Shanna+R

Day 1 Morning

1. What are your feelings about video games in general? I feel that some people become obsessed with games and spend too much time with them. Some children will ignore everything else around them and get 'zoned in' into the game.

2. What are your feelings about video games as learning tools? As a learning tool, there are some ways that this can be used in a school setting. Just like some students like athletics, some may not video games. As a general bias, I think that more boys than girls would be interested in a video game in a school setting. An issue is that students with low reading levels can play and interact with video games more so than other activities.

Day 1 Midday

1. What brings you here? To learn how to integrate computers and learning since I teach computer technology.

2. What are you excited about? Being able to create something to be used in the classroom that the kids are __excited__ about,

3. What are you concerned about? Being able to use this in my classroom given the tech issues with the 'old' computers I have that can not run Java or work with the network.

Day 1 End of Day

Shut Down/Power Off

At the end of the workshop on Monday, I am struggling to find a topic that covers both computer technology and aligns with the math or science standard course of study, Since we were not able to see other finished products, we are going at this a bit 'blind'. However, with a 13 year old son who loves his XBox 360, I have some extra guidance at home on what the kids in my classroom will think is 'cool'.

Day 2 How do you use technology each day? In keyboarding, I show the students how to use word processing for writing memos, letters, reports and tables. Students also learn basic computer terms and definitions. In Business Computer Technology, students learn word processing, databases, spreadsheets and power point presentations. I am trying to show the students that they need to learn how use the programs no matter what career they will go into.

Day 2: MidDay How does the use of technoloy enhance the learning of my students? My major objective is for students to realize that they must utlize technology no matter what career path they choose. Even if they don't go to onto college, I want them to realize that EVERY career requires a strong working knowledge of computers. A secondary function I have is to help students prepare for NC Desks and the 8th grade computer skills test.

Day 2: Shut Down/Power Off Today I was excited about the opportunities available. I LOVED looking at Kim C's sample game. In fact, it would be great to see a math and a science game for 5, 6, 7 and 8th grades. I do realize, however, that part of this is learning how to create the game in general. I am also somewhat concerned about the energy/time involved since I am a 2 year cancer survivor.

Day 3: Describe your teaching style. This year I tried arranging boys on one side of the room and girls on the other side. This worked well. I encourage students to work together and ask questions. I struggle with getting the kids to get their assignments turned in. My students have an end of grade test in both courses (keyboarding and business computer technology) but many don't take it seriously. I model what the students need to learn for the first 5 minutes and then they have 25 minutes to complete the assignment. Classes in the exploratory department are only 35 minutes long so I have to cram a lot into a short amount of time.

Day 3: Shut Down/Power Off It was interesting learning about the sounds. Actually using the sounds, however, are not as easy as it appears. There seems to be a lot of issues with when sounds are actually heard when a person reaches a certain destination.

Day 4 Morning: What do you do well when connecting with your students? I am able to connect well with middle school students. As the parent of a rising 8th grader, I am around middle school kids 24/7. This is not always a good thing. I feel though that I connect better with middle school kids than elementary or high school. I used to also teach college courses and like the community college environment.

Do you have any concerns about connecting with your students? I do not have any concern about connecting with my students. The only issue may be with ESL students since I don't know their cultural experiences or language.

Day 4 Afternoon: What interested you in video games as a form of teaching? If the process was a lot quicker (ie- 25 to 50 hours to create a game) then I would be much more interested. It seems like a trememdous amount of work for a 1 day assignment. Perhaps as my skills and experience with the software grows, I will be more interested in doing more work with the program.

Day 4 Shut Down/Power Off: Reflection Since this is the first day I have had a lap top in front of my fingers by myself.

Day 5 Morning: How do you see this game as a tool for connecting with your students? Again, this project can help students be engaged in a FUN learning activity. Since I teach computers, they do quite a bit of fun projects with powerpoint, quia, and publisher. However, in some classes such as math there may not be as many fun 'games' for the kids. This would benefit kids more in other classes than business computer technology.

Day 5 Afternoon: Who supports and who benefits from your participation in this project? For kids, the best part of HiFIVES is that it is NEW! Kids love something new and different. The game needs to be hyped up a bit and let the kids know that they are special for getting to play the game. Perhaps give them some candy (smarties) if they find "X" number of items in the game or answer a certain number of questions. What other technology do you wish you could use or have support for?

Day 5 Shut Down/Power Off: Reflection- This game will take a tremendous amount of patience! I would need to work on this project during the summer when I am not stressed out from the pressures of teaching and dealing with a 13 year old child in the 8th grade.