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Jackie Iger

Computer Science for Non-Majors Takes Many Forms - NYTimes.com - 0 views

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    Is computational thinking a fundamental skill that should be added to every student's analytical ability?
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    As I read this article, I thought about how many friends I have that are in non-technical professions, but who have been asked to take on technical tasks as part of their roles (managing databases, building organization websites, etc.) They've all been able to figure out how to do these things, but have found it very challenging to do so on their own and without any prior experience/contextual knowledge. So while I'm not sure that it's an absolute necessity, I do think that an increasingly broad range of vocations expect some level of technological fluency that could be built upon a computational thinking foundation. (There was a nice quote from a librarian in a NY Times article posted by Tom Keffer that illustrates this as well - the librarian says that all librarians rely upon software now, and that it's up to them to become technically empowered if there is something IT-related that their library needs.)
Leslie Lieman

Science Simulations Show Student Skills - 0 views

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    States use simulations to assess science skills and students seemed to "enjoy playing with the computers and took quickly to the assessment." A costly option, but goals to have all students complete computer-based tasks as part of Common Core assessments by 2014. NOTE: This article just scratches the surface of actual results, but for more commentary about this year's results take a look at: "NAEP Reveals Shallow Grasp of Science" http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/06/19/36naep.h31.html?tkn=VLPFYOoO%2Fh6K0gBMoWRnkBNKB%2B3NDBvfmvWl&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS1 It will be important to watch if/how computer simulations help students explain or justify their responses and apply concrete knowledge to real-life scientific scenarios.
Chris McEnroe

Study touts benefits of a 'wired' classroom - 1 views

  •  Concordia University researchers set out to answer a "big picture" question: Does computer technology have a positive overall effect on learning in the classroom? File photo.Photograph by: CHARLES PLATIAU , ReutersMONTREAL — Concordia University researchers set out to answer a "big picture" question: Does computer technology have a positive overall effect on learning in the classroom?"There have been lots of arguments, both pro and con, regarding this issue, (such as) is it worth the investment?" said professor Richard Schmid, chairman of the education department at the Montreal-based Concordia.Their literature review involved looking at thousands of studies and comparing achievement in classrooms that used computer technology with those that used little or none.The 40-year retrospective study, published in the Review of Educational Research journal, concluded that classrooms where computer technology was used to support teaching had a "small to moderate positive" effect on learning and attitude.If an administrator must make a decision "should we invest in this? The answer is yes," said Schmid, the study's co-author.The literature shows that more recent, sophisticated applications of the technology produce greater positive gains than older
  • f an administrator must make a decision "should we invest in this? The answer is yes," said Schmid, the study's co-author.The literature shows that more recent, sophisticated applications of the technology produce greater positive gains than older applications, he sai
  • under what circumstances positive effects are observed
  • ...2 more annotations...
  • he technology is used solely as a content provider — for example, if iPads are used as alternatives to books — then there won't be any positive change,
  • Where technology does have a positive impact is when it actively engages students, when it's used as a communication tool, when it's used for things like simulations or games that enable students to actively manipulate the environment
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    Report on a study whose findings support not just technology in the classroom as a wise investment, but support it only if used in particular ways.
Jing Jing Tan

At Virginia Tech, computers help solve a math class problem - The Washington Post - 2 views

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    Computer-led math learning at Virginia Tech.
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    Interesting article and very ambitious to address an academic need, but I wonder if the instruction/test environment addresses UDL principles to appeal to a variety of learners or if the multiple choice tests target a narrow definition of math success. I added a blog post above that highlights some of technology's short comings as a platform.
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    Great point. My feeling is that a lot of higher ed institutions use technology as a way to cut costs, so not much attention is paid to accommodating diverse learners. If I may think back to my own undergrad experience, the prevalent assumption is that you're old enough to seek out additional support on your own when you're stuck or want to learn more. I definitely think though that more attention should be paid to applying UDL principles to educational software (yes, even for adults), so that learning can move beyond passing multiple-choice tests!
Jennifer Jocz

Computer games should be used to assess pupils' ability instead of traditional tests - ... - 1 views

  • games provide information when it is needed, rather than all at once in the beginning, and also provide an environment that is "pleasantly frustrating" because the tasks are challenging but achievable.
  • "We tend to teach science, for example, by telling you a lot of stuff and then letting you do science. Games teach the other way. They have you do stuff, and then as you need to know information, they tell it to you."
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    One professor's take on why computer games should be used to assess students
Uly Lalunio

'Dull' teaching damaging video games industry - 1 views

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    "Leading figures from the UK video games industry have criticised the teaching of computer studies in schools, claiming it puts pupils off from pursuing computer science degrees at university..."
Tracy Cordner

ScienceDirect - Computers & Education : Computer support for learning mathematics: A le... - 0 views

