Growing through Gamification

The gamification of the classroom is a fairly modern concept that many teachers are apprehensive to adopt in their lesson plans. I, too, was curious about how video games could be applied to the classroom setting and did not know how I could possibly find such a diversion that truly blends with my curricula. My Instructional Technology instructor, Dr. Leigh Zeitz, introduced me to an application that has effectively changed my mind towards gaming in my courses. The diversion he suggested is called Food Street which simulates restaurant management. To better formulate my opinion on the gamification of education, I decided to try out this game for myself. I have been hooked ever since!

Watch this video below to learn more about the application!

How does it relate to learning?

Upon playing Food Street, I have realized the many different abilities that could be enhanced by using this application in the classroom. For instance, students can learn time management skills by running their fictional restaurant. Players must keep track of the length of time food must cook and produce, as well as complete customers' orders as quickly as possible. Individuals may also learn how to multi-task, as students monitor their supplies, cooking status, and orders to ensure all processes run smoothly. If you are teaching in the younger elementary grades, individuals can also improve their mathematical skills. Players have to keep stock of the produce they have, count how many ingredients are needed for each recipe, and analyze purchases with the funds they currently possess. In addition, students also must be able to manipulate objects when organizing furniture, counting the available tiles needed to relocate an appliance. Younger individuals can also learn about various food groups found in their kitchen and garden, as well as the farm animals found in their barn and coop. Finally, children also attain independence by playing this game. Food Street gives students a sense of pride and ownership in running their own restaurant. Individuals learn they are in control of certain aspects of their life in a world full of orders from authorities. These are just a few of the many learning opportunities found playing this game.

How does it change my ideas about gaming?

Food Street has greatly changed my view on the gamification of the classroom. I did not understand the potential of these diversions until I changed my mindset and looked at them from an educational perspective. By using applications like Food Street, we can get children motivated about learning once again while still building upon necessary life skills. By introducing these games, we can plant a seed that will blossom as the students continually play during class and on their own time. Diversions such as Food Street are so engaging; I could hardly set down my game to write this blog post! Overall, I believe if we take a step back and reanalyze these video games, perhaps we will find a connection between them and our curricula. In doing so, we can reach our kids and keep their attention in this technologically filled world.

Let us continue this conversation! Please comment below to share your feelings on the gamification of education or if you have an example of a game you have utilized in your classroom.

Image Source: Maria LoBianco (Me)

Crazy for Kahoot!

Kids love Kahoot! If you have not heard about this interactive educational game, apparently you and I have been living under a rock! I was recently introduced to this exciting trivia game by some of my friends, as we were discussing our favorite memories in our high school classes. We actually decided to play a few rounds on this program as we were hanging out. Instantly, I became wrapped up in the competition and laughter. Since our evening together, I have decided to further explore this resource as a possible lesson for a review day in the classroom.

Upon reviewing the Kahoot! website in depth, I found even more uses for this nifty interactive tool! I discovered a blog post in Kahoot!'s KJournal titled "8 Ways to Use Kahoot! Beyond the Basics" by Mickie Mueller which described ways to increase the program's applicability in the classroom previously unbeknownst to me.

Jumble

The first tool described is the site's most recent feature, Jumble, which further enhances an individual's gaming experience. In this new program, players must place their answers in order rather than simply select a correct answer. With this feature, students move beyond recall and must understand the sequence of certain concepts.

Ghost Mode

Another feature described in the article is called Ghost Mode. With this tool, students can physically watch their comprehension of a concept grow. Individuals play a Kahoot! session before beginning a unit to see their current knowledge in the subject area. Once they have completed this portion of the course, players can revisit the game and turn on Ghost Mode to play against their "old self" and compare their new knowledge and speed.

Student Creation

Mueller also suggested encouraging students to make their own Kahoot! games. By developing their own trivia matches, individuals will gain a deeper understanding of the concepts at hand in order to formulate quality questions and answers. In my opinion, this use would be great before students take a comprehensive final. An instructor could assign groups to create Kahoot! games over each unit covered in a semester. As the test draws near, the teacher could have a relaxing yet competitive trivia day where kids can share their quizzes and compete to review the course content.

