App Smashing!
App Smashing is a great way for teachers to integrate technology into the classroom. Through app smashing both teachers and students can learn how to use apps as learning tools. However, giving students the freedom to explore different apps alone could present potential problems.
Although App Smashing is great method to familiarize students with technology, it also presents a fair amount of problems. When I was presented with the challenge to create an app smash, I had a lot of fun exploring the different apps that I could possibly use to create my project. Our group was instructed to answer the question, "how do we use technology in our everyday lives?" We had the freedom to choose from all the apps on the iPads that we were provided. The only problem with this aspect of the project was spending too much time exploring and playing with the apps. I think if we were to do this assignment with younger students, it would be a good idea to give them a certain set of apps to choose from. Along with this I think that it can be hard for students to collaborate on different iPads when creating an app smash. When I was working on the project, I found it difficult to share the different creations we made in order to combine everyone's work. Some of the apps we used did not allow for us to export our projects so we could share it with our partners.
When using technology in the classroom I think that it is important for teachers to establish a specific set of rules for students to follow. It can be very easy for students to get distracted when using tools like iPads or computers during class. Depending on the school, students could either be provided with school iPads/computers or have the responsibility to bring in their own. In regards to school issued material, I would make sure that all the iPads had the apps specific to my class in certain folders that are easy to find. I would also make sure that students know that surfing the web during lessons or time that is specific to doing work is prohibited. Finally I would make sure that students understand they are not allowed to download any apps without the permission of an adult. This will help avoid students from downloading things that are not school appropriate.
Other than app smash, I have come across other issues while using technology is a school setting. I remember when I was in elementary, middle and high school I always struggled with using technology during class. In elementary school I really had a hard time with understanding the basic principles on how to work a computer, specifically how to save a file to the right place. When I was in elementary school, there never was that much integration of technology in our lessons. I remember we had a computer class where we would use different software to create projects but nothing can compare to what we have now. We also had a Smart Board in every classroom from the time I was in elementary school to the time I graduated high school. Although we used Smart Boards daily, students never really had the ability or access to use them, they were strictly for teachers. My ability to use technology definitely got better as I got older because it was becoming more present in my day-to-day life. In middle school I remember I got an iPad which definitely advanced my technological ability. However, it was not until I came to college and started taking computer courses like W200 that I really began to take advantage of technology. Through these courses I learned how to use technology efficiently and effectively in the classroom.
The classes that I have taken at Indiana University have expanded my knowledge on the many different ways I can utilize technology. I believe that App Smashing is a great way for teachers to get their students familiar and comfortable with using different apps in the classroom to help them further their learning. In the future, I definitely see myself using App Smashing in my classroom as a project or homework assignment as a fun and different way for students to learn subjects like math, social studies, science or english.
Although App Smashing is great method to familiarize students with technology, it also presents a fair amount of problems. When I was presented with the challenge to create an app smash, I had a lot of fun exploring the different apps that I could possibly use to create my project. Our group was instructed to answer the question, "how do we use technology in our everyday lives?" We had the freedom to choose from all the apps on the iPads that we were provided. The only problem with this aspect of the project was spending too much time exploring and playing with the apps. I think if we were to do this assignment with younger students, it would be a good idea to give them a certain set of apps to choose from. Along with this I think that it can be hard for students to collaborate on different iPads when creating an app smash. When I was working on the project, I found it difficult to share the different creations we made in order to combine everyone's work. Some of the apps we used did not allow for us to export our projects so we could share it with our partners.
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| Click here to watch a great example of App Smashing! |
When using technology in the classroom I think that it is important for teachers to establish a specific set of rules for students to follow. It can be very easy for students to get distracted when using tools like iPads or computers during class. Depending on the school, students could either be provided with school iPads/computers or have the responsibility to bring in their own. In regards to school issued material, I would make sure that all the iPads had the apps specific to my class in certain folders that are easy to find. I would also make sure that students know that surfing the web during lessons or time that is specific to doing work is prohibited. Finally I would make sure that students understand they are not allowed to download any apps without the permission of an adult. This will help avoid students from downloading things that are not school appropriate.
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| Click here for great resources for App Smashing! |
Other than app smash, I have come across other issues while using technology is a school setting. I remember when I was in elementary, middle and high school I always struggled with using technology during class. In elementary school I really had a hard time with understanding the basic principles on how to work a computer, specifically how to save a file to the right place. When I was in elementary school, there never was that much integration of technology in our lessons. I remember we had a computer class where we would use different software to create projects but nothing can compare to what we have now. We also had a Smart Board in every classroom from the time I was in elementary school to the time I graduated high school. Although we used Smart Boards daily, students never really had the ability or access to use them, they were strictly for teachers. My ability to use technology definitely got better as I got older because it was becoming more present in my day-to-day life. In middle school I remember I got an iPad which definitely advanced my technological ability. However, it was not until I came to college and started taking computer courses like W200 that I really began to take advantage of technology. Through these courses I learned how to use technology efficiently and effectively in the classroom.
The classes that I have taken at Indiana University have expanded my knowledge on the many different ways I can utilize technology. I believe that App Smashing is a great way for teachers to get their students familiar and comfortable with using different apps in the classroom to help them further their learning. In the future, I definitely see myself using App Smashing in my classroom as a project or homework assignment as a fun and different way for students to learn subjects like math, social studies, science or english.
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