Choosing the option was an easy one: Personal journey into media! I mentioned in my introduction on the first day that I have a teenage daughter who uses certain apps and would like to use others but doesn’t have permission to yet (insert hashtag mean mom) because I do not know how to use them and I want to protect her and be an informed and lets me honest a nosey parent. I also chose this option because I want to explore some apps and programs that would benefit my professional side within the classroom.
Here are my app and program choices so far, just need to narrow them down
Personal Apps:
- Instagram- I have it but I don’t really use it, can’t figure parts of it out, haven’t really tried
- Snapchat (I use this one but have come to learn there is much more to this app then meets the eye; not just filters).
- TikTok– This one scares me, looks like it could be fun, heard it’s a rabbit hole, my daughter wants this one but does not have it, many students talk about and use it. This app I think is high on my list to base part of the project on.
Professional Apps:
- Edsby– Our division has implemented the use of Edsby to use for attendance, gradebook, access to student information, report cards, online learning, etc. Because I teach grade 4 I found that using google classroom was easier for my students for online learning, the platform was less intimidating, and is easier to navigate. I feel that if I want to teach the upper elementary grades that learning to use this tool is going to be imperative. Thus it is high on my list here.
- Flipgrid– I have heard about it, never used it or looked into it.
- Twitter– I am not a Twitter loving fan but I am learning that many division level professionals use it, my school division really likes it and also encourages the use of it by its cliental. Also it is one of the requirements for the class so it would be a good idea to learn how to use it.
Christine, I love all of your choices of potential apps to explore! I wish you could do all 6 for your project! My school division just started using Edsby this year as well. A colleague described it as “educational Facebook on steroids.” I am newer to TikTok too (and just use it to watch funny/cute videos); I think you would have a lot of fun looking into this one!
It’s always good to explore as much as you can. Christine, I think you are doing good being a mom and will do wonders in this project as well. Even I am going to expand my limits and explore more apps. Good luck for your project!
I am looking forward to following your journey as you move forward! There are so many possible applications with any of these options that you are considering! Once you begin exploring these areas, it is sure to be eye-opening and lead to exciting classroom utilizations! I have dipped my toes into the Flipgrid waters as some of my differentiated assignments for my students.
Christine, I have two teenage daughters who use TikTok regularly and I essentially know nothing about it. I have also chosen to take a personal journey into these media for my professional and personal lives. It will be fun to keep track of each other’s progress! Good luck!
First of all, I can’t believe that your kiddo is already a teenager! Are we really that old? Have the first few years of our first degrees have actually been that long ago? How time flies, that’s for sure!
Why not try all 6? I mean, tackle the ones you feel better with first, and build from there. I have included a few of my past classmate’s blogs that I definitely look up to, and you can see how they did it. I mean, in no way am I saying follow what they did, but it can be some good inspiration to get started. The project may have been slightly different, so take it with a grain of salt (or whatever that saying is).
Curtis: https://curtisbourassaedtechreview.wordpress.com/
Amanda: https://edtechendeavours.com/category/edtech-tools/