Overall, I think the tips offered in this article are great ways to revamp the use of Kahoot! in the classroom. By using these tools, we can further challenge students, encourage deeper understanding of content knowledge, and monitor educational growth. In the words of Mickie Mueller, it is time to "dust off your account" and utilize these new tools. If you are behind the times like me, it is high time to check out this resource and use this technology to improve our instructional abilities.

Image Source: Kevin Jarrett

Skype in the Classroom

In the past decade or two, there has been an ever-increasing emphasis on preparing students to enter a global community. Unfortunately, this goal may be unattainable for some educators who are restricted by their location and poorly-funded budgets. Due to advances in technology and a little bit of creative thinking, bridging this gap has become a thing of the past.

One example of this instructional innovation is the use of Skype in one's curricula. Once considered simply a service to connect family and friends across the globe, this free program can be used to link learners to unprecedented sources of information. Upon reading Kristen Hick's article "6 Creative Ways to Use Skype in the Classroom," the vast opportunities in using this technological tool were revealed to me.

Inspired by Hick's post and my discoveries exploring the program, Skype in the Classroom, I have created a brief list of some of the benefits of using this service:

Communicate with Other Classrooms

Using the program, Skype in the Classroom, individuals can connect with other students across the world. For instance, teachers can use the application, Mystery Skype, where students guess the location of another classroom to improve their geographical skills. Individuals can also discuss topics amongst each other to gain greater perspective.

Learn from Experts

Teachers can also use Skype to coordinate with professionals around world. As described in Hick's article, many adults who are unable to make a physical visit to a classroom can more easily fit a video conference into their busy schedules.

Go on Virtual Field Trips

Another program offered through Skype in the Classroom is Virtual Field Trips. Using this tool, an instructor can sign up for a trip through various organizations to experience a behind the scenes look at various careers, artifacts, and locations. By integrating Virtual Field Trips in your classroom, you can provide students with experiences they may never have undertaken given their current circumstances.  

Keep Students On Track

Skype can also be used to keep absent individuals up to date on course material. Personally, I have experience utilizing this benefit as a student and highly recommend its applicability in the classroom. When I was a sophomore in high school, I was sick from school on the first day of a mock trial in my World History course. I was in charge of giving the opening remarks and did not want to let my team down. In order to give my speech, my instructor allowed me to Skype from my home and present my hard work. Even if students are not well enough to join in a classroom conversation, instructors can also record their lesson and send the video to the ill individuals.

These are simply a few samples of the countless instructional uses of Skype. I encourage you all to check out Hick's article, as well as the Skype in the Classroom program to see how you can further your students' educational experiences. Create memories in your classroom and provide individuals with opportunities to which they may never have had access otherwise.

Please comment below if you have any other ideas for using Skype in the Classroom or if you have personal success stories of your own in using this wonderful service!

Image Source: Laurie Sullivan

Personal Learning Network

Over the course of this semester I have been working on building my Personal Learning Network. As an aspiring educator, I recognize the importance of having connections in order to find answers, gain new knowledge, and share my experiences with others in my professional field. Therefore, I have taken the initiative to broaden my horizons over the past few months and increase my potential as a teacher.

To begin the process of expanding my Personal Learning Network, I decided to analyze my current connections and developed a "pre-map" of my PLN.

As you can see, my network was small in size and limited in reach; however, I became inspired by my modest web. By visualizing the minimal connections I possessed, I knew I had plenty of room for growth! In order to jump start the expansion of my PLN, I decided to utilize the following ten educational technology tools throughout the semester:

1. Zoom 

One of my first steps in expanding my Personal Learning Network was through the video conferencing service Zoom. For my first group project in my Instructional Technology course, my classmates and I met with our professor using this program to discuss our progress. We were all able to communicate with each other from the comfort of our residences, while simultaneously viewing our document. For the first time, I learned how to successfully host a multi-user video conference call.

I believe there are numerous benefits to using this tool as a preservice educator. First, as a student, I can use Zoom to collaborate with classmates in other projects while in my hometown or off campus. I also have the opportunity to chat with educators and other professionals around the world to collaborate and share ideas. In addition, I could use Zoom in the classroom to allow my students to discuss certain topics with experts internationally to provide them with greater insight. I could even video chat my pupils on a snow day and give my lesson so as not to get behind. There are numerous opportunities to connect with others using Zoom.

