Rethinking Homework Tasks
For The Digital Classroom
An Introduction
Create a word cloud
(worditout / wordsalad)
Create a book
(BookCreator / BookPress)
Create and send a postcard
(Photocard app)
iMovie - could students be asked to make a trailer for a new topic or a movie / app smash to show learning?
With any of these tasks the following are essential:
- clear learning outcomes and learning intentions (pedagogy is driving; a task grounded in learning)
- task allows for construction of learning
- could task allow for a link to real life?
- clear and shared success criteria / rubrics
- an understanding of the importance of the content (not just making it look pretty)
- a clear and shared understanding of what makes a good cartoon, movie, trailer, book, infographic etc (technology is enhancing the task, giving learners a choice of presentation, allowing for wider sharing, collaboration, feedback, digital literacy)
- of course the first time you wish to set a task using technology you might need to model / teach the skills needed to use the tool (there are lots of clear video tutorials to be found in You Tube or of course just ask on Twitter)
Shared definitions
These are some of the tools being used in this workshop and in this flyer
Could you incorporate a digital poll, survey or a quiz into your homework tasks?
Time for you to do some homework
The suggestions below aim to do exactly that and by using technology to enable students to express their learning beyond text alone, the homework task can be as creative as the lesson it is set in.
As I prepared for this workshop, it was an open question as to your level of tech experience and confidence; I am not an expert in the field and have learnt through trial and error (and Twitter) over the last year and a half.
With the 5 tasks below, I hope some new learning might take place for you, whatever your starting level. (Tasks 1-3: if these tools are new to you then experience what they can do; Task 4: if you are ready to create something and share with us; Task 5: if you are an expert and would like to share some planning)
Once you have decided upon your task, you may wish to sit in "task table groups" and support each other.
Through these suggestions, I hope I can encourage you to discover ways that technology could make your homework tasks an even better learning experience.
Task 1: Watch the EdPuzzle video and answer questions built into the video
Reflect on your current practice. Click on the link below and enrol as a student, join class using this code: bWQ2We (There is an edpuzzle app for students).
Would a task like this be applicable for your subject and your learners?
If you encounter any problems in accessing the edpuzzle link then try the second link - zapt.io. (similar tools and I have used the same video in both)
Your responses
Task 2: What defines a good homework task? Listen and then take the quiz
Click play on the "what is a good homework task" below and as you listen, make notes in Popplet for the above question, do add your own thoughts too, add your Popplet to the Padlet Wall (or just add your reflections directly onto the Padlet Wall - link shared in Task 3).
Having done that now click on the Socrative link and join our class as a student using MsSharma as the class name. It is possible to choose more than one answer at times.
In line with flipped lessons, this task aims to show you how information (teacher-talk) can be presented in audio / video / presentation format for learners to digest at home and then the following lesson they can be quizzed and tasks can be set to apply what they have learnt. So, rather than listen in class and do at home, the tasks are reversed so that learners can apply and construct learning together and the teacher can support and extend learners as needed.
Task 3: ThingLink & Padlet Wall
Let's explore the the following a) backward designed homework, b) flipped learning, c) SAMR and TPACK, d) graphic organisers, e) Bloom's taxonomy in the ThingLink below and jot down your thoughts and questions on the Padlet Wall (second link below).
Click on the icons and complete a poll, watch a video and listen to a voki.
Could learners in your classes be asked to use these tools demonstrated to do something similar as a homework task?
Task 4: How can technology help to make a homework task even better? Go through the Prezi then share your own personal response
Similar to tasks 1, 2 and 3, this task aims to flip the learning. Go through the Prezi and make some notes to help you to create your own personal response to this question.
Or, in a bid to give you choice, think of a homework task you have set recently or are going to set and have a go at completing it using one of the suggested options below.
Some choices for how you can create your personal response; to be shared on the Padlet Wall or on Edmodo:
a) create a wordcloud using wordsalad on the iPad or worditout on the laptop
b) create a pic collage/canva on the iPad or PicMonkey/canva on laptop
c) create a popplet on the iPad or on the laptop
d) create a voki on the laptop
e) create a google doc / slide / prezi / haiku deck on laptop
f) create a postcard on iPad - photocard app
g) record an oral response - iPad and Adobe Voice or any recording device on laptop
h) create a comic strip - Make beliefs on iPad or laptop
i) create an iMovie trailer on your iPad
j) create a thinglink on your laptop (use PicCollage or PicMonkey to create image)
k) create a flyer like this one on your laptop
l) create a padlet wall and add a post
m) create an infographic / a poster on canva.com on your iPad or your laptop or use visme.com
n) create a chapter in your e-book on your iPad (bookcreator or bookpress) or on laptop using FlipHTML5
o) free choice: use any tool you know
Could using these tools work for your learners and your subject area? How?
Task 5: A planning framework
Do bookmark this smore flyer page as you will then have access to all the resources and ideas shared during the workshop. You can also find a link to this on our Edmodo group page (wh575f).
And Finally ....
Use #rethinkinghomework
@VipulaSharma1
A teacher's digital toolkit
Rethinking Homework Tasks For The Digital Classroom
Website: http://sharmav.wix.com/digital-toolkit
Twitter: @VipulaSharma1