How can we utilize Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in instruction?

How can we utilize Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in instruction?

by mmcclutc ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are amazing ways to change the environment around you or change what you see. These are great tools that can be utilized in education; they can be fit into various subjects and topics to create a more interesting learning environment. Augmented reality adds to what you are seeing, whereas virtual reality changes what you’re seeing. These tools can be utilized in different ways during instruction to engage students and further their understanding of various topics or subjects. I will discuss the various ways these tools can fit into instructional practices.

VR give students the ability to experience scenario-based learning. Students are able to experience various careers, and this gives students ideas of what professions may interest them. VR gives student the ability to go to new places and experience places around the world from their classroom. Virtual Reality can also bring students to a place as simple as an art museum. These various places students can “travel” to can give them a learning experience without the hassle of a field trip. It is also a great way to show how what they learn in class connects to the real world, giving them a better understanding of the world around them.

Virtual reality also makes it possible for students to explore the depths of the ocean, space, or the moon. These are places students dream of going and with VR they can feel like they are floating in space or swimming in the depths of the ocean. Students can even travel to key events or places from the past or explore the human body. All of these experiences are much more memorable and enjoyable that just reading about them in class. Since everything is so detailed with VR, it allows students to examine things closely and examine what they are learning and looking at. Using VR is a great way to enhance student learning through experience

Virtual reality also brings students curiosity to a higher level. When we have their curiosity paired with in-depth activities this makes learning easier and more efficient.  Students can engage their senses, making learning more fun and enjoyable. Virtual Reality can be utilized in so many different ways and can be almost anything you can think of.

Augmented reality is also a great way to enhance instruction and learning. There are various ways to incorporate augmented reality into instructional practices, like virtual reality. It can be used in classrooms to get students thinking critically and working cooperatively with their peers, with activities such as digital puzzle boxes or scavenger hunts. It is easy for teachers to control game play and set timers. When using AR it can be attached to physical locations, so there could be a virtual field trip or scavenger hunt with built in learning interactions students can access.  These learning interactions allow students to interact with various objects or hot spots that enhance learning.

A few other ways that AR can aid in instruction is with various activities such as book reviews, word walls, or lab safety. To use AR with book reviews students can record themselves giving a book review and then assign the digital information to said book. Then when other students go to scan the cover of the book they can access the book review. A similar process can be used for word walls with the addition of utilizing the Aurasma app.  Various students can record themselves stating definitions of the words on their word wall. Then when the word is scanned the definition the students said can be accessed using the app. Then lastly AR can assist in helping students understand lab safety in science. A teacher can add interactive hot spots in the laboratory to helps students learn various lab equipment and safety procedures.

Students can even have the ability to create their own augmented reality. Students are able to create their own Augmented Reality because there ae some platforms that don’t require code, making it possible for any student who is willing to work hard.  It can be used to demonstrate something they have mastered in class. It is a creative and fun way they can present all they have learned, and gives them ownership over what they have created. It also gives them the opportunity to share what they have made with their friends or family.

Overall, VR and AR are great tools to utilize in the classroom with instructional practices. VR can give students so many various opportunities to go to places they could never imagine.  It gives them the ability to examine and look closely at various things to expand their knowledge. With AR, it is a great way to intrigue students and get them motivated for learning. When using VR and AR as part of instruction in the classroom, we can change the way we teach students.

Resources

“10 Reasons To Use Virtual Reality In The Classroom -.” TeachThought, 26 Nov. 2018, http://www.teachthought.com/technology/10-reasons-use-virtual-reality-classroom/.

“August 2017: Augmented Reality in the Classroom.” Discovery Education, blog.discoveryeducation.com/blog/2017/08/01/augmentedreality/.

Crews, Jeff. “Five Ways Teachers Can Use-and Create-Augmented Reality Experiences – EdSurge News.” EdSurge, EdSurge, 27 Dec. 2018, http://www.edsurge.com/news/2018-01-22-five-ways-teachers-can-use-and-create-augmented-reality-experiences.

Stoltzfus, Kate. “5 Ways Teachers Can Use Virtual and Augmented Reality in the Classroom.” Education Week – Teaching Now, 18 May 2018, blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2018/05/virtual_reality_how_can_teachers_practically_use_it.html.



Implementing gamification can change a classroom for the best.

Implementing gamification can change a classroom for the best.

by mmcclutc ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

There are many ways that classrooms have changed in the 21st century; a change that has become more relevant is gamification.  It is defined as, “the process of adding games or game like elements to something (such as a task) so as to encourage participation.” With gamification, teachers can adapt games to assist student learning in the classroom, or apply games based concepts to various lessons. There are many benefits of using gamification in the classroom and I will discuss the benefits this week. I will also discuss ways that we as teachers can integrate gamification into our classrooms.

