Flickr Fail...

It's been a lot of fun trying out new technology and incorporating it with our geometry math unit...the possibilities are endless! Today I tried Flickr with my students. I set up an account yesterday and tested it out using my iphone and computer. I used the email address for instant upload and it worked perfectly and instantly! So, I had a small group of students go on a "geometry scavenger hunt" around the classroom and take photos of lines, angles, and various shapes we've been studying. I offered up my ipad and iphone for students to use, as only one or two others had devices that could take photos and email. Is there something I missed or another way for them to upload to my Flickr account?  Therefore, there were not enough devices for even partners, so I used a sample group of students during centers. They had a GREAT time taking photos, but the uploading was unsuccessful. Pictures did not come through from students using my ipad or their own devices. They only worked on my iphone where the Flickr app was directly accessed. You can see the few that were successful here. Anyway, I will not give up on Flickr yet. I have heard great things and therefore have some research to do. Perhaps this is just another moment when I realize a tutorial would have been worth my time!

YouTube Playlist

In third grade we've recently begun a geometry math unit which involves lots of vocabulary. I created a YouTube playlist that includes various shape songs mostly from Have Fun Teaching. They're fun and upbeat and definitely get stuck in your head! :-) During centers I had students try out the playlist and listen to some of the songs. It wasn't long until one of my students was singing the songs aloud not realizing the volume of his voice due to his headphones. The rest of the class erupted in giggles. Ha! Following math, I asked students for their thoughts about the playlist and incorporating it into our computer math center. They LOVED it! Responses included "awesome," and "so cool!"

Socrative

When I watched the tutorial video for Socrative I became really excited about trying it out. I utilized the exit slip tool with my third grade students. Following math workshop, I had students pair up as to have enough computers. I walked them through accessing the site and then instructed them to work together to complete the exit slip. Students had to enter their names, choose the multiple choice response that best resembled their understanding of the day's lesson, tell something they learned, and then answer a question I had up on the board. I was worried about how my young students would be able to navigate, but I was actually impressed. I think if I incorporated this more often, it would become extremely easy for them to do. I'm excited to try the other tools on Socrative.

Students entering responses to Socrative exit slip.

Question on board (geometry) for students to answer for Socrative exit slip.