Game-based Learning - the Angry Birds app

This week I am presenting a unit on Game-Based learning to teachers in Limpopo and Gauteng. I can’t wait! It is such a fun unit. Our ice breaker in the PD session involves playing the free version of the app, Angry Birds. The Angry Bird series focuses on multi-coloured birds who try to save their eggs from green-colored pigs, their enemies

What is the goal of the game?
The goal of Angry Birds in each level is to get rid of the pigs. The complacent pigs are usually blocked by wood, glass, stone or another material arranged into creative structures. The players need to use the angry birds to get rid of both the obstacles and pigs.

Tips when playing
1. Use the slingshot to aim at the pigs. This takes a fair amount of skill.

2. Know your birds. As you progress, you'll notice that there are different kinds of birds and they create different results when tapped. There is a red bird, a blue, bird, a yellow bird, a balck bird, a white bird, a greenbird, Big Brother bird, orange bird, Mighty Eagle. Each bird has a function.

3. Use the right strategies to get rid of the pigs

4. Be very observant and plan.

5. Go or the base.

6. Watch out or explosives.

7. Watch the trajectory line of each bird to guide you.

8. There are seven different groups of levels in the game.

Is Angry birds educational? 

Yes indeed it is!

a) Here is a quote on the Wired blog from the article entitled ‘Teaching the Physics of Angry Birds’ https://goo.gl/kzUYoh:
 “…some physics teachers have embraced Angry Birds as a teaching tool. It seems the natural laws of the popular Rovio game's world do not entirely correspond to real-world physics, and the differences make for some interesting study opportunities.”

b) The Teaching Ideas website has a whole host of ways to use Angry Birds in the classroom in just about every subject. Here are some of the wonderful ideas from Teaching Ideas https://goo.gl/bqhy8g

"English

• Write your own story that features the Angry Birds characters.
• Could you write the plot for a new episode of the Angry Birds Toons?
• Create a set of instructions to teach people how to play one of the Angry Birds games.
• Write a review of one of the games. What do you like / dislike about it? Read reviews in the App Stores to find useful words and phrases to use in your own review.
• Write a diary entry from the point of view of one of the Angry Birds or the Bad Piggies.
• Create character profiles for each of the Angry Birds (and the other characters in the games).
• Find images of each Angry Bird and think of words / phrases to describe them.
• Think of synonyms / antonyms for 'Angry' and other words that you might use to describe the characters / games.
• Write a letter from the Angry Birds to the pigs. What would they say? How might the pigs respond?
• Write a newspaper report about the success of the Angry Birds games.
• Use the cinematic trailer to write a narrative that explains the backstory for the game:
• Pause the movie trailer at different points and think of words / phrases to describe the characters and settings:

Maths

• Use Angry Birds as a starting point for learning about angles. At what angles should the birds fly (in relation to the horizontal) in order to hit the targets?
• Play Angry Birds with a friend and use your scores as part of data handling / statistics activities. Can you create a table / leaderboard and graphs to show the results?
• Create a coordinate grid and challenge your children to 'fire' some Angry Birds toys onto the correct locations on it (e.g. shoot Red onto (4, 7)). Use our free templates to get started.
• Create some 3D shapes (e.g. cubes, pyramids and cylinders) and decorate them in the style of the characters.
• Help your children to learn their times tables using these free Angry Birds Times Tables Display resources from Teacher's Pet.
• Use Angry Birds to learn about algebra with these online activities.
• Conduct a survey with your class to find out which is the most popular character / game in the series.

Science

• Describe the forces that take place when the Angry Birds are fired from the catapult and crash into the pig's towers. 

Computing

• Design a new app / game that features the characters.
• Make your own version of the original Angry Birds game using a tool like Scratch. Try this example from Simon Haughton.
• Many different versions of the game have been created. Can you design a new version based a different theme (e.g. Ancient Egypt or Dinosaurs)?
• Design a new website to promote the games, cartoons and movie. Look at the official site for ideas.
• Plan and record an advert to promote one of the games to others.
• Design a new level for the original game.
• Can you create a stop-motion animation based on the characters? Watch this example for inspiration:

Design Technology

• Design a new range of Angry Birds toys and merchandise. Explore the Angry Birds Showroom for examples.
• Design and make a board game that is based on the game.
• Construct your own version of the game in which models of the birds can be launched into blocks and towers.
• Design a structure that would defend the pigs against the attacking birds.

Art

• Create a comic strip about these characters and an adventure that they might have.
• Make a story board for a new Angry Birds movie.
• Create your own illustrations of the characters.
• Can you design a brand new Angry Bird character?

Music

• Could you compose a new soundtrack for the next Angry Birds game?
• Watch this playlist of videos in which the composer of the film's soundtrack describes his work. What instruments can you see / hear?

Geography

• Create a map that shows the locations featured in the games, cartoon and movie.

Life Skills

• Discuss why the birds are angry. What can we do to improve how we feel when we are angry?
• Use this Angry Birds reward chart from Paperzip with the children in your classroom."

