As discussed in a previous blog post, Guided Access can be used to set time limits on iPads, while locking a student into a specific app. This is a great option for academic purposes.
To create a time limit for a break time or a free choice period, here is an additional option.
Many schools are not a 1:1 device environment. Most schools do not have a whole classroom set of iPads, laptops or desktops even. This makes it difficult to do quick, whole class, electronic assessments.
Plickers is a set of cards that can be used to provide real-time formative assessment data within your limited tech environment. Plickers can be used for quizzes, entrance/exit tickets or to quickly check for understanding during a lesson. They can be used in any classroom setting including math, art or physical education. Plickers provides a chance for all students to engage in learning without feeling self-conscious.
Plickers is easy to setup and use. Teachers need a computer, projector, tablet or smartphone and a wifi signal. Students need a paper Plickers card.
Each Plicker card is a unique visual code. The code has 4 sides, each lettered A, B, C, and D. The student holds the card so that the letter they choose to answer is at the top of their card. Teachers gather the answers instantly, using the Plickers app on a wireless device. Scan the room. You have just collected the answer to a question and can tell exactly which student got it correct and which student needs additional help in this area.
With a little bit of set up and planning you have a quick interactive way to check for knowledge and receive real time information from your class.
I found a great YouTube tutorial for setting up and using Plickers. It contains step by step information and great tips and suggestions, all in under 9 minutes.
Do you have Dyslexia? Your brain can sometimes do funny things to letters. OpenDyslexictries to help prevent some of these things from happening. The letters in the OpenDyslexic font have heavy weighted bottoms to add "gravity" to each letter. The weighted letters help you quickly figure out which part of the letter is down. It can help keep your brain from rotating letters. Consistently weighted bottoms can also help prevent line jumping while reading. The unique shapes of each letter has been proven to help prevent confusion through flipping and swapping.
Have you ever struggled with studying for a test or learning a new language? Are the struggles even more difficult when you factor in keeping up with your day to day responsibilities? The FlashTabs extension for Google Chrome might be just what you need. FlashTabs enables you to create a deck of flash cards and cycle through them each time you open a new tab in Google Chrome. This feature provides you with the opportunity to study as you go about your daily tasks.
