Classroom Application and Limitations

https://www.facebook.com/Grade-6-adelfa-190987558510318/

Classroom Application

An Extension to Specific Lesson Plan

I would envision Sky Walk Kids in a grade 6 classroom by incorporating it as an extension to a lesson plan that focuses on the Alberta Science PoS grade 6 Topic C: Sky Science specific learner expectation #12 which is "understanding that Earth, the Sun and the Moon are part of a solar system that occupies only a tiny part of the known universe" (Alberta Education, 2015).

While providing a lesson plan that focuses on the Topic C: Sky Science specific learner expectation #12 I would aim to extend the students knowledge and understanding by engaging the class in a 15 minute individual session that utilizes the Star Walk Kids application, and 5 minute collective session to reflect.

Each student would have access to engage in the application using a provided tablet or laptop. Within the 20 minute session, each student would be required to:

finish a topic (for this specific learner expectation it would be the planet topic within the application)
complete the 5 question quiz that appears after the planet topic is completed
have a discussion amongst 3 other students (a group total of 4) to reflect on their responses to the application and to the lesson

(Following an incorporation of Wilfred Bucks videos of storytelling!)

Limitations

#1: Does Not Meet More Than A Few Specific Learner Expectations

Although Sky Walk Kids provides useful information regarding astronomy, it only covers a few specific learner expectations found in the Alberta PoS for Grade 6 student relation to Topic C: Sky Science. There are a total if 12 specific learner expectations in Topic C: Sky Science and the app does not cover any more than a few that are listed.

My potential solution would be to specifically utilize the app to help engage the students in an activity outside of the lesson plan I would provide. The application would help extend knowledge using the visuals, having involvement of their own and being able to visualize astronomy not only in a lesson plan but in an interactive digital map as well. I would use the application more as an extension rather than a core learning tool. The focus would be to interest the students in an activity that would involve individual assessment and a collective discussion to reflect on the app amongst each other in small groups.

#2: Misinformation on Commonsensemedia.Org for Parents

When reviewing the application review on CommonSenseMedia for Parents by Debbie Gorrell, I found a description that states "kids can stargaze by pointing their devices towards the sky". I originally downloaded the Sky Walk Kids application on a MacBook Pro and it did not allow me to stargaze while pointing my device towards the sky. I then downloaded the application on my iPhone 12 and it also did not allow me to stargaze while pointing my device towards the sky. I believe this is a limitation because prior to informing a student or parent about the application, this description provides false information regarding the applications abilities.

My potential solution would be that prior to the grade 6 students using the application, I would provide students, parents and guardians a pamphlet or booklet providing information about the application and what we're going to utilize it for. In the pamphlet or booklet I would highly emphasize that the app does not allow users to stargaze by pointing their device to the sky as the description states.

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