QR codes

The QR code is useful to provide instant link to a url or text. The use of QR codes on name cards and brochures are getting popular too as one can be directed to a website without having to type out the url but with a QR reader which is available in most smart phone and can be downloaded free.  

I have created the QR code to my Geography blog and Google sites:

If you just want to generate a QR code link to a url or text (or even full contact for phone!), you can make use of https://www.the-qrcode-generator.com/

You can even generate a QR code for Chinese text! Scan the QR code below and find out what our vision is in Chinese!

You can make use of the QR code in many ways for teaching and learning too as mentioned on the website "25 Fun Ways to use QR codes":

1. Create scavenger hunts and/or webquests for your students that get them moving around the room. Scanning a QR code makes is easier for the students so they don’t have to type the long urls. 

2. QR Stations for self-directed learning - The students scan the QR code to reveal the task and the students must work together to get the task complete. This builds on the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration and critical thinking.

3. Classroom Hot Spots! - Provide information ‘hot spots’ throughout the classroom to access online videos, websites, text that is related to curriculum and instructional material.

4. QR codes are useful in providing links to surveys or votes. You can also use it as an exit pass - as the students exit from the class, they can scan the QR code and finish a short survey or vote.

5. Add QR codes to homework sheets that link out to sources of help. For example, if the student forgets how to solve a Math problem or gets stuck, they can scan the QR code for help. The QR codes can be linked to a ‘how to video’ such as aKhan Academy  video or a ShowMevideo you created yourself. A good way to introduce the flipped classroom concept.

I have used QR code treasure hunt generator from classtool to generate a fun challenge for students - something similar to the scavenger hunt above -

http://www.classtools.net/QR/index.php

A simple one which I have created:

http://www.classtools.net/QR/teacher.php?fold=29&fname=NcjEG

A. Prior to the lesson

1. Arrange students into groups. Each group needs at least ONE person who has a mobile device (note: an internet connection will not be needed) and have the QR reader downloaded into their mobile devices.

2. Ask students to
3. Print QR codes for each of the quiz question.
4. Cut them out and place them around your class / school.

B. The lesson:

1. Have the first ('introduction') QR code on display on your whiteboard.

2. Each team scans it into their device and then get the clue to start the hunt around the school for the remaining QR codes.

3.The winner is the first team to return with the most correct answers in the time available.

C. Tips / Other ideas

1. Award teams ONE point for each question they successfully decode, and a further TWO points for each correct answer that they provide.

2. Students in each team that do not have access to a mobile device can be responsible for research answers / hunting down the other QR codes for their teams.

You can create a lesson such as History mystery or Science mystery using the QR treasure hunt generator. 

http://www.classtools.net/QR/index.php

Love the use of QR code shown here:http://www.boredpanda.com/creative-school-education-ideas-innovations/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=BPFacebook

Learn English through app and online

Interesting web link from British council to learn English online
http://www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/mobile-learning-improve-english-anytime-anywhere

Apps to install: Powowbox
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.powowbox.englishtracker&hl=en

Using Google doc and Google drive

An easy way to create class newsletter will be to use the templates for newsletter in Microsoft Words. Further collaboration by the students on the newsletter can be carried out via Google Docs as shown below.

Create a new word document and choose a newsletter template.

Students can then replace the text and photos on the template as shown below. They can add more pages or delete them as necessary. 

They can save the document in word document for editing as well as pdf for the final version.

By using Google Docs, the students can collaborate and contribute the part assigned to them as well as read the part completed by their classmate. They can do this by accessing Google drive through their email account. They can then create the Google docs in the Google drive.

The leader of the team can open up the file which they have created using the Microsoft Word templates.

The leader can then assign rights to his/her team members to edit the document.

Sharing can also be done in the Google drive.

Padlet

After seeing one of my colleagues using padlet to gather feedback for her workshop, I decided to use it for my lessons as I have learned it many years ago but have yet to try it out in class.   

I have used it to gather the students' reflections after they have played a game on ecotourism to understand more about sustainability of tourism. I have embedded it on the Google site which I have created. 
https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec-4-geography/global-tourism/gt-kq3-lesson-3

It is simple to create a padlet. Just sign in for a new account if you have not done so @ https://padlet.com/auth/login
Once you have logged in, you will be brought to the dashboard.
Click on new padlet or retrieve a created one to edit on the dashboard.

Enter the title and description for your padlet.

Choose the privacy setting of your padlet.

Choose the layout for your padlet wall. 

You can export the posts as image, pdf, excel or csv. You can embed it in your blog or Google Site by copying and pasting the html code as shown on my site https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec-4-geography/global-tourism/gt-kq3-lesson-3

I attended a sharing by N3 cluster for Humanities and one of the schools used it for the students to upload their presentations and all the work can be viewed on the wall
http://padlet.com/philovintage/paavi600klhz

You can get the students to upload audio, video, pictures or even pdf and powerpoint as shown below:

Using Excel for analysis of marks

The use of  Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to analyse results is definitely what a teacher would find useful. 

