Gamification

            What is gamification? Gamification is the application of game playing. As an educator I look forward to finding new ways to encourage my students to learn. Gamification is a great way to help get students involved and engaged in their learning experiences.

            There are definitely things to consider when using gamification in the classroom. One of my biggest concerns is if the game the student is trying to play is developmentally appropriate for their age. Many educational games can be designed for older students or for younger students, which do not really help, rather they cause problems. Another concern for me is that the students will use other games or get distracted while playing some of the games and will not actually benefit from it.

            One of my favorite examples of gamification is Osmo. There are many different games that are available for purchase. For Osmo the teacher would have to have an iPad in the classroom. The Osmo kit comes with a stand for the iPad and a mirror for on the camera of the iPad. Once the iPad is set up, the teacher will also have to download the correct application (each game on Osmo has a different app.) My personal favorite game through Osmo is the Osmo Words game. Below is a video of the game and how it is played.

            I believe that Gamification can be a useful resource in the classroom if used appropriately and if the games are for the correct age level. I think gamification is definitely a great resource for learning and engaging students in the classroom. 

How do Students Learn?

            All students learn best in different ways. When I was growing up I always learned better by doing. I loved hands on activities better than anything else. To me concepts made more sense when put into reality rather than a teacher just lecturing each class period.

            As an educator I feel that I will use my preference of learning in the classroom. I feel I will use more hands on activities for teaching rather than lecturing. I know for some students hands on isn’t the way they learn, so I would try to adapt my lessons to incorporate multiple ways of learning such as music, hands on, and lecture.

            Do we as humans need rewards as motivation? I feel that some people need a reward as motivation, such as a piece of candy for answering a question correctly. Although some people find this motivating others may feel differently. For me personally a reward such as candy doesn’t always make me motivated. I am normally motivated without a reward.

            Although all students learn in different ways it is possible as an educator to teach to all students. 

Augmented Reality VS. Virtual Reality

            Augmented and virtual reality are becoming more evident in the classroom as technology improves. These realities can be used for teaching in the classroom, video gaming, and just for fun. Being an educator I am personally more interested in how augmented and virtual reality can be used in the classroom setting, to learn how they can be used first we need to learn what augmented and virtual reality are about.

            Augmented reality is when a computerized image is placed on top of your real world. In this instance we would use a type of application, on a phone or tablet. An example of this would be AR flashcards. This is a free app. To use the program, you would go on their website (http://arflashcards.com/get-flashcards/) and print out the flashcards. Then you would download the app “AR flashcards,” on your phone or tablet. Once the app is downloaded you simply scan over a card and the picture will come to life. Below is an example of what the printed cards look like (on the left) and what it looks like when you scan over the cards (on the right). You can also click on the animal when you scan it with the app and it will say the letter and the animal.

            

             Virtual reality is when you cannot see anything around you. You are immersed in a completely new environment. Again in this instance we would need to use a type of application, on a phone. An example of this would be google cardboard. Google cardboard is a piece of cardboard that is shaped to be a headset. You place your mobile device inside the cardboard with a video playing. Here is a link to a video you could use. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3VJAgcrSIA) To be able to use this virtual reality you would need to purchase the google cardboard headset. To buy this cardboard you could go to https://store.google.com/product/google_cardboard?utm_source=en-ha-na-us-sem&utm_medium=desktop&utm_content=plas&utm_campaign=Cardboard&gl=us&gclid=CjwKEAiAjIbBBRCitNvJ1o257WESJADpoUt0Cwoc6lR5Xy6ZNecVl2F5sadG4fz1VJl2F56gJ8OibxoCbbLw_wcB&sku=_google_cardboard_single . They are fairly cheap and simple to use.

            As an educator I was wondering how these two realities would help me in a classroom setting and you may be wondering the same thing. As an educator I am currently observing a preschool classroom. The students in the class focus on their alphabet every day. The AR flashcards would come in handy for this instance. The students could take turns using the flashcards to learn more about their alphabet. I feel using this augmented reality gives the students a new experience and feeling. It makes them feel as if they are part of their learning experience.

            Virtual reality is a little different in a classroom setting. An example I can think of for using virtual reality in the classroom would be if a teacher is teaching a lesson on a specific country. The teacher could find a google cardboard video for that country and the students could feel like they are in that country. This would help the students better understand what they have learned about.

            I feel that virtual and augmented reality will most likely make a huge change in the way teachers teach, in the future. I feel as students become more advanced with technology they will become bored in the classroom and need a change in environment. Virtual and augmented reality allow a change in environment without having to leave the classroom. They could both be utilized well in the classroom. 

How I Stay Connected

            When asked “how do you keep current with emerging trends in education, classroom tools, and technologies?” one may answer with my different responses, such as reading new updated education books, Pinterest, or blogs just like this one.

