Tales of a Technology Omnivore

I first read about Immune Attack in eSchool news and quickly jumped to the homepage of a game that has done what schools need: release an educational game with the supports needed to make it educational. Immune Attack joins the rank of games like Tabula Digita’s DimensionM as it addresses specific curriculum standards in a high-quality interactive environment that is engaging and educational AND supports teaching and learning with a full complement of resources. For 9th and 10th grade general biology students it can be an enrichment activity but for AP Biology classes it addresses specific curriculum standards and goals in an immersive interactive environment. On their website you’ll find a video of an AP Biology teacher that explains everything you want to know about its use and effectiveness in education. You’ll also find standard alignments and a rich toolset of teaching aids: objectives, essential questions, lesson plans, vocabulary, and extension ideas. (more…)

One of the most interesting developments in the multiplayer educational gaming world is the creation of virtual tournaments. Schools around the country are participating in Tabula Digita’s 2nd annual Multiplayer Educational Gaming Tournament right now. The qualifying rounds are finished and students across the country are gearing up for the semifinals. Schools choose their five best players and then challenge the math mastery of other schools playing DimensionM virtually — from the comfort and safety from their schools. Winners get trophies and the honor of being national champs at the beginning of what I think will be a growing and lasting practice. Finally an opportunity to see the same excitement that sporting events drum up over content that is rarely celebrated (when was the last time you heard kids cheering each other on to solve algebraic equations?) (more…)

Digital Storytelling is touted as the cornerstone of the new media literacy.

Educators at all levels can use Digital Storytelling in many ways, from introducing new material to helping students learn to conduct research, synthesize large amounts of content and gain expertise in the use of digital communication and authoring tools. It also can help students organize these ideas as they learn to create stories for an audience, and present their ideas and knowledge in an individual and meaningful way.

Bernard R. Robin, Phd, from the University of Houston has created the BEST digital storytelling guide that will help you develop, integrate, and implement a project of your own!

Check it out at:  http://www.teachersfirst.com/20/getsource.cfm?id=7094