Badging progress

As the whole course is gamified we do celebrate our success ongoingly. I am glad to report that the #Gapschools teachers are getting back into the groove for the new year and are competing for the top points positions as well as delivering good quality lessons using the strategies and technologies.

At this point the top performers are as follows:

1. Vicki du Preez
2. Christine Murray
3. Sarah-Lee Frewen
4. Jessie Kay
5. Gweny Van Deventer
6. Loren van der bergh
7. Morgan Catto
8. Patrick Adjei
9. Nelia Moss
10. Precious Phili

See the Flippity breakdown of the badges: 

Flipped lesson Badge Support

In order to earn this badge, you will have to create a flipped lesson experience for your class. Vicky has created a great summary of what a flipped lesson is all about for her content creation badge:


 So, to summarise:

• Create or download the content that you want them to work through (relating to your curriculum subject content) to be able to do their "homework" in the class with your help.
• You can use the myriad of educational subject videos on Youtube, Khan Academy or any of the amazing video sites out there already. (e.g. see the Mathematics Xhosa videos here: https://xh.khanacademy.org/)
• You can create your own content by letting someone video you giving the lesson, or by creating a video lesson using some video creation tools (e.g. Screenomatic, Microsoft Mix which allows you to turn a slideshow into a video with voice overs and the students can see you- see some examples here: goo.gl/Dyo2Jv)

• Suggestion: Make sure that you add some guiding questions that the learners have to answer after hey have watched the video/interacted with your content
• Suggestion: when they come to class, first do a little self marking diagnostic test with them to make sure that they have worked through the material e.g. using a tool like Testmoz
• Give the learners their "homework" activity to do in the class in groups or pairs so that they can help one another.
• Assist them if they have hassles. 

How do you earn the badge? 

To earn this badge, you need to design a flipped lesson plan.

1. Design and complete the Lesson plan for flipped classrooms here: goo.gl/ZhZI4V
2. Self assess your lesson plan using the Flipped lesson plan rubric and submit a photo/ electronic copy of the self assessment-  Download rubric template here: goo.gl/bWTuLM
3. Upload into your Gdrive folder

Assessment Badge

What is assessment?
Assessment is a way to measure if learners have achieved all the learning outcomes as stated in the curriculum (CAPS) document. We gather evidence of achievement in the form of assessment tasks using assessment tools.

During this course you have been introduced to various assessment tasks and tools (e.g. see example alongside). Badges in this course is used to formally assess if you can apply the given
teaching strategy with the support of mobile technologies.

There are two broad categories of assessment: Informal and Formal.

The instruments used to gather evidence are called ASSESSMENT TOOLS. It:

ü  Facilitate the recording process.

ü  Inform the reporting process.

ü  Provide the basis for feedback and

evaluation.

Examples of Assessment tools:

q  Rubrics/ Assessment Grid (Rating scale).

q  Criteria list /Checklist.

q  Marking Memorandum.

q  Observation Schedule.

q  Any other relevant tool e.g. combination of criteria list and rubric.

To read more about assessment tasks and tools, consult your Module 6 à Resources à Assessment Folder or see our online assessment collection here:

https://www.diigo.com/user/ict4red/assessment

Getting our #ict4red groove on again!!

The start of the new year is always a shock to our systems with all the planning, getting used to all the learners, the noise and the buzz!! I feel for you all! But it is also very exciting to be back and see all the new and old faces again!

We are just over half way with our #ict4red tablet course and it is time for some serious planning while we are at it! I will be virtually talking/working with each of you individually over the next few weeks to make sure that you get back on track and help with some lesson ideas, apps and tools that you can use to get your #ICT4RED jaribaaa back. The strategies that we have dealt with over the first 6 modules are totally fun, practical and ready for you to implement in your classroom into what you have to do in any case! So there is nooooo reason to panic!!

I know that having done the last few modules just before the end of year examinations, did not leave any time for classroom implementation. It is therefore essential that we plan our lessons this year in such a way that we can earn our badges and create award winning jaribaaa lessons at the same time!

Talking about badges..... Here is our top 10 badge earners from last year. It looks like the Queenstown Primary school is taking the early lead!!!!

