Description
This assignment asked that we explore a literacy app through the eyes of an intermediate aged elementary student. Then do a write up on how the students responded to the app. I decided to ask my fourth grade literacy group to help me evaluate this app. Their evaluation of the app is included bellow in my write up.
Student Use:
I chose to take my app to a group of students at Geneva Elementary because I am already working with them on literacy through the ELED 481 practicum. After we were done with our regular group work I asked them if they would like to play mad libs with me. We first had to choose a theme; the only part about this was that it only came with one free theme. Inside the theme there were several stories to choose from though. The app worked pretty well for a group setting. First I typed all the words and we went person by person as we sat in a circle together. Then I realized it would be best if we just passed it around. The students had no probable taking turns and the sharing component, which I was very excited about. They even bounced off of each others ideas and used words from the bookwork we had done earlier. We decided to do two stories which was great because later they were able to compare how the app was in both instances. The students did not need any help navigating through the game itself but we did run into a few questions on what words were which part of speech. Students would either say a word that I would help question them on if it was incorrect or they would just ask everyone in the group what a plural noun was.
The Relevance:
The relevance with this app is where I feel most uncertain. I think the app is enjoyable but not necessarily helpful. It can be a nice practice for parts of speech but there would really have to be an adult present that knows the parts of speech it to be affective right away. There is a save button on the game though so students could do the app and then turn in a snap shot or hard copy of their story to check for error in part of speech. The good thing was that I was there during this activity and it proved to be a teaching opportunity when the parts of speech needed were challenging for students.
Overall Impression:
My overall all impression is that the game is somewhat enjoyable but less educational then others that I have seen. The students also seemed to have mixed feelings. After we had worked on a few stories I asked the students to tell me what they thought of the app overall and some specifics on what they did and did not like. All of students agreed that it could be funny but not always. The first story we did they thought was much more entertaining then the next one and they said that part of it was because the second story had words they did not understand. They also all agreed that it was fun to take turns so that one person doesn’t have more part in the story than others and that way there is more ideas. Going off of that one girl said that she would not play the app by herself but that maybe with just one other person or group setting like we did that day. The students also found that the app was very easy to use no one had a problem navigating through the next word or even story template. The final critique the students gave to me was that the app was fun for a short period of time but after about “1-2 hours” the app would be “too much.” The thing that bothered me about the app is that it did not correct spelling and it did not stop words from going through that were not the right part of speech. I feel like these two things are necessary and would make the app a much more educational experience.
(Image Source: http://www.madlibs.com/assets/0000/0842/Homescreen_app_gallery_large.PNG?1351207885)
Student Use:
I chose to take my app to a group of students at Geneva Elementary because I am already working with them on literacy through the ELED 481 practicum. After we were done with our regular group work I asked them if they would like to play mad libs with me. We first had to choose a theme; the only part about this was that it only came with one free theme. Inside the theme there were several stories to choose from though. The app worked pretty well for a group setting. First I typed all the words and we went person by person as we sat in a circle together. Then I realized it would be best if we just passed it around. The students had no probable taking turns and the sharing component, which I was very excited about. They even bounced off of each others ideas and used words from the bookwork we had done earlier. We decided to do two stories which was great because later they were able to compare how the app was in both instances. The students did not need any help navigating through the game itself but we did run into a few questions on what words were which part of speech. Students would either say a word that I would help question them on if it was incorrect or they would just ask everyone in the group what a plural noun was.
The Relevance:
The relevance with this app is where I feel most uncertain. I think the app is enjoyable but not necessarily helpful. It can be a nice practice for parts of speech but there would really have to be an adult present that knows the parts of speech it to be affective right away. There is a save button on the game though so students could do the app and then turn in a snap shot or hard copy of their story to check for error in part of speech. The good thing was that I was there during this activity and it proved to be a teaching opportunity when the parts of speech needed were challenging for students.
Overall Impression:
My overall all impression is that the game is somewhat enjoyable but less educational then others that I have seen. The students also seemed to have mixed feelings. After we had worked on a few stories I asked the students to tell me what they thought of the app overall and some specifics on what they did and did not like. All of students agreed that it could be funny but not always. The first story we did they thought was much more entertaining then the next one and they said that part of it was because the second story had words they did not understand. They also all agreed that it was fun to take turns so that one person doesn’t have more part in the story than others and that way there is more ideas. Going off of that one girl said that she would not play the app by herself but that maybe with just one other person or group setting like we did that day. The students also found that the app was very easy to use no one had a problem navigating through the next word or even story template. The final critique the students gave to me was that the app was fun for a short period of time but after about “1-2 hours” the app would be “too much.” The thing that bothered me about the app is that it did not correct spelling and it did not stop words from going through that were not the right part of speech. I feel like these two things are necessary and would make the app a much more educational experience.
(Image Source: http://www.madlibs.com/assets/0000/0842/Homescreen_app_gallery_large.PNG?1351207885)
Standards
- NETS*T 2.C:The teacher will customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources.
- NETS*T 4.B. The teacher will address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.
Reflection
This assignment was a great way to use children's insight. It is always good to evaluate an app before placing it into the hands of your students but as a teacher my idea of a good app might be a flop for students. That is why it is important to let the students themselves also evaluate the app. They can tell you if the app is interesting, challenging or just altogether boring.
I can see myself using apps in my future classroom whenever applicable. For this assignment I did a literacy app because I was with a literacy group. What I found out when looking for apps was that there seems to be more for math then for literacy. I think there is a place for apps in both subjects but I think that the math apps I worked with have more student centered learning.
I can see myself using apps in my future classroom whenever applicable. For this assignment I did a literacy app because I was with a literacy group. What I found out when looking for apps was that there seems to be more for math then for literacy. I think there is a place for apps in both subjects but I think that the math apps I worked with have more student centered learning.