Thursday, June 3, 2010
Required Post for Week of 6/7: Games/Tech/Teaching-Quick Video
I reviewed the book "A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink for HotChalk awhile back and you owe it to yourself as a future leader to read it and think about its application for leading schools and instruction. On Dan Pink's website, check out the video link for the post "Games, Not Grades" (some former students did not like the gentleman-said he was creepy) and view the video and talk about whether you agree or not, what we need to do to address some of the issues that are presented (most of the barriers are our own fault) and how you could use this quick clip or similar ones in your school with your peers or as a leader.
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30 comments:
Another film strip!
Ok, the “sexy” part…indeed a little strange....
I’m not a fan of the term “21st Century Skills”. Really? Aren’t we supposed to be teaching our students to think creatively and innovatively anyway? I don’t know, education people and their little names for things…
Anyway, I enjoyed the video and thought he made some good points. He made valid points about how games should work but never really offered up a suggestion of how to use them in the classroom. I was sitting here envisioning a classroom full of students playing xbox…which we all know isn’t happening if we all want to keep our jobs!
I couldn’t agree more with him that teachers have been “de-professionalized”. There are so many “must dos” that I think sometimes teachers have great ideas but no time to focus enough to use them in their classrooms because they are too busy following this guide and that guide. It’s difficult though because I know if you gave some the freedom to do whatever, it would be a crazy zoo…but I think lots of teachers would appreciate using their own creativity and innovation every once in a while. I remember hearing at some point how the people that work for Google get “free time” to use at work just to create and work on whatever they want. Boy, wouldn’t teachers love to have that!
http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/static.py?page=about.html&about=eng
I enjoyed the video. I don't think I would call the guy creepy (even though he did have eyebrow issues).
As someone who has never had any interest in the games he was discussing, and whose two daughters don't have much gaming interest either, I was pleased to hear how much innovation, creativity, problem solving, and collaboration is involved with gaming activities. These are the skills we need to teach in our schools. Yet, like he said, more of our schools are test-prep academies instead. It was interesting to hear as well that in gaming, participants are learning by doing. Again, shouldn't we be teaching like that?
Some of my fondest memories of school are from when I was in 8th grade and I had a team of teachers who spent much time in our Social Studies and Language Arts classes teaching through simulations. We didn't have much in the way of technology, but we spent real time participating in what could have then been considered social networking. Memorable stuff from way back when! (I even remember having to wear the scarlet letter A during our Puritan simulation!) My point is this...it was great, hands-on teaching and learning. As administrators, we have to make sure teachers do that today!
I would use this video in a staff meeting to help those folks who may be less confident about using technology see that learning themselves to use it would indeed be a great way to model learning for the students. I think the clip put a very positive spin on teachers needing to learn to use technology. I thought his point about young people seeing various technologies as cross media and how they can all merge was good. The views shared were a great way to reconsider what is really intimidating to lots of educators.
I will say, like Courtney, I did not quite get the use of the word "sexy." I think I know what he wanted to say, but am not sure he used the right adjective!
There were a lot of valid points in this video. He caught my interest when he talked about collaboration and problem solving. I think, because we have become “test prep” academies, and teachers have been “de-professionalized,” collaboration and problem solving skills have suffered. I think educators are scared to let go and try new things in fear of failure. Teachers have to be given the opportunity to be professionals and have the freedom to explore methods that work with their students. Individualization is the key. Scripts are not always the answer. They should serve as one, of many, teaching methods and educational leaders are going to have to establish a stand on using a variety of methods to teach.
In my school, collaboration is the key to teaching. Children have to talk through concepts. They build from one another. Administration is not looking for quiet, row by row classrooms. They are looking for controlled interaction.
