Elementary schools across the nation are full of creative students who want an exciting education. They may not know how to share if they are bored in class but their actions often share. With the availability of devices in schools, boring classes should be non-existent. Now, I do understand every single lesson will not be as fun as some, but resources should be available to allow for creativity and excitement. Using these tools will help eliminate boredom. Reiser and Dempsey (2018) mention “perhaps the most important consideration when deciding whether and how a particular technology might be employed in a particular classroom situation is to first think about whether the use of that technology will enhance teaching and learning” (p. 182). Technology should never be just a babysitter but should enhance learning.
There are literally hundreds of different online tools that can enhance student learning. I recently discovered Blabberize and have become amazed (and amused) by this tool. Blabberize is an online creativity tool that allows an image to have a voice. Setting up an account is free and easy to create. You can choose any image, choose the location of the “mouth” and record a voice (by mic or phone) and you have a finished product. Students have used this tool to make reports come to life! Check out this video by MMS History on Twitter.
My students will use Blabberize with their author study unit. They will create locate an image of their author and record the information they gather during research. To practice Blabberize, the students will take a picture of themselves and share their favorite book with a table partner. Oh, how my mind is spinning with the activities this tool can provide. Online tools such as these allow students to be creative while learning at the same time.
The text also mentions that the learning benefit with meaningful visuals increases by 1.39 standard deviation (p. 262). While not all learners benefit from visuals, “lessons with words and visuals offer the brain two opportunities to build meaning- one from the words and the second from corresponding images- and encourage learners to make connections between them” (p. 262). In addition to students learning about key concepts in the classroom, learning can be fun!
To get started with Blabberize, check out this video.
References:
Reiser, R.A. & Dempsey, J.V. (2018). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology. New York: Pearson.
I have seen phone apps and websites with that capability, but never thought about using that in an educational setting. I can see how it could be a fun way for students to present what they have learned and researched. Demsey and Reiser told us "Well-designed lessons require students to be active (not passive), induce student engagement (not disengagement), and have criteria-based assessment," (2017, p. 269). I think this activity would meet all of those criteria. It does seem to get harder keeping them engaged.
ReplyDeleteDempsey, J. and Reiser, R. (2017) Trends and Issues in Instructional Design and Technology. Pearson, New York, NY.
Oh my gosh! I had not heard of Blabberize until now and, like you, my head is spinning with ideas! I am so pumped to add this to lessons this school year. We have one teacher who as done a living history museum for the past 4 years and was looking for something new for the upcoming year. I think this will be a great transition tool for her to use and the students will LOVE it! Thank you for the awesome information and tutorial.
DeleteWhen looking at the Significant Learning Model, one of the main goals is for significant learning to occur. It state, "No change, no learning." (Dempsey & Reiser, 2018, p.186). This statement is powerful. For us to teach learners of this generation, we must change the way we teach. The use of Blabberize will allow this change and learning to take place!
Dempsey, J. and Reiser, R. (2017) Trends and issues in instructional design and technology. NY:Pearson.
I have never heard of this tool before, and like you said, its pretty amazing and amusing! I love a good laugh that also helps me learn adn this seems like a great tool that I can't wait to used next year! In your quote by Reiser and Dempsey (2018) where they mention “perhaps the most important consideration when deciding whether and how a particular technology might be employed in a particular classroom situation is to first think about whether the use of that technology will enhance teaching and learning” (p. 182). This is such a great thought that many more should think about before throwing technology at students. One of my biggest pet peeves is that technology is too often used without a purpose. Thank you for introducing me to this creative tool :)
ReplyDeleteDempsey, J. and Reiser, R. (2018) Trends and issues in instructional design and technology. NY:Pearson.