Games in Education

I used Sharendipity to create a game, but I was not impressed with any of the options.
I think gaming in education is very important (check out the name of my blog!)
and feel children can benefit from developmentally appropriate games. The games
need to be established beforehand and to used to target a specific task, which
takes planning, preparation, and time. I am a huge fan of the i-pad and the
apps that are game-like for the children, but teach them concepts and skills
without them even realizing that they are learning. Some games allow you to
personalize them to the children's skills and levels and can track their
progress. They are engaged and invested, which leads to a better learning
environment. The games need to be appropriate, but isn't that true of all
things on education?

This is the game I created, but I wish I could change where the answers are, but I
couldn’t figure it out!

cookiesequence - Sharendipity

Videos and Podcasts

I use video in my class a lot since most of my assessment is done through observation. I like to show the parents how the students perform in then school setting. It gives me the ability to allow parents to see certain tasks that I assess the children through observation or listening. In the beginning of the year, I have the children sing the alphabet and count as high as they can from memory. This helps me to build a solid base and gives me validation when I have parent conferences. Many parents find it hard to believe me when I inform them that their child can only count to 12. The statement, “At home they can count to 100!” is quickly dismissed once they witness the video themselves.

I use the free app "videditorfree" on my iPad to cut out background noise and unnecessary interactions and interruptions from the videos. It is simple to use and allows me to trim video to focus on what task I want the parent to see. The kids enjoy "performing" for the video, and since they can see themselves if I change the screen, it adds the extra element of enthusiasm. I find it to be invaluable when it comes to parent conferences and since it is only their own child on the video, there are no issues involving videotaping the children for others to see.

Permission was granted from the father of this child to show these videos.