For those interested in videogames in education, here’s a very interesting site from Tim Rylands, a Primary teacher from the UK who is now using videogames at a cutting edge stage. The use of a game such as Myst in the classroom provides with a wide variety of exploitation possibilities. Don’t miss the video about some of his techniques, and visit his site. It will be rewarding, believe me!
We made it!
The training’s over, and the sensations are great!
Our colleagues saw the potential of the tool, and, even though some trimming or tuning might be needed, I’m sure will come out with a very successful project. We have been able to create simple and solid assets covering different areas. Our goal is to be able to create a set of materials suitable for our schools, and to be able to disseminate the potential of this application so that more teachers can feel engaged to this common project. I want to thank Duncan and Rob for their patience and kindness. Added value was their skill to show the potential of Thinkingworlds.
Here are some pictures for you!
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As you probably know, I’m deeply involved in digging into the possibilities of 3D virtual games (Caspian Learning)…
…and virtual worlds (Second Life) in education.
We are going to hold a training session with catalan teachers and people from Caspian Learning in Barcelona in march. I’m sure we will end up with a highly successful outcome, and that will lead the way to a great number of 3D activities created by our teachers for our schools.
I also find amazing the massive amount of possibilities for education that Second Life contains, although it gives a different approach from Thinkingworlds: Secondlife is an open field of possibilities and variations. Too open I would say if there is not enough control or training for/from the teachers. Caspian Learning’s Thinkingworlds is an environment that provides teachers with the possibility to create closed assets with no interference from the www.
Two lawns with different grass to tread… and believe me, both tempt you to walk barefoot!
Here’s a video clip about games in education by the Orange County Department of Education’s Educational Technology Group. They have given permission to post.
One of the interesting things commented in the video is the fact that educational institutions don’t usually have cutting edge technology that allows end users (schools and students) to use cutting edge software. That would imply a drawback from the game designers’ point of view, who are not very keen on stepping back in order to create software with a less sophisticated technology than the one used in commercial products. But the actual truth should make them consider the possibility of stepping back a little in order to create these products. Probably the great leap forward would come in no time, once they found out there’s a market for that kind of materials.
I’m here in Newcastle upon Tyne at Caspian Learning in a two-day training session. we are setting up a project together. They have produced some fantastic stuff for education: 3D educational assets which can be used in different subjects. They are very motivating and catchy. I’m here to learn how to deal with some of the assets, how to deal with the authoring tool, and also to to talk about the joint project. I’m leaving tomorrow, but I’ve got the feeling that I could have stayed for some more days: there is so much to learn… and I feel like getting into it straight away. We are going to have some training sessions in Barcelona with people from Caspian together with a group of teachers who are eager to learn how to exploit the possibilities of thinkingworlds.
Thanks to you, Chris, Duncan, David, Rob, and to all of you up here at Caspian, mates. I hope we can come up with a rewarding and long-lasting experience.
Here’s a group of interesting tools for you:
Heromachine. Draw your own hero: http://www.ugo.com/channels/comics/heroMachine/classic.asp
Decorate your Room. Practise vocabulary and have fun: http://www.studio2b.org/lounge/games/decorate_room/default_popup.html
Create films in a very catchy interface at DFilm Moviemaker: http://www.dfilm.com/index_movie_start.html
I’ve come across a couple of very interesting online tools: They offer a free and common space where people can communicate in real time. In the first one, THINKATURE, we can draw, insert links and images as our colleagues are watching our performance in another computer. They can also add their observations, pictures and texts. It’s like a digital board shared by a group.
The second website offers a more graphic interface. It is called IMAGINATION CUBED, and it is a sponsored website by General Electric. You can add a background, stamp drawings and write down with a pen. It does not support links or image uploading. It is much more suitable for primary schools.
Two very good ways to get in touch with colleagues and share our ideas. They are worth a try, believe me.
A nice website providing an on-line mindmapping tool.
This link takes you to a game called “State of Debate”. It is an interactive game where students have to act in a made-up world of the future. It fosters communicative expression. And it is very catchy!
This is a good website for those who want to keep up to date with English and learn about slang. It can be syndicated and the number of words is massive!