Reflections:
This has been a very tiring week, but interesting. I learned a lot about what is involved in creating video games. It is work! Code improvement will make it much easier. I look forward to the updates.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Day 5 Afternoon
Who supports and who benefits from your participation in this project? What other technology do you wish you could use or have support for?
The county and the school system support my participation (I sincerely hope!).
I would like to have the Elmo projector; printer/copier in my classroom with ink! ; wireless internet connection; more computers, perhaps on a mobile cart; and more education on different types of technology.
The county and the school system support my participation (I sincerely hope!).
I would like to have the Elmo projector; printer/copier in my classroom with ink! ; wireless internet connection; more computers, perhaps on a mobile cart; and more education on different types of technology.
Day 5 Morning
My students are all competitive and most enjoy computer and video games. Using a video game will be one more tool to help them understand and analyze the material.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Day 4 Reflections
Reflections
Today was better, even though my program crashed at least 10 times (7 before lunch!). I am beginning to understand the program and become accustomed to manipulating the parts that make up a game. Still quite a challenge.
Today was better, even though my program crashed at least 10 times (7 before lunch!). I am beginning to understand the program and become accustomed to manipulating the parts that make up a game. Still quite a challenge.
Day 4 Afternoon
What interested you in video games as a form of teaching?
I know that most of my students love to play computer games. They are quite competitive.
I have seen a lot of educational video games. My sister has the handheld DSlite and plays Brain Games all the time. You can keep your scores and everyone else's. We are always comparinng our scores.
I know that most of my students love to play computer games. They are quite competitive.
I have seen a lot of educational video games. My sister has the handheld DSlite and plays Brain Games all the time. You can keep your scores and everyone else's. We are always comparinng our scores.
Day 4 Morning
Connecting with students
I listen to my students. I am OK with letting the discussion go in an unintended direction if the students are eager and involved. Many times a discussion of a literature character's problems invites the students to share their own insights, and I encourage and support them in communicating their ideas clearly.
I always have concerns. Are there students who are having difficulties that prevent them from being successful? Should I change my approach, or should I contact a counselor? Many of our students are dealing with personal situations that make learning vocabulary seem unimportant.
I try to remember that.
I listen to my students. I am OK with letting the discussion go in an unintended direction if the students are eager and involved. Many times a discussion of a literature character's problems invites the students to share their own insights, and I encourage and support them in communicating their ideas clearly.
I always have concerns. Are there students who are having difficulties that prevent them from being successful? Should I change my approach, or should I contact a counselor? Many of our students are dealing with personal situations that make learning vocabulary seem unimportant.
I try to remember that.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Day 3 Power off and Shut down
Reflections:
The code continues to be buggy, which is frustrating. I would appreciate user text on the windows that explains the options. I know documentation is the last thing programmers want to think of, but your users are teachers. I don't want to become a programmer to create games. I either want an intuitive interface that works just like Windows (undo, redo, right click for options) or more information on the screens to guide me.
The code continues to be buggy, which is frustrating. I would appreciate user text on the windows that explains the options. I know documentation is the last thing programmers want to think of, but your users are teachers. I don't want to become a programmer to create games. I either want an intuitive interface that works just like Windows (undo, redo, right click for options) or more information on the screens to guide me.
Day 3 Afternoon
Describe how your students learn best.
Every student learns differently. Some are visual learners, others aural. Some must do something active to get it.
Generally, students learn best when they can connect the new information to old and when the objective is relevant to their lives or experience. They want to know why they should learn something and how they can use it in their lives.
Every student learns differently. Some are visual learners, others aural. Some must do something active to get it.
Generally, students learn best when they can connect the new information to old and when the objective is relevant to their lives or experience. They want to know why they should learn something and how they can use it in their lives.
Day 3 Morning
Describe your teaching.
My teaching is light on lecture and heavy on collaborative and independent work. Because of my subject, my students need to read for comprehension (what happens) and understanding (why these things happen). Often, collaborative grouping enhances their achievement in both areas. I have found that the best teachers are often other students, especially for those children with learning or emotional difficulties. Other students need some isolation to think through a project. In both cases, I encourage them to present their completed work to ensure and engender pride in their work.
