Explain Everything to extend our Integrated Learning

Our integrated learning theme is "Working Smarter not Harder" based around equipment in the kitchen which makes things easier to do.  On Thursday we planned our first cooking session with the class but wanted to unpack this learning by introducing the vocabulary of the equipment we would use.

We started the session by showing all the equipment we would use (waffle iron, measuring cups, mixing bowl, apron etc) and we provided labels for each item to scaffold the learning.  We decided to have learners use Explain Everything to take a photo of each piece of equipment and then rather than simply photograph the label, they would use their stylus to label their photos in Explain Everything.  The results were extremely impressive and it was great to see the engagement of the learners as they completed this task.

Unfortunately some learners learn the concept of saving the hard way - when they accidentally deleted their work before saving it - this reinforced to Michelle and I the importance of going over this step with the learners.   Many of our Explain Everything projects to date have been templates shared with them so they were easier to save as the file name was already completed.  As a result of this I will create a screencast as a reference for learners to reinforce the saving process.

After cooking (and eating) the waffles, as a follow up, learners were asked to add to their Explain Everything photos with an additional slide.  The instructions were to draw a picture of cooking waffles or the equipment that was used and talk about their photo as they did it.