  • The IIRM are educational software components, specializing in mathematical concepts, presented through recreational mathematics, conceived as interactive, recreation-oriented learning objects, integrated within the environment.
  • instant messaging, chat rooms, and multi-player math games
  • Mexican high-school students
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    Research paper on "recreational learning objects" in this case a math-based computer game, which was shown to increase motivation in Mexican high schoolers.
Tracy Cordner

ScienceDirect - Computers & Education : Computer game development as a literacy activity - 1 views

  • Both groups studied the same curriculum unit over a 10 week period, however, in addition the experimental group developed computer games related to the unit using a game development shell.
  • game development helped improve student content retention, ability to compare and contrast information presented, utilize more and different kinds of research materials including digital resources, editing skills, and develop an insight into questioning skills
Chris Mosier

From The Atlantic: Why High Schools Should Treat Computer Programming Like Algebra - 0 views

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    from the article: "...students don't think of programming as a whole separate world the way older adults tend to, but as a tool they can use to explore their interests." The article also identifies several trends in EdTech including ATT, GeorgiaTech and Udacity's partnership to provide an online masters in Computer Science.
Lisa Schnoll

EdNET Insight | The Evolution of Games in Educational Publishing - 0 views

  • On a marketing level, barriers to access have largely disappeared. In the old days, games were played on CD-ROMs, and few classrooms had computers. When Internet-delivered games first came out, schools had inadequate bandwidth, they struggled with administrative permissions issues, and there were not enough computers to go around. Now, computers are ubiquitous, broadband is standard, and permissions controls have been mastered.
  • k one rea
  • is that gaming can be a powerful medium for this kind of learnin
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    This is a nice article expressing one opinion on where games in educational publishing is going!
Leslie Lieman

Man vs. Computer: Who Wins the Essay-Scoring Challenge? - Curriculum Matters - Educatio... - 2 views

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    If computers can score writing, of course the first use will be for assessment. No surprise there. But how might we use this more creatively?
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    I tried to bring an scoring software program into my school. Nobody liked it except for myself. I thought the objective measure would be more motivating to students. But the other teachers thought that the students should have more practice with rubrics themselves. My school focused heavily on peer editing and scoring. Also, when teachers see such a large number of average scores they tend to disbelieve the results. For example, when I score the essays, there may be a lot of 'B's but I've sees the difference in between Betty's 'B' and Joe's 'B'. The grade is more of a reminder of my experience scoring Betty's writing. When the software scores it, I haven't necessarily seen the essay therefore the score doesn't mean as much. Of course the scoring makes much more sense for official assessments. Open Ended Responses are a much better measure of a student's understanding than multiple choice, if the software is able to distinguish the nuance of language. Some programs are scoring grammatical patterns, sentence length, and paragraph length; therefore, a student can be totally off topic and get a high score. I'm curious if this latest software corrected for this.
Lin Pang

No Limits to Computer Play, Says Psychologist Peter Gray - 0 views

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    An article about why we should support loose screen time rules with kids. Children are suffering today not from too much computer play or too much screen time. They are suffering from too much adult control over their lives and not enough freedom.
Kiran Patwardhan

Computer game 'controlled by eye' - 0 views

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    Children who cannot use a mouse or keyboard can play computer games using their eyes Computer games which can be controlled by eye movements are being developed by researchers at a UK university.
Jim Cody

Rock-Paper-Scissors: You vs. the Computer - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com - 3 views

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    I thought it was interesting to do this after watching the Bailenson video and Watson on Jeopardy.  Check out hoe the computer thinks.
Emily Watson

New Test for Computers - Grading Essays at College Level - NYTimes.com - 1 views

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    edX using AI to grade student essays.
Kasthuri Gopalaratnam

Videogames for the Blind? - The Daily Beast - 1 views

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    Two years ago, Bijani finished designing the world's first combat flight simulator for the blind: It is called Three-D Velocity, and it is now hugely popular. Gamers say it takes entertainment for the blind to the next level. Three-D Velocity sells for $43.99 on Bijani's website, and it has been downloaded more than 11,000 times since it first launched. All for a game with no graphics, on a computer screen that is blank, except for the name at the top. It's widely regarded as one of the best "audio games" on the market.
Kiran Patwardhan

Hands Up! It's game on in the classroom - 1 views

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    Hands Up! It's game on in the classroom Digital New Zealand report finds 7 out of 10 parents use computer and video games as an educational tool Auckland, 30 April 2012 - New Zealand parents are increasingly embracing computer and video games as an educational tool, according to the latest research commissioned by the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA).
Katerina Manoff

"Expensive Notebooks": Laptop Fail in Peruvian Schools - 0 views

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    GIVING a child a computer does not seem to turn him or her into a future Bill Gates-indeed it does not accomplish anything in particular. That is the conclusion from Peru, site of the largest single programme involving One Laptop per Child, an American charity with backers from the computer industry and which is active in more than 30 developing countries around the world.
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    There's readings on this topic from Prof.Dede's course last fall. You can find it on the syllabus
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