Busy with PBL

Well it has been a few days since my last blog, thanks to a problem-based learning project deadline. Wow what a lot of work that goes into putting one of those projects together. I knew it was time consuming, but never thought about all the time it took to create all of the documents that go with it. So it is complete with just a few minute details to add. So hopefully you will be able to visit the teach21 website and check it out. It is call the Mall of McDowell. Creating excitement about the need for a shopping mall in McDowell County. Getting the student's engaged is the most critical part of a teaching lesson. Hopefully someone will try to the PBL and tell me what they think. While this has been going on, I have not forgotten about my Globaloria students. They are still working hard and are currently working on the Drawing in Flash tutorial. I am trying to keep down the frustration with flash. As well all know flash can become difficult at times. So far, so good for all of my students. What I have accomplished for the first time is adding a video to viddler.com. So I am going to attach the first video I added.

Educational Gaming

Video games have become more and more popular in the last couple of years. We use the Wii to create exercise while playing. We are now going to try to create videos games for learning. We have all played games to try and help master an educational objective. We have all used studyisland to help use in Math and Language Arts. Now that we are looking at creating games to help future students master objectives I am asking for your opinion on educational gaming. I know most students enjoy playing games while learning, but do you all feel the same?

What are some educational games you played?
Do you remember anything you learned playing a game?
Do you think games can create a learning atmosphere?

Hello students, hope you guys have enjoyed your three day weekend. Tomorrow is back to work. We will start the unit on paper prototyping, you guys will start to look more at your game you will create. Hope everyone's team is working our great. We will be joined by Mrs. Barker's 7th graders for the next couple of days, she will be at a conference. Hope everyone is enjoying the class so far.

Math Blogs

Hello Globaloria students, sorry I have missed you guys the last couple of days. I am really impressed with most of your blogs. Great job, very interesting, especially most of your videos. Well we all know that Friday is our blog day. So lets talk about our topic for this weeks blog. You need to go out and find any blogs about Math and add them to your blog roll. After adding them to your blog, write about why you added those blogs. I have added a couple of math blogs to my roll, you can go and check them out. Check out the optical illusion on the second blog. Also check out the video, see if you can find anything in the picture. Good Luck and I will see you Monday.

Flash in the class!

I remember getting started with flash myself for the first time and it was a little difficult. Now we have just started our mini game project lesson. Wow it was really difficult getting my students started. They were excited to start, but realized really quick how much they need to pay attention. They are still excited, and now a lot more focused, as flash is not an easy program for anyone. They also upload files for the first time to the file gallery and posted them onto their projects page. I guess that is why I was getting a little frustrated at first, as we had a lot of new things for them to learn. We are working through and learning each and every day.

Working on Progress Reports

Time has really flown by, seems like yesterday I just started Globaloria Academy 1 and today I had to complete my first progress report. This is a really great way to see the progress of both myself and my students. I have reflected on where I started and where I am now. I have really made progress myself with some new technology tools like wikis and blogs. They are very interesting and creative ways to grab attention of students. It really is true that when they are aloud to take ownership and design things their way, they really enjoy it and don't mind working near as much. My students love to blog and add and make changes to their wiki pages. My most useful tool is the learning log. I love this learning log idea, I think that logs should be used in other classes as well. It allows teachers and students to follow their progress and keep a tracking recording of teaching/learning. It keeps teachers on their toes and makes sure you stay on task. I am really enjoying the class and also enjoy learning all of the other useful tools.

Globaloria Buzz!

Here at Sandy River Middle Globaloria is really getting popular. Last year there was only one class of eighth graders who participated, and this year we have a group of seventh and eighth graders. So the word about this class is really getting out. We do not have a sixth grade section and that is where most of the questions and comments are coming from. They are excited and very interested in becoming a Globaloria student. When you mention students creating games then excitement always follows. I don't know how the responses are going at other schools, but here Globaloria is getting to be a big deal. I know that the game design is what captures attention, but my students are having a blast with blogs and wikis. I hope the motivation continues throughout the year.