Integrating Technology
Group 1: Health Apps
DIY Human Body: DIY Human Body is a free hands on learning tool that teaches students the basic structure and functions of the bodies different systems. The app includes activities with extreme detail and graphics. This could be a great extension of the classroom. One issue or risk when using this software is that it is only compatible with IOS processors.
PBS Healthy Kids: PBS Healthy Kids is a very resourceful tool for not only the students but for the parents as well. It includes tools such as weekly meal calendars and tips for shopping at the grocery store via videos. Students and their families can browse recipes and kitchen safety. One downside to this tool is that a lot of the content is for the parents/adults so students under the age of seven may need assistance to navigate the app.
HeadSpace, Guided meditation: HeadSpace is a great app for kids ages eight and older. This app helps them make time for personal health, growth, and self-reflection. This is also a great extension of the classroom. Once you use the app you can facilitate the techniques yourself on your own time. One down side to this app is the high consumer risk, if kids are facilitating by themselves they could be faced with unwanted prescription pages.
Group 2 – PE Apps
PE apps are a good resource for both the PE classroom and for students to use outside of the classroom. Every day, there are more and more apps that are added to both Google Play and iTunes to help with promoting technology in a PE classroom. Some of the apps that are used for the PE classroom mostly help with the teacher and the managing of students. Some apps allow the teacher to provide instant feedback. Apps for PE also promote fitness and overall wellness for students to use outside of the classroom. These apps can be incorporated in the PE curriculum by tracking progress of students while at home, track journal entries, and can promote whole family wellness.
Group 3- Kids Health
KidsHealth offers educators free health-related lesson plans for PreK through 12th grade. Each Teacher's Guide includes discussion questions, classroom activities and extensions, printable handouts, and quizzes and answer keys all aligned to National Health Education Standards. Kids Health offers students
Group 4- Gizmos
Gizmos is the world’s largest library of interactive online simulations for math and science education in grades 3-12. Gizmos can help students develop a deep understanding of challenging concepts through inquiry and exploration. Teachers can use Gizmos as dynamic "what-if" tools to help students move beyond memorizing to true understanding. Each simulation is ideal for small group work, individual exploration, or whole class instruction using an LCD projector or interactive whiteboard.
Group 5- PhysEdGames
For this activity we explored the very informational website, PhysEdGames.com. This website has an abundance of great physical education games. These games are categorized by either the grade level or particular sport that the game targets. Upon selecting a category of games you will notice that each game is broken down in great detail. The website gives you written out step by step directions, equipment list, and even a demo video for clarification. This is why I think it is such a useful resource for physical educators. With this website, physical educators can access fun and educational games with the click of a button. The rules, regulations, and equipment is already laid out for them. Also with the very detailed video representation the educator barely has to instruct. I would and personally look forward to incorporating this resource in to my classroom.
Group 6- QR Codes
QR codes are codes that can be scanned to reveal a picture, animation, message, or gif. They can be used to explain a task or activity without lecturing, rather showing and learning by watching. They are helpful in that they are simple and easy to use especially with today’s tech savvy students and children. You can even make your own QR codes by using a QR generator and making your own messages. There are many different QR generators, and many sites, however the QR generator found on this website: QR Code Generator is easy, free, and simple to use. All you have to do is find your animation, gif, message, or picture by searching on google. Copy the link and paste it into the QR code generator. Remember, if you are doing a QR code of a gif, you must right click, and click “copy link.” Once you have copy and pasted the link, click save on the QR code generator. Save the QR code, and it will create the code for you. Try scanning the code to see if it works and share it with your friends!
My Favorite Resource
Out of all of these wonderful resources, the one I feel like I would use the most in my future classroom is KidsHealth.org. KidsHealth has so many useful resources for teachers and students including, worksheets, quizzes, videos, and basic information on a multitude of topics. Having all of these resources at your fingertips makes lesson planning and teaching so much easier and keeps the class more engaged in their learning.
