Blog # 8

Gamification sounds like it holds the most promise to me.  Adding “game elements to instructional content to increase motivation and interactivity, encourage creativity, and deepen understanding of content” (Lever-Duffy 288), sounds like a very powerful idea in the classroom.  An example that the book gives is ATOMS, which will immerse students in hands on education (Lever-Duffy 288).  ATOMS turn science electronic and get children in a new and fun environment outside of the textbook.  It could be used by students to learn material, create projects, and even be tested. 

The digital divide is a term to describe the gap between those who do and do not have access to technology.  I am definitely on the side of having internet access at home and in school.  I was a lot more like student A than Student B in the podcast.  I definitely think I had a lot of access to different technology in school and at my home, however not as much as other people.  I had/have my own laptop and smart phone but I did not grow up with toys like iPads at home.  I had a friend who did not have technology at home and saw how tough that made school for them.  It was hard for them to do homework when everything in my high school really required access to a computer.  Even with those offered at school and libraries, it makes life a lot harder for those students.  I hope that I will be able to address this issue with in my classroom as a teacher.   I plan of email out announcements and corresponding through mostly web based resources, however it is important I keep in mind that some students may not have access to these at home.  If necessary I could offer paper copies to those students.  I am starting in the elementary education program in the fall, and therefore will be teaching young students who will not necessarily need web access to complete assignments for class a home until they are older. 

I did a power point on a cpalms for second grade math.  I basically made a power point about the different types of coins and how to add them.  I had a lot of difficulty publishing my power point as a movie.  I’m still having issues opening it up as a movie.  I recorded it but it’s very confusing.  I am sure I will use this in a class in the future.  It is always important to improve my skills in something as simple as power point which is obviously not that simple if I can’t publish my power point movie correctly.  
I had a lot of fun doing this project once I realized how to do it.  I really wish my teachers would have done things like this for me when I was in school.  It is so incredibly helpful.  Being able to post things like this for students to review with and learn at home if they are absent or just not grasping the concept is so awesome,