Apps For Education: Stop Motion Studio

Apps For Education

Lesson Plan: Grade 4 Science- Plant Growth & Changes
App: Stop Motion Studio

    This week we had the pleasure of exploring the use of apps for enriched learning in the classroom. Working in pairs, we aimed to design a lesson which could target and achieve both curricialar and cross-curricular aims using an app. My partner Taylor Frank and I had so much fun brainstorming ideas and discussing options regarding the program of studies outcomes we wanted to highlight and achieve. It is important to note that one of our key findings was the idea of versatility and universality in using apps for learning; you can use virtually any app (barring ones which are designed for a specific purpose) to achieve outcomes across all curricula. In the end, we decided to design a lesson on plant growth and changes for grade 4 science, using the app Stop Motion Studio. 

    In our lesson, students were tasked with creating a stop motion animation illustrating the lifecycle of a plant, including an audio element to further demonstrate understanding. “This lesson will be focused on student’s ability to represent their understanding of plant growth and features. Students will work in small groups to create a stop motion animation visually representing the growth, and changes of a plant. Students will use the Stop Motion application on their Ipads to collect a mass series of images, and combine them to create their own unique videos. Further, students are expected to use their script (previously written in lesson number one) to record a voiceover that will be used as the soundtrack to their stop motion video. This voiceover will be recorded in sync with their stop motion video. This voiceover will verbally represent a student's understanding of plant growth and changes.”

     We found this lesson to be incredibly powerful with it’s duality in illuminating real world connections. Students can compare the plant growth process to other organisms; they will also comprehend that a variety of elements, including sunlight, water, nutrients, and others, affect how other living things thrive. This concept is essential for future learning as it enables students to recognize and respect the living organisms present in their environments, thereby increasing their capacity for observation. One of the main benefits to this lesson is that it allows students to observe something not otherwise observable over a shorter period of time. It also makes muddy ideas or concepts more transparent. In addition, it makes learning possible anywhere, any time. In this lesson, students will learn how to make a stop-animation, which will also help them understand how basic creative skills may be applied in real-world situations. Furthermore, students have the opportunity to become familiar with computational and technology skills; we must ensure students are tech savvy and aware of the potential that technology may bring for learning as society is quickly growing dependent on it. Ultimately, students can have a rich learning experience, learn how to multitask, and be creative. 

    Upon reflection, I found that it was great to be able to practice teaching and learning using technology because it is extremely relevant in today's world. Kids are naturally creative, and I believe that using apps like these encourages student engagement in their studies and enthusiasm for the use of technology in the classroom. Upon sharing this lesson with peers, we walked away with many key takeaways. First, we learned the power and importance of scaffolding learning, as well as designing a long-range plan. We saw this lesson as a lesson in the midst of a series of connected lessons, which allowed us to take a magnifying glass to the details of planning for the integration of technology in classrooms. Amongst our takeaways was the idea that we all agreed there would be numerous opportunities to use this app with students and that it would be particularly useful for differentiation. We also talked about the importance of giving students ample time to explore and familiarize themselves with the software prior to the lesson. One goal we walked away with was keeping in mind the grade level and ability of students and to plan for accommodations throughout lesson facilitation. Overall, I loved the opportunity to teach to my peers and to receive feedback about our lesson plan so we can continue to learn and engage in the continual cycle of reflective practice. If we use technology correctly, it has so much to offer us. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my peers and discover new apps to improve and enrich my teaching practice!