Active Learning with QR Codes

Active Learning with QR Codes

As a substitute teacher, I think active learning is a crucial part in the classroom. Active learning is a broad range of strategies that teachers use in the classroom that engage students by making the students active participants in their learning. This video goes into more detail about active learning and how it can be used in the classroom. The video is based on college students, but in reality active learning should be used at all grade levels. Active learning makes the students in charge of their learning, while the teacher is the facilitator. 

Image Source: Padlet by Deanna Mulay

https://padlet.com/deannamulay/t1e0d6h26fr3rcmc

In this blog, it mentioned that QR codes are one example of active learning. Students were able to use iPads and scan the QR codes to find missing words from famous quotes. After the students were able to find the missing words, they than created their own QR codes. You might be thinking, "How do QR codes relate to active learning?" Well, the teacher can put up QR codes around the classroom, while students scan each of them to find an answer. Teachers just brought in a piece of technology into their classroom. Then the students are in charge of finding the code and solve the missing words. Students are not listening to a teacher talk, rather they are the ones who are looking and recording their responses. Students are actively engaged and able to move about the room to find what they are looking for. Teacher can also create the QR codes for differentiated instruction. 

I have tried to do a few activities with active learning, but I found it stressful at times because I felt like I was not in control of the conversation. Even though I felt out of control, the students were taking on a whole new perspective of the subjects we were talking about. For me, I need to make sure that I take a backseat and listen to the students rather than listen to my own voice every minute of every day. To really help myself find some new ways to incorporate active learning into my lesson plans, I found the image below. I really think that this image shows what an active learning classroom should look like, especially when teachers are just starting to try new strategies in their classroom. 

Image Source: https://cei.umn.edu/active-learning 

I have very little experience with QR codes, but they are one of my favorite tools to use in the classroom. QR codes are a great way to encourage collaboration and communication into lessons. The codes can contain facts, questions, even creating their own quotes like in the example. However, I want to try and make my own QR codes for a lesson. Not only is it fun for the students to try something new, it will be fun for me to try making the codes myself rather than relying on pre-made QR codes. 

When I was student teaching, my cooperating teacher and I talked about a phonics lesson for our first graders. We knew we wanted to try something new and not the same lesson of have the students come to the carpet with their white boards and so on and so forth. We found an active learning tool that we had never used before, but we were willing to give it a shot. It happened to involve QR codes and Ipads. With a partner, the students had to find a QR code hidden around the room. They scanned it and then they were shown a picture of the word they needed to write on their paper. For example, if the picture was a cat, they needed to write cat on their paper. The students had so much fun walking around the room and figuring out the words. They continued to ask for the QR codes for almost every phonics lesson because they were moving around the room, engaging, working with a partner, and especially taking charge of their own learning.  

Based on my experience, I really think that teachers should use active learning in their lessons. The students are able to take charge of their learning. I believe that the teachers are also able to learn new ideas, because there are so many different minds working as one big classroom. As teachers, we want our students to collaborate and communicate with each other (Kagan structures). Active learning is a way to accomplish having our students interact with each other. Now do I think it needs to be in every single lesson, no! I do think that teachers need to keep active learning in the back of their heads and build a “toolbox” for lessons that would work really well with active learning. 

Digital Mapping

When I first heard the term Digital Mapping, I am not going to lie, I was not sure how this was going to go. First I looked up some examples and videos about digital mapping. I also found that this video was very helpful when trying to design my own digital map. I also thought that “I don’t use technology that much”. WRONG! I used several apps throughout my day for personal usage and professional usage. When I was writing down all of the apps I was using and for what purpose over a few days, I could not believe the apps that I was clicking on for professional use and then personal use. 

