Quia

During the technology workshop today we were introduced to the Investigate/Design, Produce, Analyse/Evaluate process that you can introduce to all ages of children as a way of prompting them to think about a practical problem to a solution. This also involves a reflection or evaluation if the problem doesn't work or if part of the design needs to be changed in some way. The problem that was presented to us in class was trying to make a frog jump using only a picture of a frog, sticky tape, a piece of cardboard and an elastic band. Our group decided firstly to use a catapult design which was quickly adapted to include a sling-shot instead because this seemed a more successful option. We produced the design placing the elastic band on a table using sticky tape and attaching the frog to the cardboard and then to the elastic band. When you pulled the elastic band up from the table, the frog was able to jump. Greg told us to include a science based lesson in our classrooms for a least one hour per week.

Our other expectation today was to create a quiz and a game using the website http://www.quia.com/. Firstly I created a quiz about main characters in movies and the actor/actress that played that part. Each person did this and we had a chance to play other people's games as well, which gave us a chance to see what other people were interested in and have also have a chance for a fun break. We were also asked to make a game which I choose to so Jumble Words, a screen-print attached below. This was quite a good site that can be used in a variety of ways within the classroom. Perhaps this is something that you can offer as a 'reward' for children that have finished their work promptly but children that are considered less 'prompt' should also be given the opportunity to use such a site. Overall it seems that it would be an interesting and fun way to introduce students to the computer and the different applications available on the Internet. Also it would help students to become more confident in their use of the classroom computers, particularly if the don't have the option at home and to help interaction if students are asked to firstly create a game/quiz and then play one made by another student as well.