To begin the year in what was formerly known as the STEM Lab (renamed this year as the #GeekLab), students created a Selfie project using iPads. The apps:
-Google Drive (free)
-any free painting app
-Sketchbook Express (free)
-WordFoto (paid app)
To keep the teacher from being the source of information, students (Grades 3-5) grabbed headphones and followed an instructional video on their own device: https://goo.gl/QueRuw
This video was created by the teacher (with a little help from the Chainsmokers)
They are encouraged to work in groups, a partner, or just by themselves. Rule: the teacher is here only to help clear-up any misunderstandings from the video. But no help would be offered unless 2 things occurred:
- The student must risk making a mess of things by trying to use their smart brain and solve the issue on their own.
- Talk to their peers at their table (9 times out of 10, kids figure it out with each other)
"I hope things don't go perfectly for you today. That's boring. The fun is when you have to figure things out! And boy, doesn't it feel good when you are able to solve the problem?"
As a result, the Kindies love to excitedly cheer and shout out, "Teacher, Teacher, look....I have a problem!!!!" They have no idea how to solve the tech issue, but are just happy to have a problem. The point is to set a positive mindset. Model that solving problems is fun, not frustrating.
When completed, all the "Selfies are printed in color and hung up (see examples above). However, it is made clear that any spelling mistakes will not be printed..."google the word, you'll figure it out," is a commonly used phrase. The colorful work covers the walls of the GeekLab. The kids love coming in to see all the "geeks".
Students roll through the Lab for 1-week/month as part of a specials rotation. This project does not take the 4th and 5th graders a week. So as kids finish the project, they move on to the Creative Challenge. They are asked to think about the apps they have used. Can they figure out how to create an image of them walking on the moon? Swimming with a Great White? Climbing the Pyramids? This lends itself to design elements such as lighting and shadowing. It is amazing what kids create. Many classrooms took these projects back into the classroom and used them for creative writing projects.
At the end of the week, Several students move beyond the Creative Challenge where they get a taste of green-screen technology using the Doink Green Screen app (not free + $30 for green screen materials on Amazon).
The students do not ever receive a unit on digital citizenship. Instead they receive instruction on digital citizenship EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. In this Selfie unit, students used an app where adds constantly pop up. What a great opportunity to discuss the purpose of adds and how to handle them appropriately/responsibly as professional students. They use images from the web: a perfect opportunity to learn about appropriate use and copyright. GoogleDrive lends itself to a host of issues with the sharing of photos. You could hear a pin-drop as shocking stories of past mistakes are told. Every unit has its own lessons on digital citizenship.
From time-to-time a student will have an error in judgement. THUS elementary school is the perfect environment to make those mistakes and learn about appropriate behavior so as to avoid dangerous decisions later in High School.
The Selfie project is a huge hit every year. The students are always highly engaged. The lab becomes a social place for students to design and create together. Can't wait for next week!