2. #IAedchat

To further expand my PLN, I decided to participate in my first tweet chat and put my professional Twitter account to use. I chose to engage in the #IAedchat, a weekly chat that invites all teachers from the state of Iowa to discuss issues found in K-12 schools. This specific week's conversation was titled "Don't Avoid the Elephant: Staying Positive in Difficult Situations." During this chat, we discussed challenging circumstances both in life and in the classroom. Individuals shared their advice on how to make a calm and collected phone call to an angry parent, how to address a pupil exhibiting challenging behaviors, how to approach two staff members having a dispute in front of students, as well as how to handle other difficult situations.

As a preservice teacher with little experience, I did not have much guidance to offer; however, I suggested what I would do if I were to be in these scenarios. To my surprise, people started to reply back to me and began to follow my account. The moderator, Dan Butler, even gave me a shout-out for joining the chat!

I believe my first experience with tweet chat was successful and can be of use in my career. With #IAedchat, I can gain early connections with future employers before I even submit my resume. I can also receive local insight from educators currently teaching in Iowa. Tweet chat is yet another wonderful way to build my PLN!

3. #ISTEten chat

I also participated in a second tweet chat with ISTE Teacher Education Network. The topic for this discussion was "Student Voices & Future Visions" and, unlike the #IAedchat, it focused more on technological integration in schools. This chat was also presented nationwide, which meant I had a much larger and completely new pool of professionals from whom to learn. Using #ISTEten, we discussed the use of technology to empower student expression, addressed concerns as educators in regards to keeping up with technology, and shared where we think technology will go in the next two decades. Since I had more experience with tweet chats, I felt more comfortable sharing my thoughts and answered each question. In doing so, I gained new followers and conversed with professionals about my concerns.

I think participating in yet another Twitter conversation was even more beneficial to expanding my Personal Learning Network. I was able to connect with educators across the nation and hear their advice on what does and does not work in classrooms across the country. Simply watching the live chat provided me with great information I could not have obtained without this technological tool. By continuing to participate in these discussions, I will be able to continually learn and improve my abilities as an educator as well as express my opinions and experiences to a national audience. 

4. Twitter Conversation

As a result of my involvement in the ISTEten tweet chat, I was also able to have a conversation with one of its most active participants. When the group was discussing uses of technology in the classroom, I shared my experiences with backchannels in my Instructional Technology course. In response to my contribution, a woman suggested Padlet as another great tool for student engagement. This individual was Rachelle Dene Poth who holds a variety of professions including an educator, author, blogger, and attorney. She also is the 2017 PAECT teacher of the year. In reply, I told her I was not familiar with Padlet but was interested in learning more about it. She then mentioned she had samples she could share with me and asked me to direct message her. This led to the following conversation and subsequent resources I was provided:

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to have this interaction with such an experienced and dedicated educator. Now I have examples of Padlets which have been successfully implemented and completed in real classrooms. I can use these as models for lessons I create in the future for my students. I also have a connection with a passionate leader in educational technology from all the way over on the East Coast. I can contact her with any other questions I may have as well as have the opportunity to collaborate with her someday. By participating in this tweet chat I have gained a valuable connection. 

5. Blog

To further expand my PLN, I wanted to find a blog focused on education in order to gain knowledge on topics relevant to my career. When discussing this matter with Andrew Renken, another student in my Instructional Technology course, he suggested I check out Vicki Davis's blog, The Cool Cat Teacher. Written by an actively involved and highly decorated professional in the field, I discovered her site to be chock full of wonderful resources. When browsing Davis's "hot topic" articles, I found a post titled "How to Use Padlet: A Fantastic Tool for Teaching." Instantly I was reminded of my conversation with Rachelle Dene Poth and dove into the entry to find out more about this modern application everyone is talking about.

By reading this article, I discovered the usefulness of incorporating a program like Padlet into one's curricula. For example, I learned the variety of uses of Padlet in the classroom such as its ability to be a backchannel, blog, or portfolio for parents. I also acquired knowledge on the multitude of methods for sharing a Padlet with students including through QR code, email, or Twitter. Finally, I learned about the different ways students can express themselves in the program and the various formats from which a teacher can choose.

