a curriculum unit using ipads - applied to gardner's mi theory

A Curriculum Unit using iPads

Designed for Students on the Autism SpectrumBy Karina Barley – M.Ed.

The Amazing Race Curriculum Unit - Karina D. Barley - M.Ed.

Based on the work of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory


I have designed a unit that can be used for all students and can be adapted to tailor their specific abilities, talents and skill set according to Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences.

The idea is for students to choose the activity that suits their learning style. It is not intended for students to do all of the activities.

The unit is based on the television programThe Amazing Race.


The program is a race where teams of two unite to follow prompts, activities and challenges which has them travelling around the world.

The unit will use an iPad and apps to simulate The Amazing Race.

I used the following apps: Google Earth, Geocaching, Keynote, Pages, Drawpad, Google, Strip Designer, Pictello, Grafio, Story Patch, Pictello, iDiary, iMovie, Jumbo Calculator, and Numbers.

Content:

This unit provides a range of experiences:

•Using various apps on the iPad

•Hands on experience, manipulating a variety of media

•Allows students to move through The Amazing Race unit according to their ability, pace and application to the work


•Where students have a choice of activities they can choose depending on their preference, learning style, ‘intelligence’ and interest

•Where students can do as much work as they have time to do; so children have lots of opportunities to achieve success

•Opportunities to self evaluate and reflect on their own learning

•Where children who are capable of higher order thinking and skills can be extended further


Skills Developed:• Language of spatial concepts in English and

Math

• Reading maps and learning about types of maps

• Intro to GPS, compass

• Using Google Earth

• Using other iPad apps and familiarization of the iPad



• Research skills

• Recording data & information

• Writing a journal/diary/log

• ICT to present and record work

• Internet to search for information

• Thinking skills and decision making


• Goal setting

• Problem solving

• Compare and contrast particularly people, cultures, and environments

• Collaborative, co-operative skills

• Reflective practice

During this planning stage teachers ask:• Where are the children at?

(As in, what skills are they using for their learning?)

• What have they done before?• What's the main thing I want the children to

learn from this unit?• How long should this unit go for?• What other things could the children learn?

(through integration)• What resources can I use?


Group Level: • This unit can be adapted for any student

from Year 4-10• Students can work individually or in pairs

Focus: • Geography and culture• Using iPad and apps to navigate around the world• Teamwork

Time Frame: Term Unit – Ten weeks

This is an integrated unit, so the lessons will be incorporated daily across all curriculum areas. As previously mentioned, children should go at their own pace.


Unit Aims:

• To expose students to a wide range of experiences using ICT, the iPad, the Internet and the game The Amazing Race

• For students to explore ‘the world’ according to their own learning style and ‘intelligences’ (Gardner, 1983)

• To be able to use thinking skills & decision making skills

• To develop student’s use and understanding of language and communication skills


• To encourage students to think imaginatively, interpretively and critically

• To explore concepts and issues explored in the different cultures, such as language, food, religion, way of life, community etc

• To be exposed to issues of humanity, ethics and morality and the world in which we live

• To encourage individual and collaborative learning, self-reflection and assessment and peer-assessment


Resources• Make all the resources available within the

classroom

• Ensure all of the applications work on the iPad and that you’ve tried them so you can demonstrate if necessary

• Ensure websites are available such as YouTube, Google, Wikipedia etc. If they are shut down by the school then seek permission to use this website for the purpose of this work. Students would need to agree to use the websites responsibly


Resources

• Ensure all art supplies are available

• Create a space within the classroom that is open-ended so students can move around the room and that they are not stuck in one space

• Ask parents to contribute by way of knowledge, assistance in the classroom, providing resources etc

• Provide video recorders, cameras, as well as other multimedia such as DVDs etc


BEGINNING THE RACE : PRE –ACTIVITIES GROUP WORK

•Workshop/brainstorm continents and countries

•Use Google Earth on an Interactive Whiteboard to show students how to navigate to various locations and discover information about that country

•Show how to use Google and other search engines to research information and images

•Demonstrate use of Pages, Keynote, iDiary and Pictello for diary writing, journaling and recording their journeys


•Demonstrate Drawpad for sketching important landmarks, plants, etc and show how to use Scrap App as a photo album

•Other apps can be demonstrated as they are needed

•Show some clips from The Amazing Race so that students understand visually the concept of the game

•Upload on each iPad a keynote with the directions. Children won’t be able to get to the next task until they have completed the first

• Establish whether students wish to work alone or in a team

• Display map of the world in the room, also have smaller versions laminated for each student

• Design a clue box like the one used in the program to keep in the classroom

• Students can be a part of the organisation process


TASK ONE: Inside the Clue Box are cards with the names of various countries on them. (You can choose to do all the countries, or compile a list from your brainstorming activities, or select countries from one specific continent. I would personally have a list of 10-20 countries as this will make it easier to manage).

