Hello Everyone!
Before I get to my section about the presentation today, I want to take some time to vent. I feel like the University is driving me crazy! We have SOOO much work to do every single day! University profs always say you should spend 3 hours working at home for every hour in class time, but the amount of work we have equates to probably 6 hours per hour of class a day! I wrote out a list of all the assignments and tests that I have this term, and it took a whole page of lined paper! I could not believe it! There are so many things to do, I don't know how I am going to get all of it done, plus studying for tests and exams! They are going to burn us out before we even get out to student teach! Anyway, that's all I have to say, here is my "scholarly" blog.
So, think I have figured out how to take notes this time without losing them! If you are reading this...I was right! I didn't lose all my notes from the presentation we had today. Hopefully better luck is coming my way! I had my doubts coming into this presentation today. I thought "Video games to teach students in school? You've got to be kidding me!" I still think it will take a lot of planning and convincing to get games to be part of a curriculum in schools.
Things I learned today:
So I learned the definition of VOIP: Voice Over Internet Protocol (skype, vonage, etc.).
Glen used Mind Meister to illustrate his mind map of digital literacies. Mind meister is a concept mapping web tool for concept mapping, it can be used in classrooms to show students a mind map but also others can modify your web if you invite them! I thought that was pretty cool!
I also finally learned the definition of RSS: real simple syndication. Now I know, and now it makes sense. I still use Google reader every day to find out what's new in the world.
I learned a bit about Virtual goods. These are things you never actually can hold in your hand like iPhone apps, social networking systems, online gaming, etc. This is a billion dollar a year industry in the United States! And all for entertainment purposes!
Multi-user virtual environments: Second Life in Education:
-There is a teen grid that is only for teens, which is scrutinized and monitored very carefully. People's behaviour is limited, and they can get kicked out. I'm glad that there are safety measures in place for teens using the internet, especially in places where there is a danger of predatory behaviours and exposure to adult material. This makes me feel a bit better about using things like this in my classroom.
-He said that using second life with older computers sucks. Basically, all the schools I have been to have really really old and slow computers. I really don't think that this program is feasible in most schools, without putting a LOT more money into the technology programs.
-Really, this program seems far too advanced for me. I don't know if I can do this kind of thing, but I think I might have to explore this program first before making a decision about using it in the classrooms, but I guess I will have to figure out what the problem is on my desktop computer (with connecting to the internet) first before I use this program.
-Constructionism: People learn best when they're building something; an artifact of learning. This can be a very powerful learning tool. Apparently, social constructionism is even more powerful--when a person is preparing and building an artifact in order to teach someone else about a topic. I have noticed this when I am preparing lessons for student teaching, that now I know so many things that I didn't before. I think this is an important point for teaching, I loved using Jigsaw activities before now, and now I am going to research some other interesting ways of doing this.
-Gamer Theory: Teaching through computer games for example economic simulations, sports, etc. This will capture their attention better than a report or book. We need to figure out motivation for this learning everywhere, not just in video games. I guess we will have to modify curriculum so that gaming is a part of it, because I don't know many administrators or teachers that would want to try using video games in the classrooms.
-If you give students a task just above their skill level, it motivates them to learn because they get a sense of fulfillment when they can complete the task.
Anyway, I think that's all I have for now.
You are the weakest link...Goodbye!
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Miles of Heart and Hours of Work
ReplyDeleteI agree we must be critical in what we are introducing to students. It needs to be scrutinized and tested to see its limitations especially if we are looking at something like Second Life. It is definately a, "2 headed monster" with the potential for students to enter the, "adult life." The ability to bring these technologies into the classroomss as well as the building themselves promotes ICT. In truth it is a comitment we as teachers must continue to pursue if we are to be as successful and relevent as possible in our teaching careers.
Tony