HGSET545

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.

"Initiatives seek to give students permanent online records for developing specific skills"

A quick overview of digital badges (including pros/cons re intrinsic/extrinsic motivation) and introduction of "Badge Economy" ["With support from the MacArthur Foundation, Mozilla has developed an Open Badge Infrastructure, or OBI, designed to become the underlying technical scaffolding for badges," where user can collect badges earned in a digital backpack.]

"The program ... pairs up teams of five high school-age girls with female technology entrepreneurs as mentors. In addition, the program brings in guest lecturers throughout the 10-week program to talk with the girls about opening their own businesses in the technology field". I love the idea of grooming high school girls in technology entrepreneurship.

An article about computer games in science education using "active prolonged engagement," as opposed to "planned discovery."

An excellent account of fostering engagement in students.

Thoughtful reflection by 8th grade teacher... enjoys experimenting with technology, but stresses the importance of questioning the pedagogical value of integrating tech in classrooms

Hi Leslie, Thanks for sharing. The article not only talks about the effectiveness of social media tools but a range ot technology which I found useful.

A set of excellent TED talks on education

The second part of Project Tomorrow's Speak Up 2011 report (based on a national survey of teachers, librarians and administrators), was just released. This part focuses on how "today's educators are personalizing the learning process for students," and how they are personalizing the classroom experience with online, socially-networked media and digital content.

Hi folks: I've put up a wiki on EMF for your use. Please populate it. J. Cole

The Pericles Group "saving the world one practomime at a time." Roger Travis at UConn uses a game-based approach to teaching classics.

Does this teach academic skills?

A different kind of game, with worthwhile results

As we students become graduates, Christensen's article is interesting both for perspective on career advice as well as it's broad references to extrinsic and intrinsic motivation in the workplace. As an HBS professor, he takes a very Business School approach to motivation.

Three video case studies on teaching with games

Quest Atlantis as a learning game

My thoughts on reading on this article was that if we designed interesting educational games that required physical movement (using Kinect, Move, VR etc), we can tackle engagement and exercise in one stroke.