• Select a card. This will be the country you will be researching for this unit

• You can do this unit independently or with another student. (If you choose to work with someone, each person must contribute the

same amount of work)

• Use your iPad for all your research, note-taking, journaling, and for as much of your presentation as possible

• You must complete one task before you move onto the next

The tasks as outlined will be uploaded as keynotes on each student’s iPad


TASK ONE CONTINUED...A ROAD BLOCK IS A TASK ALL TEAMS MUST COMPLETE.YOU MUST COMPELTE THESE BEFORE YOU CAN GO TO THE DETOUR...Once the student has chosen their country they can answer the following questions:

• Go to Google Earth – Locate your country. (Literacy and Numeracy)• What continent is it in? (Draw, locate on map)

(Geography, Literacy)

Go to information and discover: • Population, language, and currency (Write in journal)• Capital city, famous geographical locations

(Research/Literacy/History/Geography)


• What is the weather like? Any geographical challenges? i.e. volcano, earthquakes etc. (Science)• Flag design and colors (Draw and show colors)• Favourite cuisine, past times and sports (Pictures,

describe & sketch)• How far away in kilometres/Miles is this country?

(Numeracy)• What airport will your arrive in? (Geography)• Come up with your own facts that are different from

those listed above.

• Extension: Find three facts about your chosen country; three major buildings; three famous people from this country. (History) Present this information in any way you choose.


Once you’ve explored Google Earth and the internet and discovered as much as you can about your chosen country, record your information in your journal using either:

• Pages, Keynote or iDiary or any other appropriate format on your iPad.• Use your journal to keep notes, write ideas, store information etc.• Use Clipish to find pictures related to your country to add to your

journal.• You may sketch ideas or drawings of your information in Drawpad• Use Youtube and your iPad to store videos, music, recordings etc.• Do one page on your thoughts about the country you are researching.

Would you like to live there? If so why, or why not?• Is there somewhere in this country that you MUST visit in your lifetime

i.e. is this on your bucket list? Why?• Is there an activity you must do in this country that is on your bucket

list? • Use Strip Designer to add pictures of yourself to photographs of your

favourite locations.


TASK TWO You may choose one activity from the following list using your Country as a guide:

Where in the world are we?• Draw a map of your country and include capital

city and other major cities. Color your map and code the various aspects of the map different colors i.e. rivers can be coloured blue. • Make a model of a famous building from your

country. You can do this using construction, or using Blocks or Home 3D on your iPad (Visual-Spatial/Logical-Mathematics)

• Extension: Make a diorama of a famous landmark, city, scene in history from your country.


Our home is girt by sea! • What is your country’s national anthem? • Find a recording of it on the internet (YouTube).

If the anthem is in a different language, find the meaning of one verse and the chorus. (You can try Google to search for language interpretation programs eg. Babel Fish)

• What is the purpose of a National Anthem? – Write the answer in your journal

• What other music is prevalent in this country? Using this information, create a Keynote to present your findings. Add video or sound files. (Musical)

• Extension: Write your own national anthem. what sort of message should an anthem convey? Use the Garage Band app on your iPad to achieve this.


TASK TWO cont... Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

• Find a famous artist from your country – they can be modern or from the past. • What type of artist are they? How do they work? Paint, drawing, pastel etc? Write about the history

of your artist and find pictures on the internet of their significant work. You can use any of the ‘writing’ apps on the iPad or you may like to try Strip Designer. (Visual-Spatial)

• Extension: Use one significant piece of work by your artist and recreate it, or reinterpret it. You can use any medium you would like, including Drawpad on your iPad.


Money, money, money...• Find out what currency is used in your country • Using Google or other search engines, and using

your Math skills, find prices For: Plane fare, hotels, food for your period of stay,

incidentals etc.• Present this on a spreadsheet using Numbers and

calculate how much it will cost to take a holiday to this country for 10 days. (Logical- Mathematical)

Extension: Compare the Australian dollar to this country’s currency. How much will the trip cost in $AUS and in your country’s currency? What is the average income for this country? How much does it cost for food, rent, gas/electricity etc? Present your findings in a spreadsheet using Numbers.


TASK TWO cont... Dead Poet’s Society• Look up famous authors or poets that were born in

your country. • Do a timeline of their life and works. • Research the books or poems they wrote. Choose

one that you like. Using Pages write a book report about this book (Linguistic)

• Write an alternative ending to this book or write another poetry verse.

• Extension: Choose one of the characters and use Story Patch or Pictello to write and tell the story of their life.

• Write your own poem/story in a similar style to this author.


Ready, Set, Go• Sport, what is the popular sport in this country? • Research the sport and find the rules. Are there teams? What colours do they wear? What happens at a particular game? E.g. How does the crowd behave? Do people dress in colors?• Record a video to explain/demonstrate this skill (Body- Kinesthetic) • Extension: Find a video of a piece of ‘play’ from this game/sport. Analyse the ‘plays’ and recreate in the video showing techniques or improvements. For example, Australian Rules – Show a footballer kicking for goal. What are the techniques? What could be improved? Display video on your iPad.


If I could talk to the animals/how does your garden grow?

• What does your country look like? If I could talk to the animals who would they be?

• Find out what is the natural flora and fauna of this country. Create a list with descriptions.

• Does this country have a floral symbol? What is it? Sketch it in your journal using Drawpad.

