In addition to the many links to articles and video we have posted, here are some more websites that have ideas on how to include technology or video games in the classroom.
Integrating Technology: Concern and Issues- The second page of this article address some of the common concerns regarding Internet use in the classroom.
Education World: Technology in the Classroom Channel- This site has articles, lesson plans and other resources about tech in the classroom.
The Instructional Power of Digital Games, Social Networking, Simulations and How Teachers Can Leverage Them- This is an easy-to-read article about the "technology evolution not revolution" how teachers can use them.
Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students- An archived article on the U.S. Department of Education website. This article list the pros of using technology in the classroom.
4Teachers.org: Teach with technology- A website dedicated to helping teachers use tech in the classroom. "4Teachers.org works to help you integrate technology into your classroom by offering online tools and resources. This site helps teachers locate and create ready-to-use Web lessons, quizzes, rubrics and classroom calendars. There are also tools for student use. Discover valuable professional development resources addressing issues such as equity, ELL, technology planning, and at-risk or special-needs students"
These websites/articles are definitely worth checking out no matter what your position is.
Resources
Video Games 4 Kids | 4:02 PM | Briana | 0 comments
Learning to Drive
Video Games 4 Kids | 3:48 PM | Ryan | 1 comments
Learn to drive various styles of vehicles, such as automatic, manual or commercial vehicle; under a wide variety of driving conditions. This is a very good way for young teens to prepare for driving and study for driving tests. It is also good for current drivers to bush up on rules of the road, and issues they maybe experience while driving. It is also the safest way to practice driving and will assist in forming a safer driver.
Using Games in Education
Video Games 4 Kids | 3:40 PM | Ryan | 0 comments
Learning can be fun with games. This sarcastic kangaroo game is a cross between hangman and wheel of fortune. The Crypt is an adventure game and jumpman an arcade game that requires planning your next steps. These games are mentally stimulating and at times very historical/ triva oriented. Learning a lot of rules by reading, memory skills.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2919688/using_games_in_education_2/
Ryan Ramage
Video Games: Are we using them properly?
Video Games 4 Kids | 1:48 PM | Ellen | 1 comments
Incorporating video games into the classroom
Video Games 4 Kids | 8:09 PM | Briana | 0 comments
One cannot just decide to use video games in the classroom one say at random. Use of the games have to be well thought out and plotted. The use will have to be approved and properly explained to the principal and possibly the parents. When deciding whether to incorporate video games in classroom instruction, the content and educational benefits of the games should be of primary importance. Video games give a student instant, individualized feedback as well as providing direct control over the difficulty level of the game. Students set this difficulty level as high as possible in order to challenge themselves and feel good about their accomplishment. Although teachers would surely like to offer their classes a similar kind of challenge, it's difficult for them, given the limits of their time and responsibilities, to attend to the needs of each individual student in the same way. Because of this, video games have the capability to become valuable tools for music teachers, tapping into a special kind of excitement that might not be found as easily through traditional classroom instruction.
Here's a link to the The Educational Games Database (TEGD), "a website catering to educators who want to learn more about the educational potential of video games. TEGD is a resource for educators at all grade levels, and with all types of backgrounds related to technology and video games." This a great place to start in trying incorporate video games into the curriculum
Here's a link to an article that describes how a teacher used video games to reduce her students reluctance about reading.
Here's a video to an extremely cute and well put together video talking about video games and tangential learning ("what you learn by being exposed to things in a context you are already engaged in" i.e video games):
Enjoy!
~Briana
Some concepts are just too difficult
Video Games 4 Kids | 2:32 PM | Ellen | 0 comments
Some concepts in education are difficult for teachers to teach, as well as difficult for students to learn. When I was in school I remember reading about some of these concepts and immediately thinking, what did I just read? I found that when there was something interactive then it was easier for me to learn and understand the concept. Some ideas are just too difficult to read or talk about, rather students would better understand them through play. The video shows how teachers can use video games to assist them in teaching concepts that are difficult for the students to understand. We may not need video games in all aspects of our teaching, but why not use them to teach a concept that we ourselves may have difficulty understanding. In the video you will see the teachers using a website and activity center called JASON. This website was created by the National Geographic and can contains different labs, activities, videos, and so much more. Teachers can even register for free online and explore at home before bringing it into the classroom.
Video: Coaster Creator
Jason Site: Jason Science: Education through Exploration
-Ellen
Video Games: More than Educational Benefits
Video Games 4 Kids | 7:36 PM | Ellen | 2 comments