I do like his thoughts on bringing computer games into the classroom but I don’t think we are ready for this just yet. A plan for its’ use has to be developed. Once again we have to have control and structure. Throwing students to the wolves of technology isn’t good either. We, as professional educators and leaders have to be ready also. As was said in the video, reform in schools has to take place for all. There is an advantage to teachers and students learning together. It does bring collaboration and problem solving skills into play allowing intellectual skills the opportunity to develop.
As a young man who grew up with video games and watches his nephews battle it out on their Nintendo DS's I can only say WOW! I wish some teacher would have let me show them what I was learning in my video game world....not much at the time. I don't know that it would have helped me solve for x, or explain the difference in a plant and animal cell, but I'm sure I would have tried to make it sound that way.
The video hit on several important issues. The one about teacher's being de-professionalized was right on. Teachers have been given more and more responsibility, but have less and less say in how to carry it out.
I do believe in what he was saying about the idea that some video games constantly assess their players. Video games have gotten to the point of having people solve riddles and puzzles to open doors, organizing particular characters with different strengths in a team in order to accomplish certain task, and even more advanced functions. There are video games like "Big Brain Academy and Brain Game" which actually do simple math equations and riddles and grade you based on the speed and accuracy of your compeletion of the task. They also chart your growth over time and let you know if you are improving or not. This is actually an ironic topic for me because it reminded me that in early high school this is exactly what I planned to do. I wanted to design video games that were educational. I went into education, obviously not educational games.
I echo what Connie said about his philosophy on students learning by doing and learning from one another. This is exactly what we should be doing. Any form of technology that can assist us in this task should be taken advantage of. I don't think we will ever see school become a place where students play video games any length of time. I do see a day where video games along with cell phones, ipods, etc will become part of our daily teaching routines. We have to find ways to incorporate these technologies. As the study we all read earlier showed, school can't be the one time a day that students are not connected.
What our "creepy" man said about students collaborating and working together is also something we have to start to incorporate more. This is something that can easily be done with the current technology, or no technology at all. Even with the multitude of collaborative learning opportunities available, many teachers don't bother to allow students to work together. They want individual work, with little chaos. We have to allow a little organized chaos in our student's lives in order to see what they can really do. As the future leaders of many schools, we will have to be the ones incorporating these changes. I hope we are all ready!
I really enjoyed the video and think "creepy guy" made some really good points. I like how he kept stressing collaboration and innovation and how games foster growth in these areas. I think the learning by doing philosophy as opposed to schools being "test preperation academies" is something that the education system needs to examine. Games have the ability simulate real world situations and environments therefore making the information the student is learning much more relevant that if it is being learned in a traditional textbook, lecture setting. I can see how this would be much more engaging and stimulating for the student and possibly for the teacher. "Creepy Guy" also talked about how some teachers coould use this incorperation of technology as an opportunity to learn with their students. I really agree with the idea that schools need reform and that politicans and the focus on traditional teaching methods are taking away from teaching and education.
Courtney, I could not agree with you more about teachers being de-professionalized. I think politics have become entangled with education to the point that it infringes on the teachers ability to have freedom and be creative in the classroom. There are so many areas that we must be held accountable in and alot is this is due with legislation that was passed without any consideration for the teacher or how it effects the classroom environment.
Courtney you are exactly right. We are suppose to be teaching our students to think creatively and innovatively. My husband constantly laughs at all the little names and things in education. Sometimes I think we get caught up in acronyms instead of what we really should be doing. Basically we just need to teach our students to think and problem solve. In my class if a child asks me for help my first response to them is to problem solve and try to figure out the best solution first. My goal is to get children to think and not be dependent on someone else for answers. This is a hard task for my students and they often get frustrated with me but it is because their immediate thought is to get help and not think for themselves. So yes! This teaching should be happening everyday.
Oh and I too thought the "sexy" part was a little strange.
Ha! Claudia, my husband says the same thing about all the different acronyms we have...it does get a little crazy at times. So many times I think we get wrapped up in all of these that the basic skills are getting left out. We need to equip students with a toolbox to solve problems creatively and most of all THINK! We are required to teach so much to the test that things like that get lost. Not in all cases, but, I'm just saying...
