Blog Archives

11/1/2015

Are you an App Smasher?

Are you an App Smasher? The chances are that the answer to this question is yes
but you may not even know it!

So, what is App Smashing and how can it be used in the classroom?

Background – behind the concept

As teachers, we are very adept at finding alternative / cheaper ways of doing things. I’ve always referred to this as the ‘Blue Peter’ approach to teaching and learning i.e. the teaching equivalent of making Tracy Island out of sticky back plastic and glue.

The famous Tracy Island put together using margarine tubs, sticky back plastic and glue.

An example of this would be combining PowerPoint and Movie Maker to create a Pecha Kucha

The aim of Pecha Kucha is to encourage the presenter to be more concise and a little more creative with their presentations. Each presentation must contain no more than 20 slides and each slide must last for 20 seconds. It’s suggested that the presentation consist mainly of images, photos, or graphics with little to no text. The idea is that each image should advance the story and emphasize the key points. Pecha Kuchas are ideal for creating revision resources and can also be used to flip your classroom. To find out more about Pecha Kuchas, click here

To create their Pecha Kucha, students could first create their annotated slides in PowerPoint (or other slide show tool – see 10 alternatives to PowerPoint). They can then export their slides as images and import them into Movie Maker (PC) or iMovie (Mac) and record their voice-overs. Once complete, the students can then upload their exported video to their favourite video sharing site such as YouTube.

Pecha Kucha on classroom management apps for iOS using PowerPoint, iMovie and text-to-speech software.

What is App Smashing?

The idea of app smashing was brought to my attention courtesy of a live google hangout via YouTube featuring Mark Anderson (@ICTEvangelist), Richard Wells (@ipadwells), Jenny Ashby (@jjash) and Joe Dale (@joedale) called ‘App Smash Live’. You can view the original online session here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX07m-wahOg

The concept of App Smashing, also referred to as 'App Synergy', was originally coined by Greg Kulowiec (@gregkulowiec). According to Greg, App Smashing is: “The process of using multiple apps in conjunction with one another to complete a final task or project.” – Source: The History 2.0 Classroom: App Smashing Part 1

In his original blog post, Greg explains how to use Google Drive, Instagram, Explain Everything and Vimeo to create a web based timeline to capture students learning. You can view his original post here: http://kulowiectech.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/app-smashing-part-i.html

Mark Anderson, Education consultant and Apple Distinguished Educator, expands on Greg's original definition by describing App Smashing as:

“A mashup of Apps in a workflow that combines the creation of different elements to a piece of work that generates a learning outcomes that is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Source: #AppSmashLive – A review and write up

Since Greg’s original post, App Smashing has gained in popularity - so much so, it even now has its own hashtag - #AppSmash

Some great examples of App Smashing can be found on Richard Wells blog: ipad4schools.org. In addition to providing examples of App Smashing, Richard explains the benefits of App Smashing as well as offering useful advice for successful classroom use. To find out more, visit Richard’s blog: http://ipad4schools.org/2014/04/19/why-app-smash/

Want to find out more?

Useful Links :

Edtechteacher: Unleashing Creativity: Greg Kulowiec App Smashing – from Beth Holland - Greg Kulowiec asks the question: “Why limit our students to one tool at one time?”
Edtechteacher: App Smashing from Greg - An introduction to App Smashing from Greg Kulowiec
Ipad4schools: Why app smash? Lots of great examples along with useful advice for App Smashing in the classroom from Richard Wells
APP SYNERGY: THE ART FORM OF APP-SMASHING - An intro to App Smashing from Lisa Johnson
#AppSmashLive – A review and write up - Overview of App Smashing courtesy of Mark Anderson

6/1/2015

#bettchat 6th Jan 2015 - What do we want from #edtech?

My head is still buzzing from a very thought provoking #bettchat on "What do we want from #edtech! This was my first time as host of #bettchat - a role I thoroughly enjoyed (even if my fingers were hurting at the end!). I would like to take this opportunity to thank the organisers of #bettchat and everyone involved with @bett_show for inviting me to host tonights #bettchat!

Below is a breakdown of the discussion:

2/1/2015

#BETTChat - What do we want from edtech?

Next #BETTChat: 6th Jan 2015

It is my pleasure to host the first #BETTChat of 2015!

The theme of Bett 2015 is inspired by and built around Thomas Jefferson’s quote “Let us in education dream of an aristocracy of achievement arising out of a democracy of opportunity”. With that in mind, my theme for #BETTChat will be "What do we want from edtech?".
I will also be asking the questions, "What do teachers/students actually want from edtech?" and "What does edtech signify regarding enhancing personalised learning, support and feedback and lifelong learning?"

Please join me (@clcsimon) using the hashtag #BETTChat

Join the conversation: Tuesday 6th June 2015 - 4.30 pm

Questions: (WIP)

Q1) What does edtech signify regarding enhancing personalised learning, support and feedback and lifelong learning?

Q2) What would you like to see from edtech that is not currently possible or not logistically / economically viable?

Q3) If you could improve one aspect of your teaching by using edtech, what would it be?

Q4) How does edtech facilitate the flipped classroom/blended learning? How does edtech need to improve to support these models successfully?

Q5) Is it inevitable that schools will move away from providing students with devices and adopt the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model?

YOUR CART

Are you an App Smasher?

#bettchat 6th Jan 2015 - What do we want from #edtech?

#BETTChat - What do we want from edtech?

Next #BETTChat: 6th Jan 2015

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