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Good article outlining how technology may be used to increase engagement. While turning worksheets into games may not be as ambitious as I would like this could be a good starting point.

Overview of a longer PDF "Guide to Digital Games and Learning" that provides a good starting point if you're thinking of incorporating games into your learning and teaching

Children can create their own customised Avatar - simple activity with loads of potential.

I think that this is a great idea for children and teenagers. By allowing students to create an Avatar, it gives them the opportunity to create an image that represents them or they can go completely crazy and create something far from the truth. Giving them an avatar in an educational environment then makes the learning fun and enjoyable as they feel they are playing just one big game. I have used this concept in a Contact Centre with Adults and have had success with it, purely for the reason it allows creativity and staff did not need to leave their desks to go to training.

Sharing Teacher blog - good for a laugh!

I like the way she describes her job- loves the kids but struggles with the job. This is interesting to me because I feel the same (don't know if it I for the same reasons) because I whole- heartedly believe in diversity and the individual child BUT I also know/ have seen how strict and institutionalised schools remain to be and this often gets in the way of the kind of teacher I thought I could be. It is interesting and worth thinking about though because I am sure we all want to help each child as much as we can but lack of time, resources and 'the halo effect' will get in the way at some point.

Introduces the idea of conceptual change in the context of science. During week 1 of EDC3100 we will be looking at conceptual change as it applies to learning how to use an ICT.

Article describing research about student weakness in Science and its causes. Used as an optional reading during Week 1.

A introduction to what copyright means for you as a student. Applies directly to assignment 1.

This is something worth reading! Have you considered the long term effects of WIFI in the classroom on student health? Or maybe your childrens health? Watch the Video and be informed. As teachers we have a moral obligation to ensure the safety of students.

Thanks for your input Faye, The intent of my original post was not to create hysteria but to encourage critical thinking, as National Government institutions can be slow to respond to new global research...especially when it may challenge our current 'comfortable' way of life and assumptions. Cheers, u1070429

Thank you for sharing this information. My thoughts are an education in civilised countries can't function without these devices. Children response to technology than any other educational diverse. There are more positive than negative. Using technology in the 21st century is helping our kids engage in the classroom, and our children need these devices to function in their learning to become capable and able students in future. I work in a school setting where the majority of the student's complete task using computer and iPad. We as teachers need these devices to function properly in our role as educators. Technology is fun, engaging and reliable to some extent, these methods over the years have help to improve our student outcome. Thanks, Joy

One for the HPE folk.  A Victorian PE teacher who labels himself "The PE Geek".

He does discuss other reasons why ICTs should be used in classes, but unfortunately doesn't give enough practical examples. The gamification he talks about most specifically is a dance game on the wii. Now of course the students are taking part in a game, but their bodies are moving just like they would be if they were dancing without the use of the game, so it is definitely physical. Using these types of games in your teaching shouldn't outweigh the the students taking part in physical activity or sports and training, but it should supplement it. I think using ICTs in HPE will help to improve motivation and interest in students who are uninterested in sport, which is a big focus that teachers face, particularly with junior high school girls. Using these games to get them interested is better than forcing them to take part in an activity where they aren't going to put in much effort anyway. ICTs are also immensely beneficial to students studying PE in senior, as a lot more of the focus is on technique and improvement, so using videos to view performance and receive feedback is great for these students. Especially the apps and programs you can get nowadays that let you pause and rewind video, play in slow motion, and draw on the screen (to check if your body is creating the right angles in the movement etc). In primary they wouldn't be so concerned with technique improvement like this, but ICTs can be used to expose students to sports that they wouldn't normally see or experience. Primary students could research and create their own games and sports using the internet and computers. (It is harder for me to think about the primary context, because I haven't had much to do with it). I am sure there are many ways ICTs can be incorporated in the Primary HPE setting, you just need to think outside the box.

Oops, I think I got PE Geek confused with a PE blog I was reading recently. After looking at the actual link, this PE geek offers so much more! It is actually great, the apps he talks about are great for primary and secondary.