Game Based Learning

RSA #4 Game Based Learning

1. http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/games/index.html

2. http://www.edutopia.org/blog/free-tools-to-incorporate-gbl-andrew-miller

3. http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4970

4. http://ocw.metu.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/10919/mod_resource/content/1/GAME01.pdf

Online Articles

The first article I read, entitiled , Game Based Learning,   focused on what Game Based learning is. “GBL uses competitive exercises, either pitting the students against each other or getting them to challenge themselves in order to motivate them to learn better. (Teed 2014)” This article focused more on the why and how it works. This states that having games based learning in the classroom will help the students become more engaged and motivated to learn. It also mentions that there should be some kind of rewards for the person /people who win.

The second article I looked at, entitiled Free Tools to Incorporate Game Based Learning,  simply focused on implementing Game Based Learning. The article focused on the free tools that are out there for teachers to use in the classroom. Some of the tools that the article mentioned were iCivics, MagmaHigh, BrainPop, and Teaching with Portals. Not only did the article provide us with tools; it also gave us a brief explanation of what each tool was, and how it worked. There are many tools out there this article focused on just a few.

Additional Resources

The third article that I read, entitiled Digitial Game Based Learning, focused on a wide range of things. It focused on what game based learning is, the impact on game based learning, and the implications of game based learning. One thing that I did find interesting about this article is that it focused more on video games for GBL than any other games. The article mentions that there is evidence to prove that GBL improves student’s engagement and motivation, but we should not rely on games for attainment. This article also provides key points for teachers to remember about game based learning.

The fourth and final article that I read, entiltiled Game Based Learning: the Latest Evidence and Future Directions, also focused on a wide range of things. This article focused on the history, the components, the benefits, and the limitations of digital game based learning. One of the key things that stuck out to me was the article stated, “Although digital game-based learning appears to have some benefits and can be engaging to students, those opposed to this type of supplementary curriculum suggest that the games may be more distracting than a typical learning tool and that the goals of the games do not necessarily always align with the learning goals of the classroom. (Perrotta, C., Featherstone, G., Aston, H. and Houghton, E. 2013).” It also touches on what the teachers need to know when implementing GBL in their classrooms.

Compare and Contrast

All four of the articles that I read were great articles. The first two articles focused more on what GBL is, how it works, and tools to implement it in the classroom. The last two articles focused on a wide range of things. Some of the key points that I pulled out this article were the GBL does not show us the students attained the information. The other key point that I pulled out was that that the games could be distracting to the typical learner. The first two articles were “all for GBL.” While, the last articles reminded us of the challenges/ key points for us to remember about GBL.

Applications in the classroom

I am all for Game Based Learning. I believe that GBL actually works when it is implemented correctly. I don’t believe teachers should use games to teach a new concept, I believe that games should be there for review purposes only. My student love playing games. Some of my favorite games that I have them play in my classroom are on ABCya and Raz-kids. ABCya has tons of games, you choose the grade level and have them focus on any language arts, math, etc. Component you  that you like. Whereas, with Raz-kids the focus is more on reading and comprehension. The students love both ABCya and Raz-Kids and so do I.

 

Coffey, H. (2010) Digital Game Based Learning. UNC School of Education. Retrieved from: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4970

Miller A. (2014, Feb 20). Free Tools to Incorporate Game-Based Learning. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/free-tools-to-incorporate-gbl-andrew-miller

Perrotta, C., Featherstone, G., Aston, H. and Houghton, E. (2013). Game-based Learning: Latest Evidence and Future Directions (NFER Research Programme: Innovation in Education). Slough;NFER. Retrieved from: http://ocw.metu.edu.tr/pluginfile.php/10919/mod_resource/content/1/GAME01.pdf

Teed, R. (2014) Game Based Learning. Starting Point: Teaching Entry Level Geoscience Retrieved from: http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/games/index.html

Resource Based Learning

1.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RElUmGI5gLc

2.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMjf9a8rOkU&feature=youtu.be

3.       http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-history

4.       http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AAkJt6Eg8ZoC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=resource+based+learning&ots=eG5n_cVb4x&sig=zyDESfHHlnkvR1YSuXw7ZdU04l8#v=onepage&q=resource%20based%20learning&f=false

 

This week’s topic was resource based learning. One of the sources we looked at was a video called “If students design their own school “by Charles Tsai. This video was about a group of high school students getting to design their own curriculum for a semester. Students were given the tools and resources to create their own curriculum. The first day of the week, students had a weekly question. Throughout the week students would work together researching trying to come up with more information about the question. The last day of the week students had to present their findings with the rest of their classmates. This was not a traditional learning method at all, students were totally in control. If they didn’t know an answer they could rely on their classmates for help. The topics were also topics that the students were interested in, so they actually engaged and wanted to do more.