I have created a template http://lily_lee68.webs.com/Mark%20analysis%20template.xlsx

which you just have to enter the names of the students and the marks for the different classes. The information will be automatically transferred to the Mark analysis worksheet.

Please note:

1. You can rename the worksheet e.g. class 1 to 2EA. The formula will automatically be adjusted.

2. Just clear the cells where there is no marks or the extra rows of students - Do not delete the rows.

3. As your total mark might not be 100 you would have to change the formula for column H the total mark which I have mark in red below:

= SUM(G4/100*100) 

4. In the Mark Analysis worksheet, just clear the rows which there are no classes.

5. Take note that Class 6 - 10 are for Normal Academic classes as their grading system is different.

Schools which use the same grading system as O level for N level can use this template:

http://lily_lee68.webs.com/Mark%20analysis%20template%20edgefield.xlsx

I have noted below how analysis of the results can be made using simple calculation, the conversion to grade as well as how the data from various worksheets (different classes) can be collated on a single worksheet for analysis.

Simple calculation by addition. Just click on cell and then fx and a pop up box will appear. Click on sum and highlight the cells which you want to add up. 

You can also input the formula: 

=SUM(B4:F4) 

in which B4;F4 represent the cells from B4 to F4 which Jane scored in the test for the 5 sections.

To calculate the percentage, you can click on the cell and then input the formula

= SUM(G4/50*100) 

in which G4 is the cell which the total is shown and 50 being the maximum mark the students can achieve. Thus if the total mark is 30 then you will have to replace 50 with 30. Modify cell accordingly.

To reflect the grades for O level, you can input the formula: 

=IF(H4>74.9,"A1",IF(H4>69.9,"A2",IF(H4>64.9,"B3",IF(H4>59.9,"B4",IF(H4>54.9,"C5",IF(H4>49.9,"C6",IF(H4>44.9,"D7",IF(H4>39.9,"E8","F9"))))))))

To reflect the grades for N level, you can input the formula:

=IF(I26>74.9,1,IF(I26>69.9,2,IF(I26>64.9,3,IF(I26>59.9,4,IF(I26>49.9,5,6)))))

H4 being the cell which shows the % mark. Modify cell accordingly.

To show the number of students who got A1, input the formula =COUNTIF(I4:I7,H11)

I4:I7 are the cells which contain the grades which the students attained and H11 showing the grade A1. Modify cell accordingly.

To calculate the percentage of students scoring distinction, enter the formula

 =IF(I20=0,0,(I11+I12)/I20*100)  

with I20 being the cell which the Total was shown and I11 showing the numberwith A1 and I12 showing the number with A2. Modify cell accordingly.

 To calculate the percentage of students who passed, enter the formula

=IF(I20=0,0,SUM(I11:I16)/I20*100)

with I20 being the cell which the Total was shown and I11:I16 being the cells with number of students scoring A1 to C6. Modify cell accordingly.

 To calculate the percentage of students who passed, enter the formula

=IF(I20=0,0,SUM(I17:I19)/I20*100)

with I20 being the cell which the Total was shown and I17:I19 being the cells with number of students scoring D7 to F9. Modify cell accordingly.

For the MSG, enter the formula
=IF(I20=0,0,IF(OR(MID($B$3,2,1)="N",MID($B$3,2,1)="T"),(I11*1+I12*2+I13*3+I14*4+I15*5+I16*5+I17*6+I18*6+I19*6)/I20,(I11*1+I12*2+I13*3+I14*4+I15*5+I16*6+I17*7+I18*8+I19*9)/I20))
with I20 being the cell which the Total was shown and I11:I19 being the cells with number of students scoring A1 to F9. Modify cell accordingly.

Transferring data from one worksheet to another
Finally, to collate all the data from the different class to a worksheet for final analysis.

To transfer data from Class A worksheet to Mark Analysis worksheet.
Select the target cell on the Mark Analysis worksheet and type in the + symbol.
Then click on the label button at the bottom for Class A and then click on the cell which you want the data to be transferred to the target cell and press enter which will being you back to the Mark Analysis worksheet.

You can also enter the formula in the target cell:
=+'Class A'!I11
with Class A being the worksheet and I11 being the cell which you are transferring the data from. Modify cell accordingly.

Sample mock http://lily_lee68.webs.com/MOCK.xlsx

N3 ICT symposium 2015

I shared the use of Kahoot @ N3 ICT symposium 1 July 2015:

Kahoot presentation from Lily Lee

Just learned that Kahoot introduced the Ghost mode. Please see my earlier post which I have updated - http://ezitnew.blogspot.sg/2015/01/kahoot-online-quiz.html Great that we can now get the students to do the quiz again. 

I have some of the kahoot in Ghost mode on the links below.
https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec3geog/kahoot---revision-quiz

https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec-4-geography/kahoot-quiz

I have also attended the sharing by my colleague, Mr Shaw Wee.  He has presented on the use of Video Physics app Vernier - available on IOS (Apple) to understand the relationship between velocity and acceleration.

