Double Entry Journal #1

I would have to say the article “Why are videogames good for learning?” by James Paul Gee made me really think about video games.  The author made a lot of good points that I had not thought of.  For instance the pattern recognition in games such as the one we are playing for class Gardens of Time.  He also mentioned that many games are goal oriented which is something else I had not considered.  In a roundabout way he also mentioned the coordination involved in playing certain games.  These points are defiantly pros for gaming and learning.

I like the author’s analogies because they really hit home to me.  For example the following quote, “So, though video games and scientific simulations are not the same thing, video game can, under the right circumstances, encourage and actually enact a similar “attitude” or “stance” (Gee n.d., p. 6).  I chose this quote because this section intrigued me.  As a scientist I have used a virtual simulator to mimic results I might obtain in the lab.  I had never thought about the relationship between a virtual lab and games.  After reading this article I have a new understanding for gaming.  I can see the usefulness and would love to play a game where I could do science experiments without some of the mess.  I also feel this type of game or simulator would be great for a classroom.  It would allow the students to perform more difficult experiments without the danger they present.  There would also be reduced cost in materials.

The related blog post I chose is from a news blog called Scientific America and is titled Using Virtual Worlds and Video Games to Teach the Lessons of Reality.   This article relates to the assigned article because it discusses a school that uses a “multi-user virtual environment” in its classrooms.  One simulation portrays diseases and simulates how they can be spread.  While another portrays and alien visitation and the students have to work as a team to investigate.  These methods are praised because many low-performing students do well on these assignments because they are able to immerse themselves in the digital world.   

Gee, J.P. (n.d.) Why are video games good for learning? Retrieved from:             http://www.academiccolab.org/resources/documents/MacArthur.pdf

Greenemeier, L. (2009, Jan. 1). Using virtual worlds and video games to teach the lessons of        reality. Retrieved from: http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=using-  virtual-worlds-and-video-game-2009-01-01 

 

 

Week 2 Post 1 – Gardens of Time

This is not the first time I have played this game.  I used to play it on Facebook everyone once in a while.  The game is the same both on Google and Facebook.  The scenes are the same along with the items you find and the quests you complete. 

I find this game fun because I enjoy finding the hidden images.  I appreciate puzzle and strategy games.  They are much easier to play on a computer because I don’t have to worry about losing pieces or cleaning-up.  I also like this game because there is not any violence.

 

I don’t feel this game has a lot of educational value I feel a student would enjoy playing it.  While playing they would be working on skills such as: hand-eye coordination and memory. 

Intro Post for EDUC 6814

Greetings All!  My name is Jana and I’m working on my Masters of the Arts of Teaching (MAT).  I will be certified to teach high school chemistry.  In the past I taught a general chemistry laboratory at FSU and had a blast.  I am excited to be completing my student teaching this semester at East Fairmont High.  I cannot wait to put some of my ideas into action with my students.

I chose this class because the course description interested me and I want to learn more ways to incorporate technology in the classroom.  I wanted to choose a class that would keep my interest because I know I will be busy with student teaching.  After reading the syllabus I feel I have chosen the right class and will not have to “work” instead I will enjoy what I’m learning. 

I am not currently a huge gamer but I have been in the past.  I don’t seem to have the free time I used to which is something I hear a lot of other people say.  I have always been a fan of solitary on the computer, phone, IPod, IPad, etc.  I enjoy the game with cards but electronics make it easier.  In my “younger years” I played a computer game called Zoo Tycoon.  My best friend, at the time, would spend hours playing that game.  We lived in a small town and did not really have any other way of occupying our time when we couldn’t go outside. 

My feelings about kids and video games change depending on the circumstances.  There are some games that are educational and the child is actually learning while they are playing.  I feel these types of video games are helpful for students.  Technology is becoming more important in today’s society so children should be exposed to it with limits.  On the other hand some children do nothing but play video games.  Generally these games are not educational but violent.  I am not completely against this type of games but I feel its use should be limited.  I guess my overall position would be video games are acceptable but should be limited regardless of the type of game.  As with anything I feel a case by case decision would be appropriate for a given specific situation. 

When searching the topic of the effect of video games on children’s learning I came across a blog called Science Blogs™.  The post was about a study conducted in Chile in 2002.  The study contained three groups of first and second grade students.  The first group was taught a lesson using a video game, the second group knew about the video game but was taught using a lecture, while the third group was in a different school, knew nothing about the video game, and was taught the same lesson.  I decided to link to this post because I found it interesting and relative.  I have read other posts in this blog before and was surprised to find one related to the topic I was studying. 

In 1984 ...

…Ronald Reagan (Republican) defeated Walter Mondale (Democrat) in the United States Presidential Election.

… The AIDS virus was discovered.

… The first megabit chip was made at Bell Labs.

…On Dec. 29 I was born!