Thursday, February 28, 2013

Journal Entry 7: Problem Solving and Inquiry Learning with Software and Web Tools


How can teachers use computer Games and simulations as learning resources?


To captivate a student’s attention is one of the biggest challenges a teacher has, in a classroom you want students who are eager to learn. There are many students who are willing to learn but there are those few who will make it hard on you to grasp their attention.  In my perspective I thought that using computer games and simulations as learning resources is the perfect way to teach in a classroom. I’m not saying it should over power the overall lesson but you can use computer games for some parts of the class, for instance when you’re doing math students can use websites like abcya it helps students understand the math problems more, they are more involved and it’s a fun way to learn different subjects. I really enjoyed this website called the mighty book, I used it for a low level reading student, my thoughts on this website are how much attention it grabs from students, it not only helps the students read better but it provides them with a fun way of doing it. The students also get to follow along as the narrator sings or reads the book to them. When I was in middle school I remember my class used to do the read 180 program and it was really cool because we used to be able to use tapes and follow along on the computers we would fill in the words to a story and to see if our annunciation was correct we would be read a sentence and we would have to read it back to the computer into a microphone. So there are many different ways to use technology to help students learn more that lets them be more productive.
 

Tech Tool:

For my tech tool I chose Zoombinis Logical Journey, this a game that helps teach critical thinking, problem solving, and mathematical learning to elementary school students. This game has multiple levels of mathematical thinking, where the kids are asked to used their critical thinking skills to solve puzzles and make their way on their journey. The video below gives you more of an insight of what the game is like and how kids should play it.

 

Summary:

This chapter consisted of how we can introduce games into the classroom to help students learn and better themselves in certain subjects. The chapter also discusses the many different types of software's that we can use to teach in the classrooms, as well as prepare students for whats next to come in their journey in life. 

1 comment:

  1. Games can be entertaining, but also a stepping stone for learning! Zoombinis was quite popular a decade ago, but think it has been outdone by others that are more 'sophisticated' - nevertheless, whatever works to entice the learning process! :)

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