Comments for Wild, Wonderful Web 2.0 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org Just another Edublogs.org weblog Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:27:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on 2020: A Technology Odyssey by Chris Halter http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/05/03/2020-a-technology-odyssey/#comment-44 Chris Halter Mon, 05 May 2008 03:15:28 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/05/03/2020-a-technology-odyssey/#comment-44 I love the vision of the "flat world" going away and it now being "deep and connected". This carries such powerful imagery as I read those words. I would like to think that this deep and connected world would break down many of the divisive barriers we still live with. I wonder if this is in opposition to the snack culture or if we will see two models of society develop side by side. I love the vision of the “flat world” going away and it now being “deep and connected”. This carries such powerful imagery as I read those words. I would like to think that this deep and connected world would break down many of the divisive barriers we still live with. I wonder if this is in opposition to the snack culture or if we will see two models of society develop side by side.

]]> Comment on 9-A-1 Google Earth for Educators by jkivisto http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-43 jkivisto Sun, 04 May 2008 15:55:14 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-43 I absolutely fell in love with this web application. My husband is a 7th grade social studies teacher and I immediately thought of him utilizing this tool in the classroom with his students. He is not however what I would call technology savy, but he's getting there. What I also found very helpful, were the lesson plans that they included. One other thought that came to mind for utilzing this application would be when you are planning your next vacation. So cool! I absolutely fell in love with this web application. My husband is a 7th grade social studies teacher and I immediately thought of him utilizing this tool in the classroom with his students. He is not however what I would call technology savy, but he’s getting there. What I also found very helpful, were the lesson plans that they included. One other thought that came to mind for utilzing this application would be when you are planning your next vacation. So cool!

]]> Comment on 2020: A Technology Odyssey by mlower http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/05/03/2020-a-technology-odyssey/#comment-42 mlower Sun, 04 May 2008 15:44:52 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/05/03/2020-a-technology-odyssey/#comment-42 The environment that you described will require more responsibility from our students as you stated. I wonder if all students will be able to handle this unless something changes in our culture and homes. It seems as if our students are less responsible today in their lives in and out of school. We will definitely need to istrengthen this quality in our students as we move to a more student defined and motivated learning process. The environment that you described will require more responsibility from our students as you stated. I wonder if all students will be able to handle this unless something changes in our culture and homes. It seems as if our students are less responsible today in their lives in and out of school. We will definitely need to istrengthen this quality in our students as we move to a more student defined and motivated learning process.

]]> Comment on 9-A-1 Google Earth for Educators by onelibrarylady http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-40 onelibrarylady Sat, 03 May 2008 14:51:16 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-40 I have just started to explore Google Earth but it is pretty cool! Nice lesson tie in for history (and obviously geography). We have been using it to look at the landforms and waterways for battles in the 1800s. Chris, did you know that Flat Stanley was started by a teacher in London, On? I have just started to explore Google Earth but it is pretty cool! Nice lesson tie in for history (and obviously geography). We have been using it to look at the landforms and waterways for battles in the 1800s.

Chris, did you know that Flat Stanley was started by a teacher in London, On?

]]> Comment on 9-A-1 Google Earth for Educators by Chris Halter http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-39 Chris Halter Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:38:54 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-39 Google Earth is growing and maturing at a very fast pace. I have used it to do "Flat Standley" projects with younger students and to show my son where all his relatives live in comparison to us. One of the most powerful features of this mature Google Earth is the interweaving of social issues with the maps and landforms. The most famous that I know of so far is th Darfur information. Very powerful. Google Earth is growing and maturing at a very fast pace. I have used it to do “Flat Standley” projects with younger students and to show my son where all his relatives live in comparison to us.

One of the most powerful features of this mature Google Earth is the interweaving of social issues with the maps and landforms. The most famous that I know of so far is th Darfur information. Very powerful.

]]> Comment on 9-A-1 Google Earth for Educators by mlower http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-38 mlower Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:24:36 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/29/9-a-1-google-earth-for-educators/#comment-38 Google Earth is so cool! My husband and I love to jeep the old mining trails on top of the Rocky Mountains. We can follow our trails with Google Earth. In the fall you can even see when the trails start to get covered with snow. For students, it allows them to manipulate the places and routes rather than just looking at a globe or atlas. There are lots of great options with it! Google Earth is so cool! My husband and I love to jeep the old mining trails on top of the Rocky Mountains. We can follow our trails with Google Earth. In the fall you can even see when the trails start to get covered with snow. For students, it allows them to manipulate the places and routes rather than just looking at a globe or atlas. There are lots of great options with it!