Why not try the free version of the app and see what the benefits are for yourself.

I love about OneNote and here are some reasons why...

This is a cross post of a post that I wrote for the SchoolNet blog earlier in January. OneNote is one of my favourite programs.

Teachers, have you tried using OneNote? Once you do you'll be hooked! OneNote is a digital tool from Microsoft that allows you to type, write or draw your notes and store them in an organised fashion in a digital notebook. You can access your content from anywhere on any device. I am a keen OneNote user and this year I plan to explore all the possible features of using OneNote in teaching. In this post I will discuss some of the the benefits of OneNote to teachers. Really, it is a must!

Which version to use
My school doesn’t subscribe to Office 365 but we do have a licence to use Microsoft products at school. We have Windows 10 desktops so OneNote is available to use. The OneNote 2016 version of OneNote on the desktop has so many incredible options to use. At school I let the learners use OneNote online and I use that too for demonstration purposes. It doesn’t have as many features as OneNote 2016 on the desktop, but it syncs with my home version of OneNote 2016 which is great! In the features that could help teachers, mentioned below, I’ll note which version of Onenote this refers to if it is only found in one of the two versions I am referring to.

1. Make a TO DO list for the day

If you go to Home >To Do tag you can easily create a TO DO list. This can be created on a separate page or it can be added to any page of notes. 

2. Use page colours and lines if desired (OneNote 2016)

You can choose different page colours (Go to View > Page colours) and you can also add a variety of line templates in OneNote 2016. (Go to View > Rule lines). Since you can write anywhere on a OneNote page the your typing fits beautifully into the lines.

3. Insert documents or add saved files into your notebook
You’ll see that you have a place for SECTIONS and PAGES in your OneNote Notebook so that your OneNote Notebook is always clearly laid out. In OneNote online these pages are stored in OneDrive. In addition to taking notes on the page you can also insert documents such as PDFs, Word documents, PowerPoint slides etc.

a) Insert documents
If you just wish to add a downloadable version of a document stored on your computer you can easily do so. Click on Insert > File Attachment

Add the document of your choice from its saved location. It will be added to your OneNote as shown. 

b) Add notes in the form of print outs
In a Word document use the PRINT icon and then select SEND TO ONENOTE. You’ll notice a message comes up in OneNote asking where you would like to add this. In OneNote 2016 these open when you click on them. In OneNote online you have to download the document and then open it. 

Select where you would like to add the notes. Below is an example of a Word document that I have added. I cannot make any changes to the wording but I can write on the page. 

4. Use inking (OneNote 2016)
Inking (drawing) is a great feature to use. You'll find this feature under Draw in the menu bar.  Any touchscreen device or a computer with a mouse can take advantage of OneNote’s inking feature. Hand write notes, draw diagrams, or annotate notes and images with the freehand drawing tools. You can also annotate on a page of existing notes.

5. Easily capture your web research (OneNote 2016)
I love this feature in OneNote. I have created a SECTION called RESEARCH in on of my notebooks and as I surf the net and find interesting articles I would like to keep I send information to OneNote. This could be a whole page or part of a page sent directly to OneNote. Click Ctrl +P on your keyboard (or choose File > Print), select Send to OneNote 2016 from your list of printers, and your page is sent to wherever you wish to file it.

6. Clip from the web with the OneNote Clipper (OneNote online)
Since I often use the Chrome browser, I have installed the OneNote Clipper extension
The OneNote Clipper can be used to save any page directly to OneNote without the clutter. All of your clips are saved to the Quick Notes section of your default notebook. You’ll need to install OneNote Clipper and sign in.

 Once you have clipped something it appears in your OneNote. Here is an example:

7. Use Templates (OneNote 2016)
OneNote has a a selection of templates which can help teachers (and students) create better class notes. Go to Insert > Page Templates.

You can also create your own templates as follows:

• Design your template on a blank page. Select the Insert tab.
• Click the Page Templates button. The Templates pane appears on the right side. 
• Select Save Current Page as Template on the Templates pane. Name the template in the dialog box.
• Click Save. A new category called My Templates holds all your templates.

8. Use Voice Notes to capture thoughts about learners’ work (OneNote 2016)
OneNote’s recording facility is a great advantage. You can combine it with text on the page. To start recording on the web, click Insert > Record Audio. Once you’re finished recording, click Stop. You can play the file by selecting it and then clicking the Play icon that appears.

9. Use video with OneNote (OneNote 2016)
Click a location on the page in OneNote where you want to place the recording. Click Insert > Record Video.

Recording starts as soon as OneNote adds a media icon to the page. When you want to stop the recording you press Pause or Stop on the Video tab. To play the recording, click the media icon on the page and then click Play.

