Monday, February 20, 2006
Automaticity and the Nifty Thrifty Fifty
Today I created and posted resources to help students learn the Nifty Thrifty Fifty words. The Nifty Thrifty Fifty word list contains common roots, prefixes and suffixes. When students master the spelling patterns and meanings of these words, they can apply that knowledge to help them to spell and build meaning for other polysyllabic words. These resources can be found at:
http://gamequarium.com/niftythriftyfifty.html
In addition to the interactive games, I also created and posted two self-running PowerPoints to help students achieve automaticity of the Nifty Thrifty 50 Words. Automaticity is the ability to effortlessly complete a task with without thinking about it. When the brain recognizes a familiar task, such as reading a word, it automatically processes the information and applies what it has previously learned. This reduces the demand on memory and allows for higher order thinking. These presentations can be download using the links below:
Nifty Thrifty 50 PowerPoint (Beginner)
Nifty Thrifty 50 PowerPoint (Speed Challenge)
Diana
http://gamequarium.com/niftythriftyfifty.html
In addition to the interactive games, I also created and posted two self-running PowerPoints to help students achieve automaticity of the Nifty Thrifty 50 Words. Automaticity is the ability to effortlessly complete a task with without thinking about it. When the brain recognizes a familiar task, such as reading a word, it automatically processes the information and applies what it has previously learned. This reduces the demand on memory and allows for higher order thinking. These presentations can be download using the links below:
Nifty Thrifty 50 PowerPoint (Beginner)
Nifty Thrifty 50 PowerPoint (Speed Challenge)
Diana
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Why Teach with Games and the Internet?
Many educators view the Internet and multimedia technology as factors contributing to a reduction in the amount of time children are engaged in traditional learning. I say, "Get over it!" Teaching in the Information Age requires that educators modify their view and transform their instructional practices to utilize technology’s power to improve the learning process for students. Today’s students need to be guided in developing the ability to make use of the Internet and multimedia technology to increase critical literacy skills and essential knowledge.
Marc Prensky refers to today's students as "Digital Natives." Today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently because different kinds of experiences lead to different brain structures. In fact, evidence indicates that our students’ brains have physically changed. Record numbers of children are being diagnosed with attention deficient disorder, but is that a valid diagnosis? Prensky has identified several characteristics of digital natives that all educators must understand in order to be successful with today's students.
Digital Natives:
-are used to receiving information really fast
-like to parallel process and multi-task
-prefer their graphics before their text rather than the opposite
-prefer random access (like hypertext)
-thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards
-prefer games to “serious” work
Prensky poses the following questions:
-Is it that Digital Natives can’t pay attention, or that they choose not to?
-Should the Digital Native students learn the old ways, or should their Digital Immigrant educators learn the new?
Digital Natives are engaged by the Internet and multimedia technology. It is in the best interest of today's students that Digital Immigrant (and Digital Alien!) educators learn to teach with these tools. Gamequarium is a valuable tool for teachers who already get it and for those who are still trying to get over it.
Need help getting over it or helping other educators get over it? Consider this information:
-Even today, “practice makes perfect.” Most student don’t like to practice. The Internet and games can capture student attention, engage them in learning, and make practice happen.
-The Internet and multimedia technology deliver challenging visual and spatial tasks which serve to organize information and develop logical thinking can graphically illustrate many concepts thereby making abstract ideas concrete.
-Online educational games challenge fine motor coordination while developing logical thinking skills and mastery.
-Interactive games allow learners to construct new understandings on many different levels through seeing and hearing.
-The Internet and online technology offers tools for thinking more deeply, pursuing curiosity, and exploring and expanding intelligence as learners build "mental models" with which they can visualize connections between ideas on any topic.
-Teaching with Internet technology and online games allows educators to better meet the needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time increasing motivation of all students.
What about teaching students to read and write? Reading and writing are more important today than ever before. With email, instant messaging, text messaging, the ease of web publishing and the like, digital communication is now standard practice. The Internet can provide authentic experiences for students to engage in digital reading and writing. How can the Internet and online games be used to teach students to read and write? Check out Readquarium, the section of Gamequarium devoted to developing literacy skills. Readquarium is arranged based on the five crucial components identified by the National Reading Panel.
As an educator of 25 years (23 years as a classroom teacher!), mother of four, and grandmother of one, I understand the many demands that are placed on teachers, parents, and schools. Teachers, parents, and schools need as much help as possible in preparing our children to be the future leaders of the world. My mission is to organize the Internet for teachers, parents, and students and to contribute to the change that must take place in the way that our students are educated. Gamequarium provides an easy to navigate portal to the world of online learning. There is no charge for using Gamequarium, and there never will be. Gamequarium is my gift to children of the world. Enjoy!
Marc Prensky refers to today's students as "Digital Natives." Today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently because different kinds of experiences lead to different brain structures. In fact, evidence indicates that our students’ brains have physically changed. Record numbers of children are being diagnosed with attention deficient disorder, but is that a valid diagnosis? Prensky has identified several characteristics of digital natives that all educators must understand in order to be successful with today's students.
Digital Natives:
-are used to receiving information really fast
-like to parallel process and multi-task
-prefer their graphics before their text rather than the opposite
-prefer random access (like hypertext)
-thrive on instant gratification and frequent rewards
-prefer games to “serious” work
Prensky poses the following questions:
-Is it that Digital Natives can’t pay attention, or that they choose not to?
