Monday 1st February - the long day

project:icanRead 

Engagement and pupil self assessment


This project is based on the concept of using the ipod as a voice recording tool, pupils record themselves reading and they can then listen to their recordings and self assess their reading.  There has obviously been work done on how to self assess and the pupils have a matrix that shows the desired expectations.  The instant feedback that the pupils are able to access has clear benefits.  The only worry I would have is that sometimes pupils can be overly critical of themselves, however, with clear guidance and observation I am sure that this would be well monitored.  For me this project shows just another way that ipods or the iphone can be used as a replacement for other gadgets that would be useful in a classroom.  One piece of technology many uses.

We had a look at some apps that may be of use in nursery and discussed the disadvantages of the many good apps available that have American voices.  The issue with this is the speech model for the children.  Differences in pronunciation and dialect could easily confuse a child who is just beginning to grasp a better understanding of the language around them.  There will be further posts on apps that would be useful for the preschool age group in the future so stay posted and if you have any suggestions please add them to the comments section. 

Voice Band (not for nursery) Imagine an app that can teach children about the composition of music, not composition as in how to write the music but composition as in the layers that make up a piece of music.  The video explains it better than I can, but even for my musically challenge self this is great fun, thanks Sharon for showing us it. 





Frankenstory is a tool that has so much potential for enhancing literacy skills and collaboration.  Pupils would work in partners to create a four part story consisting of 40 words (maximum) per section.  In a similar way to the game consequences pupils only see the last 10 words of what has been written before.  Lauren and I created a Frankenstory between us in class today and we both enjoyed the activity.  Taking inspiration from Mr Handley (@tomhenzley), and his work on PrimaryPad collaborating between his school in England and a Canadian school, I think Frankenstory could be used with a similar link.  The set up with the sections being sent to email would work very well with time differences.  Now for the downside.  Sadly there is one.  On the site are examples of Frankenstories created by other users and the content is, to put it mildly, unsuitable for children to access.  This is a real pity but hopefully I will find either an alternative or the creators will set up an alternative for using with children.  If you know of any similar sites please let me know.