Heads Up!

   This past week I was watching the Ellen show and she had her guests playing a game called Heads Up!. This app which was created by Ellen DeGeneres, is a twist on the game of charades. All you have to do is pick a category, then hold the device up facing outwards and then guess the words/objects/names that appear on the screen based on hints from friends. The app itself only costs $.99 and there are a lot of categories already available with the initial download. Also, within the app there are more categories available including customizable decks which can be purchased for $.99. This app is available for download in both the iTunes and Google Play Store.

  You may be wondering, what does this fun app have to do with education? Since customizable "decks" or categories can be purchased, teachers can easily integrate Heads Up! into their vocabulary lessons. Teachers can create their own custom and editable deck to add and delete any words they want to use. A teacher could add in the vocab words for their class then using classroom iPads or similar devices, all students could review in a more hands on and entertaining way. By using Heads Up! as a way to review vocabulary students are up and moving, having fun while still learning, and are more engaged with the vocab. Especially in younger grade levels, motions are used to go with words they are learning to help with student's memory of the words. Since Heads Up! is all about using motions and verbal hints to help guess a word, this really reiterates that skill.

   While I do not see the Heads Up! app being the primary source for teaching vocabulary words, or introducing new ones since student's would need prior knowledge to act them out, I do see it being very beneficial as a means of review as well as practice. This is a way to get students learning without it feeling like learning. Overall, Heads Up! could be a simple way to not only integrate some technology in the classroom, but also get students to have fun with the content they are learning.