Java + Greenfoot

http://java.com/en/java_in_action/greenfoot.jsp

Want to get you foot

wet in programming?

Try exploring Greenfoot!

If you are just starting to explore programming and Java in action, then Greenfoot is a place to begin. Using Greenfoot to develop easy two-dimensional interactive games, simulations and graphical applications the beginning learner can develop learning environments that are fun and visually based. It is appropriate for learners in junior high, high school and college level to start in the engaging world of creation through Java.

Based on the visualization of a two-dimensional grid, popular examples of such programs often used in an educational setting includes: The 8 Queen Puzzle, Karel the Robot, Conway's Game of Life, The AP Marine Biology Case Study and Turtle Graphics, The framework in greenfoot has two main jobs:

1. Make it easy to create graphical representations of objects.
2. Control the execution (start, stop, step) of a simulation loop.

http://greenfootgallery.org/

Web-related technology for ETPT 6230 WBI

http://www.hotchalk.com/index_new.html

Hot Chalk is a K-12 Learning Management System that has teacher-contributed lesson plans and the advantage of NBC News videos. It focuses on connecting teachers, students and parents letting them all have access to the materials. It is based on the concept of real world learning. Trying to increase interest in subjects like math, it uses subjects like motorcycles and travel to propose math equations and make solving more interesting. Hot Chalk also is offered in Global sites so learning in another language could be possible. More than 500,000 registered teachers in over 188 countries use Hot Chalk to create online classrooms, develop student rosters, manage curriculum, distribute assignments and quizzes, create lesson plans, post messages, maintain grade books, and manage other administrative tasks. This seems like it would be useful for teaching and learning for many reasons: multilingual ability, interesting learning situations that are real life and relatable, getting parents involved, adding technology to k-12 environments. HotChalk is a hosted application, the service does not place any additional burden on the school’s technology coordinators to manage servers, back-up data, implement security, or manage hardware and software updates. Really want to explore this one.

http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/22/mitra-education-technology-tech-enter-cx_sm_0523mitra.html

Social Networking and Second Life

The appeal of social networking for today’s generation is just that… it is social, which is appealing! Even though you maybe sitting at a desk somewhat isolated, you are not technically alone, you are interacting with individuals on line. It is a social meet over shared interests. You can keep up with what friends and new acquaintances are doing. There are “shared” feeling in activities. It provides self-expression while you connect and build community.

Social networking can positively affect learning with providing more self-expression in writing and creating in general. It can provide connections and help build community in shared education. It is a free “network” to others of interest. Negative effects on learning might be the actual motivation to learn instead of just “play”. Also some might post information that might be used against them. And there is little or privacy.

Second Life gives learners the opportunities to experiment with business models, test strategies and learn effective tactics. It can provide support to instructional goals and the instructor does not even have to be present for the students to participate in the learning projects. With the collaboration that can occur, creating new knowledge and utilizing collective intelligence is possible. Second Life, however, may also provide an environment that is too distracting and learners are pulled “off task”. It also has a higher learning curve for students and instructors alike. There have also been groups that have been “cyber bullies” on SL and there have even been worms and corrupt areas. This could also be used as a real life lesson.

I had joined FB for school and didn’t participate at all for the first 3 or 4 months. I then “decorated” my site just because more colleges started to visit. I got into it and then I have just gotten somewhat bored. Being that I started back to school just this past fall, I was more surprised to see so many students checking face book accounts in class, during lectures. I wondered what things Face book could it be used for that I felt were constructive. I have befriended the Toledo Ballet, the Toledo Museum of ART and the Museum Glass pavilion. This keeps me up with their happenings and I hope to find others that I feel are worthwhile. I do see value for individuals that have family and friends that are at a distance. They can post photos and messages and have an instant connection, which I think is pretty great for someone who is a long way from home.

Learning and Teaching Applications on the WEB

So much to choose from...like a candy store. I tooled about quite a few before selecting eduslide and hot chalk. I think they both have cool names and seem very useful.

http://www.eduslide.com/

This is a virtual Learning Management System that is for really anyone. Teachers, Instructors and trainers can use the features to present their lecture or training online. These can be closed or open learning environments with many popular features. Starting with the option to invite learners, it moves to prebuilt learning objects, chat rooms, ability to create tests and quizzes and tracking with grading systems. This seems like it would be useful for teaching and learning because it seems like a good start to try one of these systems with out making a big purchase for a whole system. If you wanted to try one out and your institution did not want to pay for the Tech support you could go out on your own and make a pretty good successful tool and then make your case. Pretty straight forward.

http://www.hotchalk.com/index_new.html

This is also a Learning Management System, but quite a bit different than eduslide. This has teacher-contributed lesson plans and the advantage of NBC News videos. This is a K-12 LMS. It based on the concept of real world learning. Trying to increase interest in subjects like math, it uses motorcycles and travel to propose math equations and make solving more interesting. It focuses on connecting teachers, students and parents letting them all have access to the materials. Hot Chalk also is offered in Global sites so learning in another language could be possible. This seems like it would be useful for teaching and learning for many reasons: multilingual ability, interesting learning situations that are real life and relatable, getting parents involved, adding technology to k-12 environments. Really want to explore this one.