I chose gaming as the technology that I wanted to explore within the classroom. As a teacher we are always looking for something new and innovate to keep our students engaged in the classroom and to keep education fun and interesting. With so much stimulus in the world, gaming is probably the one thing that kids relate to the most. I mean who doesn't like games whether your 2 or 60?
Gaming is often linked to video games or PC related games, but it can also refer to board games. The discussion thread I read talked about implementing gaming into the classroom as being an effective teaching tool to meet standards as well as hold students interests. Many educators around the world have encountered using gaming as an effective teaching tool and many have even provided a number of websites that can help. I have listed a few below.
It appears that using gaming to help teach standards can go extremely well or blow up in your face as one teacher put it. But the key to incorporate gaming into your curriculum is in the planning. You need to play the game yourself, first and foremost to determine its appropriateness. Second, plan you learning objectives, what do you want to get out of the game or how do you know it was effective. Lastly, be positive about its use, not every student will want to participate make sure to explain the significance and importance of doing the activity. I think gaming can be a useful tool with the classroom if utilized properly.
www.gamesinlearning.com
www.shambles.net
www.gameslearningsociety.org
www.yoyogames.com - Checkout Game Maker
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Journal #8
"Tag Your It!" By Justine Brown - T.H.E. Journal
This article discusses the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) within schools. It talks about Brittan Elementary School in Sutter, CA implementing these devices that would automatically track students from the moment the walked onto campus. The system would allow traking throughout the day from taking attendance, restroom usage, lunch to Library book checkout and campus entrance/exit, etc. This system ultimately failed do to privacy concerns by parents, because the system was so extensive in the amount of information that was gathered and utilized. The main scrutiny over this concept is that not only can school employees and teachers look at the information, but because the system relies on radio frequency, individuals who know how to manipulate the frequency inconjunction with a GPS could track the children, thus putting them in extreme danger.
Questions:
1. With a system like this in place, couldn't it be changed to track only certain information such as a childs name and nothing else for attendance purposes only?
I think that by only having a childs name loaded onto the RFID this would allow teachers and school officials to accurately take attendance without any problems. The draw back is still utilizing the radio frequency, but limiting the information stored would be a better alternative than scrapping an entire project in which funding would be extremely high. I just think if you sink alot of money into something, you should give it a shot to be successful rather than not.
2. If RFID is not accepted by parents what about implmenting a card access system in school to help with security and student tracking, similar to colleges?
I think this may be the best option for schools and districts to get parent buy-in on. It would only work however if the students/parents are responsible to bring the access card to school everyday. The schools can then have the information uploaded to a central server that compiles the information and then that would be compared to actual students on hand. Anyway I think that in order to provide security without infringing on indivual privacy rights, this may be the only option that school may have to be successful in tracking student movement in and out of buildings on a campus.
This article discusses the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) within schools. It talks about Brittan Elementary School in Sutter, CA implementing these devices that would automatically track students from the moment the walked onto campus. The system would allow traking throughout the day from taking attendance, restroom usage, lunch to Library book checkout and campus entrance/exit, etc. This system ultimately failed do to privacy concerns by parents, because the system was so extensive in the amount of information that was gathered and utilized. The main scrutiny over this concept is that not only can school employees and teachers look at the information, but because the system relies on radio frequency, individuals who know how to manipulate the frequency inconjunction with a GPS could track the children, thus putting them in extreme danger.
Questions:
1. With a system like this in place, couldn't it be changed to track only certain information such as a childs name and nothing else for attendance purposes only?
I think that by only having a childs name loaded onto the RFID this would allow teachers and school officials to accurately take attendance without any problems. The draw back is still utilizing the radio frequency, but limiting the information stored would be a better alternative than scrapping an entire project in which funding would be extremely high. I just think if you sink alot of money into something, you should give it a shot to be successful rather than not.
2. If RFID is not accepted by parents what about implmenting a card access system in school to help with security and student tracking, similar to colleges?
I think this may be the best option for schools and districts to get parent buy-in on. It would only work however if the students/parents are responsible to bring the access card to school everyday. The schools can then have the information uploaded to a central server that compiles the information and then that would be compared to actual students on hand. Anyway I think that in order to provide security without infringing on indivual privacy rights, this may be the only option that school may have to be successful in tracking student movement in and out of buildings on a campus.
Journal #7
"Is Chatspeak Destroying English?" Point/Counterpoint L&L November Issue
This brief article displays both proponents for and against chatspeak and usage of it within the classroom. There are educators that think chatspeak is the worst thing ever invented, on the flipside there are educators that feel as if students make a conscious decision to switch between chatpseak and normal English. Those who think chatspeak is destroying English comment about how they are concerned that students aren't learning how to express themselves through writing as they grow up. This will have a snowball effect on them in their adult lives when it comes to higher education and job interviews. Those who think chatspeak is not destroying English say that students "codeswitch" at will as a means to create a private language. It as a type of rebellious attitude that students and teens use to express themselves.
Questions:
1. Since chatspeak is popular with the advent of on-line games and text messaging, isn't it up to teachers to help re-enforce the appropriate time for usage of such a language?
I think that teachers need to be able to discuss when chatspeak is alright to use in social situations and when it is not appropriate to use. i think be doing this students will have a better understanding about the use of chatspeak within both the working and social environments. Being knowledgable about chatspeak is better than trying to brush it under the carpet as if it doesn't exist.
