Can playing video games in school room classes really enhance the learning of students? In a test being conducted in some NY schools, video game learing is being tested as a new way to learn math. The trick is to play other classmates engaged in a video game and when a mathe problem appears on the screen, you must answer it correctly to advance until all but one is eliminated. I think this is a great tool. Kids love video games and like my own kids, if we use the computer for math skills learning they seem to enjoy the activity more. I thought I was just being creative in helping them learn, but after reading this article, there is certainly truth to video learning. I think that with the technology we have today at our fingertips and where the kids of today are headed using it, it is only appropriate to teach them using the new tools of today and prepare them for tomorrow.
Tech Tips for Basic Computer Users: This is a list of great tips for basic computer users! There are a lot of things most people and even user manuals assume that the user already knows, but that is not always the case. The author of this blog put together some great tips for the basic user that can be helpful and save a lot of time when using the internet. I think that alot of times things are assumed and it often causes more problems then it is worth. I shared this information with my mom and she had no idea you could do some of these things!
In response to Scott's blog, I think that video games in a classroom has both positive and negative points. I think it could be a good idea because it interacts students in a positive educational experience, but it also has students spending more and more time in front of technology. I think it would be a good idea as long as it is regulated and students still spend the majority of their time using other techniques of learning.
"Americans Text More Than They Talk" is an article about how text messaging is surpassing the usage of cell phones. A wireless industry report states that for June 2008 text users sent about 75 million messages which is about 2.6billion messages per day. This is an increase of 160% over the same period in 2007. These figures are also higher than 2006 when only 65 text messages were sent and received. From 2006 to 2008,this is an increase of 450%. Although cell phone usage has remained level for the past 2 years, people are still using them. Texting has been found to be a more economical form of communication especally in Europe. In the United States, those who send and receive texts without a special text package has gone up 100%. The average cost of a text is about .20 cents. The majority of those who do text are between 13-17 yrs old. The average number of texts for this age group is around 1742 messages per month and 60 messages per day 8-12 yr olds are quickly becoming heavy text users also. I pesonally have never texted anyone, but I have received them. I don't have a text package on my phone but I made sure my kids have unlimited texting on theirs. I learned the hard way how expensive texting is without a package when I opened my cell bill one day and almost fainted. I think texting is OK for other people but I have no desire. I do believe that texting should not be allowed in the classroom and definately while driving. Both situations are distracting for the user, people around them and I think it's disrespectful and dnagerous.There is a time and place to text but those are not it. Hopefully after all my "nagging", my kids know better. My son who lives in Seattle said the state of Washington will fine you $500 for a first offense of even talking on the cell while driving, but that's for another blog.
In response to Wendi's blog: I agree that texting has gone through the roof, and I think that I have helped be a part of it. Anymore in my life and my friends we do not have time to spend hours on the whole. With texting I can send a quick message and they can respond when they get a chance. Its a fast way of communication that has overtaken talking on the phone.
Dentyne, the #2 gum maker in the USA has introduced ads encouraging consumers to “power down, log off, unplug ... make face time” and get back to communicating in society in traditional non-wired ways. The ads appeared in major cities in September and now nationwide with a Web campaign and television spots. Dentyne hopes to promote their product (fresh breath, healthy teeth, bright smile) and remind customers to stop and question whether online communication is really making them closer and that face to face can’t be substituted. They feature making face time as an alternate to sending text messages and checking in with their Facebook friends. To a further extreme, there is a related Web site, www.makefacetime.com that warns it will shut down after three minutes and reminds readers when they are surfing the Web, they’re missing the best part of life — being together. The site includes a Face Time Finder to locate places to meet offline and an essay contest asks users to write about how social networking has led them to be “disconnected to the people that matter most.” I think this ad strategy is a gamble. The message is emotional instead of functional and Dentyne is reaching their consumer online but telling them not to be online. The under 20 consumers are the most avid gum chewers and are the most passionate about their digital tools. I applaud Dentyne’s risky marketing, what do you think? Nytimes.com/2008/09/25/business/media/25adco.html By Clair Cain Miller
I loved your article, Wendi, as it brings to light my thoughts regarding what I call mobile emailing. I acknowledge the benefits of texting when I need to get a timely message to someone but don't need to interrupt them to speak to me at that moment. I think in the extreme it threatens to replace verbal communication much like formal business and personal writing styles are replaced with abbreviated email format. I often wonder if the art of conversation will some day be extinct. It will surely be a quiet world when, rather than hearing voices and chatter, we merely hear the click of keyboards emailing and texting!
Tech Tips for the basic computer user caught my attention. I look for every opportunity to learn more efficient ways of using the tech tools now available. As a self-taught user, moving thru the enhancements and new systems presented in the workplace, I have learned much. But I always look for smarter ways to accomplish tasks and learn new things. Students today have been taught some of these skills, but they, too, must continue to learn as technology advances. At the other extreme, employees older that I search even further for some of the basic tools that they were never taught but that they are expected to know in using the computer to perform.
