Game Development, Material Technology and Protection of Students Online
The learning focus of this week's ICT is on the game development, material technology and the protection of students online. In the workshop, I learned about Design Brief and creating of quizzes and games. I learned a whole lot of game development material technology.
The learning focus of this week's ICT is on the game development, material technology and the protection of students online. In the workshop, I learned about Design Brief and creating of quizzes and games. I learned a whole lot of game development material technology.
Design Brief
On design brief, we were given a piece of cardboard, a picture of a frog, a rubber band and a sticky tape. We were supposed to use the provided materials to design a "jumping" frog. I am impressed with the variety of designs that came out from my peers.From design brief, I learned the importance of incorporating fun, games and activities into ICT lessons. It is extremely important to carefully plan and design lessons, activities and games. Good activities will bring out the imagination and creativity of students.
Creation of Quizzes and games
As for creating quizzes and games, we were directed to the website: http://www.quia.com/web where we created our accounts and learned to create games and quizzes. Quia is the leader in online education, providing the tools to create, customize and share learning activities. It has a huge database providing rich web-based learning activities and assessments. It is easy to use and it requires very little technical skill and no knowledge of programming languages. It will definitely come in handy as a classroom teaching resource.
Creation of Quizzes and games
As for creating quizzes and games, we were directed to the website: http://www.quia.com/web where we created our accounts and learned to create games and quizzes. Quia is the leader in online education, providing the tools to create, customize and share learning activities. It has a huge database providing rich web-based learning activities and assessments. It is easy to use and it requires very little technical skill and no knowledge of programming languages. It will definitely come in handy as a classroom teaching resource.
In the workshop, we were required to create our own quizzes and games. I created a simple quiz on Multiplication (Mathematics) for grade 2 to 4 students. We were then asked to try out peers' quizzes.
The second piece of work that I did was a game on jumbled words. I created a list of 20 words on primary science scientific terms. Through these activities, I realized the importance of proper planning and reviewing the design of my future classroom activities. I must ensure that it is fun, easy and fitting to right level of students that I will be teaching. If the quizzes are too difficult, it will discourage the student and bore the lesson.
Later on in the week, I explored Quia again. Basically, it comprised of 3 main areas, namely Quia Books, Quia Web and IXL Maths. The Quai Books provides online workbookss and textbooks from the worls's leading publishers. Quia Web has been explored in the workshop. It provides mainly activities, games and quizzes. IXL Maths provides unlimited questions on thousands of Maths topics. I spent hours glued to this website. I believed that Quia dot com is going to be one of my most important teaching tool or resource in the future.
Protection of Students Online
1) Unauthorized Network Access or Hacking,
2) Phishing, Email Frauds and Spamming;
3) Sexual Abuse, Pedophiles and Pornography and
4) Cyber-terorism - Threats to National and International Security.
These reasons are obviously important causes for internet security. However, another important reason that was mentioned in the lecture is the issue of cyberbullying, pertaining especially to students. This article on a Melbourne's teen's highlights cyber bullying trend and hence the importance of cyber protection of students online: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/07/23/2633775.htmCyberbullying
Below is a list of videos on cyberbullying:
1) Cyberbullying - Megan Meier's Story Part 1. This is story of an American teenager named Megan Taylor Meier who committed suicide by hanging herself three weeks before her 14th birthday. A year later, Meier's parents prompted an investigation into the matter and her suicide was attributed to cyberbullying through the social networking website MySpace. The mother of a friend of Meier, Lori Drew, was later indicted on the matter in 2008, but in 2009, Drew was acquitted. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7WllPVA-A4
2) A Cyber Bullying Suicide Story - Ryan Halligan age 13: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1LG9NymhTE&feature=related
3) Childnet International - Cyber Bullying. This video illustrates the dangers of cyber bullying and offers solutions to the problem. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNumIY9D7uY&feature=related
4) Anti Cyber Bullying Commercial (from Germany): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amueaVHIZ6A
5) Anti Cyber Bullying Campaign - Korea: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oox2183jP8s
6) Anti-Bullying week Cyber Bullying video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S03Br1dwJR8
7) Stop Cyber Bullying and Online Self-Harm: Prevention Strategies for Teachers and Schools: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z81-Ol1sg0s
8) Teachers stand up against cyber-bullying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAkGHzjFAvA&feature=related
9) KDDI R&D Cyber Bullying Prevention Tools - DigInfo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCWsTqm0dYw&feature=related
10) http://www.info.KidsafeFirst.com - Prevent Cyberbullying, Sexthing and Child Predators:
Below is a list of useful websites that deal with anti-cyberbullying:
a)The National Crime Prevention Council provides a long list of strategies to prevent cyberbullying: http://www.ncpc.org/cyberbullying
b) This site provides parents and educators with 10 excellent tips to prevent cyber-bullying: http://www.hotchalk.com/mydesk/index.php/back-to-school-tips/312-ten-tips-to-prevent-cyberbullying
- Tell students to never pass along harmful or cruel messages or images.
