WOW ~ The use of Computer Simulations and Gaming to Enhance Learning

 

Learning Fun with Computer Simulation & Gaming

Research show that 72 percent of American households play computer and video games; 55 percent of gamers play on their phone and hand held devices; 65 percent of gamers play other gamers in person.  The net generation are gamers; therefore, why not harness some of that “engagement” and lure them into context learning.  With the teacher’s guidance, I believe computer games and simulation is an excellent tool to keep students engaged and motivated to explore and interact with context.

Games like Immune Attack, where you virtually travel with the cells throughout the human body, fascinate me.  Imagine the allure in can have on younger people.  Games and simulation can be used effectively to promote learning; however, there must be some form of student reflection to assess that the student has internalized the lesson.  I will definitely incorporate the use of computer games and simulation to reinforce lessons and motivate my students.

Team Newsletter

Jetson School of Imagination                                                                   Team Newsletter - ELA link

Having a classroom newsletter is a great way to inform parents of all the wonderful activities, lessons, and events their children are experiencing in school.  A newsletter helps strengthen parent/teacher communication.  Others sources of communication that can accompany the newsletter, such as; your blog, website, and wiki sites, give parents a fuller description of their child's in school life.  Using various sources of communication, such as blogging, in addition to the traditional in person parent/teacher conference and phone calls, give parents an opportunity to give immediate feedback. 

This project proved to be yet another example of true collaboration within our group.  We each shared and contributed to the main page of our newsletter; then, we had an opportunity to express our individual styles in our linked subject pages.  We used Letter Pop for our main page and it had some glitches that stumped us; such as, video that would not upload on page.  However, I have to say Pat would not give up on solving our video issues.  It took him some time but he got it to work.  Thanks Pat!  For our individual pages, we all choice to use Glogster, it proved to be much easier uploading video, pictures, and links; also, it has more variety in page design.  The use of technology was quite useful in assuring our communication, as always, remained open and consistent.  Also, the outgoing and easy personality of my team members has made the last four work-filled weeks pleasurable.  Thanks Team!! : )

Mind Mapping

Mind Mapping

I used Inspiration for my weather mind map.  The mind map not only reinforces the science lesson, but also enhances student's vocabulary.  Grouping words in synonym groups helps student remember words by their associations.  I’ve used Inspiration before in another class and found it to be user friendly.  It’s colorful and you are able to easily build out your map, add pictures, and attach hyperlinks.  However, I did not try the other mind mapping application, Mind42, Gliffy, and Mindmeister.  I do plan to explore these applications at a later date when I have more time.

Engrade Online Grading System

       I don't have my own classroom - yet; but, when I do, I can see myself using Engrade's online grading system (http://www.engrade.com/).  It was very user friendly and easy to set up a classroom;  inputting students names and information, attendance, grades and comments, assignments, and calendars.  It gave you an option to grade by percent or points for test, quizzes, and homework; also, it automatic adjust grade input averages.  I like the seating chart page where you can easily arrange and rearrange student assigned seat.  As a parent, I like the fact that you can view your child's progress on assignment and test scores anytime; no more report card surprises.

        Overall, I would give Engrade a good rating, it allows teachers to input and review grades in and out of school.  However, I did not see a way to sort the students in alphabetical order; I sure there must be a way, I just haven't found it yet.

     

My ANIMOTO

Animoto 

"What I did over summer vacation!"

Copyright ~ Digital Safety & Literacy ~ Internet Safety

Copyright

I may have broken some rules!  I’m not sure if I gave proper credit to the right sources, links, people, sites, etc…  I find the copyright rules and laws for cyberspace a bit complicated and confusing.  I have to keep in mind that there are differences in the rules of plagiarism for “written work” and the rules for copyright infringements of “cyberspace work”.  I printed out the five series of “Copyrights and Copying Wrongs” as a reference to keep handy when in question of cyberspace copyrights.

Digital Safety & Literacy

I watched and reviewed Digital Safety & Literacy with my children and I found it to be user friendly and easy language to follow.  I would use this lesson with my class as an informational guideline when using internet resources.

Internet Safety Resource Wiki

Love the information on this wiki.  Great tips and review of policies and rules.  I especially liked the “Netiquette for Kids” page; it will be posted in my classroom.

Beyond the Bubble

 

The article,” Beyond the Bubble Test: How Will We Measure Learning in the Future”, reiterates the criticism towards the failing use of standardized testing.  We all have heard the gripes against standardized testing; their outdated, they can be manipulated (relating to the recent testing scandal of an Atlanta school district), teachers waste valuable time teaching for the test, teaching for the test curbs differential instructions, and it doesn’t take into account as an individual learner.  However, if we get rid of the testing, what do we replace with and should we replace at all?

I agree with the majority of educators – get rid of standardized “bubble” testing.  Electronic/computerized testing might be the answer to assess 21^st century learners - if it’s done properly. If not, we will be making the same mistake of 20th century testing.