10. Prepare lessons and keep organised

a) Create lesson plans on OneNote
This video shows how to use OneNote to record lesson plans using the LEARN format, including how to insert a table, hyperlink to a document, and insert a screen clipping.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_-30ZXRHeg

b) Use OneNote as a Classroom planner
OneNote Planners can be individualised, adding a page (or starting a new workbook) for items such as a term calendar, your weekly work program, student comments, assessment schedule, curriculum documents or meeting notes. Take a look at this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYabXTj4zGc

c) Use OneNote as a Digital daybook

The following video shows you how to create a teacher's daily diary of lessons and notes using OneNote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6KW8MWgSfI

OneNote is a must for all teachers who want to go paperless with many aspects of their teaching.  Give it a try. Visit http://www.onenote.com/ and download OneNote today!

I love Google #126

 After looking through all the Google in Education posts that were shared to my various subscriptions recently, here is a selection that looks useful for teachers who enjoy using  Google applications in the classroom. (I used to write this blog post regularly when I was maintaining the SchoolNet blog, so I am continuing it in the same format. The link to the previous posts can be found on the SchoolNet blog here https://goo.gl/CNO3M2)

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Storybird #11: Storybird posts index

Here is my list of posts about my favourite writing application, Storybird www.storybird.com

1. Storybird #1: Get to know Storybird
2. Storybird #2: Sign up your class in Storybird - it's free
3. Storybird #3: Join the November challenge
4. Storybird #4: Types of writing formats to use with Storybird
5. Storybird #5: December challenge: The Do-over
6. Storybird #6: Tips for writing original stories
7. Storybird #7: An example of a Storybird novelette challenge
8. Storybird #8: An example of a Storybird Poetry challenge
9. Storybird #9: The February 2018 challenge - Across the Universe
10. Storybird #10: Celebrate Poetry Month in April 2018 using Storybird
11. Storybird #11: Storybird posts index

Storybird #10: Celebrate Poetry Month in April 2018 using Storybird

Storybird is my favourite, free, story writing application on the web www.storybird.com. I use it with my classes all the time, and I love all its tips and ideas. This is an old post from 2015 on the Storybird blog but it is so apt for April 2018's poetry month that I am going to add it here  so that I can constantly refer to it in April. The words below are taken straight from the Storybird blog:
https://goo.gl/4gwssG
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12 creative ways to celebrate Poetry Month

"1. Poem-a-day: Start off your morning with a different student reading an original poem every day. It’s a great addition to the morning routine, and one that can continue beyond the month of April!

2. Writing warm-up: Storybird poetry is a great tool for engaging reluctant writers. If your students are struggling with writer’s block, or if they just need to kickstart their creativity, get them rolling with poetry as a story-starter. You can have them search for a specific word or theme (such as adventure or friendship), select a piece of art, and then refresh the word sets until they get inspired.

3. One image, many words: Students can create millions of different word combinations with Storybird’s poetry word sets. Have your class choose one piece of artwork as a group, and then see how many ways it can be interpreted using different word sets. 

4. Storybird Haiku: Challenge your students to write a haiku (5 syllables-7 syllables-5 syllables) using only the words available in a Storybird set. Here’s one we created as an example: 

5. Poetry slam: Rev up the energy in the classroom with a poetry slam! If you have a projector, transform your classroom into a stage and let your students perform their poems in front of an audience. With older students, poetry slams can also work well as a team sport—have small groups of students work together to write a poem, and then battle it out on the stage.

6. Create a classroom poetry anthology: An anthology is a collection of literary works (poetry, short stories, essays, etc) compiled by an editor. It can be a book of poems by one author, a collection of poetry from a particular country or region, or it can be organized by a theme. Discuss the type of anthology you would like to create as a class, and have all of the students contribute a poem to the collection. Print your final anthology to add to the classroom library, or put it on the web to share!

7. Poetry quilt: If you’re feeling crafty, you can turn your students’ poetry into a beautiful paper quilt to hang on the wall. Have each student write a poem on Storybird, then take screenshots of the finished poems and print them out in color. Glue the poetry squares onto sheets of construction paper, and attach them to the wall in a grid.

8. Poetry roulette: This is a fast and fun writing game to get the creative juices flowing. Here are the rules: Go to the CREATE page on Storybird and click the very first image that appears. Use that art to make a poem with the first set of words that appear—no refreshing allowed! See an example here.

9. Spoken word poetry: It’s easy and free to make a voice recording of your poetry on Storybird. Click here for a tutorial about how to create audio files with VoiceThread.

10. Poet-tree: Print out your students’ poems and hang them from the branches of a tree with loops of yarn or string (think: Christmas ornaments). If you don’t have a live tree handy, you can create a 2-D tree out of construction paper and attach it to a classroom wall or bulletin board.

11. Longform poetry: Younger students might be surprised to learn that not all poetry has to rhyme, while older students can delve into the differences between prose and verse. Have your students use Storybird to experiment with longform poetry: sonnets, limericks, ballads, odes, epic poems… the sky’s the limit! In the example below, Storybird member Amethystgirly writes freeform poetry inspired by the Canadian poet, Robert Service.

12. Rhyming picture books: Then again, there’s a lot of fun to be had when making words rhyme. Dr. Seuss said it best: “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” The sillier the better."

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Such lovely ideas! If you haven't yet signed up any of your classes to Storybird, head over to www.storybird.com today and join. Your students will love this application.