After reading this post, I am interested in using Padlet in my future lesson plans. I may even utilize the program as soon as this week for my interactive learning tool project I currently have in my Instructional Technology course. I am also excited to explore even more of Davis's articles in near the future! By reading this blog, I can greatly improve my skills and keep up with educational technology trends.

6. Padlet

While reading through Vicki Davis's blog post "How to Use Padlet: A Fantastic Tool for Teaching," I also discovered my next tool to expand my Personal Learning Network. Linked to the article was a community Padlet discussing teachers' favorite educational technology resources and I instantly went to check it out. Listed on this page were tons of great tools used by instructors and students across the nation. I recognized some of these suggestions such as Thinglink and Today's Meet; however, I saw plenty of which I had never heard. For instance, a middle school teacher from Des Moines, Iowa suggested using PBS Puzzle Creator to make word searches and crossword puzzles over topics discussed in class. Another educator suggested using Classcraft, a program that allows teachers to gamify lessons for free. In addition, I learned about Recap, a free application where students comment on and submit video responses to questions posed by the instructor.

Overall, I think this is an amazing resource to which I will continually refer for future lesson plans. I am extremely interested in delving into more of these educational technology tools as I further my career and as I head into my Level Two Field Experience this coming fall. I also plan on exploring more of these community Padlets created by educators across the nation to learn more about my profession and possibly even collaborate with others in the near future.

7. Lynda

To further improve my professional skills, I decided to complete a course through Lynda.com. Since I have this wonderful instructional program available to me free of cost as a UNI student, I thought it would be wise to utilize the resource to expand my PLN. The course I chose to complete was suggested by one of the UNI Instructional Technology professors, Jason Vetter, titled Classroom Management Fundamentals. Classroom management is a key concern for me as a preservice teacher and I thought this program would be beneficial for me as a student.

By completing this video lesson, I discovered many techniques to best control my future classroom. For instance, I learned about positive behavior narration, proxemic control, and scaffolded consequences. I also discovered the "Rule of Three," which describes the use of three positive affirmations for every redirection. In addition, I was advised to create a positive classroom culture on day one and formulate student-centered goals and accountability.

Overall, I believe using Lynda as a resource will strengthen my professional expertise. I can take a course on practically any subject about which I want to learn more and use my newfound knowledge to make me more marketable as I enter the workforce. I definitely plan on taking advantage of this free service and may check out more videos this coming summer!

8. Pinterest

In addition to Twitter, I also created a professional Pinterest account. Unlike Twitter, however, I was unfamiliar with this social media application and had to take baby steps to figure it out! I began by following a handful of general topics such as educational leadership, teaching strategies, and history education. Next, I started following users such as Kid World Citizen, UNIetd, and Cool Cat Teacher. Finally, I narrowed my search and followed boards such as Social Studies and History Education- Lesson Ideas and Educator Professional Development & Learning.

After spending some time reviewing all of these sources, I realized I could learn a lot by exploring Pinterest. For instance, I learned unique ways to incorporate the NCAA Basketball tournament into a geography lesson and discovered ten historical fiction novels that can be incorporated in secondary social studies curricula. What is even greater is that I have just dipped my toes into the vast pool of resources located within this website. In the future, I can utilize these tips, lesson plan ideas, and more, all while incorporating them in my classroom. Once I become better acquainted with Pinterest and more experienced as a professional, I can also create my own boards and begin sharing my thoughts with the world! 

9. Ted Talks

Another unique way I expanded my Personal Learning Network was through Ted Talks. As suggested by Ian Hubrig, one of the graduate assistants in my Instructional Technology class, this well-known media organization's presentations are actually great resources to expand one's knowledge. As I was exploring Pinterest, I conveniently discovered a pin promoting "50 Ted Talks Every Educator Should Check Out." I thought it would be a great starting place to begin my search for videos most applicable in my career and ended up watching two speeches from this list.

The first video I watched was Kiran Sethi's "Kids, take charge" presentation, which focused on the potential of students in classroom. By watching her speech, I learned the significance of instructing children to know "I Can." Sethi stressed the importance of "blurring boundaries between school and life" and assuring youth they have the capability to do anything on which they set their minds. She encouraged educators to make children aware of issues in their communities so they can see opportunities for change, to enable students to be changed by providing real life experiences, and to empower these individuals so they can lead the change on their own. Sethi then showed the outstanding results from her own school in India. I was amazed by the stories she shared and have since started thinking of ways I can allow my students to impact their community.

