I chose to evaluate a website, http://wooworld.homestead.com/, created by an elementary technology teacher. The page loads quickly with high speed internet. All the spelling and grammar are correct, and the author is easy to identify and contact. There is a date to show when the page has been updated. It is fairly current with the last update being October 11th. Most of the information is pertinent to the curriculum and adds value. This website includes many elements such as music, video, and graphics. Overall, the website has a cheery look, and I can tell the author has a lot of fun with it.
The title takes up a large space on the page. To the contrary, the area for the October Activities is quite small. The layout struck me as somewhat random, and I would recommend some changes be made. This webpage lacks a site map, and the school’s home web address is not included on the page. Finally, music begins when the page opens. While the music is mellow and enjoyable, I cannot locate a button on the page to mute the music. Instead, I had to use the volume on my controls. While I find a few aspects could improve, overall, I think the site had a pleasant feel to it.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Children & Video Games
What do I think about video games among students? I think video games are fun. I think many video games are violent. I think video games are addictive. I think excessive use of certain video games leads to aggressive behavior. I think that adolescents in a critical stage of development are isolating themselves in their use of video games at a time when they really need to be socializing and engaging in real-life problem solving. I think children are lacking gross motor and fine motor skills due to extended use of video games. I think that children’s use of video games should be strongly monitored and limited.
That said, I do hope to find a place for curriculum-related video games in my classroom. (Does anyone know of any good ones?) The fun aspect of video games motivates students. Combine that with higher order thinking skills, and it’s a recipe for success. Enjoying video games seems to be a commonality among students. In moderation, video games can effectively enhance learning. As a teacher, I will thoroughly review any video game that I used in the classroom. Any video game that is remotely violent has no place in my classroom.
I was really conflicted while writing this blog entry in an attempt to remain diplomatic. I like video games. I play video games. I think there are better ways to promote cooperation and effective learning among students. I very much want to be progressive in my teaching. Ideally, I will establish a successful balance among the teaching methods, including video games, I utilize in my classroom.
That said, I do hope to find a place for curriculum-related video games in my classroom. (Does anyone know of any good ones?) The fun aspect of video games motivates students. Combine that with higher order thinking skills, and it’s a recipe for success. Enjoying video games seems to be a commonality among students. In moderation, video games can effectively enhance learning. As a teacher, I will thoroughly review any video game that I used in the classroom. Any video game that is remotely violent has no place in my classroom.
I was really conflicted while writing this blog entry in an attempt to remain diplomatic. I like video games. I play video games. I think there are better ways to promote cooperation and effective learning among students. I very much want to be progressive in my teaching. Ideally, I will establish a successful balance among the teaching methods, including video games, I utilize in my classroom.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Games in My Classroom
My experience with simulations, games and game design has been fairly limited. Although I have studied simulations, I have no teaching experience with them. In my second grade classroom, game use was limited to CD-ROMs such as those from the Reader Rabbit and Jumpstart series. The game design I have enjoyed in my graduate program includes a WebQuest and a Power Point electronic lesson. Once I Iearned how to use hyperlinks in Power Point, I created multiple trivia games for students I tutor. I also have used a jeopardy template a WSU classmate shared to create several jeopardy games for the students I tutor.
I envision using simulations in my classroom so that students can role-play and experience that which they are learning. Access to quality educational games will improve my students’ learning by increasing their motivation and appealing to their learning styles. I hope to implement game design to create more educational games which I can customize for my students and the curriculum. Upon completing the reading, I realized there is more to game design than I had previously considered. Acknowledging this, I would like to increase my students’ learning by giving them an active role in game design. Having previously approached game design from an instructionist standpoint, I am hoping to balance this with the constructionist perspective. I do believe learners can gain knowledge from both. I think it was in this class, IT 6140, that one of the readings or videos made a comment about moving away from students consuming knowledge and toward students producing knowledge. I do believe this is the future of education. With my limited experience with games, simulations, and game design, one thing I do know is that I want to incorporate these resources in a manner which allows students to be active, rather than passive, participants in their learning process.
I envision using simulations in my classroom so that students can role-play and experience that which they are learning. Access to quality educational games will improve my students’ learning by increasing their motivation and appealing to their learning styles. I hope to implement game design to create more educational games which I can customize for my students and the curriculum. Upon completing the reading, I realized there is more to game design than I had previously considered. Acknowledging this, I would like to increase my students’ learning by giving them an active role in game design. Having previously approached game design from an instructionist standpoint, I am hoping to balance this with the constructionist perspective. I do believe learners can gain knowledge from both. I think it was in this class, IT 6140, that one of the readings or videos made a comment about moving away from students consuming knowledge and toward students producing knowledge. I do believe this is the future of education. With my limited experience with games, simulations, and game design, one thing I do know is that I want to incorporate these resources in a manner which allows students to be active, rather than passive, participants in their learning process.
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