http://www.toledoblade.com/Education/2013/03/07/Local-students-square-off-against-others-in-worldwide-online-contest-World-Education-Games.html
Online gaming has become poplar for today’s youth, so it makes since to me that we could incorporate that interest into learning. I wasn’t the first person to think of this though as there are multiple websites for education games out there. Below I have posted an article of one instance of gaming for educational purpose. Read the article and post your comments.
http://www.toledoblade.com/Education/2013/03/07/Local-students-square-off-against-others-in-worldwide-online-contest-World-Education-Games.html
32 Comments
Mary McGee
4/8/2013 02:26:44 am
I love this idea! Having our children learn in fun environments is always a goal of teaching. As our children are surrounded by video games and computer games it seems a logical flow to add educational games on the computer. I really like that in this instance we can see where learning about different cultures becomes an opportunity as the student were able to play a math game with a student across the globe.
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Kayla Y.
4/12/2013 03:01:37 am
I agree completely. I think learning is much easier in a fun environment. So whatever we can do to make the classroom fun I think we should pursue, and this is a great example.
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Crissina Kemp
4/17/2013 01:29:09 pm
I liked the idea too and thought the cultural aspect of them getting to use it with other students across the world was a great learning opportunity with math, but also in diversity. Students these days are so accustomed to playing video games, it would be an extension of something they already know and enjoy doing so now they could apply it to math as well.
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Caleb Haynes
4/19/2013 01:03:41 am
I agree that learning about different cultures is huge. These students more than likely will have to work with people from other cultures once they hit the work force. It is great that they can play learning games and do different activities and get use to working with other students from different backgrounds.
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Heather Carlton
4/8/2013 04:01:42 am
I definitely like the idea of incorporating video games into learning. It makes learning more engaging and will keep students interested longer. And they'll be too busy having fun to realize that they're learning.
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Cassandra Nappier
4/9/2013 02:53:33 pm
I agree that it makes learning an engaging activity. When having fun, things come more natural. In response to your question, I think students will begin to want to have time playing around on the computer as well. They will want to do their own things rather than just play interactive learning games. If they go home after a long day of being on the computer and then their parents allow them to play on the computer, they are spending an insane amount of time in front of a screen.
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Mary McGee
4/10/2013 04:30:25 am
Heather I love the idea of sneaking in educational values while having fun. For our younger children computer games seem to do the trick.
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Dane Frazier
4/11/2013 10:03:34 am
If students are spending time outside of the class playing video games then that is something there parents need to control. What is different from a kid setting and listening to a teacher or playing an educational game on the computer except the kid will like the game better.
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Zech Bowman
4/11/2013 02:03:28 pm
I agree with you Heather. I am a gamer myself and I know just how engaged these kids would be with interactive games based around the subject matter. However, like you I keep asking the question how much is too much?
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Kayla Y.
4/12/2013 03:03:14 am
Kids love games, there's just no way around that in this generation it seems, so why not utilize them. Especially if it's sneakily educating them!
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Crissina Kemp
4/9/2013 01:08:23 pm
I read the article and thought the online, interactive game was great for students in the classroom. I think the engagement and competitiveness of the game gets the students excited and they are learning about subjects without having to just sit in class listening to only the teacher. I also liked how the game is available worldwide so they are not only learning about geography, but diversity and other cultures when they are playing students from other countries. I don't think we would want to completely replace traditional teaching in the classroom but could add this as a learning tool that students get to look forward to using at school.
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Armegis
4/17/2013 01:36:37 am
I agree that this could be a great tool for kids and the fact that they will have the opportunity to possibly learn new and different ways to solve problems from a new friend on the other side of the globe could be a phenomenal advantage. I also like the fact that students learn more about geography and other diverse cultures. With a bit of modification to the way we teach, the opportunities are possibly endless.
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Cassandra Nappier
4/9/2013 02:38:14 pm
After reading the article, I have to say that I am honestly upset that this was not around when I was in elementary school. I was pleasantly surprised to read that the students were enthusiastic about learning. It seems as though this interactive website has been able to captivate those who love to learn and those who want to associate with people afar. Not only to they learn math but also geography! Two birds with one stone. I found this to be a very interesting read.
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Wendy Walker
4/10/2013 04:59:34 am
I remember working on old big monitor computers with graphics like Atari! This would have been so much cooler! Students seem to feel that they are just having fun when working on the computer or tablets that you can just sit back and smile knowing that they are actually learning.
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Melissa Lovette
4/11/2013 09:41:03 am
I agree!! There was nothing like this when I was in elementary. Of course, we didn't even have computers or Smartboards! Just a chalkboard and one of those film projectors. What a way to learn about other cultures as well as learn from others. I think I would have retained so much more information if I would have been exposed to this type of learning.
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Wendy Walker
4/10/2013 04:53:56 am
This article does not present any new information for me. My children have been using computer programs since pre-k and they play more games each year. I particularly like coolmath.com, pbskids.org and starfall.com. These have a wide range of games for all subjects and they really get kids engaged. My son has been playing games online since he was four. He loves pbskids.org!! And these sites are really educational. I wrote down every educational site I approved of and have a list too long to put in this post. If it helps students and provides them with active engagement, I am all for it.
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Heather Carlton
4/11/2013 03:12:21 am
When building my website for this class, I came across a ton of neat games and activities on starfall.com, and for every subject area as well. Very neat site.
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Melissa Lovette!
