video games for education

In the spirit of sharing - here are a couple video games that I have my juniors play. First they get a lecture on the Battle of Hastings and that whole deal - then for a fun homework assignment I have them play these two games and answer some open ended questions about them.

The first is a simple game that can be played in a few minutes. The second is very complex and takes hours to actually complete.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/hastings/index_embed.shtml

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/0-9/1066/game/index.html

If anyone else teaches Brit Lit, perhaps you'll find this fun.

After 1066 we discuss the French impact on English which leads to Thomas Becket, Magna Carta and then Chaucer...

common core

We just had a lovely (...) staff day this past week discussing the coming tsunami that is the common core interstate standards.

I guess my tone is pretty snarky here, so I should say that in principle I think the "idea" of standards is fine. What I am skeptical about is the implementation. Recalling all the hoopla around Maine's failed attempt to institute the learning results and the accompanying set of assessments, I am apprehensive that this new process will be any more successful.

Anyone else dealing with this in their school? Any insights on how to weather the transition smoothly? Any implications for writing?

I actually printed out the common core writing standards and started highlighting. I highlighted in green the kinds of writing I already do, and in orange what I don't so much. That's not to suggest that writing is an all or nothing thing - this was just to give me a rough idea of how my approach lines up with the core. Not surprisingly, I found that I'm very much in line with the core, except that I don't have students do any writing that is solely geared towards describing a process or reporting/ summarizing an idea. I lump those kinds of explication in with other writing I suppose, in the sense that students need to summarize certain points before they move to argument or analysis, but I always thought that summary on it's own wasn't terribly useful a skill to develop. Anyone else taking a look at these standards???

More on newspapers

Last week I had the editor of a local 'rag' come to talk to my English Language Learners about writing in general, and what it takes to write for a newspaper. He emphasized the ability to be "digitally saavy" and gave them new information about both the qualifications of a reporter as well as the idea behind what good news means (right now, today, after this election...I am not quite sure! Sorry...my own viewpoint is showing here!). It was a great lesson all around for them.

MWP

I'm sitting here at the Effective Practices Conference waiting for the keynote address to start. It's always energizing to be around so many educators who are committed to making a difference for our students. Can't help but think of the fact that the next few weeks my entire school will be involved in testing, not teaching. It seems we could make better use of our time. So opposite to what today is all about.

Tentative Inquiry Question....Looking for Feedback

I am hoping there are people out there who are itching (!) to offer helpful criticism regarding our inquiry questions....so here goes....

I really appreciate any and all input. I am not entirely happy with how I worded the question, so suggestions on that would be helpful, too.


Inquiry: How and to what extent can my ELA classroom effectively go "paperless"?

Why paperless?

- I am on a cart and teach every class in a different room
- We now live in a paperless world and my students will be entering work fields that rely on technology to share information
- My students will be able to access and share information from anywhere (ex: hand in papers from home, access missed assignments in study hall, etc)
- Students can share work amongst themselves whenever they are
- Students can no longer use the “I lost it” excuse
- Access to extra copies of homework assignments are readily available so students won't fall behind
- Access to homework assignments is available for the special education team; instead of writing out and explaining any work that is missing, I can send them an email with titles of assignments that they can find online
- Hopefully students will be more engaged because of increased tech integration
- It’s my effort to be environmentally-friendly

Plan of execution:

1. Use Moodle to upload assignments, templates, graphic organizers, resources, etc
2. Use Google Docs and Pirate Pad (and perhaps other online document-sharing applications) to type, save, and share documents. Also use such applications for group projects.
3. Use Moodle or a similiar application for students to submit work for grading
4. Use NoteShare or similar application for students to have their ELA notebook on their computers.
5. Use Google “Forms” to complete student surveys and feedback forms


What do I need from the coaches?

1. Feedback….Suggestions….Redirection?!
2. Do the technology coaches know of any really easy and reliable programs to use for handing in material? I tried to use Moodle last year but it was unreliable at times. I will use it again if that’s my only option…
3. Are there any other interesting applications that may help me implement my inquiry?
4. Can anyone think of anything I am missing? As you are reading, did anyone find themselves saying, "Yeah, but what happens when..."?

Welcome

Hello everyone. This is the blog we'll use to stay in touch between meetings. Please take some time each week to create a post and respond to any three posts from others in the program. It'll be a help, especially during those long winter days when we're trying to figure things out.

Oh, and always a help: Bookmark the Blog!