish' (not so much in relation to the learner but to the curriculum, the MOE expectations and the 'goalposts that are forever changing').

Today's PD included
Chrisse Butler from Core Education - Blended E-Learning Special Needs facilitator - 'Teaching and Learning'.

Janelle Riki from Core Education - Te Reo me ona Tikanga Maori -  'Maori achieving as Maori'

Snapguide

Today I downloaded the Snapguide app and also signed up for an account. The app is for making 'guides', it looks very useful in my role but I'm interested in looking at it's use for in the classroom. On initial exploration it looks to me like it will be a real hook for visual learners, be great for those learners that need to go away and have a personal 'recap' of a lesson introduction or even to cover 'next steps'. I can also see it linking to Key Competencies, Thinking and in particular Managing Self. I'll post again when I've created a few.

App 
Snapguide

Twitter

Is Twitter blocked in your school (it is at the school I am working in today grrrrrrrr).

It's interesting for me to reflect on this knowing that several of 'my' schools are successfully using Twitter (and other Social Networking tools) to connect and communicate with home, whanau and community.

Many schools (the forward thinking ones? hmmmm the 'up with the play' ones?) encourage their teachers to form strong Professional Learning Networks (PLN's) so why block sites such as Twitter?

I would be lost without Twitter, yes, it takes time to establish a 'worthy' network.

Tip: Follow me @paulajamieson then look at my followers list and follow who you think interests you, read their bio.

I don't use Twitter for personal use, I'm NOT interested in what you had for breakfast.......but I AM interested in useful research, current 'happenings', reflective blogs, collaborative projects, conferences and professional learning groups. I even use Twitter to problem solve for me.......I can ask a question and 9 times out of ten have it answered within minutes!

Twitter is my professional learning.....free and accessible when I want or need it and connected to educators throughout the world who I value and would never possibly have the opportunity to connect with otherwise! I have to admit I often feel like 'my friends live in my laptop or iPad' - I've been lucky enough to meet lots of my fellow 'Tweeters' at Tweet Meets and conferences so bonds are now even stronger.

Get on Twitter, I strongly recommend it!

Scoop.it

Are you using the Scoop.it site, either to curate your own Scoop it (online 'magazine' of links, readings, websites etc) for professional learning or in class for 'themed' topics, Big Ideas, Concept Curriculum  or support resources?

You can visit my Scoop.it sites here

iPads in Everyday Education

Teaching and Learning

Educational Leadership

Making Thinking Visible

Only2Clicks

This is NOT what you want to see for the third day this week.........

I have two Only2Clicks account which I update almost every day

Websites - (I'll add the link when the page is not down)
ipadappsineducation -

TIP: If you use the Only2Clicks site for bookmarking (which I love by the way) make sure you periodically export your bookmarks. They stay under the tab headings you have set and even though this only gives you a list at least you have a record of the sites you have bookmarked.

iPad Users Group

I've just been at an iPad users group before school meeting.
Teachers shared their journey with the devices so far, their 'aha' moments, their successes and challenges.

The fact they have a reflective online journal to complete, are meeting regularly to share, are troubleshooting and challenging each others thinking and next steps.......I can see this journey is going to be successful.

I was able to provide support with

• Problem Solving - Apple Reset, removing photo's and video's off devices which are synced to a specific school machine but individual teachers require the content.
• App support - Lifecards (can be posted via Twitter and embedded in their LMS when exported as a jpeg)
• My online site to target Apps with specific learning outcomes in mind
• Links to 'iPad lessons' for inspiration and to support the 'where to next' journey (we don't know what we don't know!).
• I'm visiting their school next week to provide in class support (in the Junior School).

Educational Technologist

Well, it appears the time has come........this is my first official post as a soon to be independent "Educational Technologist" - a specialist in tools to enhance learning.

The business cards have arrived, the website is almost finished.......a few more nights work and the bones will be in place.

2013 has exciting and scary times ahead!