In response to Laura's blog on the tech tips. This ia a great website for the novice as you explained. My mother is always talking about she would like to use a computer, but doesn't know the first thing about them. This website may just be the ticket for her as well as your mom Laura. Thanks for the tip.
In response to Patti's blog, I agree that it is a risky ploy to promote their product. I also like how they want you to log on for more information, but on the flip side warmning you that the site will shut down in three minutes. I do believe that face time is priceless. That is a rule in our house at least during dinner that there is no TV, or radio and we discuss the days activities. However, with the extra curricular activities my kids are in, sometimes sitting down for face time is impossible and technology is the only way to communiccate with them. I will give them credit in their promotion, I think it will rund up conversation about their product, but I don't think people will give up their technolgy. Nice try Dentyne!
http://www.bloorview.ca/newsroom/stories/voiceoutputdevice.php This is one of many articles about the palmtop being used for autistic children to communicate. It gives freedom to frustrated children. Unsure in a social setting or unable to write or speak what they want and the palmtop does it. A true out of the box tool in the classroom that actually helps communicate and not interfere with socializing!
I response to Scott: I think making learning exciting for a diffcult subject for many US kids is great. However the stats are not impressive for the money being spent. I would like to see further results if I was a issuing grant money or tax money for this type of learning.
On Patti's article: It is fun and I agree that they may have taken a gamble on the ad campaign. That is not promoting the gum but, just people looking at it as silly or like said, rolling their eyes. It reminds me of postcards of times in the past but, I think most young people are not feeling sentimental and going for a hug but, maybe picking up their cell and calling or texting someone they miss! LOL!
In response to Sciott's article, I agree that if video games help kids learn a subject they may otherwise not be interested in then it is a good learning tool. Video games is something kids can do in the clasroom to learn as well as use at home. that way they can play and study whenever they want to and don't have to wait to use the games just in school.
I think a webiste for the beginner computer user is a good idea. I consider myself a beginner and feel I could benefit from the websites information. It would probably help new computer users feel more confident on the computer and not so much like a fish out of water.
17 comments:
Can playing video games in school room classes really enhance the learning of students? In a test being conducted in some NY schools, video game learing is being tested as a new way to learn math. The trick is to play other classmates engaged in a video game and when a mathe problem appears on the screen, you must answer it correctly to advance until all but one is eliminated. I think this is a great tool. Kids love video games and like my own kids, if we use the computer for math skills learning they seem to enjoy the activity more. I thought I was just being creative in helping them learn, but after reading this article, there is certainly truth to video learning. I think that with the technology we have today at our fingertips and where the kids of today are headed using it, it is only appropriate to teach them using the new tools of today and prepare them for tomorrow.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/nyregion/08video.html?ref=technology
Tech Tips for Basic Computer Users:
This is a list of great tips for basic computer users! There are a lot of things most people and even user manuals assume that the user already knows, but that is not always the case. The author of this blog put together some great tips for the basic user that can be helpful and save a lot of time when using the internet. I think that alot of times things are assumed and it often causes more problems then it is worth. I shared this information with my mom and she had no idea you could do some of these things!
http://pogue.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/tech-tips-for-the-basic-computer-user/?em
In response to Scott's blog, I think that video games in a classroom has both positive and negative points. I think it could be a good idea because it interacts students in a positive educational experience, but it also has students spending more and more time in front of technology. I think it would be a good idea as long as it is regulated and students still spend the majority of their time using other techniques of learning.
"Americans Text More Than They Talk" is an article about how text messaging is surpassing the usage of cell phones. A wireless industry report states that for June 2008 text users sent about 75 million messages which is about 2.6billion messages per day. This is an increase of 160% over the same period in 2007. These figures are also higher than 2006 when only 65 text messages were sent and received. From 2006 to 2008,this is an increase of 450%. Although cell phone usage has remained level for the past 2 years, people are still using them. Texting has been found to be a more economical form of communication especally in Europe. In the United States, those who send and receive texts without a special text package has gone up 100%. The average cost of a text is about .20 cents. The majority of those who do text are between 13-17 yrs old. The average number of texts for this age group is around 1742 messages per month and 60 messages per day 8-12 yr olds are quickly becoming heavy text users also.
I pesonally have never texted anyone, but I have received them. I don't have a text package on my phone but I made sure my kids have unlimited texting on theirs. I learned the hard way how expensive texting is without a package when I opened my cell bill one day and almost fainted. I think texting is OK for other people but I have no desire. I do believe that texting should not be allowed in the classroom and definately while driving. Both situations are distracting for the user, people around them and I think it's disrespectful and dnagerous.There is a time and place to text but those are not it. Hopefully after all my "nagging", my kids know better. My son who lives in Seattle said the state of Washington will fine you $500 for a first offense of even talking on the cell while driving, but that's for another blog.
