Tools for students to use for creating or producing something

Tech Play 3: Creativity Tools

This week I explored several creativity tools I can use in my classroom with my students. Prior to this class I hadn’t exactly embraced using technology in my class. That has now changed. I know that students need to be engaged in learning to receive the most benefit. I see that if I use some of these creativity tools in my class, I will begin let them take ownership of their learning. They are already familiar with making TikTok videos and using filters on Snapchat. It would make sense for me to begin using it in class.  Some of them have already shown me creative solutions to problems while using the iPad already. An example would be using the recording button to answer questions when I expected them to click and drag a prewritten response to fill in the blank!

I looked at Chatterpix, Comic Life, and iMovie.

Chatterpix

Chatterpix seems like a good first step into using tech tools in my classroom for both students and myself. It is simple to use. You can take a picture. Then you draw a line across the picture and record what you want the picture to say.  It does seem limited because you can only do one character/picture. Also, it doesn’t appear to lend itself to group work.

Comic Life

Comic Life – Comic Life has different templates to choose from. This would work well with retelling beginning middle and end. Or, with science and social studies topics. Students would easily import pictures using the buttons on the side. They would drag them where they to the panel they wanted. Preset prompts can be easily typed into to describe the picture. Then as our skills increase, I can have students collaborate with me or each other. Finally, they could produce something independently.

iMovie

iMovie is an app I have used before but not with my class. I am beginning to look at using it with my class. In this app students can make a trailer with some fill in the blank prompts. Or students can record a video and edit it easily with the easy-to-understand buttons.

iMovie would be a fun way to do a group project. We recently finished a unit that included fairy tales. Students used puppets to retell the story. I am imagining the possibilities of making a short video to retell.  This would move the lesson to the modification level of SAMR. I am still trying to figure out how to reach the level of redefinition. Another way my class could use iMovie is give a weather report at the end of our weather unit in science. During the unit we learn about meteorologists, temperature, wind, precipitation, and the sky. I expect students to give a weather report at the end of the unit. If students were to give an original weather report by using iMovie this would move the finished product into the redefinition level of SAMR. Students would be able to demonstrate their understanding of the knowledge and skills in our weather unit. I teach about the weather conditions using videos, websites, and the outdoors. They always like going outdoors to experience some different conditions. For example, the wind.  Watching videos of windy conditions pales in comparison to experiencing it blow a kite around. Sometimes it is as if they never experienced wind before we learned about it. When they would make their movie, they could go outside and record themselves in the wind or rain or sunshine. Or depending on our unpredictable Texas weather they could use a background of the weather they want to report on.

It would be fun for students to learn to use these tools. Learning while having fun is lasting learning. I still remember learning how to say the alphabet in French class because the teacher made it fun. And all we had was a balloon. When I continue to learn about more tools, I will find some that aren’t a great fit for me. However, my students might be a wizard with them. I will need to make sure my expectations are understood and allow students to show me what they can do. They amaze me often with what they already know. By utilizing these tools in my classroom students can use some outside knowledge they have because they all seem to have an iPad, phone, or tablet at home. This technology isn’t going anywhere. Students will need to feel comfortable using them in the future with employment or schooling. I hope by using technology tools in my class they begin their journey to a bright future.