I'm lucky that I can be creative in my classroom because I teach music. We have a SCOS but, I can teach it any way I want. :) I think it's sad that all teachers are unable to do the same.
I have some general thoughts about the video, but I’ll have to go watch is again to specifically address some of the post requirements. I guess I didn’t learn from the expert – I need to learn by doing. Remember that part? Just before the “sexy” part, Mr. (or Dr.?) Gee stated that it was good to model learning with digital tools and passion communities and learn along with the students while receiving real-time feedback. Good point, but very inconsistent with the techniques being taught in undergrad teacher prep programs. I agree that we work as test-prep institutions and conveying the essential concepts to our students is paramount. That makes buy-in to new practices very difficult for most teachers. Just as we are trained to be experts, we also need to be trained as technologically-advanced modelers of learning. I feel that many teachers feel more confident and capable when leading the instruction themselves. I always find myself thinking of some of my current colleagues not being willing, confident, or especially capable enough to implement such innovative techniques. I feel that all of these technology ideas go back to MORE TRAINING – a barrier that needs to be overcome ourselves or through different approaches in our training.
Again, I can see using some of these video games as a tool for learning, but not total immersion. Again, we need more training and analysis before jumping in to this as a useful learning approach. I see these passion communities as a great after-school club, an extra-curricular activity, or a competition similar to Battle of the Books or Science Olympiad.
Did anyone understand that segment in the last minute of the video about learning 24-7? Is he saying that the business world works in a way that will require education to significantly change to meet those demands? That’s what I got from it and I strongly agree if that is his point. Regurgitation of facts is way outdated and we need to sharpen problem solving skills in a way in which technology plays an integral role. I sing this song every chance I get. I would use this video as a mind-jogger for my staff. It is not particularly motivational or inspiring, but he puts it out there to think about. I think teachers need to be reminded often that traditional methods need to be tweaked often to account for today’s societal advancements.
Am I allowed to respond to my own post? As I read my post, I noticed that I am on a soap box about inadequate teaching programs for undergrads. After reading Connie’s post, I realized that I need to step down a step. I did learn a lot about creative and collaborative ways to teach in my undergrad program at Elon and I am sure you Pirates did, too. I know we should teach in a way that we can learn from each other, but I think my distress comes from the lack of technology back in the day when we were learning to become teachers. I hope today’s teachers are being taught how to teach with the technology that’s out there so the paradigm can swing in a positive manner.
Claudia, I love what you said about teachers having the freedom to explore methods that work with their students. I also like the philosophy of your administration. I think it is so true for competent, professional teachers to be given flexibility to tailor their instruction in a variety of ways to reach all learners. The problem with that is that some teachers need that script to be somewhat successful. I’m gonna jump back on my soap box and put my two-cents worth out there. Teachers need to stop “de-professionalizing” themselves and keep the kids the top priority. I have always said that teaching needs to be a 6-8 year degree with at LEAST one year in the field. Couple this with higher pay and more accountability and we got some more better learning going on. Grammar joke.
I enjoyed the video. There were a lot of valid points mentioned in the video. Creativity and problem solving are great techniques used in games. This is the age in which all students are playing games. With the use of the different games these students are able to practice different problem solving methods to win the game. These techniques used in the classroom would benefit a lot of the students today. As the video mentioned a lot of these students learn through doing. I have to admit, I enjoy playing the WII and the Nintendo Ds. It’s a challenge and provides stimulation to the mind. Games serve as a distress to the mind and body. I would love to incorporate games in the classroom. This practice provides stimulation for the students and real life experiences. The video also mentioned the use of technology within the classroom. We have discussed the use of technology in the classroom as well as the barriers to the use of various means of technology. Children learn best from their peers because they are able to be comfortable with one another and they feel comfortable asking questions. The teachers and students can collaborate to use great problem solving methods.
