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Single Steps Learning Blog

Exploring Jamboard

27/1/2021

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We have been exploring Jamboard (Google Tool) and we are impressed with the possibilities that it offers in terms of online collaboration and communication.

During our initial 'play', we used our emoji check-in to create our first Jamboard template. If you use Google in your school/setting and it's useful to you, follow the link to get a copy that you can customise. (We've used a background image which seems to open better in the Chrome browser.)

We are thinking about creating further Jamboard templates for our toolkit - any thoughts, ideas or advice about this would be gratefully received. :-)
Get Emoji Check In Jamboard Template
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Digital Literacy Wales

28/1/2015

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Recently, we have had the privilege of speaking to one of the co-designers and co-facilitators of 'Digital Literacy Wales' - Karen Workman. We are excited about the potential of this new project, how it will grow in the next few months and what it will mean for practice across all education sectors in Wales. 

The 'Digital Literacy Wales' Facebook page is now active and the first two practitioner sessions have taken place. This project is currently funded for work in the college sector. We will post updates as more information becomes available.






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Guest Snippet: Karen Workman on 'apps'

24/4/2014

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There are so many apps out there it can sometimes seem an insurmountable task to find the hidden gems. It is so tempting to just download as many as possible, but the danger of the iPad becoming the 'digital babysitter' can suddenly become the reality. 

A few apps that have been recommended by other professionals are below. Everyone has their own preferences but these are the way that I have been using them:

iMovie - this is a free download on the newer iPads. 
Great to capture evidence, record reflections and display photos.  Can also be used with some of the Apps listed below. In the National Numeracy Framework (Wales) measuring time to one tenth of a second can be taught by using the trimming function on iMovies.  Film clips can be edited with data imported into Numbers to generate and interpret graphs. All this can be done using topics chosen by the learners that are relevant and motivating. 

Aurasma - Augmented Reality App that brings displays and student work to life. Use with Morfo Booth or Puppet Pals to animate work. An exciting way to get families working together on a project. 

Flight Radar 24 - use the augmented reality function to see how many planes are in the sky above you at any moment.  The map function with information boxes are crying out to be made into Top Trump cards. The links to numeracy and geography are explicit, but many other challenge based ideas could be sparked from using this App. 

Animate It - stop frame animation is another great project for families to play and learn together. Planning, creating, story telling, editing and reflecting are just a few benefits of using this App well. 

As with all Apps, it is the way they are used that makes all the difference. Any App can become defunct if the time to plan, play and explore possibilities is not taken. 

Karen Workman (Neath Port Talbot Family Learning Coordinator) has a passion for learning, technology, empowering children and their families…and anything Maths! 
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Play-date with @nelkcarps :-)

1/8/2013

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Gary snaps a photo of us…
A tweet arrives from @nelkcarps - Gary is in town!
We arrange to meet Gary in our usual spot for a coffee catch-up. It's becoming a regular occurrence…and one we look forward to immensely. 

It could more accurately be described as a play-date. A term we had not heard until recently. Basically, us big kids, arrange to meet up using the grown up 'coffee catch-up' as an excuse….but head to a play-date that is full of laughter, exploring various apps, playing on iPads, scribbling great works of art on serviettes and trying to remain blissfully unaware of the glances thrown our way from 'real grown-ups' as we become increasingly more animated and excited. We do drink coffee though. And, to be fair, the sight of an iPad being thrown on the floor to demonstrate the 'toughness' of the kid-proof case, is probably not something that is seen every day in this particular coffee shop. 
PictureSuperb graphic from @nelkcarps.
The conversation jumps between edtech, learning, eat all you can buffets, IPACA, twitter, trains, apps, risk-taking, education, ribs, packing a car, more apps, lego, photography, more apps, awards, teaching, kids, 3D printing, school trips, more apps, the possibility of 4D printing, spray paint that makes anything waterproof….and the House of Lords. 

The 'chit-chat' never stops…and in the middle of that we are trying out new apps and attempting to make a video and import it into the 'aurasma' app (or Lynne is, badly!). 

Andrew sighs at the sight of me (Lynne) jumping between apps…with Gary quickly demonstrating his skill of operating an iPad upside down (the iPad was upside down, not him). It must be a transferable 'teacher' skill - reading a book aloud to a class, at the same time as holding it up so illustrations can be seen, requires the skill of 'upside down, reverse reading'. Only this is the 21st century version! 

Andrew's sigh is related to the fact that I am likely to continue excitement at these apps way past our coffee catch up…and, with heading to Scotland for most of August, we are not needing distractions whilst in the midst of preparations. So I've promised not to play with the apps yet…but if anyone else has an iPad/iPhone and wants to try them out, search for 'Aurasma', 'Morfo' and 'colAR Mix' in the app store. You won't be disappointed. 

Thanks, Gary, for a great couple of hours - we look forward to the next 'coffee catch-up'…and a trip to see you in IPACA. 


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Images copyright headache...

14/4/2013

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Photograph by Horia Varlan. Thank you for enabling use of your photograph via an 'attributions' license.



This space was going to be used for a screen shot of the search facility on the FlicStackrXP app…however, we stopped to think! Yes, the screenshot is ours…but does this breach any original copyright. When in doubt….!! (If anyone can advise us on this, please leave a comment.)
Over the last few weeks one issue has arisen repeatedly during discussions with schools and educators - the increasing headache surrounding the use of images on the internet. 

Schools have well-established routines regarding permission to take and use photographs of their pupils. 

The headache described recently is more to do with children and young people using the internet to create class blogs, websites etc and accessing images to support their writing and ideas. The copyright status of images that are easily accessible on the internet, can often be confusing or simply not visible - both for the young learners and educators involved. 

Recently we have been using the 'FlickStackrXP' app which clearly identifies the copyright status of any image. You can also search purely for images that have a 'Creative Commons License' attached. There are various licenses available and it would be worth following this link for a detailed explanation on each.


The Flickr website gives the same options as the app within the 'advanced search' area - the last search feature offers a 'creative commons' only search.

It may be time well spent educating yourself in this area…as well as your students. Many photographers welcome the use of images they make available on the internet - particularly in education circles - they  simply ask to be acknowledged. However, some do not…protecting yourself and your school is the best way forward. 
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An 'app-y' day...

9/4/2013

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An unexpected 'meet-up' with Karen Workman led to much laughter and learning today. Karen had recently attended an 'Apple Teacher Institute' and was keen to share her experience. We ended up in 'app' heaven! Anyone with access to an iPad who wants a great way to create and publish comic strips…try out 'Strip Design' from the app store. 
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Simple to use, lots of templates to choose from…great for all ages. 

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'A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.'

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who Are We?
    • Creating Single Steps Learning
    • Acknowledgements
  • Contact Us
  • Principles
    • Our Values
    • Five Key Concepts
    • Curriculum Connections
  • Events
    • Training Events
    • Online Training
    • Projects: Embedded CPD
  • Inspire
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy