Teaching high school world history for many years has allowed me to develop many different lessons that use technology in different ways. Internet field trips, exploration, streaming video and collaborative activities have become more common over the years. However, my most successful use of technology aided lessons come during my WWII unit where I have used Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) computer games to help engage students about the causes of WWII. The game Making History: The Calm and the Storm is a game made and produced by Muzzy Lane, an upstart software company that has done some great things in education. This lesson/unit falls on the TIM within Adaptive and Authentic categories. The computer game is a turn based strategy game that allows for internal collaboration, decision making, and outside negotiations in order to succeed in the game. Over the past several years I have had great success incorporating this tool into my lessons.
I have many other lessons that fall in different areas of the matrix. But one of the largest hurdles to overcome for me right now is access. Having access to a stationary or mobile lab can be arduous. Labs are normally difficult to schedule especially when teaching the same course all day so reserving a lab means taking it for the entire day! The lack of access to devices in my building really keeps me from incorporating more technology enhanced lesson plans.
In the past I have also used the computer game The Sims to be a weekly enhancement of Sociology lesson plans. This probably also fits in the Adaptive and Authentic are of the matrix. Much the same situation as the use of Making History. However, the drawback here is money. Having the money to purchase enough copies of the game was a huge hindrance to expanding the use of The Sims.
I don't really see my situation improving by the end of the year. My corporation is looking at moving to one to one in the near future. The interesting aspects about computer games in this situation is that previously I have been able to purchase a few copies of a game and I would incorporate them into my classroom. However, once we go one to one I could need 100 plus copies of the game to play it with all my kids. Losing a mobile or stationary lab will increase the amount of software I would need.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Removing Barriers
Never having been a student or instructor in an online environment, I can only really make some guesses as to the barriers that can be broken and possible new ones that may be created:
Breaking Barriers:
1. I believe the the environment created by online courses/blended courses will help with the acceptance of diversity. Online Diversity seems to lend itself to hidden social barriers that sometimes impact a students role in a tradition B & M classroom. Students who may be soft-spoken, who may be ESL students, or students who may not be as aggressive in the classroom. Online discussion and online interaction with the instructor certainly remove some of the social barriers that are prevalent in a B&M classroom. This digital environment gives all the same voice, with opportunity to participate in discussion, to ask questions without the fear of student acceptance, and/or approval from the teacher.
2. Some social factors that keep students from success in B&M classrooms that I see are attendance issues, teen pregnancy, suspension and expulsion from school. Regardless of a students situation, their education is still a gateway to opportunity and students deserve to have more than the traditional method to make that opportunity a reality. It is arguable that this will better society as a whole. I believe that an Online/Blended situation will break down this traditional barrier as well.
New Barriers:
1. Technology Access: Even in our digital age and easy access to the WWW I still have students that do not have internet access at home. I do wonder if this will become a new "IEP" and modifications will need to be made for the student....almost creating a Brick and Mortar situation for kids that do not have internet access.
2. Technology Bugs: Much like being early users of CAKE bugs always show up when relying upon technology for instruction. Projector lamps burn out, servers crash, and computers lock up. There are always hurdles to overcome in education but in a Brick and Mortar situation teachers can easily adapt to a schedule change, a convo, or something that modifies their day. Tech problems, however, sometimes require the assistance of a well trained individual to fix the problem. This can be very frustrating while starring at 30 bright young faces waiting to be instructed.
Breaking Barriers:
1. I believe the the environment created by online courses/blended courses will help with the acceptance of diversity. Online Diversity seems to lend itself to hidden social barriers that sometimes impact a students role in a tradition B & M classroom. Students who may be soft-spoken, who may be ESL students, or students who may not be as aggressive in the classroom. Online discussion and online interaction with the instructor certainly remove some of the social barriers that are prevalent in a B&M classroom. This digital environment gives all the same voice, with opportunity to participate in discussion, to ask questions without the fear of student acceptance, and/or approval from the teacher.
2. Some social factors that keep students from success in B&M classrooms that I see are attendance issues, teen pregnancy, suspension and expulsion from school. Regardless of a students situation, their education is still a gateway to opportunity and students deserve to have more than the traditional method to make that opportunity a reality. It is arguable that this will better society as a whole. I believe that an Online/Blended situation will break down this traditional barrier as well.
New Barriers:
1. Technology Access: Even in our digital age and easy access to the WWW I still have students that do not have internet access at home. I do wonder if this will become a new "IEP" and modifications will need to be made for the student....almost creating a Brick and Mortar situation for kids that do not have internet access.
2. Technology Bugs: Much like being early users of CAKE bugs always show up when relying upon technology for instruction. Projector lamps burn out, servers crash, and computers lock up. There are always hurdles to overcome in education but in a Brick and Mortar situation teachers can easily adapt to a schedule change, a convo, or something that modifies their day. Tech problems, however, sometimes require the assistance of a well trained individual to fix the problem. This can be very frustrating while starring at 30 bright young faces waiting to be instructed.
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