BP3_TheGameClassroom

screenshot taken from:  http://www.gameclassroom.com

I have this personal problem with the educational situation of my children.  You see I have a very academically savvy child who is interpersonally motivated.  The problem is that she is in a class of eight.  She is a high level second grader in a class with six kindergarteners and one first grader. As a parent, who knows that she has long days I feel I have to motivate her to continue challenging and achieving as she watches other children do so much less.

The Game Classroom web 2.0 is the perfect example of an easy efficient way for my daughter to gain skills at home, which can be found at http://www.gameclassroom.com.  There are color coded grade appropriate games perfect for maintaining classroom skills.  I loved the automatic progression and organization of these educational games was easy and fun. I decided to start with math games, and I was able to zip through a field while I practice math facts.  I was able to do this alone, or several people could sign in for the interpersonal experience.

I was then able to explore the self-paced reading comprehension pages while exploring multi-choice examination while exploring the main idea and the details of the writing.  I appreciate how the writing is in a font that is easy to read with accented graphics that do not detract from the overall message.

Binky’s facts and opinions discussion offers clear descriptions with animation that is both engaging and motivational. There are some activities that use conventional methods, while others are much more environmentally conscious.  As we continue through the technological age, we are addressing the need to be technologically savvy, environmentally friendly, and socially appropriate.  These games encourage the growth of a students’ self-efficacy, self-paced learning, and intra-personal skill checks.


Now that I have access to this interesting web 2.0, I will use this tool as a filler for my classroom.  I am sure my students will enjoy the activities that strengthen their skills.

BP2 iGoogle PLE

Screenshots above taken from http://www.google.com/ig

This is a reflection about setting up my personal learning experience (PLE).  Setting up a PLE is much like shopping.  The process takes time, some research, and lots of screening for choices. Once this is done you have quite a product. 

My advanced PLE is now a one stop visual shop for my projects.  The click and go experience of a PLE is satisfying like having dinner waiting after a workday.  I would suggest you try to put your own PLE together so that there is no concern that you can manage all of this technology that is multiplying by the minute in a comprehensive, easily manageable PLE.

You can see three screen shots of my PLE above.  I have several screen shots of my iGoogle webpages.  I can “program” my web page to keep the information that I think is important for me.  The Internet program can do a lot of amazing applications, but the primary goal for my PLE is to help me organize all of the data that I am collecting using gadgets and tabs. 

People in my book club have resisted technology because they report feeling overwhelmed by all of the data coming in.  Without the organization of this data, I can empathize with the lack of wonder and progress that technology represents.

Some adults have a difficult time adapting to new ideas. Children lack the discipline and knowledge to adapt appropriately to the changing times.  As teachers we are required to prepare children to utilize the social media, web 1.0 and web 2.0 applications within our current fluid world.    

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My name is Faith Olarsch.  I am an occupational therapist, a mother of two, and the owner of Play to Learn OT Services, PLLC.  I think that we need to keep our children interested in learning.  They should feel motivated and excited about their experiences.  I believe that we should adapt appropriately for each student's strengths and weaknesses.  Technology is an effective way to adapt to the individual needs of the student.  

I have learned so many interesting things about technology that is available at our fingertips.  I am unhappy that our children are not learning all of this amazing technology using all of our free accessibility.  They can explore this technology on their our own, but I feel that teachers need to guide students through this process.  We need to learn to educate ourselves so that we can be free to utilize these valuable skills.  I would like the restrictions placed on technology to be more reasonable. Thank you for coming to visit, and please follow my page!