Montessori Numbers

Montessori Numbers is a set of mathematical activities based on the Montessori method of teaching, where one of the major tenets is a hands-on approach to learning. Using predominately virtual MAB blocks, as well as beads and other commonly recognizable objects, Montessori Numbers takes one specific set of objects and uses them in basic activities which tap into counting and quantity. This app incorporates base ten imagery with units stacked to form columns of ten and columns that are lined up to form squares of 100, allowing students to explore numbers from 1-999. This app also provides the opportunity for students to explore the decimal system and place value.  The app would best utilized in Foundation to Year 2 classrooms as it aligns with the Australian Curriculum: Number and Algebra content strand and the corresponding elaborations for number and place value within these grade levels. Best of all, you can choose an Australian voice to provide feedback which allows for more efficient learning.

My Love Affair

With Apple. Yes, it's true I am a die hard Apple technology fan and I make no apologies for it. Though on occasion this blog may sprout ramblings of university banter meant to resemble some sort of intelligence on my part, it has also been created to share what I know about about educational technology, particularly relating to Apple products and how this technology can be implemented and used successfully in the classroom to benefit teachers and students. Over the next several months, my aim will be to guide fellow educators through the basics of iPad use (it's so easy, even my five year old knows how to navigate his way around Apple's graphic user interface), review what I consider to be quality apps, explore current technology trends and issues and examine in more detail The Australian Curriculum: Technologies (Digital Technology) Curriculum and (ICT) Capability.

Mind Mapping Using Simple Mind

 

As part of the technology subject that I am doing at uni, I was asked to construct a mind map indicating the reasons to incorporate ICTs within the classroom. Wanting to take a break from sitting at my netbook, I thought instead that I would use my iPad. I like to think that I work smart when I use my iPad - conducting research about the best available apps before purchasing but on this particular occasion I failed. Whilst I did read the reviews which were positive and downloaded the for mentioned app at the cost of $7.99, I was disappointed with the results. Even though the mind mapping tool allowed me to synthesize my thoughts into a comprehensive whole - the result wasn't as polished as I would have liked it to be. I was hoping for something a little more like my fellow pre-service educator Kerry Dowden's at The Road Ahead. She used a mind mapping tool which can be found here. Oh well live and learn.

ZooBurst – Augmented Reality for Books!

ZooBurst image from:  http://cf.zooburst.com/images/ZooBurst_StoryCode_LittleRedRidingHood.pdf

ZooBurst is an augmented reality program that creates dynamic pop up books on your computer screen using a webcam and an internet connection. For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of augmented reality a simple explanation for this is that is a view of a physical, real world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data.

The ZooBurst book builder allows narration, images, animations, and speech balloons to be added to a story. Once created these books can be viewed using an online viewer or embedded in a website. Due to the simplicity of its interface this program would be most beneficial for primary age students to use in order to create and illustrate their own stories.

The advantage of using augmented reality in education is that it provides students with more effective ways to tell stories, deliver presentations, write reports, express complex ideas and access content. For teachers the benefit of using a program such as ZooBurst is that it gives students the chance to practice digital story telling by becoming creators of content and it is also a great way for students to engage with text.

Are you ready to incorporate one of the most creative, engaging experiences imaginable in your classroom?

To view this story book:

1. Install the free ZooBurst iPad app from the iTunes app store.
2. Launch the app and tap the “Story Code button”.
3. Point the device at the story code when prompted.