4/10/2013 11:36:40 am
Yes, this is not a new idea I have heard about and yes I do agree that it gets students excited about learning. I currently have 8 iPads in my classroom and have educational apps on them, some of which students are able to work interactively against each other in a "will" of challenges so to speak. This is fun for them and challenges them as well. I don't think it's anything new for kids since they have are used to having these types of games at home and are used to playing them. However, sometimes they want the same games at school like they have at home.....which of course doesn't happen.
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Colie Trawick
4/11/2013 02:26:59 am
Every good thing, isnt always good enough for this generation. Its sad but true. But I do believe this can be a good tool if the students and parents understand how much of a privledge it is to be able to have this technology in the classroom.
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Heather Carlton
4/11/2013 03:14:41 am
That's great that you get the opportunity to have that many iPads in your classroom! I know even having one is unheard of in many schools/districts.
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Troy Holbrook
4/11/2013 12:45:54 am
My wife and I bought our first computer in 1987 and in those days educational software was scarce. That did not prevent us however from finding some meaningful games for our children to play that would help them learn. One game in particular was called “Funnels and Buckets’ which was on one of those 5.25” floppy drives. It was a math game where the math problem would drop from the top of the screen and the player would have to answer it by typing in the number before the math problem reached the bottom. If answered correctly, the problem went into the points bucket. If answered incorrectly, the problem went into the funnel and back to the top of the screen. Of, course as the game progressed, it became increasingly faster. My kids loved it and I’m certain that it helped them with their math skills.
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Colie Trawick
4/11/2013 02:24:57 am
This was a very compelling article. Its a work and reward type of learning. The kids work harder to learn addition to prepare for a day to challenge others across the world that are learning the same things. I can see how this makes children more engaged in what they are learning in the classroom. Its very simiular to sports. Practice, practice, and more practice to compete in the games ! The feeling of victory is very rewarding and when it has to do with school and education, that is even better.
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Armegis
4/17/2013 01:46:30 am
I agree that the work/reward aspect of this is similar to sports. Students today must prepare to compete in this competitive world at an early point in their lives. The competition aspect that is learned along with the curriculum, will give them an early advantage when competing with many different cultures in high pressure situations,such as job interviews or bidding on jobs for work.
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Troy Holbrook
4/11/2013 03:42:21 am
One of the reason videos games are so popular, addictive in some cases, with young children, teenagers and adults alike is because the games designed based on a systems of rewards. It only stands to reason then that the same psychology would apply to a teaching situation. Students would find it interesting and exciting to learn via video games, especially if they can compete against others and share their learning experience.
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Laurel Thornton
4/11/2013 07:31:27 am
So true. If we want to engage students, we have to meet them at thier level. This is so true, yet so easily forgotten in a world of standards and objectives that have to be met. The counselor at my school actually suggested this to me for working with a particularly difficult student who was refusing to work. Video games are a huge interest of his. If I can find a way to work them into his projects, maybe he would be more excited about them. Unfortunately I know nothing about them. I guess I need to brush up a bit.
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Melissa Lovette
4/11/2013 09:46:37 am
Yes, this would be a great idea for that student who is refusing to work. If this is an interest to him then maybe it would be a way to get him interested in learning something. All those in education have been taught that all students learn on different levels and in different ways, therefore it wouldn't hurt to try. Most educational games, if they are truly educational will be standards and objectives. I suggest however, you play the games first!
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Dane Frazier
4/12/2013 01:54:49 am
That would be a great idea it is great to see that we do have teachers want to try everything they can to help there students.
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Zech Bowman
4/11/2013 02:12:24 pm
I guess I am kind of an old fashioned fuddy duddy when it comes to this topic. I like the idea of using interactive video games to increase student interest and engage them in a way to increase their ability to learn. However though, when are we going to ask for some accountability for them to just learn to become better. One thing that I am working towards is finding a way to get my students to think about math in a way that will interest them the most. For some it can be through sports as math is everywhere in sports. Doesn't matter what it is as long as they are interested.
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Crissina Kemp
4/17/2013 01:26:36 pm
I like your comment about accountability. It's great thing that these games are fun and engage students in learning math, but they also need to have an assessment component that measures what and how much they are learning to make sure the games are really effective in the classroom and not just for fun and games. I also like your approach to having students think about ways that would make math more interesting for them to learn so they can relate it to things they like and understand. The ultimate goal is to help them learn it the best and easiest way they can.
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Kayla Yount
4/11/2013 11:48:52 pm
Wow, this interactive gaming tool sounds like a lot of fun. I know I would have enjoyed it when I was in school! What kid wouldn't want to compete with someone half-way across the globe, and have the chance to say that they beat a Britain!? I think this idea in particular could have great benefits to students. It would make them learn quicker, and enjoy it while they are. I don't agree that all gaming ideas are good for students, but I really like the ideas posed in this article.
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Armegis
4/17/2013 01:27:44 am
I also agree that there are definite advantages to online gaming and education. The kids have the ability to learn useful technology tools while learning core curriculum material. This,in my opinion, gives kids a great advantage for learning by making it fun. On the other hand, we must determine when enough is enough. Educators must monitor each students progress and determine if this type of learning is applicable or beneficial to all students. Also, this may not be accessible at all homes further delaying the progress of disadvantaged students.
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Caleb Haynes
4/19/2013 01:01:56 am
I love this idea. Anytime students learn while having fun at the same time they usually learn and soak up a lot more info because they are more interested. I feel like online gaming brings so many advantages to the table and the students learn how to solve problems in different ways.
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Student BlogThis blog is for class conversations for ED 514 at Central Methodist University. These post are by the students of ED 514. We invite input form other teachers about how they use technology in their classrooms. Archives
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