App Flows
App flows are organizational tools that allow teachers or other educators to plan out their lessons, while integrating technology into the lesson. An app flow consists of a variety of apps, which are used together to teach a concept or lesson. Graphite, an app flow creator, gives educators the opportunity to organize their lessons in a technology friendly format, which helps to make integration of technology in the classroom easier.
The steps of an app flow, as listed by Graphite, are: hook, direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, and wrap up. In the hook part of the app flow, the website or app "hooks" students' attention and prepares them for the lesson. Direct instruction is when the concept or idea is being taught directly to the students. As part of guided practice, students learn or practice a skill or concept with guidance (this is oftentimes found in a video format; a great example of this is Khan Academy). In independent practice, students practice and demonstrate what they have learned, without guidance. Finally, the wrap up portion of an app flow "wraps up" student learning; the student uses an app to showcase what they have learned.
The steps of an app flow, as listed by Graphite, are: hook, direct instruction, guided practice, independent practice, and wrap up. In the hook part of the app flow, the website or app "hooks" students' attention and prepares them for the lesson. Direct instruction is when the concept or idea is being taught directly to the students. As part of guided practice, students learn or practice a skill or concept with guidance (this is oftentimes found in a video format; a great example of this is Khan Academy). In independent practice, students practice and demonstrate what they have learned, without guidance. Finally, the wrap up portion of an app flow "wraps up" student learning; the student uses an app to showcase what they have learned.
Example Lesson
Math, Grades 3-4, "Polygons"
Hook: Yarn Activity*
Students will work in small groups, and will be given a ball of yarn. With the yarn, their task is to create a shape, where the students are the points/vertices and the yarn makes up the sides of the shape. The teacher will observe students and watch to see what students already know about polygons, by wandering around the room during this interactive student-discovery work time.
*Note: not all activities in an app flow have to use technology
Students will work in small groups, and will be given a ball of yarn. With the yarn, their task is to create a shape, where the students are the points/vertices and the yarn makes up the sides of the shape. The teacher will observe students and watch to see what students already know about polygons, by wandering around the room during this interactive student-discovery work time.
*Note: not all activities in an app flow have to use technology
Direct Instruction: BrainPOP Video (website)
Students will watch the "Polygons" video to prepare them for the lesson. Afterwards, students will define "polygon". Have six examples on the board (three polygons and three other shapes); then have students vote on whether or not each of the examples is a polygon. For the shapes that are polygons, categorize them by number of sides/vertices (tri = 3, quad/tetra = 4, penta = 5, etc.)
Guided Practice: Math Playground (website)
Teacher will provide a three-column chart (number of sides/vertices, name, example) to the students. The students will then use the website "Math Playground", to explore creating different kinds of polygons, using the geoboard (found under Math Manipulatives). Students may work together to show their classmates the shapes the have created; encourage them to describe the shapes using their math and polygon vocabulary. Students should fill out their charts as they work.
Teacher will provide a three-column chart (number of sides/vertices, name, example) to the students. The students will then use the website "Math Playground", to explore creating different kinds of polygons, using the geoboard (found under Math Manipulatives). Students may work together to show their classmates the shapes the have created; encourage them to describe the shapes using their math and polygon vocabulary. Students should fill out their charts as they work.
Independent Practice: Explain Everything (app)
Students will create a presentation that explains what each of the eight polygons (3-10) is. Each polygon should have a slide with the following information included: name of polygon, diagram of polygon, explanation of characteristics (sides/vertices), and an audio explanation (where students "teach" each polygon).
Wrap Up: Geoboard (app)
Have students work in small groups to create a structure made out of regular polygons. Encourage creative use of polygons to create different architectural aspects (turrets, garages, wings). When finished, have the students screenshot their final structure. Afterwards, the different designs can be shared on a whole-class basis to explore the use of different polygons.
Have students work in small groups to create a structure made out of regular polygons. Encourage creative use of polygons to create different architectural aspects (turrets, garages, wings). When finished, have the students screenshot their final structure. Afterwards, the different designs can be shared on a whole-class basis to explore the use of different polygons.