I also watched another video with Sir Ken Robinson called, Bring on the learning revolution! In this video he talks a lot about talents. He states that everyone has a talent; often times people make poor use of it. He talks about how today’s education is not making use of our students talents, and how there needs to be a change. We are so focused on test taking and assessing our students, but we are missing an important factor. The video suggests that students need to find their true talents, and go after their dream using their talents.

Additional Readings

The third article I read was called Technology Integration: A Short History. This article talked about how technology is changing education. This article talks about why technology is such a great resource. “It offers active engagement, the opportunity to participate in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connections to real-world contexts (Boss 2011).” The article also talks about how using social media and can help with students collaborating.

The fourth article I read was called Introducing Resources for Learning. This article talked about how to go about implementing resource based learning in to the classroom. Some of the key things this article talked about were picking out the resources.  This article also touched on how it is important to provide a time for built in feedback, to let the students know how they are doing. One of the most important topics that the article touched was how to access the students appropriately. (Brown & Smith, 1996)“If you change the curriculum delivery strategy, but don’t change the assessment methods, problems can ensue.”  Often times this is what we do, we believe that students should still be assessed the same way, but this is not true.

Comparison

The first two articles focused on how RBL (not specifically) should be student centered. In both of those articles everything was focused on the students and how they can lean on each other, or within themselves to take learning into another level.  The last two articles focused more on how resources could/should be used in a classroom.  The third article strictly talks about technology. The last article touches more on implantation.

 

Application

Resource based learning can be done very easily in my classroom. It would go well with Science or Social Studies for me. In Science, I would have told students to choose an animal of their choice, and research information on its lifecycle. In Social Studies, I would have students look up an African American leader, and create a presentation on why this person is or was a leader. I would students do either activity in the library or in the computer lab.

 

Boss, S. (2011). Technology Integration: A Short History. Edutopia, 2015, February 15. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-history

 

Brown, S., & Smith, B. (1996). Resource-Based Learning. Introducing Resources for Learning, pp. 2-4. Retrieved from http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=AAkJt6Eg8ZoC&oi=fnd&pg=PR5&dq=resource+based+learning&ots=eG5n_cVb4x&sig=zyDESfHHlnkvR1YSuXw7ZdU04l8#v=onepage&q=resource%20based%20learning&f=false

 

 

Tsai, C (2013, February) If students designed their own school [Video File retrieved February 2015] Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RElUmGI5gLc

 

 

Robinson, K. (2011, November 9).  Bring on the Learning Revolution!  Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMjf9a8rOkU&feature=youtu.be.

Project Based Learning

RSA#2 Project Based Learning

Online Sources

1.       http://www.teachthought.com/learning/project-based-learning/13-timeless-project-based-learning-resources/

2.       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMCZvGesRz8

3.       http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1254&context=ijpbl

4.       http://www.ala.org/acrl/sites/ala.org.acrl/files/content/conferences/confsandpreconfs/2013/papers/Downing_Using.pdf

 

This week’s main topic was project learning. What is project learning? Project learning is basically students working together to solve problems that are given by the teacher.  I read an article that states, “Project-based learning is based on the idea that students learn best by tackling and solve real life problems (Dauphin, 2013).” During this process students are working together to complete a task. These students are actively engaged throughout their journey. Collaboration is a major key point in project-based learning. The article also mentioned how students should be working in pairs or groups. While the students are working together, the teacher acts as the facilitator and guides the students. The main idea of this article was that the knowledge that students are getting from the projects, will actually stick with them, being that they are doing them.

I also watched a video clip explain what project learning is. There was a statement in the video that really stuck out to me.  “School can be more interesting and effective, by focusing on something that really matters (BIE, 2011).” Some of the key things that the video mentioned about problem-based learning were: critical thinking, collaboration, and communication. In the video clip, the teacher posed a question, not just any question, it was a question that was relevant to what was happening in the classroom. Next, the class then split into groups, just like the first article suggested. Then, the students had time to research. Lastly, they got a chance to present their information.

Additional Information

One of the peer reviewed articles that I chose to look into was about the students’ perspectives of project-based learning. This article suggested that there are two components of PBL: a driving question or problem and the production of one or more artifacts as representations of learning (Grant, 2011). In this article 5 five students were observed and then interviewed.  They were asked different questions about the project that the students created. The findings were, 5 things influenced the learner’s project and learning process. 1)Internal influences 2)external influences 3)beliefs about projects 4)tools for technology –rich environments 5)learning outcomes and products.   The students were really engaged during this activity.

I also read another peer reviewed article. This article focused more on the advantages of project learning. The article mentions that one advantage of PBL is that the teacher can facilitate instead lecture. Another advantage is critical thinking is promoted. And the last yet important advantage promotes peer to peer active learning. This article was basically choosing PBL over traditional student teaching. “PBL encompasses active learning with particular relevance to learning objects (as opposed to traditional passive spoon-feeding rote based learning… (Downing, 2013)”

Application in the classroom

First I would like to say that I really enjoyed all the articles that I read, and the video that I watched. All of my sources supported PBL. The sources gave different reasons of why it supported PBL. But the most important reason across the board, was that students are actually learning, because they are the ones doing it.  