Gamification is a great way to intrigue students, vary their learning, and engage them in active learning. Playing video games is very common for students and using games in the classroom appeals to students’ interests. Using gamification can increase motivation and participation of students. It makes learning more fun and can increase enthusiasm towards various subjects. If students are enjoying what they are learning they are more likely to retain the information. Games used in the classroom can also push students to think, problem solve, and deepen their understanding. It gives teachers the ability to appeal to various learning needs as well, some students learn better through hands on activities and various games can appeal to these learners.

Utilizing gamification in the classroom is a great way to keep the flow of a lesson. After a teacher teaches a concept and has students do independent work, it may be more difficult for students to want to continue learning. With the use of a game after these activities it can keep students active in the lesson. It gives them a new way to practice what they have learned; it can also be a great way to get students to collaborate. They can either participate in a game with classmates or they can be asked to make a learning game of their own. This gets students thinking creatively.

The use of online games in the classroom can also really benefit student learning. You can start by having your children set a goal that they need to accomplish with the game. With many games they are even able to track their process and earn badges or online rewards as they progress, keeping them on the track to success. Also, since students can view their progress, it can encourage them to want to work harder in order to reach their set goals. It can give students encouragement as they complete their goals, having them feel more confident in their learning.

Some other benefits of incorporating gamification into the classroom are that it can support cognitive and even physical development. Various games activate different areas in the brain; some games can even activate more than one area in the brain. This helps student brains develop, process, and maintain information. Gamification can assist with physical development by taking advantage of an interactive exercise game; any form of exercise is helpful and essential for student development and is a great way to take a break during the school day. There are also sites such as “Go Noodle!” that have interactive dances that can also be used to increase students’ physical activity at school.

Gamification can also assist in lessening disruptive behavior. They found in a study done by Australian Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology that gamification can help disruptive students or students who suffer from ADHD. It can help them control their breathing and heart rate, since they are focused on a fun specific cognitive task. Gamification can also help with increasing students’ attention spans, especially those who may struggle in a classroom environment. It can increase intention spans because students need to focus on a specific task for a certain amount of time. In the same study I spoke of above, they found teachers that said gamification increased their trust of student’s ability to complete tasks independently.

Overall, it is very beneficial for students to gamify aspects of the classroom. With any aspects of a classroom we don’t want the whole classroom to be completely revolved around gamification, but there are many benefits that I have discussed that can aid student learning and development. Some of these benefits include helping students cognitively, physically, and personally. Gamification is a great way to keep the students intrigued and to help break up lessons throughout the school day; it also helps in creating more independent students. With gamification the benefits are all very helpful and should be implemented in classrooms to further student understanding.

References

“Five Benefits of Adding Gamification to Classrooms.” Portland, 8 Nov. 2017, education.cu-portland.edu/blog/classroom-resources/five-benefits-of-adding-gamification-to-classrooms/.

“Gamification.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamification.

Pandey, Asha. “Top 6 Benefits Of Gamification In ELearning.” ELearning Industry, 3 Oct. 2018, elearningindustry.com/top-6-benefits-of-gamification-in-elearning.

Specialty, School. “The Benefits of Using Gamification in the Classroom.” Schoolyard Blog | Teacher Resources | School Specialty, 24 Apr. 2019, blog.schoolspecialty.com/the-importance-of-gamification-in-the-classroom/.

The Innovative Instructor, ii.library.jhu.edu/2014/05/13/what-is-gamification-and-why-use-it-in-teaching/.

“5 Benefits of Gamification.” Smithsonian Science Education Center, 10 Mar. 2016, ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/5-benefits-gamification.

Is it possible to include cellphones in the classroom?

Is it possible to include cellphones in the classroom?

by mmcclutc ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Nowadays whenever you walk down the street you see people and children looking at their phones or tablets. This brings along a common question we have in schools today, “Do cellphones have a place in the classroom?” The answer to this question is not a simple yes or no. Cellphones can be beneficial in a classroom, though there are disadvantages as well. In order to keep cellphone use in the classroom beneficial there needs to be a fine line of when a cellphone should be utilized. I want to discuss when cellphones should be used in the classroom to aid students and when they should be kept out of sight.

Firstly, phones can be used in the classroom as a means of “note-taking”. Some students learn better by listening, so with phones students are able to record lessons to listen to later. This can be helpful to some students and there are minimum distractions from the cellphone since the student leaves it on top of their desk.  Students are also able to utilize this recording later to review when studying for a test or quiz. This can also assist other classmates; if a student missed a day of school and another student recorded the lesson they have the ability to share the recording with their peer.