-Should the Digital Native students learn the old ways, or should their Digital Immigrant educators learn the new?
Digital Natives are engaged by the Internet and multimedia technology. It is in the best interest of today's students that Digital Immigrant (and Digital Alien!) educators learn to teach with these tools. Gamequarium is a valuable tool for teachers who already get it and for those who are still trying to get over it.
Need help getting over it or helping other educators get over it? Consider this information:
-Even today, “practice makes perfect.” Most student don’t like to practice. The Internet and games can capture student attention, engage them in learning, and make practice happen.
-The Internet and multimedia technology deliver challenging visual and spatial tasks which serve to organize information and develop logical thinking can graphically illustrate many concepts thereby making abstract ideas concrete.
-Online educational games challenge fine motor coordination while developing logical thinking skills and mastery.
-Interactive games allow learners to construct new understandings on many different levels through seeing and hearing.
-The Internet and online technology offers tools for thinking more deeply, pursuing curiosity, and exploring and expanding intelligence as learners build "mental models" with which they can visualize connections between ideas on any topic.
-Teaching with Internet technology and online games allows educators to better meet the needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time increasing motivation of all students.
What about teaching students to read and write? Reading and writing are more important today than ever before. With email, instant messaging, text messaging, the ease of web publishing and the like, digital communication is now standard practice. The Internet can provide authentic experiences for students to engage in digital reading and writing. How can the Internet and online games be used to teach students to read and write? Check out Readquarium, the section of Gamequarium devoted to developing literacy skills. Readquarium is arranged based on the five crucial components identified by the National Reading Panel.
As an educator of 25 years (23 years as a classroom teacher!), mother of four, and grandmother of one, I understand the many demands that are placed on teachers, parents, and schools. Teachers, parents, and schools need as much help as possible in preparing our children to be the future leaders of the world. My mission is to organize the Internet for teachers, parents, and students and to contribute to the change that must take place in the way that our students are educated. Gamequarium provides an easy to navigate portal to the world of online learning. There is no charge for using Gamequarium, and there never will be. Gamequarium is my gift to children of the world. Enjoy!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
METC Presentation Handouts
Looking for the handouts from the presentations that I gave at the 2006 Midwest Educational Technology Conference (METC)?
Reading and Technology
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/readingtech.pdf
Website: http://mrsdell.org/reading/
Description:Today’s educators must utilize technology’s power to improve student reading ability as mandated by NCLB. Technology allows educators to meet diverse student needs and increase motivation of all students. Attend this workshop to discover Internet resources that address the National Reading Panel recommendations in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Moodling with Mark Twain
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Noreen Krebs, Library Media Specialist
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/moodlemtwain.pdf
Description: See how the Valley Park School District promotes reading of the Mark Twain Nominee books by engaging students in online discussions of books using free learning management systems such as Moodle and Nicenet. You will view actual book discussions and be provided step by step instructions for beginning this project with your students.
Lights, Camera, Curriculum
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Trish Alexander, eMINTS Teacher
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/lcc.pdf
Website: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Eschool/ES/DDell/video/index.html
Description: Learn to enhance curriculum by using cable programming, United Streaming, hypermedia, digital video and photography. Participants will have a hands-on experience with Windows Movie Maker 2. Participants will view student samples of projects and see the impact of visual literacy in the curriculum. Visit Valley Park School District and see how teachers utilize digital storytelling in their classroom.
Handhelds for Beginners
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Greg Jones, Communication Arts Teacher
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/handhelds.pdf
Description: Considering taking the leap into handheld computing? This session provides the absolute beginner with a hands-on introduction to handhelds and the Palm OS. An overview of handheld use in education will be provided. Learn about many sources of free software that can be downloaded from the Internet.
Reading and Technology
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/readingtech.pdf
Website: http://mrsdell.org/reading/
Description:Today’s educators must utilize technology’s power to improve student reading ability as mandated by NCLB. Technology allows educators to meet diverse student needs and increase motivation of all students. Attend this workshop to discover Internet resources that address the National Reading Panel recommendations in the areas of phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
Moodling with Mark Twain
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Noreen Krebs, Library Media Specialist
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/moodlemtwain.pdf
Description: See how the Valley Park School District promotes reading of the Mark Twain Nominee books by engaging students in online discussions of books using free learning management systems such as Moodle and Nicenet. You will view actual book discussions and be provided step by step instructions for beginning this project with your students.
Lights, Camera, Curriculum
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Trish Alexander, eMINTS Teacher
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/lcc.pdf
Website: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/Eschool/ES/DDell/video/index.html
Description: Learn to enhance curriculum by using cable programming, United Streaming, hypermedia, digital video and photography. Participants will have a hands-on experience with Windows Movie Maker 2. Participants will view student samples of projects and see the impact of visual literacy in the curriculum. Visit Valley Park School District and see how teachers utilize digital storytelling in their classroom.
Handhelds for Beginners
Diana Dell, Instructional Technology Specialist
Greg Jones, Communication Arts Teacher
Handouts: http://www.vp.k12.mo.us/technology/METC2006/handhelds.pdf
Description: Considering taking the leap into handheld computing? This session provides the absolute beginner with a hands-on introduction to handhelds and the Palm OS. An overview of handheld use in education will be provided. Learn about many sources of free software that can be downloaded from the Internet.