In my classroom, we have been learning about communities. I would propose the question, how are so ways that you could be a good citizen and keep the community clean.  I would only be there to facilitate and guide the students through. I would pick the groups for the students. I will give the students 3-4 days to research and create their final project. And the last day, we will present our findings as a class.

 

BIE (Director). (2011). Project Based Learning:Explained [Motion Picture].

Dauphin, S. (2013). 12 Timeless Project Based Resources. Retrieved from TeachThought: http://www.teachthought.com/learning/project-based-learning/13-timeless-project-based-learning-resources/

Downing, K. (2013). Using Project Based Learning to Faciliate Student Learning.

Grant, M. (2011). Learning, Beliefs, and Products:Students' Perspectives with Project -based Learning. Interdisciplinary Journal of Problem-Based Learnig, p. 5(2).

RSA #1 Inquiry Based Learning

Online Sources

http://www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ylmVT5lkck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u84ZsS6niPc

http://www.teachthought.com/learning/4-phases-inquiry-based-learning-guide-teachers

 

 

This module is all about inquiry based learning. “Inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding.” Inquiry based learning requires you to gather information using visuals or hands on activities.  I watched a short video clip that really taught me a lot about inquiry based- learning. In the video there is a famous saying that states, “Tell me and I forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I will understand. (Crombie, What is Inquiry-Based Learning? YouTube, 2014)”  Inquiry based learning involves the students participation. As teachers, we are all for our students learning and discovering new information for themselves. And with inquiry based learning that is exactly what students are doing. Students are considered to be “the explorers,” where as teachers are looked at the facilitators.

 Inquiry based learning is divided up into 4 phases: interaction, clarification, questioning, and design (Heick, 2013). 1) Interaction- student to material, student to student, student to facilitator, and student to technology tool.  2) Clarification- summarizing or paraphrasing the objective or big idea. What is expected to be done?  3) Questioning- question is a critical part in IBL. This is simply asking questions in order to continue the drive of this journey.   And 4) Design- designing an appropriate product to summarize all the learning that has taken place. Each phase plays a very important part in the student’s exploration.

Additional Readings

I also read additional information about this topic. Inquiry based learning stands for something besides memorizing facts. “Facts change and information is readily available. (Exline, 2004)” Students need to be able to understand what is being taught, without having to memorize anything. During the inquiry based learning process, teachers shouldn’t be looking for a right or wrong answer. A lot of the time there is no right or wrong answer (Exline, 2004). But inquiry should be about seeking out information and answering questions with their explorations. Traditionally, teachers teach students, and students are expected learn, and memorize the right answer.

The second article I read talked about the benefits of inquiry based leaning. One benefit of IBL is increased motivation and engagement; students will show excitement and engagement during the inquiry based learning process. Another benefit is improved learning, students are asking their own questions, making hypothesis, and exploring on their own to design/ experiment. The teacher is only there for support. Students become more critical thinkers, which is another great benefit.  Students have to decide how to go about their learning. Some key questions that they might ask “What tools do I want to use? How should I organize the data?” Inquiry based learning also provides students with better communication skills (Crombie, The Benefits of INquiry-Based Learning-YouTube, 2014). Not only will the student have to communicate with the teacher, but because students will be in pairs or groups, they will become better communicators with one another. These are all great benefits that would lead teachers to wanting to do more inquiry based learning in the classrooms.

Application of Information

After reading both articles, it made want to lean more toward inquiry based learning. I am truly a believer of students learn/ obtain more by doing. I have learned this, simply putting various manipulatives in front of their faces, and giving them very little instruction.  Have them explore with the manipulatives, changed their outlook on things.  One of my students who are very low academically can now solve problems with manipulatives. This is seeing, by doing.  Now this is would only be the beginning of an IBL activity.  This could go a lot deeper.

 

After looking at all my sources, all of my sources are leading in the same direction. Memorizing should be a thing of the past. It is time to make sure our students actually understand what is being taught rather than memorizing. In so many words, the articles are suggesting that you take the handle off students, and act as the facilitators. As teachers weed need to allow the students to experiment, he will help students become better learners, and actually engage them in learning.

 

Crombie, S. (Director). (2014). The Benefits of INquiry-Based Learning-YouTube [Motion Picture].

Crombie, S. (Director). (2014). What is Inquiry-Based Learning? YouTube [Motion Picture].

Exline, J. (2004). What is inquiry-based learning? Retrieved from Concept to Classroom: www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/inquiry/

Heick, T. (2013, October 11). 4 Phases of Inquiry -Based Learning: A Guide for Teachers. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/learning/4-phases-inquiry-based-learning-guide-teachers