Dustin's Spill on Video Games and Education

I believe that teachers should use the technology used by their students. The purpose of education is to peak the interest of the learner so that they feel what they are being taught is of useful. What better way is this achieved than by using technology that the students utilize the most? When the student can relate to what is being taught and actually uses the technology outside of the classroom, I believe that the student will be more attentive and will have a positive learning experience.

Online chatting and instant messaging can be of great value in the classroom. In my opinion, utilizing these tools in no different than me typing this blog. The only difference is the format in which it is presented and viewed. As I stated in answering the previous question, I believe that anytime that the teacher uses technology that the student utilizes the most, it will lead to a positive learning experience. So in answer to the question, no I do not believe that these tool have an adverse effect on the learner.

Text based communication is useful for asking questions pertaining to the lecture that is conducted. I am a supporter though of face to face interaction. From my own learning experience, I learn better in a face to face setting. I just feel as if I can get all of my questions answered this way. I am more of a visual learner, so at times I can easily get confused or misinterpret what the teacher might be trying to convey through a text based lecture. Now, I believe that text based learning is appropriate and beneficial for those situations when you might have a question or two. For the most part though, I believe that face to face interaction is more learner friendly. It is not as convenient, but speaking for myself, I find that I learn much more in this setting.


I am not a supporter of the podcast as a learning tool. I believe that is it just another way to passively deliver information. From my perspective, if a student can not sit in a classroom and absorb the lecture in person, I do not believe it is feasible for them to by listening to a podcast.


Video games are not apart of my study routine, although I believe that there are benefits to playing them. Video games help to build stronger hand-eye coordination. Some games also are strategy latent, in that you really have to use your mind and think outside of the box in order to defeat the game. I agree with the article in that children learn better from their peers. I do not think that this is a direct correlation to video games, but instead, for the mere fact that children can present the information to one another with clarity. I would allow my child to play video games everyday. As a youngster I played video games daily and I experienced no adverse effects from doing so. I believe that the notion that video games make people do irrational things is not sensible. If someone can be that easily influenced by a fictional game, than that individual is not mentally stable to begin with.

Dustin's Blog over Delicious

Delicious is an innovative way to save bookmarks and share websites. It is also very useful in allowing individuals to access websites in an efficient manner. I will personally not be using the delicious site. The reason that I will not use delicious is because I do not have the time nor the patience to properly utilize the d site. As I previoulsy stated, delicious is a great tool for networking and would be highly useful for someone working in the business field. I just believe that for my line of work, physical education teacher, that this tool is not of utmost importance.

Spreadsheet

Spreadsheet is a very useful tool for teachers. In the school that I attended that is how all of the grades were kept. I enjoyed learning the different features of creating a spreadsheet, because as I stated previously, it is highly useful for teachers.
The reason teachers use spreadsheet is good is because it more convenient and easily accessible. With spreadsheet you can just punch in the grades and the program will calculate the grades for you. While I think that spreadsheet is a great tool, and plan on using it in my classroom in the future, I still think it is wise to keep a handwritten gradebook in case the computer system were to crash.

Dustin

Inspiration Blog

After watching the video over inspiration, I was pleasantly surprised with what I found. Inspiration is a great tool for organizing ideas. It makes allows you to brainstorm and construct a web for organizing your ideas. From my past experiences, brainstorming my ideas has been a confusing process because my ideas were all scattered and had no order. I wish that I would have had the opportunity to use a program such as this. This could be used in the classroom for writing papers, so that the students can organize their thoughts in an efficient manner.


I believe the best way to integrate technology into writing is by doing assignments that require the students to brainstorm ideas. The whole basis of inspiration is to assist the student in more effectively organizing their thoughts so that the writing process is much easier. Research papers can also be incorporated into this realm because inspiration allows you integrate web research and findings into the inspiration program.

I think that students can best help each other by getting into small groups of 3-4 people and take turns reading and critiquing each others papers. This allows for multiple perspectives on ideas and techniques to better improve the individual's writing style. I have participated in this technique in my education experience, and found it to be positively reinforcing and informative. I believe that it improved my writing because you can learn different things from other people. This also allows the teacher to mingle amongst the group and give the students feedback. As far as incorporating technology, blogging is an excellent way for the students to communicate. I have really enjoyed this experience and found it to be convenient and helpful. Reading other people's perspective and expressing my opinion and them doing likewise, has been an awarding experience so far.

Dustin's Blog Experience

Prior to this course, I had no previous experience using blogs. In just the few times I have used it so far, I think that it is a very useful tool. Blogging makes communication between the class much easier. It allows for students in the class discuss different issues and express their opinions. I believe that blogging will revolutionize education in that it could be an alternative to meeting face to face. You could have discussions online through blogging which would present you an opportunity to voice your concerns and opinions. Having this as an alternative form of presenting and discussing material would be a useful tool in the education system. To those who say blogging is a waste of time I would say they need to try it first before disregarding the idea. It is a convenient way in which to conduct a classroom lecture, without having to actually meet in the classroom. I mean today is prime evidence of this. The weather has not allowed us to meet in class, but we are still able to communicate and complete the assingment.t

Dustin Cope

Dustin Cope

Hey my name is Dustin and I am from Paris, Texas. I am currently a junior Kinesiology major here at A&M Commerce. Upon obtaining my degree I plan on teaching/coaching. My goal is to eventually focus exclusively on being a strength and conditioning coach. A little about my personal life. I have one brother that is a teacher/coach in the Ector I.S.D. I love sports and I am very passionate about exercsing. If you want to know more just ask.