Apps in a Flash: Tell About This & Write About This

Knowing how busy our teachers are but wanting to provide professional development, I started “Apps in a Flash” as a quick way to introduce an app to the Lower School faculty. The promise was a 15 to 20 minute look at an app and how it could enhance learning.

My inartistic attempt at a logo using the Paper appI tried my artistic (or rather inartistic) ability using the Paper app to create a logo to hopefully generate interest.

Our first session featured Tell About This and Write About This. I had no idea how many teachers would come to the workshop so I was thrilled when 9 showed up! It was fast talking to fit everything into 15 minutes as promised! Before leaving, the teachers were asked to fill out an “exit ticket” to provide ideas on how they might use the apps with their students.

Here are their fantastic thoughts!

Tell About This:

  • You could load a picture of money and ask the kids to tell you how much is there and how they counted it.
  • With our Lucy Calkins program – Brainstorm for writing assignments such as beginning, middle, end; “small moments”
  • Have pictures of objects and list adjectives.
  • Seasons (pics of trees) – explain weather in picture
  • Use to explain science, math, social studies concepts, etc
  • Create an illustration based on a story you just heard – take a picture and tell about it.
  • Children build something with geometric figures and describe shapes used.
  • Positive Actions – Pictures of Pix It & Nix It and explain a specific scenario.

Write About This:

  • Use this as a journal. After teaching a certain convention (i.e. commas) tell the children you will be checking their writing for correct usage of commas.
  • A child could first record their idea. Then, have the child transcribe their story.
  • Use vocabulary to have students create a sentence and then discuss the meaning.
  • Use this app to demonstrate ability to write and use it along with other things for use in student portfolios and student-led conferences.
  • Take a photo of favorite artwork done so far and write about it.
  • Take a picture of an element of design (example: value) and discuss it.
  • Science: Science research/drawings; lab reports; scientist of the week
  • Social Studies: Take photos of campus and write about locations.
  • Record special events (such as Seuss week) and write a “news” story each day.
  • Write and explain regrouping (i.e. 32-17)
  • Flat Stanley – Write and share pictures of where he’s been and what he did.
  • Literature: Upcoming unit on Boxcar Children, retell the story using the map.

A huge thanks to Allison, Jane, Leslie, Carol, Amy, Diane K, Gail, Kim, and Diane M for sharing their thoughts about the apps!

photo(11)

Handouts:

Tell About This

Write About This

2 Comments on Apps in a Flash: Tell About This & Write About This

  1. Ana Maria Menezes
    March 27, 2014 at 3:39 pm (10 years ago)

    Hello Karen,

    I loved reading your post and your idea for a very brief encounter with teachers. I’m responsible for updating teachers as to new educational technologies and a problem I also face is their lack of time for these meetings. I’ll probably borrow your idea for the “exit ticket”. Great work and thanks for sharing.
    I blog at lifefeast.me

    Reply
    • Karen
      March 28, 2014 at 8:27 am (10 years ago)

      We’ve struggled for years on how to get tech PD to teachers. It’s not required so, of course, it’s pushed to the back burner. There are always so many other issues that teachers have to deal with and there really aren’t enough hours in the day! So far, these quick sessions have generated a good response. I have to admit, it’s hard to fit all that I want to say in 15-20 minutes! But, I’ll do what it takes to help teachers learn the power of technology!

      Love your blog – a wealth of information! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

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