My ePortfolio for etec 533

Solids Elementary HD

Category: Education

Works with iPad 1 and iPad 2 iPhone 4 and 4s, and Mac

Price $4.99 (currently on sale for $2.99 for the next 2 weeks)

Updated March 13, 2012

Here is an app I have used in the classroom during the Shape and Space unit in whole group lessons and as a centre to give students time to fully explore the solids. Great visuals enable students to color the faces and highlight edges and vertices, make the solid transparent and the animated nets really promote visualization of the solids.

Solids Elementary HD is complete elaborations of all main geometric solid – prisms, solids of revolution and pyramids that allows students to unfold and exam solids nets in 3D. This app enables students to manipulate the solids to explore faces, edges and vertices. Great graphics and the use of 3D environment, helps develop spatial imagination as well as it helps become familiar with fundamentals of Geometric solids.

Features of Solids Elementary HD

*promotes exploration of solids by rotating, folding, unfolding,

*appealing graphics with intuitive interface for easy usability by children

*3D environment gives the solids the look of real world solids

*students can easily manipulate and control the solids

*can be used with a mouse

*connect iPad to smartboard or apple TV and show students on a big screen

*includes easy to follow directions with picture cues

Download the app from the itunes store and begin using it immediately. Here is a demo of the app

Professional development has been slow to materialize and aimed at the lowest common denominator. New technology has been placed in schools and teachers are expected to figure it out on their own. A daunting task when you consider the multitude of tasks that have been downloaded to the classroom teacher. An example would be SMART Board PD.,

which focuses on how to turn on the board, hook it up, use the basic features of the board and has had little to do with harnessing the potential of the tool to enhance teaching and learning. If teachers are to effectively integrate technology into Math, Science Language Arts etc. they require PD. that have been differentiated to meet their technology needs and delivered in a format that works for them. Exposure to “good use” of technology models in authentic learning situations would also be helpful to teachers.
Suggestions to improve PD.:
• In-school technology mentors to facilitate use of technology
• Dedicated time with classroom release for teachers to work with mentor on skills they need and view technology models
• Teacher input through school surveys re their needs and interests
• Use of data obtained through surveys to tailor PD.
• Access to technology teacher either in the classroom or the lab to facilitate technology integration that meets prescribed curriculum outcomes
• Teachers helping teachers
• Use of staff meetings and sections meetings to highlight technology projects being done in classrooms

Welcome to my e portfolio. I plan to store my artifacts from ETEC 533 and reflections on my learning as I progress through this course. Let the journey begin!