PopBoardz

PopBoardz allows users to create unique presentation slides that can be shared with other users over cloud storage areas (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud Drive). After launching the app and viewing a brief tutorial, users are presented with their first PopBoardz, which is a collection of 16 tiles. By tapping and holding a tile, users are able to import pictures and PDF documents from cloud storage areas, link to websites, add pictures from their camera roll, and type notes. To change the position of a tile, users can tap and hold a tile and then select the “Rearrange Tiles” option, which lets users reorder tiles to their liking. When finished creating their PopBoardz, users can tap the app’s logo on the top left of the screen, which allows them to start a new board, import a board from a cloud storage area, edit/delete board, or share a board. (To share a board, users must tap the “upload” button shaped like a cloud under a board. Next, users must choose if they wish to share it over a cloud or email. Once selected, users must choose if they want to share their board in a way that it can be edited, read only, or is password protected.) From the Popboardz’s logo, users can also tap the “Logo & Background” option to modify the logo using text and/or images or customize the background using different colors and images.

Please Note: When a Popboardz is shared with other users, they must have the PopBoardz app downloaded to their computer or tablet device.

Instructional Ideas

1. While reading a longer text, such as a textbook chapter or novel, teachers can have students create a PopBoardz for it. To do so, teachers can require students to complete a tile for each section of the textbook chapter or each chapter in the novel. The tile can include notes, images, or links to websites with the purpose of helping students identify the significant information from the section or chapter. Additionally, by creating a PopBoardz in this way, students will have a study guide when they complete the text.
2. In addition to or in replace of a traditional research paper, teachers can have students create a PopBoardz that captures 16 important facts, ideas, influences, legacies, or some other information related to the research topic. That way, if students are required to present their research topic, they can use their PopBoardz as a visual aid during their presentation.
3. When conducting a scientific experiment with multiple steps, teachers can have students photograph each step of the experiment. After completing the experiment, teachers can then have students import the images to a PopBoardz and after each image an explanation of that step. For example, the first tile would be an image of the experiment and the second tile would be an explanation of it. That way, at the conclusion of the experiment, students will have to explain their results.
4. While reading a text with multiple characters or significant individuals, teachers can have students create a PopBoardz to help them keep track of all the characters or individuals involved. To do so, teachers can require students to create two tiles for each character or person. The first tile can be an image of the character or person and the next tile can include information about the character or person. That way, students will have a graphic representation of the character or person accompanied with notes.
5. As an introductory activity at the beginning of the year, teachers can have students create a PopBoardz that includes their likes and interests (e.g., favorite foods, activities, sports, celebrities, hobbies, video games, etc.). When all students have finished, teachers can place students in small groups and allow each student to share his/her PopBoardz with each other. While a student presents, the other students can jot down key ideas from that student’s presentation, using an app such as Simple Note, My Notes, or SwiftKey Note.

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