• Create a Zoo booklet describing the native animals in your zoo. You may use keynote or Pictello , include pictures, sketches, animal sounds etc. (Naturalist)

• Extension: Find out the scientific name of your flora and fauna.

• Create a book describing the natural wonders of your country. You may include pictures, video, sketches, commentary. You need to use the scientific names in your book. Choose the app you wish to use for presentation. I.e. Keynote, Pictello, Story Patch, Pages, Numbers etc.


TASK TWO cont... So You Think You Can Dance•Are there any famous actors/artists? Choose one and do a Keynote about their life. You could also use Pictello to create a story with sound, pictures and your own voice. • Is there anything that this country is famous for culturally? Eg. Ballet, Cirque De Sole, Circus, Theatre etc. •Do a drama skit portraying a cultural event? This can be a dance, a circus performance, or a mini play. (Body-Kinesthetic)

•Extension: Design a dance, or drama performance that reflects the culture of your country. Record using video and present on iPad


A Day in the Life• Imagine you're a famous person from this country? Or• Imagine you are a mum, dad, child, teacher, student from

this country. • What is your life like? How do you live? What kind of

house do you live in? What sort of work do you or your parents do? Or if you are a famous person, what are you famous for?

• If you are a person from history, is there anything you did in your life that you would change? Why?

• Create a Keynote or use Scrap App or My Scrap Life to share what their life is like. Use Pictello to create a story with sound, pictures and your own voice.

• Write this as a story, report, journal or interview. You can also present as a video or a picture story using the various art/photography applications. (interpersonal/intrapersonal/linguistic/visual-spatial)

• Extension: Design a dance, or drama performance that reflects the culture of your country. Record using video & present on iPad


Comic Book Capers•Using Strip Designer create any story using pictures, speech bubbles etc. Make your own Comic Book based on your story. • Your story can be: A story of your life. About an action hero like Superman, Batman etc (it will be better if you make up your own Superhero).

An adventure story.• You must ‘mask’ at least one photograph using the function in Strip Designer•Use speech bubbles for your text, so you need to think about how your characters will talk• Think about the ‘message’ of your comic; the talent your super hero has & what are values they stand for. (interpersonal/intrapersonal/linguistic/visual-spatial)•Extension: Use Drawing Pad or Sketchpad to draw your superhero. Then mask it out to create a series of comic books. The books need to have a theme and link together. Add other characters to make the story interesting.

How are you going to make your story exciting?


TASK THREE U-TURN

If you finish early you can go back to the Detour and choose another activity. Or, you can make a proposal to the teacher about an activity you would like to do.

Other areas you can research:• Is there any significant events or celebrations your country is famous for? Research and report using Keynote.•Compare the price of airline tickets to your destination? What do you need to consider when looking for tickets? Display findings in Numbers.•What inventions originated from your chosen country? •What agriculture/farming is significant in this country? How do they achieve this? Use your choice of writing app to show your findings.•Fashion/Dress/Costumes – Sketch and design your own.


PIT STOPThe pit stop is the final leg for this part of the race. This is where you present your findings and show your work to the teacher. How would YOU assess your work? What did you learn?

Go back over your work and make an assessment about its worth. Is there something you can improve?Is there something you want to change/add/delete? Don’t be afraid to redo something.... it doesn’t mean it is wrong, it just means you are improving the original.Ask one of your peers to read/view your work. Is there something in the unit you would like to improve?

Write your thoughts in your journal.


Assessment will be based on children approach the task; how

independently they move through the activities; their level of

creativity, wisdom, intuitiveness and astuteness; the pieces of work they produce; and their own self

assessment of their processes and work.


Excellent Very Good GoodNeeds more work Poor

Works independently

Creative – Has good ideas

Inventive, unique,thoughtful

Work is well presented & covers topic

Revised & assessed for improvement

Name: Project Title:

Teacher Assessment


Excellent

Very Good GoodNeeds more work Poor

I did my own work

I had good ideas

My work is unique

My work is neat, artistic & covers all questions

I read my work & made improve-ments

Name: Project Title:


Student Assessment

Name: Project:

What are the student’s strengths?

Areas to work on.

What stood out?

What did the student say in their own assessment?

Reflective Assessment

You can reflect upon the learning experience & write reflective comments about each student.

For example...


CONCLUSION

The Amazing Race is one unit of work that can be utilized using Technology Assisted Learning using iPads for all students. Technology is a perfect vehicle to design units that facilitate a student centred approach that focuses on a child’s individual talents, learning style and interests. Using this technology, students become designers of their own curriculum and teachers become facilitators & mentors. Students also learn to become self assessing through reflection and from this ‘space’ learn how to learn.

The best gift we can gift any student is to give them the ability to know how to learn, to develop thinking skills and be able to reflect upon their own work. Building this sense of independence, grows and evolves children to become the best they can be and reach their potential.


a curriculum unit using ipads - applied to gardner's mi theory

Education

theamazing race unit

term unit

integrated unit

barley research skills

ipad apps

interestwhere students

intendedfor students

barley goal setting