Creation Tools for Kids

One of the Creation Tools for Kids I chose to explore was MakeBeliefsComix. MakeBeliefsComix is a program that allows you to create your own comic strips. Using a variety of different elements provided including characters, settings, emotions, dialogue boxes, etc., creators can use their imagination to bring their stories to life. Dialogue prompts and thought balloons allow students to create their own story lines and bring their individuality and personality to their work.

I believe this program could be utilized as an excellent tool to introduce students to different forms of writing by allowing them to easily create their own comic strips. I also see this program being an effective tool for students to practice particular grammar rules, such as the proper use of quotation marks, commas, etc. For those students who haven’t found their desire to express themselves through writing, this could be an excellent avenue for them to explore. MakeBeliefsComix also offers dialogue options in a number of different languages including Spanish, French, English and Japanese, which could be very beneficial for E.L.L. learners. The program could be used as a way for students to express their understanding of a particular topic by creating a comic strip with characters discussing something related to a given topic. I feel that the program would allow students the opportunity to collaborate with each other to create pieces together as well. It also would work as a great creative outlet for students. In my third grade dyad placement, there were a number of boys who thrived on telling jokes to the class and getting a laugh out of classmates. I feel that this could be a great avenue for them to channel their humor and creativity in a productive way.

The other Creation Tool for Kids that I explored was Cacoo. This interactive program allows students to create Mind Maps and a handful of different types of diagrams. Among others, the program allows students to make site maps, wire frames, UML and network charts. It is very user friendly. Students can choose form a variety of pre-made stencils, background sheets or have the option of freehand drawing.

Cacoon is a collaborative program, which allows for endless opportunities for students to be involved in group work and projects. Students can work together in real time from different locations, very similar to how GoogleDocs works. Because this program is designed with collaboration in mind, I feel that using it would provide students with great practice in their ability to plan, work and review together as a group.

I see this program being very effective by providing another outlet for students to express what they know about a particular topic, such as illustrating the scientific process, explaining important historical events, other literary texts, etc. Another great feature of this program is that users have the ability to enter text in a variety of different languages. Among other things, the maps and diagrams students create can be transformed into slideshows and published to blogs, which would be excellent methods of presenting information to their peers about what they have learned about a given topic. 

The human component of teaching

I have mixed feelings about Sugatamitra’s video from TED.  While I agree with some of what was presented, that many times “good” teachers don’t necessarily go where they are needed the most and that children are completely capable of learning on their own, which they do every single day, the idea that Self Organizing Learning Environments and “granny clouds” could potentially take the place of the human component of teaching is quite troublesome to me. Isn’t there something to be said for the human relationship that develops between students and their teacher over the course of the year that they spend together? What about the consistent guidance, kindness and support present in traditional classrooms as the teacher carefully and thoughtfully supports individual growth in her classroom? It seems to me that everything we have learned through our program thus far goes against this idea of sitting kids in a small room as they watch someone impart their knowledge to them from a screen. Where does differentiated instruction and designing lessons for students’ individual needs and interests fit into all of this? Are there different avenues for students to access learning and show what they know? Is this supporting educational equity? What does this form of education prepare a child for? While I do believe that technology has great potential in positively influencing education, a simple yet important question we must continue to ask ourselves is, what is technology good for and what is it not good for? 

Makeal's story

I found Makeal’s story to be so inspiring! The video clip clearly demonstrated the power technology can have in helping students find their voice. Makeal’s apprenticeship and blogging has provided an avenue for him to develop confidence and a new set of skills. Makeal is eager to pursue and share his interests, knowing that he has an audience and that others are interested in what he has to say. It was amazing to watch him talk about his dreams of becoming an architect, video game designer, or firefighter!

I thought the students in the following video provided insightful reasons as to why they enjoy blogging in the classroom: