Applications 2: Application Harder

Well here is the much anticipated sequel to my critically acclaimed blog post "Application Wars I: The Phantom Prezi". As with my previous post I will be addressing three applications that I have used and will be scoring them using a very complicated  algorithm.



Application 1: TodaysMeet.

TodaysMeet is a website which can be used for open discussion during a lesson. The teacher can open a "room" which can then be linked to the students. The teacher may then pose a question which the students, who have logged in to the room, can discuss in what is effectively an internet chatroom. This application can be used in the background of a lesson. The teacher is able to pose a question at the beginning of the lesson and have the students add to the discussion as the lesson progresses. Then, at the end of the lesson, the teacher will revisit the page and read out the best comments and opinions provided by the students. This not only shows the students' understanding of the subject but also provides differing viewpoints for other students to consider. 

The only two negatives I can find with this application are; 1. Students may see this as an opportunity to exercise their creativity and post inappropriate things under an anonymous username. This can be combated by not reading those comments out or only allowing students to post at certain times meaning the teacher is free to move about the class and monitor what is being posted. and 2. If the students are not situated in a computer room or have no means of accessing this website then it obviously cannot be used.

Aled's Verdict: Only for those with access to technology (Definitely for me).

Application 2: bubbl.us

bubbl.us is a useful 'freemium' website that provides the tools to build a brainstorm mind map. This application allows the creation of free flowing mind maps that can be customised to any colour or theme the user wants. This provides a very good prompt for revision or general brainstorming. The use of this application also allows students to share their mind maps through a number of different formats. This means that if a student has a particularly creative brainstorm the teacher can use their bubbl.us and place it on Moodle. 

The main issue I have with this application is that mind maps can just as easily be created on a piece of paper. The only benefit a student will have by using this application is that the mind map can be shared. As this application has the same issue as TodaysMeet (access to technology) I feel it is not that applicable to a classroom situation.

Aled's Verdict: Not for me (Unless I need to tick the "Use of ICT" box).

Application 3: SpicyNodes

SpicyNodes is an application much like bubbl.us. This application allows for the creation of mind maps that can be shared on the web. SpicyNodes differs to bubbl.us however in its application of the concept. A SpicyNodes mind map looks far nicer than one made on bubbl.us. Only the initial 'nodes' are shown when viewing the mind map and the user will navigate through these nodes to view additional information. The zoom and enhance functions on this website make the mind map look far more creative and professional. SpicyNodes also allows for the use of pictures, videos and links that add to the whole experience and differentiates it from a paper based mind map. Although this application has the same access to technology problems as all online applications SpicyNodes can also be used as a teaching tool. The teacher can create a SpicyNodes mind map and travel through it in place of a powerpoint. The mind map can also be used as additional reading for students outside of the lesson. For these reasons I am very hopeful that I can use this application in my work.

Aled's Verdict: Definitely for me.

I would like to thank you for reading my opinions over the past two blogs and hope I have given you an idea about the pros and cons of each application.

Application Wars I: The Phantom Prezi

During the course of this academic year I have been introduced to a number of new and (in some cases) exciting applications that can help add a variety to my teaching. In this two part blog I will Be discussing these applications and deciding whether or not I will be using them in future.


Application 1: Prezi

Prezi is a 'freemium' application found at http://prezi.com/. This application offers a new and innovative way of presenting lessons. Unlike the standard powerpoint presentation, which is a very formal and basic way of conveying information, a Prezi presentation allows for a lot of creativity and finesse. As a simple substitute for a power point a Prezi can provide a more visually stimulating experience for the learner. The transition and highlighting (zoom and enhance etc) functions are far more advanced than any powerpoint available. These animations can be used to really catch the attention of a class and hold that attention through smaller subtle changes. To limit Prezi to a mere powerpoint replacement would be doing it a disservice. The sheer variety of animations, shapes and other tools that are available really allow for a user to run wild. This would be a very good application to use for a creative class in the areas of art/design.

However for a more 'wordy' subject like law this application falls short. The time it takes to firstly get acquainted with the systems and then to actually create a presentation outweighs the visual benefits. I would much rather hold a class' attention through my actions than through flashy transitions that took hours to perfect. 

Aled's Verdict: Not for me.

Application 2: Explain Everything.

Explain Everything is an application found on the App Store for £1.99 that can be used on an iPad. This application allows for the detailed creation of video presentations that can be exported to other devices. The application works a lot like MS Paint in that you can either draw freehand or add text and pictures to a black page. Where this application excels however is the editing functions. This app allows you to record your writing (either text or freehand) and play it back as a video. This could therefore be used as a great presentation tool that does not take hours to perfect. It also includes a number of options for the text/drawing. Different brushes, shapes, wordarts and colours can be chosen to spice up the presentation.

The major drawback I found during my interaction with the app is that it is difficult to make your presentation look anything other than 'amateur'. By this I mean the freehand drawing looks out of place with pictures and text. Any presentation I tried to make ended up looking like an MS Paint drawing which is not the type of presentation you want to be giving to post 16 year olds. I do however feel that this might be my artistic ineptitude and someone with more talent could really flourish.

Aled's Verdict: Only for those who can draw (Not for me).

Application 3: Pinterest

Pinterest is the final application of this part and is another good tool for visual teaching. Unlike apps such as powerpoint and, to an exten, Prezi, Pinterest give the teacher a freedom to go in any direction they wish. Whilst standard presentation tools allow for a very linear progression through the lesson, Pinterest allows the teacher to pick images from a 'board' in any order they wish. This allows for easy transition back to previous points as well as being able to move freely through the lesson. Pinterest also provides a scope for various extra reading. To provide extra reading on a powerpoint the teacher will either have to create extra slides, use speakers notes or provide links at the end. A Pinterest board is open to view at any time for the students, and additionally any pictures that aren't visited during the lesson can be accessed by the students at home. This also allows the teacher to miss out information without scrolling obviously through a number of slides.

The disadvantages of Pinterest however, for the subject of law, outweigh the advantages. Law is not a very visual subject and would not lend itself well to this format. It would be a tedious exercise to find and present visual representations of every case cited. Also, the linear nature of a powerpoint suits the linear nature of how laws are developed. Finally, to navigate freely through a Pinterest Board would either require a lot of practice or visually distinct images. As law is very 'wordy' this would be more trouble than it is worth.

Aled's Verdict: Not for me.

Well that's it for part 1 of my epic saga, please tune in next week (or whenever i get around to doing it) for the second installment!