1. capture a video of objects thrown vertically and also capturing horizontal movement
2. track the movement
3. analyse the data

http://www.vernier.com/products/software/video-physics/  $6

A similar one on android will be Physics Gizmo - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.brokenairplane.physicsGizmo&hl=en  free

An interesting app shared during the ICT symposium - Aurasma
It can be downloaded from App Store for IOS and Play store for Androids (however my Samsung Note 4 is not compatible and cannot download it. It works on my Samsung Galaxy Pro)
The app offers a lot of potential in creating virtual learning. 
Tutorial on ipad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ_UEfoNzbI

Aurasma allows users to create or view augmented reality experiences. The user open up the app and capture the photo with the camera. The image will transform into a video, animation, another image or bring you to a website with more information. 

To create their own Auras, students or teachers choose an overlay and a trigger. An overlay is a video, image, an animation or a website link that will appear when someone finds the trigger object or photo. 

Tutorial on creating a sequenced aura using the aurasma studio https://studio.aurasma.com/login
https://youtu.be/CaczBAfdRns - so cool being able to create a scavenger hunt with photos. User just scan the photo and could see a video or even a url link providing more information.

Use of Aurasma in teaching:
https://youtu.be/uHIxYpBW7sc?list=PLYk2ySKukLs6Fih_6xze0EYRyGJguDYCF

Use of Aurasma in learning nature:
https://youtu.be/WRS_nZOOMyY?list=PLYk2ySKukLs6Fih_6xze0EYRyGJguDYCF

Sharing more class tools

I have always loved classtools.net - http://www.classtools.net/
I have used it to create quiz/game for students for their self-paced revision on my Goggle site. I have tried the following other than the name picker and fruit machine which I had introduced below:

1. Categorise the hazards according to the type or the cause - is it climate related or tectonic related hazards:  http://www.classtools.net/widgets/dustbin_6/l2oKq.htm  This was created using the dustbin generator. 

2. View the gallery on the maps and diagrams on plate tectonics: 
http://www.classtools.net/3D/201504_32MEMe This was created using the 3D gallery.

3. Using clues about volcanoes to find out where they are located:

http://www.classtools.net/mapgame/11_BULDZ9  This was created using the mapgame creator.

4. I will be trying out this in future - QR code Treasure hunt -http://www.classtools.net/QR/  
You just need to input the questions and the QR codes will be generated. You can then print the QR codes and place it at different locations. The students will use the QR code reader to find out the questions and answer them.

Name picker

I love this class tool  random name picker in the form of a roulette as I can save my list and then add them as favourite on my browser bookmark.
I do not need to copy and paste the class list repeatedly as it is saved.  The only limitation is that it can only cater to less than 50 -http://www.classtools.net/random-name-picker/ .

The class tool fruit machine is better in that it can cater for a larger number of more than 200 - http://www.classtools.net/main_area/fruit_machine.swf

However the class tool fruit machine is still great as a name picker as it can cater to a longer list of names e.g. more than  200. http://classtools.net/main_area/fruit_machine.swf

The fruit machine is also great for choosing words by random to get the students to familiar with important concepts.

 This can also be used for Chinese lessons in learning Chinese idioms.

  

Kahoot - online quiz

Kahoot is very similar to Socrative as a free online assessment tool - just that the element of gaming is stronger as the player is given a score based on accuracy and speed. As there are more students who own smart phones nowadays, using Kahoot to do a quick check on understanding with the element of game will definitely engage the students.

It is very easy to create the quiz. Just login to https://create.kahoot.it/ You can also create discussion or survey as shown below.

The following screen shoot shows what the students will see on his/her handphone.

The score is updated after every question!

 The winner is announced!

To launch the quiz again just login to https://create.kahoot.it/

You can also preview the game first.

After the game is played you can download the results in Excel format for analysis. 

I have some of the kahoot on the links below.
https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec3geog/kahoot---revision-quiz

https://sites.google.com/a/moe.edu.sg/sec-4-geography/kahoot-quiz

 
Kahoot has just introduced a new feature ‘Ghost mode’. 

After you finished a game of Kahoot! you will see a new ‘Play again’ button that also contains a ghost icon. 

When you click on the button, the same game is relaunched. As well as your ‘live’ class, all players are joined by their ‘ghosts’! The ghosts play the game alongside live players, and their answers (and answer times) will be exactly the same as those the players entered in the previous game.

Ghost mode is a great way to encourage the students to compete against themselves as well as each other. It gives the students a chance to beat their previous score and provides immediate feedback.The students can be given the link to the ghost mode and practice at their own pace.

 

An example of a ghost mode introduced in Nzone ICT mentor program on SG50 NE Quiz: 

https://play.kahoot.it/#/?quizId=82de1c9b-fbc4-452f-bc80-0ad90a091744&gameMode=ghost&startTime=1436249411481

Information extracted from http://blog.getkahoot.com/post/114045097302/introducing-ghostmode