Week 10 Reflection

This week we talked about gaming, gamification, and coding. We started off by talking about the types of technology we will likely see in the classroom, such as iPads, chrome books, text to speech, audiobooks, and many more! These types of technology can be used as assistive technology in classrooms or as tools to include game-based learning or gamification.

Before this class I had no idea that game-based learning and gamification were different. In game-based learning, the game is the learning experience. But in gamification, the components of the game are added to the traditional teaching method. Using either type of gaming in the classroom can keep students motivated and get them excited to learn new things and try using new technology. Gaming in the classroom can also engage students in healthy competition, creative play, social interaction with peers, problem solving, and safe uses of technology.

Some of my favourite classroom gaming tools are Teach Your Monster, Class Dojo, and Gimkit! I have explained these a little further below:)

Teach Your Monster To Read

Teach Your Monster To Read is a phonics and reading game that gives students awards as they progress in their reading journey. On this site, students create their own monster and take it along with them as they complete literacy activities. This site would be a great addition to any elementary language arts class and would definitely be a great way to get students excited about learning to read! The Teach Your Monster To Read YouTube channel has lots of great tutorial videos like the one below!

Gimkit

Gimkit is an interactive quiz-style game that can make learning interactive and exciting. On gimkit, teachers can create their own multiple choice quiz questions or use kits that other teachers have already created. Once teachers have created their own question kit or chosen one to use, they can pick a theme for the game and decided whether students will work individually or in teams. Teachers can also choose the duration of the game and whether students can join in the game after it starts. Once the teacher has chosen the kit, theme, and duration they will click continue and be taken to a waiting room where the room code is available on the screen. Students will enter the game code on their worn devices and be brought into the waiting room. They will choose a name and a little character with their name will show up on the waiting room screen. From there, the teacher will start the game and the students will be brought into the game room. In the game room, students will answer questions and get money for each right answer. As students gain money, they can buy things with it (what they are able to buy depends on the game from chosen). This game is a great way to make learning fun and super engaging. Playing on teams or as a class could definitely help students build a sense of community. This game is a fun and simple way to introduce students to using technology for learning. The New Ed Tech Classroom YouTube channel has a great Gimkit tutorial for teachers, I have linked it below! This channel has a lot of great resource for teachers who are looking to bring more technology into their classrooms.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is a classroom site that teachers, students, and families can use to communicate with each other. Class Dojo help teachers and students share what they are learning in the classroom by providing photos, videos, and messages for families to see. The messaging service on Class Dojo is one of its most used features. It allows parents and teachers to communicate through commenting on students work and messaging directly. The site offers more than 35 languages, so teachers can make comments and announcements in their language and all families will be able to read it in theirs. On the site, teachers can also assign activities, take in students work, and approve work before it is published for parents to see. All student tasks are saved and logged to provide an overview of each students progress. Their progress can even continue from grade to grade. Class Dojo is free for teachers to download and use and they offer a YouTube channel with video tutorials to learn about Class Dojo as well as live training with a member of the Class Dojo team! This is an excellent ay to build your classroom community.

Class Dojo even has their own YouTube channel that has lots of video tutorials, this can be found here. Their channel also has a section called The Mojo Show where Mojo, the green character, teacher students about different topics, from friendship and respect, to finding your passion and harnessing your creativity, all the way to being selfless and showing compassion. The introduction video to the Mojo Show channel is linked below!

TeacherFYI has a great video on her Youtube channel about Class Dojo that has lots of great tips and tricks!

Thanks for reading my blog this week!