Blog # 4

After exploring outside of class the following Emerging Technologies: a) Games,
 b) Interactive Whiteboard Activities, c) Simulations/Role Playing, & d) Virtual Reality/ Worlds (links found HERE), discuss whether or not you see a use for each of these four technologies. Then, pick two different, specific activities (a game, a simulation, an interactive whiteboard activity, or a Virtual Reality or World) and discuss in detail how it engages students in their own learning. Click HERE to go to Games, Simulations and Virtual Reality Wiki page to access various links for exploring these emerging technologies.
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Throughout this semester, we had engaged in all different types of technologies that would have the students be integrated into systematic learning.  We had learn and talked about the 4 different types of technologies, Games, Interactive Whiteboard Activities, Simulations/Role Playing, Virtual Reality/World.  In my opinion I do see a use for almost all four of these technologies.  The two that I can see being most beneficial in the classroom and for the students use, is the Games and the Interactive Whiteboard Activities.  It can put the students into a different perspective and have them look at learning in a whole new way.  It can sort of get the students out of their “funk” of learning and just have an open mind to learn something that isn’t text book related.
            The first type of technology I looked at was the Games.  There was a plethora of games that we listed but since I am going to be Special Ed. I had went to the website www.funbrain.com, and there was listed all different sorts of games for each subject.  The one that I found most enjoyable, even more me when I was playing it, was the math baseball.  The fact, that this game is correlating a common interest to the student, will be more likely that the child is going want to learn math and they don’t even know that they are.  How it engages student is by, the game is bringing in the child with the big colors and cool graphics, with the intent of them learning math.  I feel that in this situation, everyone wins.
            The second type of technology that I had taken a look at was the Interactive Whiteboard Activities.  On the website I had gone too, it was mostly about maps and the world.  I really liked this website because the students can interact on the website with maps that have flashing labels, so it grabs their attention about what their looking at.  And it’s great too, because after they are finish looking over the maps, on the previous page, they offer all sorts of games and puzzle for the kids to quiz themselves.  The Interactive Whiteboard activities really engage the students, because it gives them a chance to really teach themselves.
            By integrating technology into classrooms, the students and teachers will create a positive atmosphere in the classroom.  Having new and fun ways of learning, will help the students stay focus and ultimately, gives them the motivation to want to learn.