Connie, I agree with you. I feel that my staff members could benefit from this video in a staff meeting also. We, as educators, need to realize that technology is advancing in education as well as in society. We have to be able to adjust and adapt to the changes within education. We have to realize that we have to provide various means of stimulation within the classroom to allow growth and development within the students. I agree hands-on teaching and learning go hand in hand. I try to provide that concept within my class because it is an elective and it works.
Yep! I too felt myself cringe when the concepts of "sexy" and "teaching" were blended. I think the term cool would have gotten his point across.
Still, when I have traveled to other countries, especially, developing countries, I have been impressed with how much teachers and educators are honored and respected. When I say I am a teacher, usually the person to whom I am talking thanks me and says something like "oh, you must be so smart." I must admit it is nice.
I think that is the point our gaming advocate was trying to make is that the teaching profession should be a desired job that society holds in high regard.
I agree with the speaker, James Paul Gee, that video games give players instant feedback and players learn to solve problems by failing and trying again.
When playing video games, players are not worried about failing because, if they are not successful at first, they get to start over, without judgement.
Traditionaly, when students are assessed in school, they face horrible consequences from, perhaps, their parents if they did not succeed.
Even if parents are not involved, students feel like failures when they do not score well on tests; the assessment has been made and there are no do overs.
I am by no means advocating re-testing until a student gets all the answers correct as I am a believer in the concept of studying. And, I do believe students need to study more. I am just trying to tap into the appeal of video games. I think they are non-threatening.
In the classroom, I have more success, with struggling students when they are allowed to work on the computer. After listening to the James Paul Gee, I am thinking that the students are more successful when using computers becuase they are not intimidated by the computer, where as, the regular classroom setting can be a bit unnerving when struggling students realize (or think) "everyone else" is getting the concept. And when they realize this, we experience a "shut down."
Al, I seem to respond to your post all the time. I liked your "soap box." I got my undergrad at ECU in 2005, so I don't feel that it was that long ago. Even then, there was very little taught about how to use ANY technology in schools. I feel like so much of this is learned in the one semester of student teaching. Your are instructed throughout that you should try this and that, but really you are at the mercy of your clinical teacher, and what supplies are made available to you.
Your comment about deprofessionalizing ourselves also struck home with me. You could look at that from so many angles. Just walk in any given school and look at how certain teachers dress, how they conduct their classes, how they interact with students and colleagues, and you will see such a wide range of professionalism. Unfortunately many teachers don't carry themselves in a manner that makes the outside world think of us as professionals. That discredits many of those who go well above and beyond. Sorry, now I'll get off my soap box.
Connie,
I loved your remarks about the Scarlet Letter and being involved in the lesson by acting it out. Engagement in any form is more successful than straight lecture. I'm a U.S. History teacher who uses lecture far too often, but I try to engage my students as much as possible by acting out scenes, having them create review lessons, using CPS and ClassScape. There is always this urge in a teacher to do more, well in most teachers. You have to know, like its apparent you do, that being down there in the trenches with your students is the best way to get them engaged. Letting them struggle with concepts instead of just giving them answers, but supporting them along the way.
By the way, everyone has really exploded on the blogs this week. It's Monday and there are over 15 post on both blogs....thanks for all the interesting views and discussion.
This video was slow at parts, but many valid points were made.
1. I didn't think about video games as problem solving tools. Kids can figure out video games without ever having read the manual. How did they learn all the buttons, stages, strategies, etc. to conquer the game? But, in the classroom, they can't do long division. It's the same concept. The students need problem solving tools in the classroom also. It's apparent they know how to solve problems because they can play video games so well.. We have to figure out a way to use those same skill sets in the classroom.
2. I found it interesting that he said that teachers have been deprofessionalized. I admit, I have never heard that jargon. However, I do agree. Textbook companies practically feed teachers the script for the classroom. It is set for everyday of the school year. He stated that we must reprofessionalize our teachers and reward them for using innovative ideas in their classrooms. I love this!!
