Week 14: Using Games for Teaching and Learning

This week our discussion shifted to using computer games in the classroom. We all shared different games that we played in elementary school including Oregon Trail, Troggle, and a host of others. Our discussion continued on about the newest addition to computer games... Second Life. Many schools are using Second Life, which is created by its users as a facilitation of learning, I was suprised to learn that UF currently uses this program. As we turn towards technology to modernize the world, it's not farfetched to think that one day classrooms will all become equipped with XBOX's, Playstations, and Wii's, that come with educational video games.
Because computer games and video games have found their way into society and aren't planning on leaving anytime soon I think that it's smart for teachers to incorporate them into their lesson plans. I know I plan to. Giving students computer time allows them to have fun and play around with the computer while learning. Children will be learning without even realizing it. I think computer games are a great way to prove that education can keep up with modern times.
The following article, "Educational Video Games Effective in Classroom if Certain Criteria are Met", from Science Daily explains what is needed for modern games to be successful in the classroom or for online classes. According the article, three key elements must be kept in mind when a educational video game is created: the possiblity for evaluation, adaptibilty, and the ease of integration. Obviously students can't just go around earning points for slaying dragons, there must be an educational aspect to games if they are going to be put into the classroom or for students who take online classes.

Week 13: Distance Education and Virtual Schooling

This week in class we discussed distance education and virtual school. Many students in our class seemed to have experienced some type of virtual schooling, the most popular being Florida Virtual School. I know a few students at my high school who took a few online classes while still attending regular classes. Our valedictorian of my senior class did so to boost her GPA and get her to the number one spot. We also talked about the advantages and disadvantages of virtual school. Advantages include that it opens the door of education to more and more people. Especially people who put college aside to start their careers... now they can go back to school at their own pace. My mom is currently taking online classes to get her Master's degree in Educational Leadership. There are disadvantages though of virtual schooling including missing out on the classroom experience. Nothing can replace actually being in class and having face- to- face contact with students and other peers.
As a future educator I need to keep my teaching options open, especially with a shaky econonmy. It's comforting to know that there is always the option to teach online classes as more and more students are turning to learn this way for a multitude of reasons. I think teaching an online class would also be a good way to earn extra money on the side. My government teacher in high school was also a teacher of an online class.
The following video found on YouTube gives the personal story of a cancer survivor, Marilee Greenland, who will be recieving an online degree thanks to the University of Phonenix. She will be the first of her siblings to graduate from college. Thanks to the benefits of online classes she has the flexibility to choose when she wants to work on an assignment, especially when she is not feeling well. The story makes it clear that online classes are advantageous to working professionals, those who live in rural areas, military personell, as well as those battleing illnesses.

Week 11: Open Source Software

This week we learned about Open Source Software. This type of software is free and readily available to anyone. As technology becomes more and more popular and more and more expensive, it's comforting to know that Open Source Software can make technology available to all. After my boyfriend bought a Mac he didn't want to pay extra for the expensive Microsoft programs. He therefore downloaded an application (I know other penny-pinching college students who have done the same), Open Office, for free. Open Office includes software similar to Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc... and let me emphasize that it is all FREE!
As a future educator I plan to take advantage of Open Source Software. Number one, these resources are free and the word free sounds good to any teacher. The best part is that most are equivalent to software that costs thousands of dollars. Having free resources means that I can download them on my own personal computer and my school computer and work on projects at home and transfer them to work.
The following website lists the different free Open Source Software available for those who use Windows. The very first one listed is Mozilla Firefox, a common internet browser that even I have. Others include Audacity (a sound recording program similar to Garage Band), GIMP (a photo editing program similar to the uber-expensive Photoshop), and even a personal finance application, TurboCASH. The website lists two pages of free software for people who want to stay high-tech, yet are on a budget.