3 Free Cloud Apps for the Classroom
Exploring Blogger, Poll Everywhere and Padlet
Blogger
Poll Everywhere
Padlet
Learner Analysis
The intended audience for the training are 8 full time teachers at the Institute of Audio Research, a post secondary school in Manhattan that focuses on Audio Production. All have been teaching full time at this location for a minimum of six years. Given the nature of the subject matter that faculty teaches, they all possess an above average understanding and appreciation of technology at large. Some are a bit more computer savvy than others, but all have above average computer skills. There is a labroom equip with 20 Macintosh computers and internet access that will be made available for this training.
Training Schedule
Day 1 - Monday April 14, 2014
Face-to-Face Training Session, Room 44
1:00pm - 1:30pm : Introduction to Blended Learning using Cloud Apps
In this session, the presenter will introduce the concept of blended learning and outline the training program. It will include a brief introduction to the three cloud apps (Blogger, Poll Everywhere and Padlet). The session will conclude with a group discussion on what the participants see as the strengths and weaknesses of incorporating cloud apps into the classroom.
1:30pm - 2:00pm : Cloud App Spotlight #1: Blogger
The presenter will give a more in-depth demonstration of Blogger and survey some examples of blogs created using Blogger that exist for training purposes. Participants will then be directed to use their assigned computer to visit a blog created in blogger by the presenter. Once there, they will each be expected to post a comment on a method for incorporating it to expand their classroom. After everyone has posted a comment, the presenter will review the posts with the group.
2:00pm - 2:30pm : Cloud App Spotlight #2: Poll Everywhere
The instructor will give a more in-depth demonstration of Poll Everywhere. Participants will then be directed to use their assigned computer to visit a poll created using Poll Anywhere by the presenter. Once there, they will each be expected to answer the question. After everyone has voted, the presenter will show the results to the group.
2:30pm - 2:50pm : Cloud App Spotlight #2: Padlet
The instructor will give a more in-depth demonstration of Padlet and its possible uses in the classroom. Participants will then be directed to use their assigned computer to visit a Padlet wall created by the presenter. Once there, they will each be expected to listen to a clip of audio and post a response. After everyone has posted, the presenter will review with the group.
2:50pm - 3:00pm : Day 1 Summary
The instructor will review the concepts covered over the course of the day. The day's training will conclude with an in class poll (created using Poll Everywhere) where the participants will vote using SMS on their cell phones on their favorite cloud app of the day: Blogger, Poll Anywhere or Padlet.
Day 2 - Tuesday April 15, 2014
Room 44 will be made available to training participants from 10am to 6pm. The self guided content should take approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete. The content will be organized as a course on the school's Moodle LMS. The online training will be in three parts:
- Creating a blog with Blogger. Participants will be required to create a personal Blogger account, and then design a blog and post to it. They will follow this basic step by step tutorial. Next, they will be directed to watch the "How to Use Blogger Posts, Pages and Tabs" video tutorial below which will show them some of the more advanced features of Blogger (tabs, widgets, gadgets...). Upon completion of their blog, the participants are to post a link to the blog onto a Moodle discussion board.
- Creating a Pre-Test using Poll Everywhere. Participants will be required to create a 5 question pre-test for the a topic of their choosing. They will be directed to my "PollEverywhere Tutorial" screencast (shown below) for reference in creating their pre-test. If the participants choose to dig deeper into the features of the app, the Poll Everywhere step by step guide will be made available. Next they will will be directed to watch the "Integrating PollEverywhere with PowerPoint 2013" video tutorial below that will explain the process of adding PollEverywhere into a PowerPoint presentation. Participants will be required to upload their PowerPoint with PollEverywhere pre-test to the designated place on Moodle.
- Creating a wall using Padlet. Participants will be required to design an interactive assignment using a Padlet wall. They will be directed to view the "How to use Padlet" for reference in creating their wall (shown below). For additional ideas on Padlet potential, they will be direct to view the Padlet Gallery found on their website. Participants will be required have two other IAR instructors or students interact and post to their wall. Upon completion of their wall, the participants are to post a link onto a Moodle discussion board.