IPad App Review #2

The second educational App that I tried out on the IPad was call Kids Math. The game teaches children to add and subtract by giving them fruits and vegetables and then showing them taking away. It shows the number at the top and you have a multiple choice answer to select the correct one. The visual aides and basic math are a great way for a young learner to start the math learning process. I could see this being used in a classroom to teach the children their basic math and increase their processing skills. This was also an interesting App for the Apple IPad. I could see myself using some of these tools in my own classroom someday.

IPad App Review #1

The first Educational App that I tried out on the Apple IPad was called ABC alphabet. This was a puzzle game that was made to help children learn their ABC's. The idea of the game was to solve a jigzaw type puzzle to complete the letter that you are currently on. I can see this being used in a class room to help children learn and recognize the letter of the alphabet as well as know what each letter sounds like. The game tells you what the letter sounds like right after you complete the puzzle. This was an interesting app for the IPad and I can see it have use in a classroom.

Double Entry Journal #13

The reason that I chose to do my Webquest on Alexander the Great is because he is my favorite person in history. I have always been interested in him and I think it would be interesting for my students to learn information about him as well. He was one of the greatest conqueror in all of history and his campaigns are very interesting subjects. The video on my introduction page is interesting because it deals with Alexander and his life.

Web Quest Group Questions

Which two of example WebQuests are the best ones? Why?

Grow School Greens was a very good WebQuests. It was very interesting information and well put together. The other WebQuest I thought was the best one was the Unraveling the Underground Railroad WebQuest. It was full of very interesting information. The idea of looking at the Underground Railroad from the different perspectives was very insightful.

Which two are the worst? Why?

The one that I thought was the worst was the Ancient Egypt WebQuest. It was very unorganized and the information was scattered. The other WebQuest that I thought was the worst was the We All Scream for Ice Cream WebQuest. That WebQuest just made me hungry and wanting ice cream so I didn't like it.


What do best and worst mean to you?

Best means well organized and to the point. The information is correct and is interesting.

The worst is not organized well and seems like a wall of text to read without animations or videos to explain whats going on. Inaccurate or skeptical information also is a way I determine worst.

WebQuest Role Worksheet

Your Role

Technophile

Your Impressions

WebQuest	Strengths	Weaknesses
Grow School Greens	Lots if Animations that are used very well with this web quest. Many interesting links to the internet leading to additional information.	No weaknesses to note.
Where is My Hero?	Nice amount of links to addition information and use of pictures.	Needs more animation and use of Gif’s to liven up the site.
Underground Railroad	The links to additional information were setup very well. Good use of internet website.	There is a lack of animation to the web quest. It needs more where the pictures are.
Ice Cream	Nice use of pictures.	Very few links to this website as well as a lack of animation This website needs work when it comes to the use of technology.
Ancient Egypt	Great use of websites and information.	Not any animation that was findable. Could use more gif or videos to liven up the site.

"Double Entry Journal #11"

This video was very interesting and is something that all teachers past and present should be interested in. We as teachers will need to adapt to the different advances in learning styles of our students and also keep in touch with with the technology and techniques available for us to use. The video helped with the understand of that and what teachers also need to understand all that information. It was also very comical. A great video for all teachers to watch and to pay attention to.

Google Form

Web 2.0 Posting

1. Choose a tool that could be used in the classroom.
  The tool that I chose was called GameClassroom.

2. Describe the tool.
  The tool uses games to teach children different concepts. Mainly math based games but they also have some critical thinking games.

3. What content area would you use the tool?
  I would use this tool mainly for the math content area.

4. Briefly describe a lesson in which you would implement the tool.
  I would allow students to access a game of choosing and begin to play. I would allow them to play for a set period of time and then have an open discussion/Q&A about the game. I would later quiz them to see if they learned the content of the game.

5. What do you need to consider before using the tool in a classroom?

  If the tool is something that applies to the curriculum and if it will be beneficial to the children of the class. 

Double Entry Journal #10

Quote

"New technologies play a dual role in the Creative Society. On one hand, the proliferation of new technologies is quickening the pace of change, accentuating the need for creative thinking in all aspects of people’s lives. On the other hand, new technologies have the potential, if properly designed and used, to help people develop as creative thinkers, so that they are better prepared for life in the Creative Society."

Response

I agree with this statement that the critical thinking processes of the people in this world are in an ever growing state. Everyone needs to be able to critically think in situations that solutions are difficult to find. Technology is a great solution and aid to critical thinking processes and the needs for programs to develop those processes is high.

Citation

Resnick, M. (2007, Dec-Jan). Retrieved from http://web.media.mit.edu/~mres/papers/Learning-Leading-final.pdf

Video

Video Citation
Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suWzpLmRH0g

About Me Scratch

Scratch | Project | About Me

My About me project

Double Entry Journal # 9

Quote

"For whenever one plays a game, and whatever game one plays, learning happens constantly, whether the players want it to, and are aware of it, or not. And the players are learning “about life,” which is one of the great positive consequences of all game playing. This learning takes place, continuously, and simultaneously in every game, every time one plays. One need not even pay much attention."

Response

I complete agree with this quote from the article. I have played video games for my entire life and you would be surprised at the things that I have learned from playing them. I did not even realize at the time that I was learning. In particular I remember playing the game Age of Empires on the computer when I was a kid. This game taught me tons of information about history that I still remember today. As games advance the capabilities for learning are only going to become more and more advanced.

Citation

Prensky, M. (2002). www,markprensky.com. Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/prensky - what kids learn thats positive from playing video games.pdf

Video

Video Citation
Youtube. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfBiMmv4qt4

Scratch Tutorial

Scratch | Project | Scratch Tutorial

My first try at a Scratch project

Interesting Scratch Program

This is an Interesting Scratch Program I found.

Scratch | Project | SPIN TOP v1.4