Image Source: Deanna Mulay, https://mulaydtechnology.blogspot.com/2020/09/digital-mapping.html

Personal Use: 

Diving into my personal use, most of my apps that I use to watch videos, movies, or TV shows, such as Netflix and YouTube, I am a visitor because I do not post any videos. I am also a visitor when it comes to searching topics on Google and even buying products off of Amazon, and even using PayPal for other products that I buy off of the internet. As I was looking at my apps, I really was not surprised that I am a visitor or that I use these apps on weeknights or weekends. I am busier in the day and most of these apps do not relate to my professional life, so that is why they are not in the professional quadrant. 

I was also not surprised that my emails (Gmail and Yahoo), messaging apps, and Snapchat were in the resident quadrant. I am very active when using my emails. I do look at my emails, but oftentimes they need a response or I am the person sending out emails. This also holds true with text messages and Messenger. I respond and send messages to others. I use all of these apps daily. I also would consider Snapchat as a messaging tool for myself. I really only send out messages to a few friends. I use Snapchat less than all of the other apps on my phone, however I still use it about 4 times a week. 

The apps that I was in between a visitor and a resident were Facebook and Instagram. I post to Facebook and Instagram daily with photos of my dogs or my family. I also comment on other people’s posts and add likes to their photos. When I first started to do my digital map, I thought for sure I was a “full-time” resident, but I realized that some days I will just scroll on both apps and visit, while other times I am an active participant. When I visit, I am looking for a recipe or for new articles. I also found that I am more active on both Facebook and Instagram more on weeknights and weekends as well.  

Professional Use:

When I first started thinking about the apps for professional use, I thought to myself, “There’s going to be so many! It’s going to be hard to squeeze everything in the quadrants.” I quickly realized that I do not use as many apps professionally as I do personally. Again I began to think about visitor and resident for my professional apps. I was not too surprised at Google, the Google Docs, Slides, Spreadsheet, Forms, and Pinterest that I was a visitor on. For me, I use Google to research different lesson plans/ideas as well as using Pinterest. Google Docs, Slides, Spreadsheet, and Forms are used by the administrators to send out information to us, but I have never used it because I am a Long-Term Substitute (I forward those types of messages to the classroom teacher). 

I was actually surprised how much I use Twitter now because I recently downloaded it. I did not realize how quickly I became a resident. I really thought that I was more of a visitor on Twitter. I tend to focus on the teaching sources on Twitter than any other app on my phone. I retweet those articles and also make comments. It is rare that I go on Twitter just to read an article, I found that I go there to share and be active with different topics. I also now use Blogger more than I have ever used it before. Sharing my ideas with others has really helped open my eyes to the world of teaching, but I also look to help other teachers who would like to learn more about different topics. I have also been using SeeSaw, especially with Covid-19. I am a resident because I send the students an assignment and I am able to write directions, expectations, model for students, etc. When the students post their work, I am then able to respond to them using the text feature or sending a voice comment. 

One app that I have found that I use for work and personal use is YouTube. I look up videos to show students, but I also use it for my own enjoyment. Though the two ways that I use this app are very different, I find that this app allows me to search for answers for questions I may have and it also allows for fun and engaging videos for all ages. 

Lately, I have been using Zoom for meeting with the students, but also going to staff meetings as well. I also use Gmail professionally as well. Both of these apps I put in between visitor and resident. I am a visitor on Zoom and Gmail because I go to staff meetings for information and other staff members send me information through Gmail. I am a resident on Zoom because I am teaching the students and doing most of the talking rather than listening. I also respond to emails on Gmail, but I also send out emails to parents and other teachers to ask questions, give updates, etc. 

I loved mapping out my digital space in four quadrants. It gave me a new perspective on how I use the internet and how many times I use it as well. Overall, I thought I was balanced between the visitor and resident sections of my digital map. While I was looking at the apps that I use on my phone over a few days, I found that I was more active at night rather than the daytime, including weekends. I am not too surprised at my digital map. I am more surprised that I did not have more professional apps that I use. My digital map has helped me become aware of the apps I use and how often I use them. It has also helped me realize that I need to start paying attention to apps that will help me grow as a professional. 

