There is more to Second Life than I realized. I can see how it can be useful in the classroom and in my personal life. The sections that interested me were role playing, simulations, tutorials, and collaborating around the world. As long as it is safe, I can see my kids really enjoying learning this way. I have done a live simulation and they learned so much. I can only imagine what they will learn in Second Life. It would be interesting if they could be part of the signing of the Declaration of Independence so they can understand how times are different and what our Founding Fathers were really thinking.
I could see using Second Life while teaching about Free Enterprise and opportunity costs. Since they can spend money to buy objects, they will have to make many financial decisions similar to what their parents make. By joining a college house, such as Harvard beneficial, it is good to have discussions and debates with others that have ideas that can be brought to a public forum.
Learning a foreign language would be a useful. This interactive learning is how kids are involved in their learning instead of passively memorizing ideas. They can learn and practice skills and ideas while ‘playing’.
Nursing example: In this YouTube, Duke University created a School of Nursing in Second Life. The students are all able to participate, ask questions, and go on field trips. Watch this to see how over 13 million are learning in Second Life and over 300 universities and museums have a presence.
Explore the Possibilities: This seems to have given great examples for the arts. It is amazing how things that can’t happen in real life, can happen in Second Life. Many things in science can be simulated in Second Life that can’t be done in real life.
Educational Uses: Second Life can be use to role play many aspects of history. Scavenger hunts are an interactive way to build vocabulary. There are so many things that the majority of people will not be able to visit but can in this virtual world. They learn by doing, seeing, and participating. Kids would enjoy working collaboratively with others to create a project. I know how important it is to be part of a simulation. I’ve done a non computer one on the Oregon Trail and the kids come back years later and talk about some of the situations they were involved in. There is so much to be done within the classroom. It all comes down to a sharing of information in one form or another.
In this presentation by Jackie Gerstein, many ideas were given on how to provide students with the tools to create projects. She described projects that she had designed for students ages 8-12. Her point was to use emerging technologies for engaging, thinking, learning, collaborating, creating, and innovating. This is constructivism at its best! The good think about what Jackie is doing is that she uses tools that are free, open-source tools for kids to use.
She made several comments about webquests and how she felt they were too teacher directed. I guess when I used them a couple years ago, there wasn’t as much out on the web that I knew of. Jackie’s main point was athat we should only provide the links for kids to use. They should have a choice of which ones interest them instead of requiring the use of certain sites. Another point she made clear was that teachers should provide a format and the tools, and the students become tool reviewers. The possibilities are endless
I wasn’t completely satisfied with the explanations, as I would like to have heard more about what they used and how the teacher created such a project. I learned about many sites from the links that were provided. One of my favorites is WeeWebWonder. This is an interactive site that showcases creative uses of some of the major web tools such as Wordle, Dipity, and ImageChef.
More information was on the wiki. I found that it gave much more of the rationale behind the project. She also has created a list of sites she and the kids use often to enrich instruction. This is a resource to keep handy.
Twitter: Even after looking through the help section, I’m not really sure what the hype is. I checked out what people were saying and it seems like a waste of time. I didn’t participate in any specific activities but made several comments about the 2009 All-Star Game and Homerun Derby.
Tapped In: After my frustration hit, I asked for more help. This site by Education World JoAnn sent me was a lot of help. I clicked on the printable version, went through it while on Tapped In and now it makes sense. I still can’t say that I would be part of this but I can see the benefits. The great thing about Tapped In is it is made for educators and their schedules. Everything is done after hours. The bad thing about that is when I get home, a new schedule begins and it is busy. Some of the topics I read in the assessment archive were interesting. Some not so much because they were more of a discussion that didn’t have a lot of information for me.
I did talk back and forth with the help desk. Everyday, he wrote me a note on what I could participate in or how I should change my profile. It was important that I got on the correct time zone!
The immediate help is amazing! I just spent time with JeffC. He explained to me how to use the site and where to start. If nothing else, that is worth it. I will try and participate in a session tonight.
No participation tonight…All Star Game was on. I did get to set up my classroom and students’ names. I am liking this learning community but I think it will take a lot of time setting it up and with 2 summer classes and school starting very soon, I’m wondering what is the most important part to set up?
I actually created a Photo Story like this. I think this would be an easy way for me to assess the kids understanding of the vents that led up to the Revolutionary War.
This PowerPoint spells out exactly how to change percents to decimals. I would place this on my classroom blog so they can use it as a study guide at home.
This is an excellent way for kids to connect their learning with a rap and visuals. I will be able to connect this to my classroom blog so when we are studying this topic, they can continue to practice at home.
The first applicaton I looked at Parish Data System Chalksite. I love this software package because it has everything bundled into one application. It can be used to post grades, assignments, assignment reminders, messages to all students, inform parents, class website, and to inform parents. This is a way to include all information in one place. It gets a little confusing to have several different things to look at. Look at the blog for this. Go to the Wiki for that. Email me from this. Look at bookmarks on that. Chalksite puts all communication with a specific group of people in one place.
The second application I looked at was Gradefix. It is hard to compare the two because they aren’t the same type of application. What this application does is helps students split their homework up so they can optimize their homework schedule. While I can see this working for many students, I know that it wouldn’t work for others. Many kids today are so busy with 3-4 different activities during the week plus going to sibling games and activities. I this this would work for those kids that don’t have a lot going on but need help in breaking down assignments/homework so they are left to complete the entire piece in one sitting the night before it is due. From my perspective as a mother, teacher, wife, and student, would be constantly be changing the schedule for each additional think that is added to my plate. Again, I do see a use for this maybe for college students who want to get the best out of their time and education.
I feel that Chalksite is an application that can be used in many different ways depending on what they want to include. There are so many possibilities in Chalksite whereas in Gradefix, there is one purpose for it.
Education is everychanging when it comes to curriculum, GLE’s, state standards, and expectations of teachers. When it comes to technology, it doesn’t seem like just another thing. In many ways it makes teaching easier, but that is only if the education is there for us. I chose to contniue my education so I would be ready to teach kids, others don’t make that choice. Districts need to step up to the plate and spend professional development days on teaching teachers how to incorporate many aspects of technology into their days. It isn’t ‘oh, another thing’, it’s ‘that’s a great idea to enhance my teaching and kids’ learning’. Technology is a variety of ways is crucial in education today because kids need to understand where the 21st century is going. Technology has already taken over many different aspects of our lives and it is going to be more prevelent in the years to come. Education is the key. It is the key for educators to learn as much as they can so we can teach our future and prepare them for the world in smart ways. Kids are versed in technology but the teaching them how to use it effectively is our job.