            For me personally I would say I keep current with Pinterest more often than the other alternatives. Pinterest is a great way to find ideas for any activity in the classroom, or ideas for classroom management. Pinterest is also great with keeping a teaching up to date on emerging technologies. Below is a picture of a bulletin board example from Pinterest. I love this bulletin board because it encourages children to learn. In today’s time children are more interested in technology than reading an actual book.

            Another great aspect of Pinterest is it can inform a teacher of new technologies to use in the classroom. For example, below is a picture of 10 resources a teacher could use in the classroom. This list gives great advice for teachers, one example I have experience with off of this list is Kahoot. Kahoot is an online game, where teachers can submit questions. Then each child uses their own device to answer the questions.

            Pinterest is my favorite way to keep current with emerging trends in education, classroom tools, and technologies; What is your favorite way to stay current? 

History of Education Technology

         

Technology has been through many changes over a long period of time. There are many hurdles that were faced while technology was changing. This included changing from desktop computers to laptops, land line phones to cell phones, and chalk boards to smart boards. As technology changes teachers struggle to keep up with it. It is typically hard for teachers to learn the new technology. Most of the time the students know more than the teacher.

            For teachers to be able to handle the changes in technology they should begin to learn the new technology when it comes out, rather than when they get the technology in their classroom. This will make the teacher feel more comfortable when using the technology with the students.

            I personally would ask fellow co- workers for help with technology when I do not understand it. If I do not understand it after that I may ask the students to do a presentation on how to work the technology so they can learn about while I learn about it. 



Google or Microsoft???

                When trying to decide which program you want to use, google or Microsoft, there are many things to take into consideration. These include but are not limited to, the simplicity of the program, the things each program can do versus the other, and as a teacher is the program easy for children to use.

                When I was working with both google and Microsoft programs I noticed that one thing I like personally better in Microsoft then in google is that Microsoft is more user friendly. Everything you need to do a project or write a paper is right in front of you. Whereas on google you have to click multiple buttons or tabs to get to what you want, as an educator, I feel students would become frustrated with having to search for what they need. In this aspect I would personally say word is better than google.  

                Another thing to consider when choosing which program to use, is what features the program offers. In Microsoft there are many options for to add on such as video, audio, pictures, clip art, word art, etc. However, in google there is not an audio option, so to insert audio in a google slide you need to insert a video and make it small enough in the corner that it is just used as audio and not used as an actual video. Also google does not offer smart art, so instead you would have to use google sheets to create a chart and then insert it into your slides or document.  I feel that in a classroom setting students would have trouble figuring out how to insert audio and smart art on google.

                The third thing I would consider when deciding which program to use would be if it is easy for children to understand. As I discussed earlier it can be hard for students to find features on google as opposed to using Microsoft. Microsoft also has more pictures to show what each feature does as opposed to google.

                With all the given information I feel that Microsoft is not only the better choice for adults and teachers to use but is also the best choice for students in a classroom setting. 

What should you consider when you have students searching the internet?

                There are many things that should be considered when young children are searching the internet. As a teacher I would take into consideration what I am having the children search, what websites the children may go to and if the children are comfortable searching the internet. The internet can be a dangerous place for young children especially if the child is not comfortable using it.

                When children are searching the internet it is important that they know what they are looking for. I would consider the topic I am trying to teach the children. If the topic is something the children are able to search easily then I would allow them to search the internet, however if the topic is not easily searchable I would take the students to the library instead, to look for books.

                I would also take into consideration the websites the children may go to. Some websites are full of advertisements that the children could accidentally click on. I would have the children ask me before using a website so I can let them know if it is a safe website.

                The third thing I would consider is if the child is comfortable with searching the internet. Some children have never used the internet before, so it may be difficult for them to feel comfortable

searching the internet.

                I would present searching the internet as a positive thing. Searching the internet is a great way to find out a lot of information on specific topics. It is also a great way to engage children in their learning.

                Schools have many policies that protect children who are searching the internet. One policy is plagiarism. Children may use resources to help them with a project however they may not copy anyone else’s work. Another form of protection schools have for searching the internet is blocked websites. Some websites are blocked on the school’s network so the children do not get unwanted viruses on the computers or see inappropriate content.  

                For more information or safety tips on searching the internet, you can visit the National Children’s Advocacy Center at http://www.nationalcac.org/prevention/internet-safety-kids.html. 

How to choose a blogging platform

     When deciding on a blog website to use there are many items to consider. These include but are not limited to, how the blogging website is organized, how easy it is to figure out the website, and the style of the website.
     My initial impression of blogging was that it is easy to begin blogging and it is actually kind of fun to blog. I feel that some benefits of blogging would be to communicate with others and to express your thoughts. As an education major I will need to be able to communicate with parents, staff, and students. Blogging could be a great opportunity to post about important events or just to inform parents, staff, and students of things that are happening in class. Blogging can also be a way to express your thoughts through words. I think that I will personally love blogging once I get the hang out it.