As future teachers, we are all thinking of ways to make our lessons more exciting and engaging. Do you think you will incorporate gaming into your classrooms? What is your reasoning for your answer? How do you plan to incorporate gaming into your lesson and what are the benefits in doing so?

-Breeyn

Although we have been focusing on the positive aspects of gaming, it isn’t always seen as beneficial. Find a source of your own (website, video, blog, etc.) that discusses the negative side of gaming in classrooms. How do you think these negativities cloud your future use of gaming? Is there any way to surpass these negative aspects? If so, how?

-Breeyn

Marc Prenksy also developed two different types of categories that games fit under, mini-games and complex games. This idea obviously suggests that there are significant differences between games. Browse through this article and discuss, in detail, what the major differences are between complex and mini-games. Also try to categorize some of the games that you play and explain your reasoning for doing so.

-Breeyn

Incorporating games into classrooms has been a controversial issue for sometime. Many cannot see the benefits they may bring, and only see them as a source of entertainment rather than educational. Watch the following video that takes students’ perspectives on gaming. Do you think these gamers’ reasoning for gaming is educational based or for entertainment purposes only? What are the negative aspects that this video doesn’t touch upon? Please explain your answer.

~Ashley

Marc Prensky is an acclaimed public speaker who focuses primarily on education and learning. He is also an author and producer of several different types of educational software games. Read his article titled, “The Seven Games of Highly Effective People,” .Comment on what you found interesting and important in the article, and then tell why. Also, dare to disagree with something, giving your opinion and reasoning for this discrepancy.

~Ashley

There are several educational games that are offered online that teachers can use within their classrooms that are based on certain ELA skills, such as vocabulary, grammar, and parts of speech.  Go to funbrain and  choose a game to play.  After playing your chosen game, talk a little about what you were required to do and share how this game fits under the 12 reasons of “Why Games Engage Us”by Marc Prensky.

~Ashley

When people think of the term game, they often tend to associate it with recreational fun. Today there are several different types of games, anything ranging from but are not limited to the traditional board games as well as video games.  However, gaming can be used to help stimulate thought, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, all in which would help to further student’s learning abilities.  James Paul Gee, a professor and author, comments of the advantages of video gaming saying, “The fact is when kids play video games they can experience a much more powerful form of learning than when they’re in the classroom.  Learning isn’t about memorizing isolated facts.  It’s about connecting and manipulating them.” Not only are video games as well as other types multiplying the amount of educational games produced each year, but more and more studies have started to show their educational benefits by integrating these within classrooms across the nation.  Try to decide upon a favorite game of your own, within reason.  Is there anything that you have learned from that game that benefits you as a student or even a particpant of society? (research your game and see if there are any documented benefits the game has to offer) Is there any way that you would incorporate that into your future classroom?  If so, how will you incorporate it and why?  If not, then please explain your reasoning.

~Ashley

9.  Check out this debate about social networking. Read at least three statements (Propositions/Rebuttals) Share your thoughts and opinions and tie in any other relevant support from previous blog posts.

10. In conclusion, after exploring the components of social networking, have your views changed or have they been reinforced? What changed your views or what reinforced them specifically? Have you found any sites along your exploration that you would like to share with us?

It’s been great reading all of your responses. Thank you all for making this blog moderation a pleasurable experience!

Krystina

7. How can social networking applications be used in the classroom? Check out this collection of GREAT unit plans.
Click on The many faces of me: A Thematic Unit on whether to lie or not lie in Social Settings by Darlene Scouten, a student here at Cortland.

Would you use a lesson like this in your classroom? Why or why not? How does this lesson tie into the issue off internet safety?

Can you find any other software that could be used WITHIN schools as a social networking application? Post a link and describe its advantages or disadvantages.

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8. Have you ever heard of EPals? Browse through this website: www.epals.com

Surf through the site and share your thoughts. Would you use this in your classroom? How might you go about doing so?

Krystina

Your next task is to enjoy a good laugh.

Check out this humorous video that addresses a few of the “dangers” of Myspace.

Now, on a more serious note…

6. Should social networking sites be more or less strict with the content that people place on them? For example, the photos that are uploaded, the language that is used, as well as the amount of personal information supplied. 

-Think about the Spitzer incident and Kristen, and the information the press got off of Myspace and used to exploit her. 

-Think about the thirteen year old girls on social networking cites who post pictures that make them look much oldar.

-Think about students who should not be browsing these sites, but are, and encounter information and language that is extremely inappropriate.

Krystina