1	Olivia	Horn	8
2	Christine	Murray	7
3	Nelia	Moss	7
4	Sarah-Lee	Frewen	7
5	Vicki	du Preez	7
6	Didas	Tumusiime	6
7	Gweny	Van Deventer	6
8	Jessie	Kay	6
9	Patrick	Adjei	6
10	BENJAMIN	MILLS	5

Our assessment this year is moving up a notch as we will be looking for the top #ict4red #GAPSchool achievers. To earn the #ict4red merit badge we will be identifying  innovative lessons that can be used as inspiring case studies in our #ICT4RED integration book/site and the lessons will also be entered into the #ispasuperteacher competition! So now is the time to get your groove on!!

The following rubric will be used to evaluate all badges this year.

Modules 1 to 10
The pink indicates the minimum requirements for earning a badge. The rest of the criteria will count towards a merit award.

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Lesson plan description	Lesson plan is described in detail with Grade, Topic, CAPS alignment and specific outcomes and the lesson implements the given strategy with all tech well described.	Lesson plan is described in detail with Grade, Topic, CAPS alignment and specific outcomes and the lesson implements the given strategy.	Lesson plan is described in detail with Grade, Topic, CAPS alignment and implements the given strategy.	Lesson plan is briefly described but I can't quite get what the lesson is about. No CAPS alignment.
Badge criteria	All badge criteria is handed in and is accompanied by a detailed lesson plan and uploaded to Google drive.	All badge criteria is handed in and is accompanied by a detailed lesson plan.	All badge criteria is handed in.	Not all badge criteria is covered.
Originality	Lesson shows a large amount of original thought. Ideas are creative and innovative.	Lesson shows some original thought. Work shows new ideas and insights.	Lesson uses other people's ideas (giving them credit), but there is little evidence of original thinking.	Use other people's ideas, but do not give them credit.
Technology use	Tablets and technology were used in a WOW seamless way and it was a paperless environment throughout with focus on pedagogy.	Tablets and technology were used seamlessly in an innovative way during the lesson	Tablets and technology were used during the lesson in a basic way (Photos, videos) and badge artifacts were uploaded to shared Google drive	No technology was incorporated into the lesson except for accessing the material in digital format.
Reflection	Your online journal is up to date and you are using it for everyday reflection and to capture all learning, notes and memos. You are constantly reflecting on your teaching practice and creating learning briefs e.g if anything did not work, you reflect on why it did not work and how you can change it to improve your practice. Your journal is WOW!	All lessons are captured in journal with what worked and what did not work with photos and voice recordings and detailed explanations of what happened before, during and after the lesson.	All lessons are captured in journal with what worked and what did not work.	Some evidence of reflective teaching (Some journal entries).
Total Score

Other badges:
The pink indicates the minimum requirements for earning a badge. The rest of the criteria will count towards a merit award.

CATEGORY	4	3	2	1
Email	Ongoing email communications, letting me know when you have uploaded your module stuff to your gdrive	You have send an email with a class photo attached to ict4red@gmail.com from your tablet	Email address is set up on tablet	Can access email using a browser
Twitter	Are a twitter ninja with over a 100 tweets, are flowing over 50 education related tweeps and is being followed by over a 100 people. You have shared at least 30 educational resource tweets	Have retweeted at least 5 educational tweets and replied to 5 tweets, shared a photo and a video in your timeline	Have followed 20 educational tweets and colleagues and have tweeted 20 education related tweets with the #ict4red #gapschools hashtag	Have registered for twitter and twitter is set up on tablet. Bio is complete and egg has been hatched
Content creation	The item is innovative and fresh and can be used in learner centred classrooms	The item can be used by other teachers in their classrooms and subject.	The item is clearly aligned with outcomes and can be identified as something that you have created as part of your teaching strategies	You have created an object about a topic that you are currently teaching. (Video, slideshow. infographic, tutorial, informational document.)
App Assessment	Have sourced apps and used it in innovative ways with completed assessment forms	Have identified new apps that are not part of the course for use with the strategies with completed app assessment forms and examples	Have looked at, at least 10 apps and completed the app assessment questionnaires in electronic format (photos/form/word doc)	Have looked at, at least 5 apps and completed the app assessment questionnaires in electronic format (photos/form/word doc)
Assessment	You have made innovative and creative use of technology and methodology to create your assessment tool.	You have used technology to create or capture your assessment task. (e.g. google forms, testmoz) and your students have completed it electronically	You have supplied a scanned/completed learner instrument as well as the Assessment Motivation Template	You have created 3 different assessment tools (e.g. rubric, self-assessment questionnaire, scoring sheet, test with memorandum)
Blogging/Blog collaborator	You have created a blog for your class/subject and have used embedded objects. Your learners are actively participating on your blog via comments and posts	You have created your own blog and have made at least 5 blogposts	You have contributed a blogpost to our www.gapict4red.blogspot.com blog.	You have made at least 5 comments on any of the ict4red school blog posts (www.gapict4red.blogspot.com)
Mobile skills	Have used apps and tools in innovative and creative ways throughout the course	Have created how to tutorials for apps and tools not defined in the course	Can do more advanced mobile skills required in the course	Can do some all the basic tablet skills required in the course
Jaribaaaa Badge	Your classes are transformed into learner centred innovation hubs and you are an exemplary guide on the side. You have the Jaribaaaa factor	Enthusiastically participated and are very excited about using the strategies and tech in the classroom	Helped others and actively participated in the gamification and fun	Attended the minimum no of training sessions (8) and participated
Total Score