Claudia, I disagree with your comment. I do think we are ready for the computer games. If the students are playing them at home, there isn't any reason why they can't be incorporated into the learning environment.
Sure, there will always be the argument about training, funding, etc., but those are just obstacles that continue to stall us from reaching our students. The students need our help now, as the achievement gap gets larger. They are in need of games and innovative ideas now, more than ever. We can learn with them, as you mentioned. However, let's get this party started!!
Ebony,
How did they learn all the buttons, stages, strategies, etc. to conquer the game?
That is the question we should be asking. Gaming uses higher level thinking skills.
Conquering the tasks in a video game is not easy and takes a lot of practice. Often, kids teach themselves how to manipulate the game.
Is technology changing the way we learn or are we just adapting to the technology?
Ebony, You are right in that the kids are ready for the games in school and we have to meet them where they are to keep them motivated. My thoughts are that teachers have to have a certain amount of knowledge so students don't take advantage of the technology. This doesn't have to be a slow process. The "party" does needs to start now but it has to start with a plan in place.
Ok, so I have to agree - the "sexy" and my job - well today there was cleaning up a child who's thrown up all over herself - not exactly the adjective I'd use...But I did agree with most of what Mr. Gee was saying.
The teaching profession has definitely been de-professionalized - and educators are sharing the guilt of creating that beast with the change in society. Years back, teachers were invited into families homes for dinner and were ranked right up there with the preacher. Today, we are highlighted by the media with scandal, poor test scores, and inabilities to reach our kids.
As professionals and future administrators, we must reclaim the profession. I will never forget the words of wisdom that Dr. Van Saant (ECU Teaching Fellows Director) said over and over - get rid of the gum, keep the sunglasses off the head, and remember - you are not just a teacher, you are a professional educator...) What happened to that pride and sense of importance that we feel about ourselves? Why are doctors and business people looked at so differently? Heck, we got them there! Go figure...
When I think of gaming in my classroom (kindergarten), I feel like we're kind of already there with the programs we use on the computer. Our kids use Waterford every day and are dying for their turn! They get repitition, immedidate feedback, and I get a report that tells me exactly what they got right and didn't. Who can argue with that? And what about the Wii to help fight off this obesity issue? What about brain development, crossing hemispheres when you look at the coordination it takes to manipulate these games? Again, as I said in the other blog, it goes right back to management and intentionality. As with anything you do in the classroom, it has to be purposeful.
We have got to tap into the types of media that are attracting our kids in order to keep them most highly motivated. And if that means that we get a little tutorial from them, well, so be it. That's an issue about pride.
Connie, again I cannot agree with you more about the active, hands-on approach. Kids have got to be doing and thinking at the same time. If kids are practicing addition without some real life meaning to it, they're no more than a breathing adding machine - useful but not so versatile.
I so agree with Mr. Gee and others of you when it comes to the scripted text. Our school was involved with the Reading First initiative and we were expected if not mandated to read verbatim to kids from the manual because it was "research-based." Who gives a flip if it doesn't address the issue that my kids have. We as a school have seen that yes, following the scripted text which reviews the same stuff over and over and over and over and over if you get my drift has brought up our lower achievers. BUT, it has kept our more advanced children from moving forward as fast. Teachers feel bound, and have mercy, those BT's just coming in don't learn to think for themselves b/c they started with a manual on the hip and know no other way. Lord help us next year when we all can begin teaching reading again without worrying about the Reading First police coming to arrest us. Sorry, my soap box for the night...
Be it games or manips or live interaction, kids have got to be moving, talking, and thinking this day and time to be most marketable in today's society.
Connie,
I read your idea about using the video in a staff meeting to encourage both adult learning and modeling learning for students. Teachers may be ahead of students in their knowlege of the subject area, but how many are ahead of their students or more capable than their students in the area of technology?
