Engaging tool for identifing simple and complex machines in our environment.
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My Take
I think the thing that made this project different is that the students had to "locate" the simple and complex machines in their own environment. It was interesting to watch them process as they considered the best places to look. It seemed to have transformed the subject into one of inquiry, rather than "spoon-fed" information. The lesson empowered students and the app helped to create an analyzing and identifying environment.
How I Use It
My 5th grade students used this product with a lesson on simple and complex machines in our environment. Students were required to locate and photograph simple and complex machines used every day at school. After they acquired the images necessary, they imported them into the Skitch app and labeled and described each simple machine and how it was combined with other simple machines to create a complex machine.
What I found was that students need a short lesson and practice taking quality photographs. Once the images were uploaded, students were able to identify each simple machine and describe how simple machines worked together to create complex machines.
Students then combined their Skitch images to create a slide presentation.