2. Can chatspeak be utilized as a form of communication between educator and student?
This is a kind of grey area for me. As a teacher i would want my own students to talk with respect and beable to express their ideas to me fully, not have me try to decifer chatspeak to determine what is being asked. I think that as long as the point is made about what is being said I don't have a problem with it. I think it would actually give me a way to better understand my students lives. Obviously not every student will communicate that way, but students are busy outside of school with extracurricular activities and if a text message is their only way of communicating with me then fine.
This brief article displays both proponents for and against chatspeak and usage of it within the classroom. There are educators that think chatspeak is the worst thing ever invented, on the flipside there are educators that feel as if students make a conscious decision to switch between chatpseak and normal English. Those who think chatspeak is destroying English comment about how they are concerned that students aren't learning how to express themselves through writing as they grow up. This will have a snowball effect on them in their adult lives when it comes to higher education and job interviews. Those who think chatspeak is not destroying English say that students "codeswitch" at will as a means to create a private language. It as a type of rebellious attitude that students and teens use to express themselves.
Questions:
1. Since chatspeak is popular with the advent of on-line games and text messaging, isn't it up to teachers to help re-enforce the appropriate time for usage of such a language?
I think that teachers need to be able to discuss when chatspeak is alright to use in social situations and when it is not appropriate to use. i think be doing this students will have a better understanding about the use of chatspeak within both the working and social environments. Being knowledgable about chatspeak is better than trying to brush it under the carpet as if it doesn't exist.
2. Can chatspeak be utilized as a form of communication between educator and student?
This is a kind of grey area for me. As a teacher i would want my own students to talk with respect and beable to express their ideas to me fully, not have me try to decifer chatspeak to determine what is being asked. I think that as long as the point is made about what is being said I don't have a problem with it. I think it would actually give me a way to better understand my students lives. Obviously not every student will communicate that way, but students are busy outside of school with extracurricular activities and if a text message is their only way of communicating with me then fine.
Journal #6
"The threat of Security" By Leanne K. Robinson, Abbie Brown, and Tim Green
This article deals with the issue of security versus the full integration of technology in the classroom. It also discusses how much of the security measures that school districts implement hinder or prevent my teachers of integrating technology into teaching. From what I gather, teachers have to jump through a lot of "red tape" to even get technology into the classrooms. Then once they do the security measures that are in place for access, usage and protecting students are so stringent that many teachers avoid even attempting to use the technology. I understand that the districts are trying not only to protect themselves and students using the equipment, but at what point do they say too much security is prohibiting the learning process with regards to the use of technology in the classroom.
Questions:
1. When do we say we have enough security measures in place to promote learning, but still make using computers safe in school?
I think that once you have the appropriate security measures in place students and teachers should have free range to use technology to meet their needs within the classroom. Obviously it would have to be an ever-changing system, since advancements are made, and rights need to be protected. But as long all the "gaps" are filled, why shouldn't teachers or students be able to burn CD's of their own work or access websites that can be beneficial to learning. As a teacher, if I find a website that is appropriate for students to view and can enhance their learning, but it is blocked by the district there is nothing that says I can't give out the website and students can go look at it at home. It just seems silly to have to contact the district so that they can look at the site and determine whether or not it is appropriate, especially when the teachers typically know the educational standards better than district personnel.
2. Why continue to sink money into technology at schools if educators are not using the resources available to them?
I think districts should put out a survey to all teachers to help them determine if the technology that has been provided to the schools is actually being utilized in the classroom. I think this will give districts a clearer vision of utilization and implementation of technology as a learning tool, rather than spending billions of dollars on hardwiring schools, buying computers that are just going to collect dust in a classroom. I think that the survey should also include a section on perceived security and whether educators think it hinders their implementation in classroom use.
This article deals with the issue of security versus the full integration of technology in the classroom. It also discusses how much of the security measures that school districts implement hinder or prevent my teachers of integrating technology into teaching. From what I gather, teachers have to jump through a lot of "red tape" to even get technology into the classrooms. Then once they do the security measures that are in place for access, usage and protecting students are so stringent that many teachers avoid even attempting to use the technology. I understand that the districts are trying not only to protect themselves and students using the equipment, but at what point do they say too much security is prohibiting the learning process with regards to the use of technology in the classroom.
Questions:
1. When do we say we have enough security measures in place to promote learning, but still make using computers safe in school?
I think that once you have the appropriate security measures in place students and teachers should have free range to use technology to meet their needs within the classroom. Obviously it would have to be an ever-changing system, since advancements are made, and rights need to be protected. But as long all the "gaps" are filled, why shouldn't teachers or students be able to burn CD's of their own work or access websites that can be beneficial to learning. As a teacher, if I find a website that is appropriate for students to view and can enhance their learning, but it is blocked by the district there is nothing that says I can't give out the website and students can go look at it at home. It just seems silly to have to contact the district so that they can look at the site and determine whether or not it is appropriate, especially when the teachers typically know the educational standards better than district personnel.
2. Why continue to sink money into technology at schools if educators are not using the resources available to them?
I think districts should put out a survey to all teachers to help them determine if the technology that has been provided to the schools is actually being utilized in the classroom. I think this will give districts a clearer vision of utilization and implementation of technology as a learning tool, rather than spending billions of dollars on hardwiring schools, buying computers that are just going to collect dust in a classroom. I think that the survey should also include a section on perceived security and whether educators think it hinders their implementation in classroom use.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)