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

What is UDL?

Image Source: http://blog.core-ed.org/blog/2019/03/why-udl-is-valuable.html

UDL stands for Universal Design for Learning, which allows teachers to differentiate instruction and also is a way to think about different ways to give students an opportunity to succeed. UDL is flexible because students can access materials and show their thinking in different ways. When a teacher uses UDL to create a lesson plan, they are able to develop the lesson to meet the needs of all their students. 

Teachers are able to support all of their students with UDL and the goal is to remove any barriers to learning. This allows students equal opportunities to succeed. There are three UDL Principles that provides flexibility. When teachers use UDL and teach a diverse group of students, they build flexibility and the students can gain access to information and show their thinking. 

The three main principles are: Engagement, Representation, and Action and Expression. I will be explaining the principles in the video below along with what UDL is, the pros and cons of UDL, and also examples for how to use UDL in the classroom.    

Additional Resources:

Getting Started with UDL, click here.

For podcasts about UDL in the classroom used by teachers, click here.

For top 10 UDL Tips for Engaging Learning Environment, click here.

What is UDL video.

For UDL Research, click here.

Why is UDL Valuable?

More information on the three principles, click here.

SAMR Model

 It is no secret that technology has grown over the past 26 years and that there are no signs of it slowing down in the near future. The way that technology is used in the classroom nowadays has many benefits for the teachers and students. 

I often think about how much I use technology in the classroom. Yes, I am a long-term substitute, but when I have a class for a long period of time, it is important that those students have the same technology supports as if their homeroom teacher was still with them. Though this is only my second year teaching as well, I feel that I have grown in my technology use in the classroom, which not only helps the students grow, but it is also fun and engaging to try new trends in technology. For me, it has not always been easy using technology, but that is what also makes learning fun for myself and the students!  

I have been looking into the SAMR model recently. SAMR stands for Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition. Substitution and Augmentation are mainly used to enhance lessons, while Modification and Redefinition is used to transform a lesson.

I never fully paid attention to where I was in the SAMR Model. After researching more about the SAMR Model, I realized that just having one or two websites or an online source on the board is not sufficient enough for the possibilities with technology in the classroom. For me, I think that I fall in the Augmentation category of this model most of the time. Here’s the reasons why I think I am mostly in Augmentation of this model. One, I have had students create their own PowerPoint, and they either talked about their slides or they have a video recording to go with it. Two, for my lessons, I want to venture out and try new resources, but I do not think that the resources transform the lesson, rather the resources just enhance the lesson. 

Even if students are given the opportunity to share their document with a peer in the classroom it is a great way for students to learn and collaborate with each other. I wish I found this page earlier in my career. It mentions the definitions of the SAMR Model and also gives examples. This video has also explained the SAMR Model. This page is really where I started to see myself in these steps, but I was also able to see how I could make modifications to my lessons to be in the Modification or Redefinition steps. 

Image Source: www.gettingsmart.com 

Take a look at the image above. Think about how the SAMR Model can deepen understanding for students using technology. There are so many new ways to teach students and technology allows students to see the world in a different light. The following are examples of how teachers can use the SAMR Model in their classroom:

 

Substitution: Using a Word Document or Google Doc instead of writing with paper and pencil. This step is the most basic step. 

Image Source: https://blog.clever.com/2019/04/the-best-typing-games-to-boost-student-performance/ 

Augmentation: Using a Word Document or Google Doc with a text-to-speech function instead of paper and pencil or just having the students type on their own using PowerPoint and VoiceThread. Some different resources for augmentation can be found here for all grade levels. 

Image Source: https://www.readingrockets.org/article/text-speech-tts

Modification: Technology gives students an opportunity to share their documents, like on Google Docs. We can share our documents with others and work together on that document, which allows a collaborative “environment” online. Another example is that students could create a podcast about a certain topic and other students can access it to make revisions as well. 