]]> Comment on Who’s Got Game? by Lisa http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-37 Lisa Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:12:29 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-37 I agree that games have an educational value. Students love playing them. Why, then do we not use them? I don't use them because it is quicker to cover the material without them. The increase in content and decrease in class time has meant that some of the fun activities haved needed to go. Also, it takes time to develop these games. I love the Jeopardy templates but I don't love the time that it takes me to create them! Thanks for your post and all of the references! I agree that games have an educational value. Students love playing them. Why, then do we not use them? I don’t use them because it is quicker to cover the material without them. The increase in content and decrease in class time has meant that some of the fun activities haved needed to go. Also, it takes time to develop these games. I love the Jeopardy templates but I don’t love the time that it takes me to create them!

Thanks for your post and all of the references!

]]> Comment on Who’s Got Game? by jbrinling http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-36 jbrinling Mon, 28 Apr 2008 23:51:18 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-36 My instincts on gaming tell me there is a lot to be gained by using it in the classroom. One of the advantages of having young kids is having a second childhood. The games we play in the household are a mix of game console (PS2, Wii), and traditional card or board games. My kids love both. The problem solving, the strategy, the social interaction, the fun; games in general get a big thumbs up. In the sixth grade classroom, I have used several 'games' for educational benefit. The Tom Snyder Decisions, Decisions products are excellent for the one-computer classroom. Set up as simulations played like a game, these cooperative learning experiences are high in interest, critical thinking, and content. I have used others; zapitalism, profitania, gazzillionaire to teach economic principles. My experience in using 'games' in the classroom is positive. I am aware of some potential pitfalls; students taking it too seriously, unethical gameplay, too much time…all seem to be recurrent. I am not familiar with MMORPGs, and am interested in learning more. My instincts on gaming tell me there is a lot to be gained by using it in the classroom. One of the advantages of having young kids is having a second childhood. The games we play in the household are a mix of game console (PS2, Wii), and traditional card or board games. My kids love both. The problem solving, the strategy, the social interaction, the fun; games in general get a big thumbs up.

In the sixth grade classroom, I have used several ‘games’ for educational benefit. The Tom Snyder Decisions, Decisions products are excellent for the one-computer classroom. Set up as simulations played like a game, these cooperative learning experiences are high in interest, critical thinking, and content. I have used others; zapitalism, profitania, gazzillionaire to teach economic principles.

My experience in using ‘games’ in the classroom is positive. I am aware of some potential pitfalls; students taking it too seriously, unethical gameplay, too much time…all seem to be recurrent.

I am not familiar with MMORPGs, and am interested in learning more.

]]> Comment on Who’s Got Game? by mlower http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-35 mlower Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:26:29 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-35 I think one of the reasons that gaming has not taken off very quickly in the schools is that we when hearing gaming we always think of the students who are playing Pacman when they are supposed to be doing research or typing a paper. Keeping students on task instead of "sneaking off" to play games is often a problem in the computer lab. But yet I used the old Oregon Trail and Sim City when I once taught history classes and it was effective. I have heard of good uses of Second Life in the classroom and also stories of students who have become very addicted to it or have abused it. I have to say that it was fascinating to look at Revolution which you referenced above and think how the students would be engaged using it. What a fun way to learn about that time period in history! It's an area of technology that I need to learn more about and how to effectively integrate it into lessons. I think one of the reasons that gaming has not taken off very quickly in the schools is that we when hearing gaming we always think of the students who are playing Pacman when they are supposed to be doing research or typing a paper. Keeping students on task instead of “sneaking off” to play games is often a problem in the computer lab. But yet I used the old Oregon Trail and Sim City when I once taught history classes and it was effective. I have heard of good uses of Second Life in the classroom and also stories of students who have become very addicted to it or have abused it. I have to say that it was fascinating to look at Revolution which you referenced above and think how the students would be engaged using it. What a fun way to learn about that time period in history! It’s an area of technology that I need to learn more about and how to effectively integrate it into lessons.

]]> Comment on Who’s Got Game? by Sarah Lovelidge http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-34 Sarah Lovelidge Sat, 26 Apr 2008 21:03:05 +0000 http://sherryvalenti.edublogs.org/2008/04/22/whos-got-game/#comment-34 Great post, Sherry - I am wondering about games such as second life and Sim city for my students. I am hoping to take the new PLS course about incorporating computer games as a way to meet stated outcomes. I think that will show me ways to use the games that are within the bounds of schoolwork. Kids are so tech savvy now a days that they could be doing anything on a game and we wouldn't know it. Sarah Great post, Sherry - I am wondering about games such as second life and Sim city for my students. I am hoping to take the new PLS course about incorporating computer games as a way to meet stated outcomes. I think that will show me ways to use the games that are within the bounds of schoolwork. Kids are so tech savvy now a days that they could be doing anything on a game and we wouldn’t know it.

Sarah

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