This was by far my most exciting learning week thus far for me. Not only were the ideas technology based, but that learning at it's best is meant to be fun for all. When I decided that I wanted to be a teacher it was because I wanted to include games and having fun into learning. Somewhere along the way I lost that drive and got steered in the wrong direction. I finally feel as though I am finding my way back to my true intentions as an educator.
The article that I loved the most was Peter Barnes idea to relate (Science) Ninjas as highly trained persons that use their sharp thinking skills as in the movie Kung Fu Panda's journey to overcome challenging obstacles using Perseverance, Curiosity, Stamina and Collaboration to learn grow. The idea that they make mistakes and push through difficult tasks as a part of their journey. He gave great ideas to use scavenger hunts based on various units. He was talking about Test Prep, but I was thinking that these strategies of classroom themes to teach growth mindset, perseverance and grit throughout the year. I was so inspired that I want to get an Breakout EDU Box to do the educational material scavenger hunts based on a reward system according to the units we are working on or as an anticipatory set for the next unit. Gaming is the practice of memorization or trivia in a fun game-like setting. Gamification is the idea of building on skills to learn mastery through problem solving and possible collaboration. Games are a fun method to engage and teach skills and critical thinking. According to Jordan Shapiro who wrote Games in the Classroom: Overcoming the Obstacles", says that games are not to teach the curriculum, but to give a different perspective on the skill being addressed. She definitely gave some great ideas of sites and resources to check out:
Gabe Zichermann, in "How Games Make Kids Smarter" introduced the 'speed camera lottery' which blew my mind as a real life game-like experience that changes the negative consequence mentality of a community and culture by rewarding the law-abiding citizens. I have three boys (11, 9, and 7yo) and I am always the mom that refuses to join in their love of video game heaven. They play Mindcraft, Fortnite, Apex, Slimeracher and Idle Miner. After watching this Ted Talk by Gabe I really want them to teach me how to better connect and teach my students in their virtual worlds of learning that is fun. It was a real stop and smell the roses kind of moment, not only for time spent with my own kids, but time spent with my students. He also said that playing violent video games does not make kids violent (unless they were exposed to violence in real life, it makes it worse) according to research that has been done for years. This information actually made me feel better as a mom that I wasn't ruining my kids via Fortnite and Apex, which is apparently more violent.
7 Comments
Jona Sandau
4/28/2019 09:12:19 pm
Monica, I love your honesty in this blog. So many of us had different intentions when we decided to be teachers. Slowly, we forgot about the fun and succumbed to the pressure surrounding testing, curriculum, and all the rule following we have to do. I think that's why this week got me so fired up, too. And I'm so happy we both get to go back into the classroom after learning so much about having fun with our kids while learning--especially what we've learned in this class. The article you mentioned by Peter Barnes--where did you find it? I did not come across it, and it looks interesting. Thank you!
Reply
Monica Knecht
4/28/2019 10:21:58 pm
https://www.edutopia.org/article/game-based-approach-test-prep
Reply
Brandon DeJesus
4/29/2019 02:56:58 pm
Hey Monica,
Reply
Scott Marsden
4/29/2019 05:27:04 pm
Monica,
Reply
Jennifer Perkins
4/29/2019 08:29:35 pm
Monica you do such an awesome job incorporating game-based learning into your Language Arts class! My students always come back so excited about what they learned, and about the engaging methods used via the Tech Tuesday games you play with them. They are learning Language Arts content in a fun and engaging way. I really liked your summary of what Jordan Shapiro wrote about games providing students with different perspectives on the skills being assessed.
Reply
JP
4/29/2019 10:31:03 pm
I am glad you brought up the studies about how games in of themselves should not be blamed for violent behavior - it is the addition of actual violence experienced in life, games can be a catalyst. I enjoyed reading about the tools you explored and your desire to make learning fun again. It is great to learn about the positive impact games are having on our learners, not just the negatives!
Reply
Catalina Goldstein
4/30/2019 09:05:12 am
I appreciated you mentioning the difference between gaming and gamification. If we're going to have to teach some boring topics we might as well make them engaging an memorable. I love that they promote critical thinking. It's easy to look at them and think they're silly, but your boys are doing some serious quick thinking. As opposed to if they were just sitting on the couch mindlessly watching TV (my favorite).
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
April 2019
Categories |