In response to Wendi's blog: I agree that texting has gone through the roof, and I think that I have helped be a part of it. Anymore in my life and my friends we do not have time to spend hours on the whole. With texting I can send a quick message and they can respond when they get a chance. Its a fast way of communication that has overtaken talking on the phone.
Dentyne, the #2 gum maker in the USA has introduced ads encouraging consumers to “power down, log off, unplug ... make face time” and get back to communicating in society in traditional non-wired ways. The ads appeared in major cities in September and now nationwide with a Web campaign and television spots. Dentyne hopes to promote their product (fresh breath, healthy teeth, bright smile) and remind customers to stop and question whether online communication is really making them closer and that face to face can’t be substituted. They feature making face time as an alternate to sending text messages and checking in with their Facebook friends. To a further extreme, there is a related Web site, www.makefacetime.com that warns it will shut down after three minutes and reminds readers when they are surfing the Web, they’re missing the best part of life — being together. The site includes a Face Time Finder to locate places to meet offline and an essay contest asks users to write about how social networking has led them to be “disconnected to the people that matter most.”
I think this ad strategy is a gamble. The message is emotional instead of functional and Dentyne is reaching their consumer online but telling them not to be online. The under 20 consumers are the most avid gum chewers and are the most passionate about their digital tools. I applaud Dentyne’s risky marketing, what do you think?
Nytimes.com/2008/09/25/business/media/25adco.html By Clair Cain Miller
I loved your article, Wendi, as it brings to light my thoughts regarding what I call mobile emailing. I acknowledge the benefits of texting when I need to get a timely message to someone but don't need to interrupt them to speak to me at that moment. I think in the extreme it threatens to replace verbal communication much like formal business and personal writing styles are replaced with abbreviated email format. I often wonder if the art of conversation will some day be extinct. It will surely be a quiet world when, rather than hearing voices and chatter, we merely hear the click of keyboards emailing and texting!
Tech Tips for the basic computer user caught my attention. I look for every opportunity to learn more efficient ways of using the tech tools now available. As a self-taught user, moving thru the enhancements and new systems presented in the workplace, I have learned much. But I always look for smarter ways to accomplish tasks and learn new things. Students today have been taught some of these skills, but they, too, must continue to learn as technology advances. At the other extreme, employees older that I search even further for some of the basic tools that they were never taught but that they are expected to know in using the computer to perform.
In response to Laura's blog on the tech tips. This ia a great website for the novice as you explained. My mother is always talking about she would like to use a computer, but doesn't know the first thing about them. This website may just be the ticket for her as well as your mom Laura. Thanks for the tip.
In response to Patti's blog, I agree that it is a risky ploy to promote their product. I also like how they want you to log on for more information, but on the flip side warmning you that the site will shut down in three minutes. I do believe that face time is priceless. That is a rule in our house at least during dinner that there is no TV, or radio and we discuss the days activities. However, with the extra curricular activities my kids are in, sometimes sitting down for face time is impossible and technology is the only way to communiccate with them. I will give them credit in their promotion, I think it will rund up conversation about their product, but I don't think people will give up their technolgy. Nice try Dentyne!
http://www.bloorview.ca/newsroom/stories/voiceoutputdevice.php
This is one of many articles about the palmtop being used for autistic children to communicate. It gives freedom to frustrated children. Unsure in a social setting or unable to write or speak what they want and the palmtop does it. A true out of the box tool in the classroom that actually helps communicate and not interfere with socializing!
I response to Scott: I think making learning exciting for a diffcult subject for many US kids is great. However the stats are not impressive for the money being spent. I would like to see further results if I was a issuing grant money or tax money for this type of learning.
On Patti's article: It is fun and I agree that they may have taken a gamble on the ad campaign. That is not promoting the gum but, just people looking at it as silly or like said, rolling their eyes. It reminds me of postcards of times in the past but, I think most young people are not feeling sentimental and going for a hug but, maybe picking up their cell and calling or texting someone they miss! LOL!
In response to Sciott's article, I agree that if video games help kids learn a subject they may otherwise not be interested in then it is a good learning tool. Video games is something kids can do in the clasroom to learn as well as use at home. that way they can play and study whenever they want to and don't have to wait to use the games just in school.
I think a webiste for the beginner computer user is a good idea. I consider myself a beginner and feel I could benefit from the websites information. It would probably help new computer users feel more confident on the computer and not so much like a fish out of water.
http://tech.msn.com/news/articlecnet.aspx?cp-documentid=10658353
This is the website information for my blog article
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