Tech, Tac, Toe: QR Codes & Four Squares

For my last tool, I decided to use QR codes.  QR codes are constantly used in the world as a means to link individuals to additional information through the use of a scanner on their phones.  I think that they would also be just as helpful within a classroom where attaining additional information is key.  I went back to the subject of math again and focused on the concept of multiplying.  For this particular activity, I merged two tools together: QR codes and Four Squares.  Four Squares are exactly what they sound like. They are four squares aligned together to make one, overall, large square.  A teacher can then have a student take a topic or problem and have each square be a specific description or view of that particular topic.  Basically, it is taking one thing and dividing or viewing it four different ways.  They can be used for any subject, but I have most commonly seen them used for writing.  I decided to change things up a bit.

Four Squares are even found outside of the classroom!

What I did with my Four Square was that I took a multiplication problem and then had the student solve the problem in four different ways using an individual square to show each way.  My first square asked them to solve the problem traditionally, but to put the answer in expanded form.  The second square asked them to draw an array to find the answer.  Third square asked them to use repeated addition, and the fourth square asked them to find the answer by skip counting.  By using several means of finding the answer, the students are triple checking their original answer and understanding the concept of how to multiply a little more effectively.
At the bottom right corner of each square is a QR code.  Once the students have written down their answers within each square, they are then allowed to check their answers by using their iPads and scanning the codes.  The codes will bring them to the answers.  Underneath each answer, I ask the students: "Did you get it right?  If not, where did you go wrong?"  I would then have them correct their own answers to further their understanding and comprehension of the concept.
QR codes are easy to make and use.  My only qualm with the website http://www.qrstuff.com where I generated my codes was that it would not allow you to link the code to a personal document.  I only realized afterward I had made a Word document for each code that I actually had to manually type in what I wanted to say.  I ended up not using my Word document which was a tad irritating, but I found other resources and it worked out all the same.
I think that QR codes are an inventive way of linking our students to more opportunities to learn.  They are very simple and effortless, but they add just that little bit more to the lesson.  They encourage independent learning and curiosity for the unknown.  I think that these are a great, simple tool that any teacher can take advantage of.  I know that I personally will when I have my own classroom.

Below is my example of a Four Square/QR code hybrid.  Free for commercial reuse.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GlT2sqZ9k3I58yjIEZIAorOs0irBswTHjcKvUgD0Lac/edit

All hail the QR!

Tech, Tac, Toe: Sea Turtle Thinglink

For my second tool, I decided to use an interactive image.  I found the free tool on http://www.thinglink.com.  I took a step back from math and decided to focus on animal science.  I know from personal experience that any subject matter focusing on animals is always a favorite.  Animals (like ice cream) are loved by students, and I have not heard of many students who dislike learning about them.  I chose the specific animal for this lesson to be the sea turtle.  There are so many fascinating facts about this animal and most kids have not seen one.  So, I assumed that it would be an intriguing animal to study.
The particular interactive image I made of the sea turtle has nine points that either connect to a YouTube video, a picture, or a link about sea turtles.  One point even has a link to the definition of "reptile".  I would love to make this interactive image during class with my students.  I think that after an initial discussion on sea turtles in class, it would be fun for the students and their teacher to work together to make an interactive image about this topic.  It could also be used as an assessment tool for the teacher in order to see what the students remembered about these creatures. The students could help the teacher find videos, articles, and other pictures about sea turtles and then work together to put the points on the image via their iPads.  Another way is that they could also project the image on a Smartboard and instruct the teacher on their computer on where to put the points and what they should link to those specific points.
I honestly believe that this would be a fun and exciting way to combine all the students' knowledge about the animal into one tool.  This tool could even be accessed later on as a "review sheet" for the students when they are about to take a quiz on sea turtles.  They could use their iPads to access the image and study.  Also, I believe that students remember information easier if they help to create a project that uses their own personal knowledge about the subject.  I think that the combination of animals and interactive play would be a great way to enhance this topic matter and help the students learn effectively.  I think that this would be a great tool to use in any classroom.

Below is my example of the Sea Turtle interactive image.  Beware that some sea turtles chomp.

http://www.thinglink.com/scene/639975288729501696

Just keep swimming.

Tech, Tac, Toe: Ice Cream Infographic

My subject focus for this tool was 2nd grade math.  I had always thought as a child that math was boring, so I wanted to see if I could spice it up with my own students.  The content that I chose to teach was the concept of making bar graphs.  Right about 2nd grade or so is when graphs (pie, bar, etc.) are introduced.  They are taught how to make and read a graph.  A great way to engage the student and to help their understanding is to make a graph out of data from the students' own knowledge.  They would come up with the data, and then we would make a graph accordingly.  I wanted to show them how easy it can be.  So, I decided to make an infograph as a tool during this particular lesson.  I went on http://infogr.am.en and found a template to start to make my graph.
I chose the topic of favorite ice cream flavors to be the data.  Every second grader loves ice cream (except if they are lactose intolerant) and definitely would have an opinion and a certain knowledge about this topic.  With this tool pulled up on a Smartboard, I would find a graph and ask the students what we should write for the x and y axis. I would then take a poll from every student about which ice creams are their most favorite. Every time a child gave their answer, I would add it to the grid on the site which would make the bar graph ascend accordingly.  I can only imagine that the colorful bars "competing" against each other to be tallest would be a source of engagement and enjoyment for the students.
After each student had been polled, I would then ask the students questions about the graph such as:  "Which ice cream is the most favorite in the class?", "Which ice cream is the least favorite?", and "How many more students like chocolate more than vanilla?", etc.  I would ask questions that would promote them to interpret and read the graph they had just made with me.  I would then save the graph, print it out, and post it somewhere in the classroom.
I found this tool to be very fun and easy to use.  I have always loved infographics myself, and I knew that this would probably be a tool that students would love to use.  It is not only colorful and fun, but you can also manipulate and play with it.  I think that the students would be able to grasp the concepts of bar graphs easily and in an engaging manner.  There are so many options on this site to make any kind of infographic you might need.  My graph example is a simple one, but I believe that it would be very effective during class.
My example is provided below.  Results may vary depending on class size and ice cream preferences.  This specific example displays 26 students and their probable favorite ice cream flavors.

Math is so much better with ice cream.

https://infogr.am/ice_cream_infograph