LEARN TO GAME, GAME TO LEARN

I did not know it would be so easy and entertaining finding the game apps for my iPad. Here are my three choices: YHomework, Forge of Neon, and my favorite SyncSpace. YHomework is an app for working out Algebra equations. But it does not just work them out it solves them right before your eyes and adds an extra explanation if you need it. It will solve easy or hard equations! Next is the Forge of Neon that is an Art spiral drawing and animating app. It will change color, design, motion, and speed of the animation. You just draw with your finger and it takes off. But my really favorite is SyncSpace. This is a collaborative, brainstorming app that you can draw what you are working on and share with others over the wifi connection. You can share by email and two or more work on a drawing at the same time - like Google Docs. You can change drawing pens, color, and add an image to change if you want to, it is amazing.

The cost for each of the three apps was nothing, zip, na da! I really love the app store. For such a low price my 7th grade Pre-Algebra students can practice solving equations. With this app they can work on easy and then move to hard at their own pace. The animation during the process is entertaining so they would do several of them. This particular concept is really hard for this group of kids. They just will not go to the trouble of writing out each step of the
process, they just are too lazy. I feel that with this game they can see how important the steps are and after doing several of them the habit of writing the steps might stick with them.

I believe using the animated drawing game, Forge of Neon will instill some creativity in the students as they draw and see the lines repeat. The game does show line, repetition, symmetry, color value, space; many of the elements of art and principles of design. Watching the drawings is additive and being able to control the speed just adds to the addition.

Finally, the SyncSpace app is just a great collaborative game for the classroom. Students love to share in a social setting and being able to draw what they are talking about is icing on the cake. This app gives a face to being technology savvy while working in the classroom. The only problem with this app is getting the students to remember they are working and learning content not just having fun.

Impressions on Exploring Second Life

Exploring the island was not as hard this time, and I am not sure why. I still am not good at finding designated areas such as beaches or buildings, but I guess I am getting experienced with the overall movement in Second Life. I have a handle now on the controls but searching for the sandbox area was not fun. I think my box is situated in the right spot, it was the closet area that looked like sand. Actually building the box was more fun than wondering around in Second Life for me. I enjoyed making the box and changing the attributes of the box. I would like to make more objects in different shapes and colors. The help of the three vectors to stretch and enlarge or reduce the box was interesting.

For some reason I felt very lonely on the island and in Second Life in general. As I moved around and saw other people, I did not want to talk to them. I think it is the introvert in me. Stepping out of my comfort zone is hard, even in a fantasy world. I think for school aged children it would much more enjoyable with a partner or even a small group. But, I would not ever invite my students to enter Second Life, it is just not age appropriate.

I would like to have the time to explore Second Life more by making objects and making my avatar move around like dancing or waving her arms instead of just walking.

TechForum and Tech & Learning Website and Magazine

The question for this blog is supposed to be "How is social media being implemented in different school districts? Even after viewing the video over and over I could not see how to answer this question. The video content was on how much the workshop attendees enjoyed the collaboration with other attendees in working on technology applications, not social media. And how the vendors from TechForum enjoyed getting to know and help different professionals from different school districts.

Note:  I have subscribed to the Tech & Learning magazine from TechForum in years past and enjoyed every page. This magazine is packed with great technology tips and tools. Also there are several wonderful up-to-date articles in each issue that are a big help in understanding technology and its applications of today.

So, back to the video, first there was a great sense of pride of ownership in each speakers voice as they explained the "technology community" created by the small one day workshops put on by TechForum. The networking of professionals was valued highly by the attendees of the workshops. I could see that each person that attended the workshops felt like they were building up relationships with other attendees as they tried to solve technology problems together. Second, as a large group each attendee was clearly trying to make education better at their schools by participating in these workshops. Thirdly, the TechForum presenters felt they were learning from the district attendees just as much as the other way around. These presenters gained insight into what difficulties the attendees were having with technology so they could go back and revamp their thinking or find a better solution to the needs of participants. Finally, the overall feeling from the video was excitement. Pure joy in professionals working with professionals to get the technology skills out there to the children in the classroom.

Here is the link to the video:  http://livestre.am/1hYf