Pick a Path Story Using Collaborative Writing Styles - Chuck the Penguin's Malfunctioning Time Machine.

While on placement early 2015 I came across a unique writing unit. I was working in a class of 25 students who all had their own devices and lacked engagement in traditional writing styles. This particular unit allowed for collaborative writing between small groups of students and from the first lesson there was a marked increase in engagement with students asking to continue working on writing during lunchtime. The structure of the unit relies on students writing stories with a set of specific criteria that covers tense, character, perspective, and story structure. The pieces of writing are more engaging as the final result is all of the pieces of writing put together to create a online, interactive create your own adventure story.

Unit Plan For Lesson
Example of the final outcome
Slides about CYOA writing using Google

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Teacher's Resources

During the writing of this blog I was reflecting a lot on the technological tools that are available online to use with learners but I did very little reflection on the resources available for teachers through technology that may not be for use on technology. After Graduating I began to explore the different websites and resources that are available through the sharing of teachers and building a library of resources for my own use. Websites such as Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT) have become a regular part of my day to day life as I started to build my resource tool kit. As well as paying to get large packs of resources from other Teachers including planning to go with the resources. One of my most recent finds is a mathematics activity that uses QR code within the activity. All of these resources are made by teachers making them more valuable with in the classroom as they are designed by other professionals who know the participants. All too often we become accustomed to keeping our own...

Mathematics using Devices

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Coding in the Classroom.

I have begun to recognise my over-dependency with social media forums however, every so often I come across an app or other digital tool that makes my feel like it's a good thing I still use some of these social media tools. Although I no longer use Snapchat daily as a tool to share the moments in my day I deem important, I do still look at the live stories from well known businesses. Mashable is a well known source for news and updates on the latest digital tools and happenings throughout the world. They share an app of the day normally a helpful or engaging app, they also share news and other information including a story I came across today. Heather and Amie from Portland have created the first Children's Book that is based around code. Based on Kickstarter they are heading towards publishing and selling this book first in a America (and hopefully soon the rest of the world!) the book titled "The Wonderful World of Creatures and Code" shares coding with learners ...

Technology Teaching Tidbits

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