 I would also like you to revisit what you have done last year and make sure that your ICT4RED google drive folder has the following in for every module (even if you have already been awarded your badge). This will be your online portfolio for SACE accreditation.

• Your lesson plan describing what you have done. You can use the lesson plan template here (goo.gl/dlZL7g) or use your own, making sure that I will be able to use the above rubric to "evaluate" your lesson, know what it is about and how you have used technology (mobile devices in your classroom.  It has to be in electronic format in your folder. 
• Make sure that you have covered all the criteria and that all evidence have been uploaded to your google drive folder. 
• Do not put ALL your photos and videos in your google drive, choose the ones that best describes the lesson and adhere to the criteria.
• If you want to do another lesson on a badge that you have already earned, feel free and let me know to look at it for merit achievement!!

If you need help getting back on track with what to do for each badge, see the badge support posts: 

Module1 Jigsaw Support

Module 2 Storytelling support

Module 3 Role Play

Module 3 Role play support

Module 4 Learning stations

Module 4 Learning stations support

Twitter Badge support

Content Creator Badge Support

Module 5 Mind mapping

Module 5 Mind Mapping badge support

Module 7 Game Based Learning

Module 7 GBL badge support

If you need help or just want to talk with me about what you are planning to do. or if you are ready to submit, let me know and we can set up a skype session for you. My skype name is Maggieverster. 

See you online and don't forget to get your tweet on again....#ict4red #gapschools

Content Creator badge support

This badge you can earn anywhere along your journey and you will probably have many items that you can submit for this badge already! You may place the items in your Google drive folder. So let us first look at the criteria for achieving this badge:

So where do you start?
The main aim is to create an item that is "freestanding" and can be used by any other teacher in their classroom. So, look at what you are doing according to your subject CAPS and decide that you are going to create.....

• A video, soundfile, podcast, slideshow.... explaining/teach something from your classroom related topic
• A ebook pdf worksheet
• ........

Combining it with your learning station strategy is a good idea. For example, you can create a learning slideshow/video to leave at one of the stations that the learners can use to learn the information/ skills that they need for that station. 

Some Examples of various multimedia items:

• My twitter slideshow is an example of a learning object/item that teach a concept. (Why and how to tweet) 
• Solving quadratic equations by completing the square (slideshow)
• The digestive system (slideshow)
• Population explosion (slideshow) 
• Short story for children in english (video)
• Gr 12 Geography: Geomorphology & Climatology (video)
• Mapwork calculations (video)
• The state of maths education in South Africa (podcast)  (podcast) 

I am looking forward to see what innovative learning objects you guys will be designing!

Module 4: Learning Stations Support

Learning stations works very well when you want your learners to learn different skills and topics relating to a central theme in a hands-on engaged way. So basically you will take your Caps theme for the day and identify different things that they can learn successively. This strategy is also really great to do revision with. Make sure that the station topics do not need to follow on one another as groups start at different stations.

The learners are supplied at the onset with a worksheet (or google form) that has to be completed individually during the course of the learning station journey. The fact that they are moving between the stations as a group must be stressed is so that they have to help one another! You can also tell them that they will be doing an exit test to make sure that they pay attention at every station.

For example: 

1. Maths: Functions 
   Station 1: A video explaining what a function is and they have to come up with some examples
   Station 2: Identifying functions (Video and a testmoz self marking quiz where they have to identify functions
   Station 3: Solving functions (video and apps)
   Station 4: Drawing function with a graphing calculator (apps Algeo Graphing calculator, Functions)
2. Grade 3 Lifeskills: Religious & Other Special Days
   Each station represent a different day where they have to find out what the day is all about. Leave stuff there for them to dress up with (selfie time) with guiding questions about the day. How would you celebrate the day? (Resources: videos, magazines, app: International special days)

For more examples see the "Doing it differently" section in your Course manual

Badges:

You always have to do a lesson plan with a brief explanation of what your lesson is about. (Preferred App: Memoires). You need to create station activities by completing the design grid for at least 4 stations. Make sure that your stations activities adhere to the criteria alongside.