Another way to utilize cellphones in the classroom would be for online quizzes or group activities. A great app that can be used as an assessment during class is Kahoot! Kahoot is an excellent way to keep track of your students’ progress in lessons during class time. Students answer and the scores are given immediately, making it easy for a teacher to assess students who understand the lesson and those who made need more direction. Being that it is fun and interactive it doesn’t seem like a type of assessment to students. Quizzlet is another great app to use; students are able to use it to find quizzes made by their teacher or make they can make their own. This could also be made into a fun class activity, where the teacher breaks the class into various groups and each group makes their own quiz. After, students can take the various quizzes they made to review the material. These are some of the great opportunities where cellphones can be applied in the classroom, now to look at the disadvantages.

As we all know cellphones can be very distracting, students can easily be on their phone using an educational app and then go onto social media or a game. This is why teachers should keep the use to a minimum in order to avoid distracting students. Another disadvantage is that not all students have cellphones. This can either be due to financial reasons or that their parents do not feel comfortable with their child having a phone yet. If there are cellphones out to often this can cause some students to feel excluded from their classmates.

Another reason phone use should be kept to a minimum in the classroom is to try and avoid texting in class and cyber bullying. Texting in class can be very distracting and disruptive; it can interfere with students learning, so we as teachers need to be vigilant. When students have the opportunity to use their phones they can be using it for bad and not good, with limited phone use we can try our best to minimize texting and cyber bullying. These are some of the disadvantages of having cellphones present in the classroom; these factors influence the fact that we need to make sure that cellphones are only used in the classroom for educational purposes.

Overall, cellphones are a very apparent factor in our everyday lives and it is difficult to keep them completely out of the classroom. So to make the best out of this we can find times to utilize cellphones effectively in class to aid students in their learning. As teachers we need to make sure we draw the line of when cellphone use is appropriate, so students can learn their best and can avoid distractions.

Will education ever move towards a paperless future?

Will education ever move towards a paperless future?

by mmcclutc ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Technology has grown so much in our society and classrooms, taking over a major part of people’s lives. Even though technology is important and can be utilized in many different ways in the classroom, I do not believe it will eliminate the need for print resources. It may seem with google and the internet that we have all the information we can think of at our fingertips, but this does not lessen the importance of print sources. The information or quality of information we may not be able to obtain from technology is still highly significant making paper resources important and necessary in a classroom. There are many factors that make it critical for classrooms to have both technology and paper resources in order to make the learning environment more successful.

As we all know there is the ability for students to access online textbooks, this is easy and convenient, but the use of online source for reading materials may not benefit all students. Personally, I need a hard print of a textbook or reading in front of me in order to succeed best, and there are many people and students who feel the same way. I have difficulty looking at screens for long periods of time, and this is a common problem that can come from too much screen time and an overuse of technology. It is important to create a limit of computer screen time for students and if they are only able to access a book online this could create problems in the future. The Harvard Health letter writes, “Computer vision syndrome results from staring at a screen for long periods of time. That can lead to two problems.” The first problem is dry eyes which are the result of lack of blinking; this can cause both blurry vision and discomfort. The second problem is that it can cause eye strain. Even though these things are easily cured they can be avoided by not having an excessive amount of screen time, making paper resources a significant factor in and out of the classroom.

Another reason that we need paper resources is that online resource may not always be the most reliable source of information. There are many ways to find reliable sources online, though not all students take the time to do this. This could affect their success in class and it could cause the students to gain information that may not be fully accurate. With a print resource we know who the author is which makes the source more reliable. It is also important for students to use print resources because not all information from old print books can be found online so students should be able to navigate them.

There is also the factor that when students research or have class strictly online it is an easy way to cause distractions. They are able to open up new tabs and get distracted by social media, a show they may want to watch, or games. When a print source is in front of them it makes it difficult for students to get distracted. Another problem with online resources is that they are not always free. This could be a conflict for young students making it more difficult to access certain information they may need.

Lastly, it is also important that students have print books for reading, especially those who are just learning how to read. It is easier and more beneficial for students to have a book in their hands that they can read and use their finger to guide themselves. It can be more difficult to read for long periods of time on a computer screen as I have discussed above. It also helps keep students more focused because as I explained above technology can easily cause distractions. Students should be learning the benefits of reading books that aren’t on a computer screen.

In a classroom all of these factors are significant and in my opinion having paper resources is part of a classroom environment. If students had laptops out all day it would disrupt the flow of a classroom. It would also take away the more personal factor of a teacher interacting with students since the computer screens would be used so often. Print resources are an essential part of a classroom environment and they should be utilized alongside technology to maximize student learning.

References

Harvard Health Publishing. “Electronic Screen Alert: Avoid This Vision Risk.” Harvard Health, http://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/electronic-screen-alert-avoid-this-vision-risk.

