Tech EDGE: Mobile Learning in the Classroom
This week I've discovered UNL Tech Edge's podcast. After looking at the videos and browsing their web page, I've found their goals to be similar to those of all teachers who wish for a more technologically literate populace in our schools. Their goals are broad, but truly boil down to a desire for students and teachers of all ages to integrate technology into their classrooms and their lives to be a better world citizen. These wonderful educators seek to enrich teaching through providing technological aides to teachers and students, spending time reviewing apps so that we as teachers may find the best in educational enrichment through technology without having to sort through ten similar apps to find which is the most effective for our classrooms.
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Out of the videos I have explored this past week, I found Episode 15, Critical Thinking With Games to be the most entertaining and the most fun to explore independently. Zoe Falls and Guy Trainin do a wonderful job of explaining not only how certain games can benefit different groups of learners, but also how educational gaming, one of my personal passions, can encourage problem solving within a group environment as well as applying the concepts learned from these gaming experiences. In their discussions, they mention Sim City, Plague Inc, and Oregon Trail. These games are all able to be used effectively in the classroom with their own drawbacks and advantages.
$0.99
Available for iOS, Android, and now a board game. Appropriate for ages 13+. Best for genetics, science, germs, or related lessons. |
The first app I looked into that was mentioned in the above podcast was Plague Inc. Plague Inc is a game where the person playing takes the role of a disease whose goal is to infect and kill everyone on Earth. This may seem a bit morbid, but I firmly believe the educational benefits that can be reaped more than make up for the initial worry. While playing Plague Inc, I decided to make a disease called Gloomyplasia, as gloominess in the classroom is a teacher's worst enemy. When I first began, the game gave me the option to go through a tutorial that would teach me the basics of the game. This tutorial proved to be very helpful for someone who had never even thought how I, as a disease, would accomplish such a lofty goal as taking over the world. In my time playing I noticed several pros of the game; from picking the name of the disease to deciding how to adapt your disease to best fit the environmental challenges you are faced with, there are hundreds of possible ways to either win or lose this game.
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I also noticed that, unlike another game mentioned in the video, Sim City, players of Plague Inc are given the opportunity to speed up time to give those students who are more impatient a more engaging interaction. This game can be used in a variety of settings as well. I would love to use this game in a high school genetics class to supplement a lesson on drug-resistance in modern day bacteria, but I would also love to show what adaptations made the Black Plague so deadly in my history class. As far as cons go, the only one that gives me pause is the content. With death and destruction as a main driver in the game, it would have to be used in a classroom where students are emotionally mature enough to handle the gameplay. Bottom line is, I can think of a hundred ways to use this game in a classroom and I think students would love to learn using this fun interactive type of material. I highly recommend this game.
The second app I tried out was Oregon Trail. This game may bring back memories for some, but be warned, if you’re looking for nostalgia, this game will not satisfy your craving. It is similar to that old game played in middle schools across the country, but it has since then been revamped and made into a modern, more user friendly gaming experience. Once again, this app has a built in tutorial to give users the basic tools needed to play the game successfully, which is a lifesaver if you’re anything like me and get overwhelmed with too many options. This game does have quick actions, but once you get deeper into the game, there is more waiting involved before the next action can be achieved. There is also the issue that I find in many apps I consider for classroom use that is there are free options available to students, but there is always something better to be bought through the game.
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Free
Available for iOS & Android. Appropriate for 3rd grade or higher. Best for history lessons. |
This could be potentially frustrating for younger students who may wonder why it is they can’t buy just anything they want in game. I think this would be a great supplement to history lessons about pioneers, of course, but I also think this could be a good way to transition into talking about economics and different ways farmers can make money. This app seems to be useful, engaging, and fun, while at the same time being a bit more limited than apps I want to use for more than one purpose in my classroom. The bottom line is, I like this app, I think it is fun, but I think it has a pretty narrow range for what can be taught with it.
The bottom line is, this podcast is an incredible technology resource for teachers both new and seasoned. I'm glad I've been exposed to it, and I'm a better educated professional because of it. Hopefully the trend of technology use in the classroom will become less of a trend, and more of an integration of our students' lives into their education.