You have to provide me with your design grid (upload to your Module 4 Google drive folder), It can also be a photo of your hand written design grid. You also have to take a photo of each of the stations before the learners arrive to do their stations and upload that to your Google drive folder as well.

You will need to create an evaluation form (see above criteria evaluation form) but it can also be an assessment (Google form/Testmoz self marking test) to check if the learners understood the topic. They can do this at home or they can send you their completed worksheets electronically (a photo if they wrote it down).

Remember to take and submit a photo of the learners busy at each station. You can take a little video if you want and tweet that! (See twitter badge)

Any other questions or if you want to bounce any ideas of me, please submit as a comment below so that we can all learn from each other.

I will be using a badging rubric to evaluate the main badges. The idea is to get some idea of the level of implementation and to identify lessons that would be great for teachers awards. You must achieve at least a level 2 in order to qualify for the applicable badge. The rubric can be downloaded form here:

Module 3: Role play support

In Module 3 we used Role play as a teaching and learning strategy to solve issues, do problem solving and explore the value of peer assessment in a gamified environment. We cooked at some issues that crops up in a ict enriched school milieu e.g. can the school go paperless?  By writing a storyboard for the roleplay that has to explore various issues connected to the topic, learners are forced to come up with various issues and angles and then find solutions. This strategy is a great way to make sure that learners really intimately engage with topics from a problem-solution point of view.

From a technology point of view, various skills can be incorporated to enhance this experience. Firstly, they (the learners) have to design (write) the roleplay and digitise that for sharing and as part of their portfolio. They can either write it out (old school) and then taking a photo or type it out using a word processor or their tablet journaling app (Memoires). The roleplay has to be practised, video-ed and edited and has to clearly adhere to the following rubric criteria:

So the format of the roleplay lesson could be: (Use the roleplay template here: https://goo.gl/UOx8i8 and it could be one lesson with the assessment being the next lesson.)

• Stating the problem in a single sentence
• Exploring what the various issues might be associated with the problem statement
• Assigning roles (who says what)
• Acting the problems out 
• Acting the solutions out
• Taking a video of the role play. 
• Basic video editing
• Upload the video to Youtube and share the link with you in the back channel/email. This can be done after the lesson. 

Assessment:

The next step in this strategy is to have the learners assess each others role play with a view to reward the top roleplays (gamification). This can be in the follow-up lesson or as homework. They can physically swap tablets or view the roleplays on Youtube. This means that they would have dealt with at least 2 issues within the classroom topic (their own and the group they are assessing). You can also ask them to assess all the roleplay videos as assessment (individually or as a group). 

They then have to complete the assessment and score the group according to the given score sheet. This can be done physically (complete the printout and submit a photo of the results-lowtech) or do it using a google form (see example) or online collaborative spreadsheet (see example). The winning team are then rewarded. This can also count as formative assessment grading. 

Debriefing

It is important that ALL the issues are briefly discussed with pertinent questions to guide the discussion. This can be done in the back channel were you will be able to monitor that all the learners are giving input. You can also use a wordcloud application to summarise the main points and contributors (Wordclouds, Wordle, Tagcrowd, or for a list see here: http://www.edudemic.com/word-cloud-generators/) 

Badging

In order to achieve this badge I will need the following from you.

You only have to submit 1 roleplay planner but can submit more than one for this badge. So I would like to know what your lesson was all about as well as what issues and scenarios were given to the learners to contemplate and turn into a roleplay. You can do this in your Memoires with photos and text if you want to. I would like you to upload the best roleplay video or supply the roleplay video link (but you may upload/supply all of your learner groups' roleplays if you like). Upload the roleplay planner(s) to your Google drive  ( I would have send you a link to that) as well as your lesson plan summary.

Assessment is not specifically included in this badge but you will be submitting an assessment badge soon and this can count towards that badge. The assessment part of this activity is very important and serves to expose the learners to different issues and solutions.

Lesson plan ideas: How do I do this in my subject area? 
Now it is your turn to think about how you can use Role play within what you are doing at the moment in your classroom. Consult the "Doing it differently" section in your Course Manual.

If you have any questions or would like to run some ideas past me, please use the comment section below so that we can all explore together.