OSAPAC Software Assignment:
Exploring Pixie3
Introduction
Pixie 3 is a commonly
used OSAPAC software tool. OSAPAC stands for the Ontario Software Acquisition
Program Advisory Committee. You could access Pixie through the website, http://www.tech4learning.com/pixie.
It is one of the many software tools created by a group called “Tech4Learning.”
They are an innovative technology company that creates and shares programs
which allow users to actively engage in the learning processes and develop
their various skills. The company was founded in 1999 and caters to the
kindergarten through grade twelve levels of education. Pixie is a tool that
allows its users to exercise their creativity skills and utilize their
imagination. It enables them to share ideas amongst each other, and understand
the content using voice narrations, images, sketches, their own artwork and
even a variety of texts. It empowers students to grasp the 21st
century learning approach, and keep up as technology increasingly innovates
each day. This software can be downloaded by multiple technological devices;
Computers (with windows access), IPads, Androids, IPhones, etc.
PLUS
|
MINUS
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INTERESTING
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-
Audience with a variety of education levels; K-12
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Develop ideas of originality and uniqueness; allows
user to express themselves
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Analyze problems and create solutions
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Collaborate thoughts and ideas as well as share them
with others
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-May
be a little difficult at first, but with concise tutorials and practice, it
is an easy to use software tool
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Utilizes the 21st century approach
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Users are able to all log on at the same time and
work on same piece; useful for schoolwork collaborations
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Could incorporate your very own pictures and voice
narrations within your work
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Pixie
“How-To” Tutorial
The
tutorial’s target audience is teachers or potential teachers who plan on
utilizing this site within their classroom. In order for them to introduce this
software tool to their classroom they need to understand it as well. The
tutorials will demonstrate the basics to a teacher who is navigating around the
site for the very first time and can be found here.
Check out this quick introduction video showing the main features the pixie3 software offers!
Check out this quick introduction video showing the main features the pixie3 software offers!
Classroom
Connection
This software tool’s
target audience is K-12 students, as well as the teachers who explore and
create activities for them. There is a wide range of subject areas or courses
that can embed this tool within their classroom content. It could be used for english,
history, math, geography, drama, science, reading or language arts and much
more. They can produce and illustrate their own narrations, or demonstrate
visuals for math problems. Students are able to create online stories or texts,
incorporate drawings using a variety of colors, characters, themes and
movements, they are also able to insert their own personal pictures or artwork
as well as their own voice narration. Another bonus with this software, is the
idea that multiple students can log in and work on the same piece. This is
useful for teachers, as they can assign activities to groups and be able to
observe students cooperatively working together, sharing ideas, and assisting
one another.
Reflection
I have learned that technology has no limits.
There are software tools that are available today that I never even heard of or
imagined possible. During my elementary days we went to the computer lab once a
week at most and spent an hour playing math circus games or exploring specific
sites. Today, technology has become integrated within almost every subject and
used on a daily basis. Technology rapidly increases and it is crucial that
students learn how to stay up to date in order to be successful later on in
life and to do well in the workforce; as most workplaces expect you to be
familiar with technological databases. This software tool, Pixie, is a great,
effective and fun way for students to build on these very digital skills.
Familiarizing themselves with how to create pictures, texts and voice
narrations online and being able to demonstrate and be a team player. It is
important teachers effectively introduce digital tools to students because they
could potentially be “left behind.” I realize that learning is a lifelong
process and it is important to teach students how to problem solve and learn on
their own. When a student can exercise their very own abilities only then has a
teacher succeeded. Learning never ends, and there will not always be a teacher
around to “show” them how to do things. Teachers and students are able to use
Pixie to create presentations, reports, trading cards, movies and comics as
well as share them with peers and colleagues. I found it a little difficult to
get used to, to know what was expected of the software, but using and reading through
tutorials helped a lot. It only seems like a lot, but once you know what to do
and are familiar with the tool, it is pretty easy to use. I would definitely
use this tool within my classroom in the future. I like how it is appealing to
diverse learners, and teaches them in a fun and interactive way. It encourages
creativity, thinking and communication skills to be practiced and reaches out
to students with a variety of learning styles. I especially like the idea that
each student can express themselves and promote their individuality; combining
presentations, stories and other pieces with their own voice and personal
pictures. I could assign a huge variety of tasks; presentations, team work
activities, journal responses, math problems, articles or even posters. I think
it is crucial to remember that each and every student is different, and has
their own abilities. I would ensure my activities enable each student to
express themselves accordingly, reach their potential, build on their
capabilities and truly understand the content.
Bibliography
Tech4learning.com. 'Pixie
- Engage Young Minds with Creativity | Tech4learning'. N.p., 2015.
Web.
1 Nov. 2015.
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