Group items tagged

"the "creative thinking spiral." In this pro- cess, people imagine what they want to do, create a project based on their ideas, play with their creations, share their ideas and creations with others, and reflect on their experiences-all of which leads them to imagine new ideas and new projects. As students go through this process, over and over, they learn to develop their own ideas, try them out, test the boundaries, experiment with alternatives, get input from others, and generate new ideas based on their experiences."

TED@Palm Springs presentation on game-based learning; creation of "immersive learning environments." Meyers, A. (2009). A Vision for 21st Century Learning [Video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mirxkzkxuf4

I disliked this video. Is my classroom extraordinary? The rest of the classrooms in the U.S. have unmoving, silent children stuck in desks all day? The students don't talk to each other? They don't collaborate to solve problems? They don't read? They don't write in order to analyze and express opinions? They don't use math manipulatives, do science experiments, build, draw, and do projects? They don't laugh together, digress, and then get back on track? Because that's what we do. It doesn't strike me as a response to the Industrial Revolution as much as a response to students' curiosity and to their future needs. "If we get it right, kids won't even know they're learning something." So, we're doing it wrong if the kids are actually aware that they're learning? Better they should be metaphorically anesthetized by the computer experience? We don't want them inoculated against feeling the discomfort of struggle. Every respected neuroscientist on the planet says struggle is necessary to wire neurons together, which is the physical manifestation of learning. The simulation of the village looks very cool. I love computers. But if all their learning about ancient Rome is based on this simulation, where are the primary sources? Will students encounter any? Or is their experience of the village based on someone else's interpretation of primary sources? If so, then someone else gets to decide what is important to include in the Roman village. They get to choose and interpret the facts that are used to create the virtual ancient Roman experience. That goes against best practice teaching of the social sciences.

Play, design and share games.  Focuses on game design

a very popular web-based game design environment. Global Kids http://olpglobalkids.org/ is using it to run social benefits game design contests and badging programs. They are getting 100+ new game design entries per week. From the parents' guide: Gamestar Mechanic is currently supported by a partnership between the Institute of Play and E-Line Media. The game was originally developed by Gamelab in partnership with the Institute of Play and the Academic Advanced Distributed Learning Co-Lab (AADLC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Initial funding for the game and companion learning guides came from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The design of the game is based on research by some of the leading academics in the field including Katie Salen (Executive Director of the Institute of Play and curriculum author for the New York City Public School Quest To Learn) and James Paul Gee (author of What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy).

This site has students creating games from scratch and putting them out into the world for feedback within the Gamestar Mechanic community. Students use math, problem solving, writing skills and more to make their games interesting. I think this could be used in the classroom as a theme-based project or just to get students interested in coding.

Web-based instruction

Create a page to store all your research. Adds shortcuts to websites. You can also annote them or color code them based on the type of information contained on each site. You can also drag and drop to place them in any order you wish.

Create a page to store all your research. Adds shortcuts to websites. You can also annote them or color code them based on the type of information contained on each site. You can also drag and drop to place them in any order you wish.

really great resource for collaborative work in and out of the classroom

Naiku's Quick Question allows you to get immediate feedback from your students - simply ask a question, and students respond using any web enabled device, such as a smartphone, tablet, netbook, or laptop.

Free site lets teachers conduct a variety of web-based assessments using any type of browser-equipped device. Very useful for formative assessment.

Ultra simple web-based drawing tool, no account needed, and drawings can be downloaded.

Zunal WebQuest Maker is a web-based software for creating WebQuests in a short time without writing any HTML codes.

Web-based group project on LOTF: collect evidence on culpability of a character from the novel.

Neat project - gives each group member a job that can be suited to his/her interests and strengths!

pre-k -12 interactive web sites for various subjects

Interactive Websites provide standards-based cross curricular web resources designed to enhance online learning opportunities.

A superb 'Must Try' HTML based collaborative whiteboard site. The tools are wonderfully simple. No log in required. Just share the page link to work collaboratively. Combine with a tool like Skype to share a lesson across classes, schools or even countries. http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/ICT+%26+Web+Tools

Here is a great idea for using student learning activities for a public good by having students create web based lessons for others to be able to learn what they've learned about a topic.

Great accessibility tool

"ReadTheWords.com is a free, web based service that assists people with written material. We do this by using TTS Technology, or Text To Speech Technology. Users of our service can generate a clear sounding audio file from almost any written material. We generate a voice that reads the words out loud, that you request us to read."

A great resource, particularly for kids who struggle with literacy. Thankyou for posting.

Animated Videos Fun and free services for creating short animated videos. Screencasting Use these services to create demonstration videos on your computer. Useful for teachers and students. Documentary Video In this section we'll look at some free services for creating documentary- style slideshow- based videos. Pages 11-21 Finding Images and Audio for Video Projects. Use these resources to locate images and sounds that you and your students can use in video projects. Pages 3-7 Page 26

All subjects need to teach students how to search for, analyze and utilize digital information within the subject area. This is where students will be getting info until someone pulls the plug or locks them in a bookmobile.

"We're often told that young people tend to be the most tech-savvy among us. But just how savvy are they? ,,, High school and college students may be "digital natives," but they're wretched at searching."

Open digital faculty do more than just share and participate in open resources; they transfer their approaches to the teaching space. Learning becomes a shared activity in which the students also collaborate and participate in shaping the course activities. Student participation takes place in open environments where students might tweet what they learn, share insights on a group blog, create their own website of resources, or participate in a class wiki.

University context for open sources, sharingand digital trends era

Set up notes and/or flashcards by course. Allows recording notes as part of the text. Record online, no special software needed.

Online flashcards and notes that can include pictures and video.

Create online flashcards that students can access via web browser or mobile apps (iOS and Android); tracks student progress.