Image Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Share-Google-Docs

Redefinition: Students can share a document with a student who could be in another state or a different country. This allows a student’s work to be seen by a broader audience, rather than just their peers in the classroom. 

Image Source: http://www.discoversociology.co.uk/family/families-in-different-countries

Lesson ideas can be hard to come by, especially when technology is always changing. This website provides teachers with eight lesson ideas to use with the SAMR Model. I wish I found this website sooner because even if it does not plan out lesson plans for me, it still gives me an idea of what I can include in my plans to drive instruction to meet the needs of my students. As educators, it is important to try new steps with technology. Like I have mentioned before, technology is only going to continue to grow. Using the SAMR Model can really help educators develop lessons that incorporate technology to meet the needs of all of their students. 

Looking at my research about the SAMR Model, I think I am going to push myself to the Modification step, and eventually move to Redefinition. The first step that I would take is to have students collaborate more with each other by giving feedback on a peer’s work. Even if students were to make a video/blog and other students were to comment and interact with it, it will make a difference when using technology. I am very excited to use more technology in my classroom!

Introduction

 Hello everyone!

Image Source: Personal Photo

My name is Deanna Mulay. I am a second year teacher and I work in Woodridge. I am a LOA substitute teacher for the entire district. I have worked with students from grades K-8 last year, so I am excited to see the different classrooms I will be teaching in for this year. In 2019, I graduated from Benedictine University with my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. This is also my second year at Elmhurst University. I am currently working on my Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership and an ESL endorsement. 

When I was younger, I always wanted to be a veterinarian because I loved animals so much. Then a police officer, and a baker, and so on. However, one day changed my career choice! When I went to high school, we had a career day. I signed up for a teacher talk. I was drawn into what this teacher was saying and I could feel a spark light up inside me that I never felt before. I then realized that a teacher was the job for me! I love to teach and I have a huge passion for it! Looking back when I was in grade school, I would play "teacher" a lot if we ever had indoor recess, so this career choice was meant to be! 

With Covid-19, I realized that I needed to learn more about technology because I struggled during the remote learning time last year. I also covered for an LRC Director position last school year and loved that position because I was able to work with the teachers closely and all of the students, rather than just one specific grade level. I also think that technology has advanced over the last few years for me. I really want to become more fluent in using different forms of technology and not be afraid to use some of them with my students. Especially how this past school year went, I want to try new platforms and become comfortable using them.

I currently live in Glen Ellyn with my parents, Sam and Debbie. I am their only child. I am also a dog mom of 3, Pasqualie (12 years old), Winnie (1 year old), and Ozzie (4 months old). Winnie and Ozzie are always on the move and never sit still for photos. Pasqualie, on the other hand, loves to pose for the camera! 

Image Source: Personal Photo

Pasqualie (Left), Winnie (Top Right), and Ozzie (Bottom Right)

Besides my dogs, I love hockey and I am a St. Louis Blues fan (My family roots for the Blackhawks, so they call me the Blue sheep of the family)! I also enjoy drawing and different medias of art. Over the lock down with Covid-19, I spent some time painting different pieces. I mainly focus on abstract art. I also enjoy movies (comedies and scary movies are my favorite), listening to music (I listen to pretty much every kind of music out there), and trying to cook new recipes.

Image Source: Personal Photo

Top Left: Pasqualie, Winnie, and I on Easter.

Top Right: My parents and I were able to see the Stanley Cup and I was able to see the St. Louis Blues on the Cup!

Bottom Left: The day we brought Winnie home.

Bottom Center: Cruz the Otter posed with me. This otter is one that my cousin trains at the Georgia Aquarium. 

Bottom Right: My parents and I at a vineyard in Galena, IL.

I look forward to learning new tools and how to apply them into my lesson plans!

Image Source: https://media.giphy.com/media/Ta2eHM043vhVS/giphy.gif