Donna+C

Day 1 morning

1. What are your feelings about video games in general? I have limited knowledge on gaming. The only experience is by watching my kids game. I seem to have eye- to- hand coorindation problem. It's amazing how they can remember all the moves and know where to go for tips/how to cheat.

2. What are your feelings about video games as learning tools? It is definitely for this generation. Our educational climate is now computer-driven and this would be another strategy/resource to use to teach state-mandated objectives. This is why I am here. It is all about the students.

Mid-morning

1. What brings you here? Why are you here? Of course the laptop and stipend was a big draw...peel back the layers and it's about teaching our students and raising test scores.

2. What are you excited about in terms of this project? Allowing students to grasp objectives in an innovative way. This will definitely captivate them and allows me the opportunity to be on their level.

3. What are you concerned about? Selecting the proper objectives to achieve a successful implementation of my story.

Shutdown/power-off

Overwhelmed at our expectations when a final product was not available. I am brainstorming about the science objective I would like to use. Tomorrow, I would like to write my store and then create the game. I must have an end in sight and I understand things may change as I develop the game.

Day 2

1. How do you use technology in your classroom? I utilize united streaming almost daily using my lcd projector, computer, and smartboard. My textbook is on cd and I review using the presentation plus cd which is an overview of what we covered the previous day. Research is available at my fingertips as well as for student use. My classes use computers to gather research for their social studies projects. Our school uses e-mail for correspondence purposes and parental contact. Of course, tons of word processing and grade book.

Mid-Morning

1. How does the technology you currently use enhance your students learning and your teaching and how do you know? Enables direct interaction between students and teacher...students are more motivated and stimulated by visuals. I know this from immediate student feedback.

Shutdown/power-off We had the wrong program. Thanks to James this was discovered around 3:00 so we have been frustrated, again. Tomorrow will be better :)

Day 3

1. What are my teaching methods?

-Lecture and discussion methods: Introduce concept/objective in a brisk manner and transition into activity -Games/stimulation: use of games on smartboard between pairs, groups, or whole class includa eggspert game similar to jeopardy and a challenge game for test reviews

-computer assisted programs: textbook is on cd and use this for daily reviews, research for social studies projects -visual-observational media -reading and writing media: reading curriculum supported materials as a class or group/pair share and writing incorporated into our current events

Mid-morning

1. Describe how your students learn best? Hands-on activities, computerized instructions/executions and game stimulations

Shutdown/power-off

Today was the best day of the week. Things are slowly falling into place but at a slow process. I expect more progress, tomorrow upon receiving my laptop.

Day 4

1. What do you do well when connecting with students?" Establishing a sense of security and trust.

2. Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students? None...most students seek a safe climate allowing them to build self-confidence as they are challenged in my classroom.

Mid-morning

1. What interests you in video games in the form of teaching? This strategy puts teachers in our students' world. Gaming is a big part of their lives and is something they can easily related to within the learning climate.

Day 5

1. How do you see this game as connecting with your students? Gaming is a big part of our students lives and this allows teacher to be in their WORLD.

MId-morning

1. Who supports and benefits from your participation in this workshop? Teacher and students...

2. What other technology do you wish you could use or have support for this project? Better program to reduce frustration, more bandwidth and I need James as my own personal tutor.