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MazioCreate Literacy & Numeracy Resources

Using "My Fitness Pal" APP In The Classroom

12/11/2012

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Probably, like a number of readers, I have an ongoing battle with my weight.  Unless I'm cycling at least 250km a week, I have to be ever vigilent about what passes the lips.  I'm not a fast food or sweets junkie, just a woman who spends long periods of time belting away at a keyboard.  Since I've been working from
home part-time and sitting in front of the  computer for long hours, the kilos have been creeping on, like a rash from poison ivy.  So how does my weight battle have anything to  do with working in a classroom?  The APP My Fitness Pal is my new best friend and I immediately saw ways that I, and other teachers, could utilise this FREE APP or numeracy and literacy tasks.  Not only is it free, but you can download onto both Apple and Android devices.  But wait, there's more!  No you don't get a set of steak knives, you can also access it online from your humble computer or
laptop.  Ahhh! The simple things in life!  When using the online version go into settings and nominate the nutrients you want to track.  The APP version automatically displays: calories; carbohydrates; fat; protein; sugar; and, sodium.  I needed to add sugar and sodium in the online version.
Classroom  Application
There is only one issue that I have with this program, and it is a minor hiccup - calories.  Australia completed the convertion to metric measurements in 1977, and the use of calories instead of
kilojoules does put a spanner in the works.  I suggest any teachers that are using metric measurements, convert the calories to kilojoules as a numeracy activity.  Let's get started!
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Does social media have a place in the classroom?

07/17/2011

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When I started teaching a mere 34 years ago, the most advanced tech device for use in the classroom was an Overhead Projector.  This device was great for its day, but was very limited in how you could use it as a teaching tool.  Even televisions were still at a premium and at my first school there were two to be shared among eight classes.  There was a slow progression until the cost of computers came down and ready access was available to the internet. Computers and access to the internet have been invaluable tools in classes where I've taught adults with disabilities and the literacy and numeracy classes with youth, adults and ESL learners.  Your students are using computers and mobile phones to connect, why not fully utilise a learning tool that most students have in their pocket or purse.
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The Power Of Connecting
I recently had lunch with past students from my adult/youth/ESL class and was blown away by one student who had taken social media to heart. He was a reluctant participant, at first, in the computer classes I delivered, but developed his skills and became reasonably proficient at using Word and writing emails.  This basic knowledge has now enabled him to create a Facebook page and use it prolifically.  He has  upgraded to an iPhone and downloads and uses a variety of APPS.  These APPS are mainly games played among a group of friends, but the point here is, he is using social media to connect with others and create a social media platform for developing skills and be involved in life long learning.  Read More...

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