The second presentation I watched was Ramsey Musallam's "3 rules to spark learning" speech. In this video, Musallam shared three ideas for educators to embrace that he learned from his doctor and adapted for his classroom. He advised teachers to allow curiosity to come first, to embrace the mess, and practice reflection each and every day to increase classroom participation. If educators embodied these statements, Musallam ensured students would find "meaning in their school day" and would be "sparked" with imagination.

Until watching these two clips, I did not realize I could gain so much knowledge from simply watching Ted Talks. I can apply the skills and techniques I learned from these videos to further improve my and my students' success in the classroom. I have the ability to receive unparalleled insight from experienced educators across the globe from the comfort of my dorm room. 

10. Symbaloo

Finally, I decided to check out the social bookmarking service called Symbaloo. Though I was introduced to the program in high school by my social studies teacher, Brenda Foust, I was not greatly acquainted with the website and its functions. For instance, I did not know you could search through web mixes compiled by other Symbaloo users from across the globe. I discovered many creations under the search word "education" including one called "eTools for Education" that was completely filled with resources for students. This web mix was a great example I could share with my pupils and colleagues.

In addition, I discovered Symbaloo's Lesson Plan application. This program allows one to create or utilize other educators' web mixes themed around a specific topic in one's curriculum. I think this is a great way to organize resources I want my students to use in an interactive, visually appealing lesson format.

I even began to create my own personal web mix titled "Teacher Education" where I have started to organize my professional social media accounts, portfolio, past lessons, and other useful instructional resources. Symbaloo will help me to better visualize these bookmarks and will allow me to share my ideas with others.

Final Thoughts

I have grown so much as a preservice teacher throughout this semester. I am proud of the leaps and bounds I have made in my efforts to expand my Personal Learning Network. To visualize my newfound connections, as well as my now greater understanding of my PLN, I have created a "post-map" using the mind-mapping tool Popplet:

As you can see my network has grown immensely! What is even more exciting is that this is not the end of my expansion! As I continue into my career as an educator, this web will continue to develop and extend as I discover more resources and connect with new individuals. I cannot wait to see where my journey takes me as I watch my Personal Learning Network bloom!

Free Rice- Saving the World One Answer at a Time

Interactive quizzes and trivia games are a great way to further motivate students in the classroom. Thanks to the growing one-to-one technology initiative in school districts, this modern instructional method is now more accessible for educators desiring to increase student participation. What if I told you, however, it is possible to incorporate one more element into this contemporary teaching strategy? What if there was a way to foster a spirited learning environment while also saving the world? Sounds to good too be true, doesn't it? Thanks to freerice.com it is completely possible!

What is Free Rice?

Free Rice is an interactive, educational website produced by the not-for-profit United Nations World Food Programme. The goals of this project are to provide free education while also helping to end world hunger. To support this mission and join forces with millions worldwide, you simply have to answer trivia questions correctly! Thanks to large corporate sponsors like Walmart, each accurate response provides a rice donation to those in need.

How to Use in the Classroom

To begin saving the world, teachers can create a group for their classroom on the Free Rice website. Students can then sign in and start racking up some points! Next, choose a category that best suits your curriculum. You may select from a variety of subjects including mathematics, foreign language, humanities, and geography. For example, participants can identify countries on a map, learn elements on the periodic table, or practice their multiplication. High school students can even prep for the SAT through Free Rice! When playing, each correct answer you provide will provide ten grains of rice to someone in need. It is that simple!

I believe this website provides a wonderful opportunity to get students excited about their education. By using Free Rice, individuals can let out their competitive side and challenge their peers, all while gaining new knowledge and supporting a greater cause. Students can track their impact and expand their local mindset into a global perspective with a click of a mouse. In addition, individuals may also be inspired to test their knowledge outside of the classroom thus furthering their support for the Free Rice project. By introducing this game in the classroom, students can help fight world hunger, one answer at a time.

Check out this video to learn more!

Image Source: Maria LoBianco (Me)