I think gamification, though common and often simple, has a lot of promise for education. Kids love games no matter what form they may take; why not make them educational? I remember being in school and loving when our teachers set up a "History Jeopardy" game or used Powerpoint to engage us in a guessing game for extra credit points. There are so many simple ways to incorporate gamification into teaching, and it's effective because when students have fun learning, they absorb the most information.
I think technology like the Oculus Rift we were introduced to at the Tech Sandbox would be a great addition to any classroom. The tech tool could be used for virtual field trips in order to delve deeper into geography lessons or even for the sole purpose of using cool technology.
The digital divide is a term coined to explain the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not.When I was in elementary school, I didn't have much access to technology but now that I'm in college, I'm on the more advantaged side of the digital divide. I can always assume that there is some kind of program or technology available for my use. In my classroom, I expect to have some students with little or no access to Internet and other technological tools. I'll do my best to make sure any research needed for assignments is done at school in a computer lab and that access to technology isn't required for completing assignments at home.
Oh my gosh - I would love an oculus rift... and a designer to make the worlds I want. Roller coasters are the "tip of the iceberg." I want what you want! Give me GoPro like 3-D in history or geography. Should programmers care? Think of the money! I would invest in an occulus rift system before a smart board.
ReplyDelete(Sorry, personal opinion - had smart boards and they take up room without adding a lot to my personal teaching style. In fact - I just left a school where every Smart Board was lined up in a storage room. What do they add that an ipad with the right app can't? All we need is a projector).