 

 

Blended Classrooms-How do we strike the happy medium between technology and non-technology driven learning?

Blended Classrooms-How do we strike the happy medium between technology and non-technology driven learning?

by mmcclutc ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Overtime, the popularity of blended classrooms has increased; a blended classroom is student centered and utilizes technology. It includes the use of technology alongside an instructor led classroom. Since it is student centered, students are able to guide and influence their learning. Students working in a blended classroom have the opportunity to work at their own pace. It can help students improve their learning and boost their engagement. For example, a student who may not participate in class may feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts in an online discussion with their class. Blended classrooms utilize many different forms of technology which include computers, smartphones, tablets, in-class response systems, etc. Even though there are many benefits of a blended classroom, we cannot forget the importance of a traditional classroom setting. It is important to find a balance between the two in order to create the most effective learning environment for students.

As a future teacher, I will look at aspects that can be taken from both a blended and traditional classroom in order to create a setting to aid future students in learning to the best of their abilities. I believe their needs to be components from both blended and traditional classrooms to maximize the success of students. First, I will be discussing the aspects of a blended classroom, specifically the technological components that should be integrated into classrooms. Earlier I discussed that blended classrooms are student centered, this is an important factor that should be integrated into classrooms. The help of online programs can aid students in following the curriculum at their own pace. It also assists the teacher in visually seeing the level that each student is at, which can benefit the teacher in class lessons and activities giving them the ability to adjust lessons and activities to enhance student learning.

Using technology in the classroom can also assist students who may have difficulty interacting with peers. This relates to the example that I spoke about earlier in regards to students who do not enjoy sharing in class, there are many students who fear being called on and sharing in a classroom setting. In order to make these students feel more comfortable, it is important to utilize an online discussion method.  This gives these students the opportunity and confidence to share their thoughts. A platform that could be used is google classroom, where students can share their answer as well as look at what their peers have written.  It gives students more assurance as well as gives them the opportunity to still analyze what their classmates have discussed.

Another use for technology in the classroom is to help guide instruction. Some students may not process all the information given to them in a teacher guided lecture or lesson, so the use of educational videos can be helpful for students who learn visually. I relate to this personally being a visual learner, when in high school my math teacher would teach the lesson but also show an educational video which helped my understanding. Teachers could utilize the smartboard, which is a popular use of technology in classrooms. Alternately the teacher can talk and discuss while having beneficial images on the smartboard, to again help those who are visual learners.

All of these technological aspects can be extremely useful in a classroom, and there are significant aspects from a traditional classroom that should be used a long side technology. Even though a teacher should give students the ability to use an online discussion method it is really important to also incorporate group work. As teachers we should try and create an open and accepting environment where students feel confident enough to collaborate and work with classmates. This type of environment can be created by starting off school with ice breaker activities and teaching students to be kind and accepting to everyone even if they may be different.  An essential part of school is teaching students socialization, which is lost if all discussions are done online.

In many traditional classrooms there is not a lot of technology present and even though the use of technology in the classroom can benefit students, it is important to limit their use. There can be many distractions if too much time is focused on instruction with the use of technology. An overuse of technology can have a negative impact on students causing some to become addicted or disconnected from the world. We need to set a foundation early on that technology in school should be used for learning and set a schedule for the appropriate time to utilize it.

Overall blended classrooms have gained great support over the years and have become very popular. In order to create a successful and supportive classroom environment it is important to incorporate aspects of technology from a blended classroom and non-technology components of traditional classroom to aid students. There are many aspects of technology that can be utilized to help students learn the best they can but too much technology can also have an unfavorable impact on students. As teachers or future teachers, we need to find the happy medium between technology and non- technology learning in order to construct a strong learning environment for students.

References

“Defining Blended Learning – What It Is, And What It Isn’t.” Panopto Video Platform, 6 Nov. 2018, http://www.panopto.com/blog/what-is-blended-learning/.

“Blended Learning – What Is Blended Learning for Language.” Global LT, 4 Feb. 2019

Paduraru, Carmen. “The Advantages of Traditional Classroom Learning.” Synonym, 21 Nov. 2017, classroom.synonym.com/advantages-traditional-classroom-learning-7964781.html.

Thompson, Michael. “Definition of a Blended Classroom.” Education Elements, 6 Sept. 2012, http://www.edelements.com/definition-of-a-blended-classroom.

Welcome!

Welcome!

by mmcclutc ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Thanks for joining me, my name is Melissa!

I am very excited  to start sharing my thoughts and knowledge of education and to be able to grow as a future teacher. I am going to strive to improve and further develop my personal educational philosophy with the aid of this blog.