Distance Learning Technology and Learning Apps

May 5, 2021

Anna Jones, PhDLyn Brock, MA, RD

Overview

Guiding principles for learning apps and technologyLearning apps

EdPuzzle, Flipgrid, Kahoot, Quizizz, NearpodPolling apps: Mentimenter, Sli.do, Poll Everywhere

Focus on free apps

Some guiding principles when using learning apps and tech enhancements

Pedagogy firstHow will this tool enhance learning or help learners achieve the learning objectives?

Keep things simpleFor you, for your classroom teachers, and the learnersLimit the number of tools you use

Some guiding principles when using learning apps and tech enhancements

For schools - follow the classroom teacher’s leadUse tools they’re using

Check in with teachers about school policyIs use of the tool covered under the school’s policy or does it require parental permission?

Introducing New Tools and Apps

Start off with simple activitiesGoal is to familiarize learners with the features

Have guides or help resources handyBe patient – technical difficulties happenHave a back-up plan

Learning Apps

Learning AppsHow to set up an activityHow to share the activity

With teachersWith participants

Possible uses for the app

EdPuzzlehttps://edpuzzle.comAdd questions to videosBasic (free) account allows up to 20 videos

Can increase number by referring othersIntegrates with Google Classroom, Canvas, Blackboard, SchoologyCan share a link that allows teachers to copy the video Can create an open class that doesn’t require learners to create accounts

EdPuzzle

Pros

Great way to increase engagementEasy to useEasy to share lessons

Cons

Platform currently only available in English

Possible EdPuzzle Uses

Break up longer videos to increase engagementFlipped classroom

Students complete EdPuzzle assignment, which is then discussed in a live session

Introduce conceptsReview or reinforce concepts

Flipgridhttps://info.flipgrid.comFreeDiscussion topics, students participate with short videos

Unique join code shared with studentsStudents can log in with either:

Email (limited to school domain)Unique usernames created by the teacher

Guest accessAllows guests to join a topic (such as parents)

Flipgrid

ProsFreeEasy to set up and share a discussion topicGreat for those more comfortable recording video than writing

Cons

Not everyone may be comfortable recording a video

Possible Flipgrid Uses

Introduce a new topicExplain what you know about ______.

Discussion to help reinforce conceptsWhat was the most important or interesting thing you learned in this week’s lesson?

Lesson activityCreate a short commercial advertising a fruit or vegetable.

Kahoot!https://kahoot.comBasic ‘K-12’ account – 100 playersBasic ‘Business/Nonprofit’ account – 10 players per challengeLive quiz: questions displayed on screen,students answer on device

Challenges (student-paced): questions and answer choices displayed on same screenQuestion Types – limit 100 questions

Multiple choice – 1 answerTrue or False – 1 answer

Kahoot

Pros

Can re-use same quiz Can share with othersAvailable in several languagesMany Kahoots already available

ConsLimited game types with free accountMany different account types with different limitsInterface can be difficult to navigate

Quizizzhttps://quizizz.com/Basic ‘for teachers’ account – 100 playersLive quiz or lessonClassic (self-paced) or Instructor paced

Assign homeworkNo limit to # of questionsIntegrates with Google ClassroomStudent or instructor can switch languages

Quizizz

ProsCan create lessons – combine content slides and questionsCan copy 'public' quizzes and editCan re-use quizzesCan share with othersAvailable in several languages

Cons

Graphics a little less flashy than Kahoot!

Possible Kahoot! or Quizizz Uses

Checking for understandingShort quiz at the end of a lesson

Assess level of knowledgeStart off a lesson with a quiz to gauge prior knowledge

IncentiveTrivia game if all students complete task

NearpodMulti-function platform that allows the creation of interactive lessons with a combination of slides and activities

Nearpod

Pros

VersatileLive or student-pacedEasy to share lessons

Cons

Limited storage with free accountDifficult to change language settings

Nearpod Resources

Nearpod Camp Engagehttps://events.nearpod.com/camp-engageLive trainings and workshopsHeld quarterlyOn-demand resources

Regular webinarshttps://nearpod.com/resourcesWatch live or recorded

Live Polling Apps

Polling apps – free accounts

Sli.do100 participants3 poll questionsper ‘event’1 quiz – 30 questions

Mentimeter2,000 participants2 poll questions per ‘presentation’1 quiz - 5 questions

Poll Everywhere40 participants (K-12)Unlimited ‘activities’

(questions)

https://www.polleverywhere.com/plans/k-12/

https://www.sli.do/pricing?plan=annual

https://www.mentimeter.com/plans

MentimeterMax 2 questions per ‘presentation’Quiz Competition – max 5 ?’sPresent: Code (different

code per presentation)Share linkQR code

Sli.doMax 3 poll ?’s per ‘event’+ 1 quiz (max 30 questions)Audience Q&APresent -Event codeShare linkQR code

Poll EverywhereUnlimited # of ‘activities’ (questions)

Clickable Image

Emotion Scale/Clickable Image

Ranking

Present: ‘Activate’ questionsWeb votingText message voting

- except pollsPersonal response page

Same page used each time

Poll Everywhere

Live polling Features

Can re-use and copy pollsPoll results – can downloadOptions to change language in all three apps

Possible Live Polling Uses

Warm-up ActivitiesAssess level of knowledge

Start off a lesson with a quiz to gauge where learners are atOpinion pollsGather Q&ACheck for understanding

Quiz or ‘rate your understanding’ poll

Resources

More learning app resourcesClick-12 webinar series https://cpe.fiu.edu/click12/

Florida International UniversityCommon Sense Education – Ed Tech reviews https://www.commonsense.org/education/search?contentType=reviews

Resource document