We also play a lot of games, some from tradition (Scrabble) and others that we make up (a cross between Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Weakest Link, for example). The students are very competitive and I am always pleasantly surprised at what they come up with.
My teaching is light on lecture and heavy on collaborative and independent work. Because of my subject, my students need to read for comprehension (what happens) and understanding (why these things happen). Often, collaborative grouping enhances their achievement in both areas. I have found that the best teachers are often other students, especially for those children with learning or emotional difficulties. Other students need some isolation to think through a project. In both cases, I encourage them to present their completed work to ensure and engender pride in their work.
We also play a lot of games, some from tradition (Scrabble) and others that we make up (a cross between Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Weakest Link, for example). The students are very competitive and I am always pleasantly surprised at what they come up with.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day 2 - Shut Down, Power off
Reflections:
Today was better than yesterday, but still frustrating. I would like better explanation for how to add code to objects. Written documentation of the basic, stable functions would be very helpful.
Today was better than yesterday, but still frustrating. I would like better explanation for how to add code to objects. Written documentation of the basic, stable functions would be very helpful.
Day 2 afternoon
How does the technology you currently use enhance your students' learning and your teaching? How do you know?
Use of video and music enhances my students' learning by providing alternative methods of presentation and assessment. This is especially important for children with different learning styles or disabilities. I know by assessing their interest and participation levels.
Use of video and music enhances my students' learning by providing alternative methods of presentation and assessment. This is especially important for children with different learning styles or disabilities. I know by assessing their interest and participation levels.
Day 2 Morning
How do you currently use technology in your classroom?
I use technology to present music and video to introduce and explain concepts and information. Students also test their comprehension of information they read using a computer program. Students use the internet to research information.
I use technology to present music and video to introduce and explain concepts and information. Students also test their comprehension of information they read using a computer program. Students use the internet to research information.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Day 1 Shut down power off
Reflection:
This day has been interesting and boring. The process has not been without value though, because working with the computer and the programs, especially when things go crash and bang, increases my familiarity with it. I am having difficulty imagining how this program can enhance my classroom because I am not a math or science teacher. I will have to give the inspiration time to reveal itself.
This day has been interesting and boring. The process has not been without value though, because working with the computer and the programs, especially when things go crash and bang, increases my familiarity with it. I am having difficulty imagining how this program can enhance my classroom because I am not a math or science teacher. I will have to give the inspiration time to reveal itself.
Day 1 Afternoon
What brings you here? Why are you here. What are you excited about? Concerned about?
I am here to learn more about creating educational games. I am excited about practicing with the computer and the programs. It appears that the educational systems are moving toward using more technology, so I want to know more. I am concerned that this media will not appreciatively help my students learn to appreciate literature and may even be detrimental to thier ability to communicate in the real world.
I am here to learn more about creating educational games. I am excited about practicing with the computer and the programs. It appears that the educational systems are moving toward using more technology, so I want to know more. I am concerned that this media will not appreciatively help my students learn to appreciate literature and may even be detrimental to thier ability to communicate in the real world.
Day 1 Morning
What are your feelings about video games in general? What are your feelings about video games as learning tools?
I have mixed feelings about video games. Many parents allow their children to play games that are violent and provide empty activity time. However, I also know many young adults who developed their love of computer science or graphics from video games and many children who have learned their colors and letters the same way. I personally rarely play video games, except for logic games or card games (do they even qualify?!).
As to whether they can be used as learning tools, yes, of course they can. It depends on developers/educators to create creative, acceptable games and parents to choose them.
I have mixed feelings about video games. Many parents allow their children to play games that are violent and provide empty activity time. However, I also know many young adults who developed their love of computer science or graphics from video games and many children who have learned their colors and letters the same way. I personally rarely play video games, except for logic games or card games (do they even qualify?!).
As to whether they can be used as learning tools, yes, of course they can. It depends on developers/educators to create creative, acceptable games and parents to choose them.
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