The One-Pager: Amalgamation of APPsmashing Awesomeness

The One-Pager

Amalgamation of APPsmashing Awesomeness

One of my favorite extracurricular activities is finding ways to APPsmash

multiple GSuite Tools to produce a collaborative, creative, student centered

lesson. APPsmashing is a way to bring in multiple tools, such as Google Docs,

Google Slides, and other Google friendly apps and meld them together to

create an amalgamation of awesomeness. One such lesson that I love to

implement multiple times a year is my “One Pager” activity. In this activity

I assign 3 to 4 current/relevant articles to my students from sites such as

NewsELA, and ask students to independently annotate the articles to dig

deep into the meaning of the text. This annotation can be done through

pencil and paper, or entirely in a Google Doc using add-ons and extensions

(See Redefining Annotation Blog) . Once the annotation process is complete

the students move on to the “One-Pager” Google Doc to collect their thoughts

and summations of the article. As the students complete this “One-Pager” they

gather into groups of 3 with other students who also read the same article. In

a group setting, the students then discuss their findings, difference, and similarities

in what the article was trying to convey. During this discussion students realize

that even though they were reading the same text, many of their takeaways from

the article could be completely different.

Once the articles are discussed, the group then creates a Google Slide

presentation/lesson on their findings. By allowing the students to share

this document and work collaboratively, each student's point of view will be

heard and the lesson will be created in a student's authentic voice. Once the

collaboration process is complete the students need to practice their

presentation, but how can this be done effectively so they can critique

themselves on their delivery? Screencasting, as I have discovered, is the

best way to go. By getting the Google Chrome extension “Screencastify”

students can record their screen and voice, then watch their presentation

to make adjustments to slides, timing of delivery, and the addition of more

visual resources. Once the students are happy with their presentation, we

add another layer of awesomeness by turning the Google Slide into an

interactive lesson via Nearpod. By using the Google Chrome extension

“Nearpodize” we can, in one click, transform our static lesson into an

interactive presentation. Through Nearpod we can add questions, videos,

drawing activities and more with the simple click of a button. Now the

students are not just listening to a presentation, they are becoming part

of the lesson. Through this “One-Pager” activity we are actively cultivating

the idea that students can become the creators of content, all the while

participating in a fun, collaborative, creative process.

In preparing for this lesson we have to remember, as educators using

multimedia and technology is a great addition to traditional methods,

but all technology should be looked at through the goals and

achievements you have in mind for your students. Going digital

does not mean to go 100% paperless, it only means to begin to

leverage the digital techniques our digital natives are already using

outside the classroom walls.  Many educators will continue to point out

studies that show pencil and paper allow for more measurable growth.

These studies may show writing notes to be more effective than typing

notes, but that is not what we are doing here. In fact the integration of

integrated/manipulable/hands on technology use is still in its infancy

and studies are just beginning. Data is hard to gather based on the

many variables at play with technology use such as the tools being

used, who is teaching/implementing the technology in the classroom,

and the activity being studied. Blended learning is the best model to

look at when implementing technology into the classroom.  Correct

use of technology in the classroom allows for the instructor to make

the learning more meaningful by allowing their students to interact

with the lesson, not just consume it. It allows the students to become

creators of content, not just a passive audience. When used correctly,

technology can become a powerful tool to enhance and empower

student growth. Anything new will cause pause in our community,

but remember no one ever became a leader by following the status

quo, and you can’t be a leader if there is no one following you.

Through implementing technology in the classroom we can consistently

uphold our mission as educators: To be lifelong learners and to prepare

our students for tomorrow, not just today.

Copy of One-Pager Document

Example Lesson Plan #1

Example Lesson Plan #2