Each year when I go to teach or introduce a new app to my students, I am always looking for leaders in the classroom. I ask the students to step up and become teachers. As we learn about and use the new app, students are encouraged to find something new and then share with the class. They will then "hop on" using my Apple TV and share their knowledge about the app with the rest of the class. It is such an amazing opportunity for kids to shine.
This year I am really pushing the question, "Who Can _____?" I ask this question A LOT and students' hands shoot up all over the classroom. They are eager to show that they are learning how to use the app. This question, although simple, has been a powerful tool when teaching my students how to use a new app. My students are paying close attention as to how each app works.
My most recent focus has been on the app, Stick Around. I am teaching students how to create puzzles, which involves various steps depending on what type of puzzle we are creating. Students need to create templates, answer keys, and backgrounds. They also add text, pictures and voice recordings. Students then need to remember how to save projects.
For each of these major aspects of the app, Stick Around, I will shout out, "Who Can" followed with a specific part of the app. "Who can remember how to save a puzzle?" "Who can show the class how to add text?" "Who can remember how to add stickers?" Who can show the class how to delete a sticker?" All of these questions are simple, yet the students are eager and ready to share their knowledge with the class. It is almost as if my students are competing to answer the question, "Who Can...?"!
"Who can" has become a powerful question in my classroom. My students are becoming leaders that listen, learn, and share!
