EDTECH 541: Relative Advantage of Using Digital Games for Content Area Learning

I currently teach 7th grade World History and have learned that the more active my students are in their learning the more information they retain.  The use of digital games in history can help students make connections to the content in a way simply reading the textbook cannot.  By using computers or video games, teachers can promote learning in a constructivist approach.  The relative advantage of using digital games is the fact they the games engage and motivate the learners (Coffey).  According to Heather Coffey, games can reach across various demographic backgrounds and if used effectively can increase the students vocabulary and mental quickness.

Some aspects of the games that teachers need to take into consideration are:

• Student's age
• Previous gaming/technology experience
• Can all students participate (do you have students with as disabilities?)
• Number of players
• Learning objectives
• Technology requirements

Some benefits of gaming in the classroom is the hope that the student has a better understanding of a new concept or idea.  It also allows for repeated practice to help students learn vocabulary or other terms.  According to Rebekah Stathakis, playing games help student form positive memories of learning and keeps their attention (2013).  As a history teacher my goal is to find interactive games that can work well in my content.  I remember when I was a kid playing Oregon Trail and how excited I was to learn more about that time period.  This past year I used a online version of Diplomacy in my 7th grade history class to teach my students about nationalism, imperialism and what the world was like before World War I.  My students enjoyed the strategy and learned geography and problem-solving skills.  The hope is that students will develop critical thinking skills and they are able to come up with well-thought out decisions.  A website I found helpful to start researching possible games for history is http://playinghistory.org/

Resources

6 Basic Benefits Of Game-Based Learning. (2013, March 15). Retrieved October 19, 2016, from http://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/technology/6-basic-benefits-of-game-based-learning/

Coffey, H. (n.d.). Digital game-based learning. Retrieved October 20, 2016, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4970 

Stathakis, R. (2013). Why Use Games in Your Classroom? Retrieved October 19, 2016, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/reasons-to-play-games-in-the-classroom.shtml 

EDTECH 541: Social Networking and Walled Gardens

Below is my VoiceThread discussion Social Networking.

EDTECH 541: Acceptable Use Policy

What is an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP)?
An Acceptable Use Policy is developed by a school or a school district, outlining the expectations teachers and students will agree to when using the technology.  This policy should be available to the public in written form and lays out the acceptable behaviors when using the technology, Internet, and networks in that particular school or district (1-to-1 Essentials).  

What should be included in an AUP?

• Use of technology - computers, iPads, networks, printers, e-mail
• Internet Safety
• Copyright
• Digital Citizenship
• Use of Social Media
• Disciplinary Action

I am currently on the technology committee for my school, which allows me some prior knowledge of Acceptable Use Policies.  I teach at a private K-8 school with a detailed technology vision and use policy, which each student and parent is required to sign at the beginning of each school year.  In the technology plan of Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) the school acknowledges the importance of technology in the world and the constant change.  The vision lists that the school is to incorporate technology for the purpose of fostering lifelong learning and enrich technology skills.  The skills listed are the following: communicate, solve problems, manage, integrate, create and access information.  Objectives and goals are also listed in detail, including the implementation of technology in the curriculum.  OLS define the policy and school systems in which students are to sign and abide.
Defines

• PEDS - portable electronic devices
• School Confidential Information
• School Electronic Information
• School Equipment
• School Networks
• School Systems
• Users
• User Equipment

In the AUP there is a section on School Responsibility that acknowledges the system administrator and the responsibility of the school to ensure filters - to a certain extent.  In the Privileges and Responsibilities of Users section it covers in detail what users can do and the rules they must follow when using technology at the school.  There is a list of prohibited behaviors and student and parent must sign the declaration of use.  The consequences for improper use are laid out in the Student Handbook.


Links to AUP Examples
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School
After comparing Our Lady of Sorrows to two other K-8 Catholic schools, I noticed that OLS outlined in more detail the policy and plan.  The other two plans available online were limited in access to the public user and St. Michael's talked primarily about Digital Citizenship.  Our Lady of Victory talks about the AUP in the Handbook, but did not have a easy way to access their policy online.  I was impressed in my comparison to Farmington Public School's AUP, which is the city my school is in.  There was a clear and detailed policy explaining the technology and included network etiquette.  Again, like OLS the disciplinary action was referenced to the district's "Student Code of Conduct".  The differences between the private K-8 and the districts plan is that fact that OLS does not allow any personal devices at school or to be used on campus before or after school.  Most of the elementary schools follow the no personal technology at school, but the public middle and high schools all students to bring devices and some allow use in the classroom.  Due to the differing policies, more detail could be needed to ensure proper use is understood.

St. Michael Catholic School
Another area Catholic School I found that there was no public access, at least easy to search, AUP for users to view online.  I added this to my list to have reference to a common school to the school I teach at - Our Lady of Sorrows.  Although Digital Citizenship was explained, there was no set list of expectations when it came to the use of the school's technology.

Our Lady of Victory Catholic School
Our Lady Lady of Victory (OLV) is another example of a K-8 school that is similar to OLS.  Again, there is reference to the plan in the handbook, but there is not a easy link to retrieve the document for public viewing.  Again, I added this to my list to show that some schools do not provide a detailed plan, or if they do it is not easily accessed online.

Farmington Public Schools
Farmington Public Schools (FPS) has a district wide AUP that is very detailed in the definition of what the technologies are and the proper use expected of all its users.  The information on this documents makes it very clear to the user what is allowed and the prohibited behaviors.

Southfield Christian School
Southfield Christian School (SCS) gives the user a definition of technology along with general information section.  SCS is a 1:1 iPad school where technology is used daily.  It is clearly explained that unless it is designed and approved by the instructor, students are not to use social media and chat sites during school hours.  Other areas covered are Internet use and web postings.  The school's media center has its own AUP listed in the handbook.

Livonia Public Schools (Middle School)
This two page document outlines the LivNet user agreement that includes the use of technology, media and network in the middle school.  Compared to the other AUP the information is limited to communication and copyright.

Resources1-to-1 Essentials - Acceptable Use Policies | Common Sense Media. (n.d.). Retrieved 
     October 04, 2016, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/1to1/aups Education World: Getting Started on the Internet: Acceptable Use Policies. Retrieved       
     October 04, 2016, from http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr093.shtml Roblyer, M.D. (2016).  Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching (7th Ed.).  Allyn & 
     Bacon.

EDTECH 541: Video Blog - Multimedia in the Classroom

Below is my video blog on the use of multimedia in the classroom.  If you have trouble viewing the video, click on the enlarge screen in the lower corner to view.