Jennifer Groff and Jason Haas wrote about how it is important to utilize the technologies that kids are used to into the curriculum at school. Children will learn better if you let them use learning games or other fun ways to learn without them realizing that they are learning. There are games where kids can solve problems, or find clues to the answers. These games can encourage self-guided learning, or can even encourage collaboration.
Even though I think that this is a great idea, I think that there is a time and a place for this. I think that games like these could be used as reinforcement or even as homework. However, I think that learning in other ways in the classroom could be more effective in some situations. I think that there should be a good balance between all of the different types of learning styles. As we all know children learn differently so it is important to include all different styles of teaching in the curriculum. I think that kids are more likely to want to learn when it is fun. There could be a competition to encourage children to play the games. I think that anything that you can do to create excitement in a child toward leaning is a great idea.
There is a teacher that I observed for recently in a High School Math class that used Facebook to communicate with her students. They were able to ask questions on her class Facebook and other students could see it and help each other. She also was able to post updates about class assignments or tests on that Facebook. I think that this is a great idea because students are constantly on Facebook and that is the place where they are most likely to see information. Students are less likely to sign on to Blackboard or other websites like it, even though those are great websites, students would rather be on Facebook. There are plenty of other ways that we as future teachers can help students and make it easier for them to succeed and learn.
Groff, J., & Haas, J. (2008, September). Web 2.0: Today's technologies, tomorrow's learning [Electronic version]. Learning & Leading with Technology, 12-15.
I agree with the above statement that children learn better and retain more when they are in a fun environment,such as games. But games that do encourage self guided learning and as a supplement to what is taught in the classroom. The basics need to be developed first then supplemented with games. There should always be an appropriate balance in the classroom of "fun" time and "work time". Fun time should be used as a reward for understanding and giving their full undivided attention to the lesson.
ReplyDeleteI think that the Facebook account used by the teacher is a great idea! lets be realistic, just as Katie said, children are more likely to sign on to Facebook then to a Blackboard type site. Why not use it as a resource- go where the children go!
I certainly agree that games (both digital and not) have a place in the classroom, and I also agree that games cannot fill the entirety of the classroom. However I think that the Web 2.0 can be integrated into a class in a way that goes far beyond just playing games-- your example of a teacher using Facebook for communication is just the beginning of how technology and the new internet can transform the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI also have to disagree about Blackboard or Moodle being well-designed websites! :)