I also think the video would stimulate a lot of conversation among educators about how to use technology, such as gaming, in their daily practices.
Ok. I am a Science teacher, love math too. Thanks to William Harvey- Juliana. I have been practicing inquiry based learning pretty much my entire 7 year career as a teacher. Video games, board games, virtual reality, web pages, web quests, etc. I've tried them all!! I always go back to letting the kids work collaboratively and "get their hands dirty (inquiry)." Students must be engaged to learn. Connie, loved your story and how powerful that lesson was for you to have carried it with you this long and how your students master objectives by learning/teaching one another. In the big picture, I don't really care how teachers "teach"- just do it for the best interest of the children and the best way for them to understand material! Remember we are teachers (deep down) because we want every child in our classrooms to meet success! I enjoyed the video and I have to agree that video games do teach problem solving skills (as I watch my husband play COD). It actually takes some strategy and thought to be successful, much like what we want for our students. Juliana, we seriously might need to talk- I think it's just because we were brought up in the same "neck of the woods." I will get on my soap box from time to time about how professions are "viewed" and teachers work 100% harder!
Juliana-
I loved your comment about our instruction, anything we do in the classroom, needing to be purposeful. That is so true!!! So many educators are not intentional in their teaching - maybe they are the ones who have helped "deprofessionalize" the occupation!
Also, Juliana, I guess I have never taken this Reading First thing too seriously...being the rebel that I am, I was never too concerned about the Reading First police! I am, however, like you, looking forward to the opportunity to get a little more out of the box with my reading instruction. I'm even hoping some colleagues will share what they know about the newest technologies available to us!
Finally, this one is for you Melissa....I'm not that old! You said something about my story "from so LONG ago!" :)
Connie, you said it first- lol. "Memorable stuff from way back when!" was your exact quote. And I didn't call you old-lol. "Connie, loved your story and how powerful that lesson was for you to have carried it with you this long." Eighth grade is a long time ago to me- lol. Still love ya!!
You know that I agree that the teaching profession has been “de-professionalized," but I have to say teachers have made it that way. There are some teachers that take pride in themselves, the cleanliness of their classrooms, and the way they dress. Then, there are those who don't, but are on the floor just as much as the kids (learning and teaching of course), so how can we expect them to come to school in dresses "all dolled up"? Also, why do teachers dress up for an interview, parent conferences and picture day? That should be a sign. If you look nice, you are treated differently and maybe even respected a little more!! What kind of teacher are you? I have to say, there are some days I just do not feel like "putting something together" to wear. Then, I bust out my slip on dress and a pair of sandals and roll with it. I always have a back up plan hanging in my closet for those days. I have to say I enjoyed wearing my jeans today, since it was a workday and I was testing AGAIN!!
Watching this made me feel better about the amount of time my son spends playing video games! Seriously, I thought he made some good points about the problem solving skills that are taught through video games. As I have watched my son play, he has had to solve puzzles and riddles to advance to a new level. Many of his games also introduce new vocabulary to him. I think that many teachers don’t feel comfortable with video games simply because they have never played them. I have to admit the only reason I have is because I want to know what my son is doing. I also think that video games open the door for collaboration. May son can communicate with people around the world as he plays. I don’t think we need to abandon all our methods and only use games, cell phones, etc. in the classroom. However, I do feel that we need to use them more.
Melissa,
I agree with you that part of the reason some teachers feel de-professionalized is because of the way they handle themselves, especially when it comes to the way they dress. One of the first things I learned as a new teacher was I needed to dress as a professional. Parents, students, and the community engage with you differently when you are dressed professionally. I know that there are special occasions, Field Day for example, that call for a dressed down approach. However, there are may teachers that look like they are having Field Day on an everyday basis. If we want to be taken seriously, we have to take ourselves and profession seriously first. Administrators should set the example and the expectation for professional dress.
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