DIY Human Body: DIY Human Body is a free hands on learning tool that teaches students the basic structure and functions of the bodies different systems. The app includes activities with extreme detail and graphics. This could be a great extension of the classroom. One issue or risk when using this software is that it is only compatible with IOS processors.
PBS Healthy Kids: PBS Healthy Kids is a very resourceful tool for not only the students but for the parents as well. It includes tools such as weekly meal calendars and tips for shopping at the grocery store via videos. Students and their families can browse recipes and kitchen safety. One downside to this tool is that a lot of the content is for the parents/adults so students under the age of seven may need assistance to navigate the app.
HeadSpace, Guided meditation: HeadSpace is a great app for kids ages eight and older. This app helps them make time for personal health, growth, and self-reflection. This is also a great extension of the classroom. Once you use the app you can facilitate the techniques yourself on your own time. One down side to this app is the high consumer risk, if kids are facilitating by themselves they could be faced with unwanted prescription pages.
Group 2 – PE Apps
PE apps are a good resource for both the PE classroom and for students to use outside of the classroom. Every day, there are more and more apps that are added to both Google Play and iTunes to help with promoting technology in a PE classroom. Some of the apps that are used for the PE classroom mostly help with the teacher and the managing of students. Some apps allow the teacher to provide instant feedback. Apps for PE also promote fitness and overall wellness for students to use outside of the classroom. These apps can be incorporated in the PE curriculum by tracking progress of students while at home, track journal entries, and can promote whole family wellness.
Group 3- Kids Health
KidsHealth offers educators free health-related lesson plans for PreK through 12th grade. Each Teacher's Guide includes discussion questions, classroom activities and extensions, printable handouts, and quizzes and answer keys all aligned to National Health Education Standards. Kids Health offers students
Group 4- Gizmos
Gizmos is the world’s largest library of interactive online simulations for math and science education in grades 3-12. Gizmos can help students develop a deep understanding of challenging concepts through inquiry and exploration. Teachers can use Gizmos as dynamic "what-if" tools to help students move beyond memorizing to true understanding. Each simulation is ideal for small group work, individual exploration, or whole class instruction using an LCD projector or interactive whiteboard.
Group 5- PhysEdGames
For this activity we explored the very informational website, PhysEdGames.com. This website has an abundance of great physical education games. These games are categorized by either the grade level or particular sport that the game targets. Upon selecting a category of games you will notice that each game is broken down in great detail. The website gives you written out step by step directions, equipment list, and even a demo video for clarification. This is why I think it is such a useful resource for physical educators. With this website, physical educators can access fun and educational games with the click of a button. The rules, regulations, and equipment is already laid out for them. Also with the very detailed video representation the educator barely has to instruct. I would and personally look forward to incorporating this resource in to my classroom.
Group 6- QR Codes
QR codes are codes that can be scanned to reveal a picture, animation, message, or gif. They can be used to explain a task or activity without lecturing, rather showing and learning by watching. They are helpful in that they are simple and easy to use especially with today’s tech savvy students and children. You can even make your own QR codes by using a QR generator and making your own messages. There are many different QR generators, and many sites, however the QR generator found on this website: QR Code Generator is easy, free, and simple to use. All you have to do is find your animation, gif, message, or picture by searching on google. Copy the link and paste it into the QR code generator. Remember, if you are doing a QR code of a gif, you must right click, and click “copy link.” Once you have copy and pasted the link, click save on the QR code generator. Save the QR code, and it will create the code for you. Try scanning the code to see if it works and share it with your friends!
My Favorite Resource
Out of all of these wonderful resources, the one I feel like I would use the most in my future classroom is KidsHealth.org. KidsHealth has so many useful resources for teachers and students including, worksheets, quizzes, videos, and basic information on a multitude of topics. Having all of these resources at your fingertips makes lesson planning and teaching so much easier and keeps the class more engaged in their learning.