Only having a Smartphone for less than two years, I consider myself relatively new to the world of mobile technology. Recently, I have purchased a Sumsung Galaxy Note because I wanted to get a newer piece of technology and learn how to use it. Since purchasing my new tablet, I have downloaded several apps for my 4 year old son to try out. He is certainly learning how to use a variety of different apps on the tablet. One of his favorites is “Angry Birds.” For me, these are the two pieces of technology that I own that I would consider mobile learning devices. After reading mLearning Devices Performance To Go by Clark N. Quinn, I realized that mobile learning devices could also include iPod, MP3 players and PDA’s (2008). Thinking back to two years ago, I was using MP3 players in my classroom for reading. For example, I allowed students to listen to download versions of the novels they were reading for our novel studies. I guess I have used mLearning devices in my classroom. Although it is challenging to provide all students with mobile devices, Quinn suggests that “the real issue is how we use the capability to provide learning” (2008). Jisc infoNet, on their website about mobile learning, points out that mobile learning involves change and requires adaptability by staff members in order to make the change happen (2013).
Game based Learning (GBL) is something that I find really interesting. I spent a lot of my childhood playing video games. While growing up, I spent a lot of time playing a variety of video games on my Atari 2600 game console. My brother and I spent 10 to 20 hours a week playing video games with our friends. While going to university here in Nanaimo, I spent a lot of my extra time playing videogames on a Nintendo 64 gaming system. After completing my Education Degree at Malaspina University, I had a lot of extra time on my hands. With all that extra time, I started to play WarCraft. This was a great real-time fantasy strategy game where I could command virtual armies in battle against a computer-controlled enemy (wikipedia). Although I never realized the educational benefits of playing video games, I am beginning to understand the benefits. Ryan Schaaf points out 6 benefits of Game Based Learning: Increased Memory Capacity, Computer & Simulation Fluency, Develops Fast Strategic Thinking & Problem-Solving, Develops Hand-Eye Coordination, Beneficial for Children With Attention Disorders, and Helps Children With Particular Skills (2013). Although many teachers do not allow their students to play video games, they often allow their students to play traditional games during class time to support learning. Game Based Learning is a great way to way to motivate students and engage them with the material.
I am very interested in trying out and exploring Minecraft. In fact, I was at the bookstore the other day and picked up a hard copy of “Minecraft Beginners Handbook. Students have been asking me for years if they could play Minecraft and I have always told them that they are not allowed to play it at school
I am very interested in trying out and exploring Minecraft. In fact, I was at the bookstore the other day and picked up a hard copy of “Minecraft Beginners Handbook. Students have been asking me for years if they could play Minecraft and I have always told them that they are not allowed to play it at school
References:
Heike, T. (2013, February 01). Teacher thought: Game-based learning? 30 non-violent video games that don’t suck. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/featured/game-based-learning-30-non-violent-video-games-that-dont-suck/
Shaaf, R. (2013, June 02). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://fluency21.com/blog/2013/06/02/6-basic-benefits-of-game-based-learning/
Quinn, C. (2008). mlearning devices. Quinnovation, Retrieved from http://www.quinnovation.com/MobileDevices.pdf
Images:
http://www.clarity-innovations.com/blog/tprichard/mobile-learning-works-regardless-device
http://edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/teachers-gamebasedlearning.jpg
Heike, T. (2013, February 01). Teacher thought: Game-based learning? 30 non-violent video games that don’t suck. Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/featured/game-based-learning-30-non-violent-video-games-that-dont-suck/
Shaaf, R. (2013, June 02). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://fluency21.com/blog/2013/06/02/6-basic-benefits-of-game-based-learning/
Quinn, C. (2008). mlearning devices. Quinnovation, Retrieved from http://www.quinnovation.com/MobileDevices.pdf
Images:
http://www.clarity-innovations.com/blog/tprichard/mobile-learning-works-regardless-device
http://edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/teachers-gamebasedlearning.jpg