This weeks module was very interesting. I was able to dive into all the fun and exciting new tools that are being used in education day to day. To begin this blog off, I'd like to share my experience with the Twitter app. I was able to follow some interesting groups that do a great job at using technology with education. EdTechDigest, Flipgrid, and SeeSaw are just some of the ones that I follow. All three are great ways for educators to learn more about tools that are used in the classroom. I currently use Seesaw with my classroom and I enjoy reading about some of the new items that have been added to the program. I really enjoy implementing the new items!
We were asked to check out some of the Social Networks out there in the virtual world! I'm already very familiar with networks like Facebook, and Instagram, and Snap Chat. I was able to read more about Edmodo. This tool is very much like Facebook but allows teachers and students to interact with one another through a social network environment. Check out how this local school in Charleston, South Carolina used Edmodo to make collaborating with other teachers a lot easier and timely.
I haven't gotten a chance to really dive into Edmodo because of the norm created in my school but because we are a new school, I would like to see tools like Edmodo being used to build a stronger community of collaborating and sharing resources that can be used daily within the classroom.
As we move on from Social Networks to another creative way for both students and teachers to work together are virtual environments. I got into World of WarCraft! I was fortunate enough to spend some time exploring through this virtual reality realm. This world allows players to create characters and accept tasks that can make them a better fighter for the war that is between two parties. Because the plot is already made for players, there is not much manipulation of the tasks that must be done and no way to evaluate a player. I can see this tool being used for upper grade levels such as high school students. This tool can be used as a practice skill for players to pay close attention to task and learn how to use the materials and resources provided for them to complete tasks.
In World of WarCraft, players can become anyone they want anonymously while not being judged. This game allows players to feel safe and secure about who they are and what they do. Another great virtual environment is Second Life! Players also have the opportunity to create an avatar and rooms in the virtual room. I used this a lot in other classes. Teachers and students can meet together and have live discussions. As the teacher, you can create a virtual classroom and quest for students. Students can interact with links that may be provided from the teacher. While I was using SecondLife I could explore diffrent rooms and interact with other avatars.
In World of WarCraft, players can become anyone they want anonymously while not being judged. This game allows players to feel safe and secure about who they are and what they do. Another great virtual environment is Second Life! Players also have the opportunity to create an avatar and rooms in the virtual room. I used this a lot in other classes. Teachers and students can meet together and have live discussions. As the teacher, you can create a virtual classroom and quest for students. Students can interact with links that may be provided from the teacher. While I was using SecondLife I could explore diffrent rooms and interact with other avatars.
I recently read an article on Digital Divide by Paul Gorski. To sum up this article, he discussed sexism and how many interactive games found online were geared towards the male viewers. Gorski mentioned the paradigm shift that more woman are becoming more aware and involved in the digital world. He discusses racism within the digital world and the availability of technology between Caucasian and Asian American and the lack there is in the African American and Latino community. He even dived into classism to discuss how some players are fortunate to have access to these tools while others are not, based off of family income. I thought all these discussions were very interesting topics to discuss and it opened up my mind more on how digital tools can be used daily.
Gorski, P. (2005). Education equity and the digital divide. AACE Journal, 13(1), 3-45.
Gorski, P. (2005). Education equity and the digital divide. AACE Journal, 13(1), 3-45.