While I am not new to blogging, I am
new to blogging consistently. This
course has pushed me beyond class discussion boards and scholarly journals to
the realm of application in laymen’s terms. I found the process of setting up
my blog on blogger.com (I cannot make that a live link! It goes straight to my
Google login site) to be fairly simple. I like the fact that it is FREE. I
found several other blogging sites that actually charge a fee. I have not taken
the time to compare and contrast benefits and drawbacks, but I am very
satisfied with the free service.
The experience also pushed me to read
my classmates’ blogs and enjoy the wealth of information presented in a
user-friendly format. On the blogger.com site, I have the opportunity to follow
fellow bloggers and read them all in one place. For the busy student (busy
parent, busy human being, etc.) that is a nifty option. Incidentally, I
discovered my stepmother’s
blogs and added hers to those I follow. She decided to try her hand at
painting a few years ago and her talent is amazing so it is fun to see some of
her work. She does occasionally mention my dear old dad, which is an added
bonus.
Blogging has also made me more
sensitive to and aware of blogs that I see on Facebook or when doing research.
For
example, I recently watched a video in a webinar series that talked about
“mindfulness” – a buzzword if there ever was one. As part of the ongoing
research to teach children mindfulness as it is manifested in self-control and
empathy, two video games are being released. Tenacity and Crystals of
Kaydor serve unique purposes according to an Education
Week blog. Tenacity uses
awareness of one’s own breathing to teach concentration and Crystals of Kaydor focuses on players’
responses to the emotional countenances of game figures. This particular game
helps rewire brains to be more empathetic - an extremely useful goal for our students.
References
Researchers see
video games as testing, learning, tools. (2013) Education Week, 32(37), 14-15.
Hi Elizabeth:
ReplyDeleteI had never blogged before until this class, but I have really come to take an interest in them; I appreciate when someone else has taken the time to digest important information and resources into a simple "COLE's notes" post that I can get through quickly. Mindfulness is HUGE right now, and easier said than done :)
Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteI share your interest in the plasticity of the young mind. I find the use of video games to do this very intriguing. This is a media that younger students really connect with for better or for worse. I am keeping track of the game-based education projects in the far corners of my desk and I am anxious to see what happens. What do you think will come of this game-based education movement?
Dan
Dan,
ReplyDeleteAs a parent of three boys, two of whom drove me crazy with their video games, I always tended to be a tad judgmental about the benefits. However, (big sigh) research seems to be nudging me to at least consider the usefulness of the more educational games and how they might be used in some way in classes.
All I know for sure is that the games are not going away - and I ask myself, "Who will read to the children?" If you find any interesting research tidbits, please send them my way.
Elizabeth