- Train students to delete suspicious email messages without opening them.
- Ask students to step up to friends who are cyberbullying and tell them to stop.
- Teach students how to use technology to block communication with cyberbullies.
- Speak to students about the importance of telling a parent or adult about any cyberbullying they’re witness to.
- At home, supervise your child’s time online. Putting the computer in a common area, such as the kitchen, is a good idea.
- Addressing cyberbullying school-wide is key -- help institute a formal policy for dealing with any cyberbullying instances. Be sure students fully understand the consequences. For some guidelines on crafting a program, visit HotChalk.com and see Preventing Cyberbullying: A Conversation with Mike Donlin.
- Create a community outreach program to educate those beyond the school walls to the dangers of cyberbullying. Have students work with the Chamber of Commerce or other civic group to create an awareness campaign.
- Teach students the basics of smart and savvy Web behavior, such as never revealing passwords or real last names.
- Pay attention. If you notice a student is withdrawn, depressed or reluctant to attend school or social events, investigate.
Cybersmart is developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. It offers training and resources for schools and materials for library staff. It is part of the Australian Government’s cybersafety program and it provides activities, resources and practical advice to help young kids, kids, teens' parents safely enjoy the online world. Here is an article that compliment Cybersmart program to National Protection Week by hosting a national Cybersmart Detectives activity: http://www.psnews.com.au/Page_psn23412.html
d) Cybersmart - Cybernetrix. This website is game website focusing on internet safety education for secondary school students. You can create the funniest and coolest room ever by working out how to stay out of trouble on the Net: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/cybernetrix/
e) The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) units of work website. This site provides guidelines on how to deal with unwanted adult content, search for safe sites and content, deal with violent content, prevent cyberbullying, outlines positive online behaviours and so on: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/schools/teacher%20resources/middle%20primary/the%20acma%20units%20of%20work.aspx
f) The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Learning On Line website. This site provides advices for schools on cybersafety and the responsible use of digital technologies: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/elearningsupportservices/www/default.htm
g) DEECD website on Acceptable Use Agreement. This site provides templates to assist school communities to develop agreements as to what constitutes acceptable use of the Ultranet, internet, netbooks and other digital technologies in their communities: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/elearningsupportservices/www/lead/use.htm
Conclusion
In conclusion, integrating technology into the curriculum has become a must. However, preventing cyber-bullying has become critically important as a result of escalating use of the internet. Teachers hold an important and noble role in grooming the younger generation and shaping their character. As a teacher, I will strive to provide a safe, interactive and conducive environment for my students to enjoy learning.
d) Cybersmart - Cybernetrix. This website is game website focusing on internet safety education for secondary school students. You can create the funniest and coolest room ever by working out how to stay out of trouble on the Net: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/cybernetrix/
e) The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) units of work website. This site provides guidelines on how to deal with unwanted adult content, search for safe sites and content, deal with violent content, prevent cyberbullying, outlines positive online behaviours and so on: http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/schools/teacher%20resources/middle%20primary/the%20acma%20units%20of%20work.aspx
f) The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Learning On Line website. This site provides advices for schools on cybersafety and the responsible use of digital technologies: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/elearningsupportservices/www/default.htm
g) DEECD website on Acceptable Use Agreement. This site provides templates to assist school communities to develop agreements as to what constitutes acceptable use of the Ultranet, internet, netbooks and other digital technologies in their communities: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/management/elearningsupportservices/www/lead/use.htm
Conclusion
In conclusion, integrating technology into the curriculum has become a must. However, preventing cyber-bullying has become critically important as a result of escalating use of the internet. Teachers hold an important and noble role in grooming the younger generation and shaping their character. As a teacher, I will strive to provide a safe, interactive and conducive environment for my students to enjoy learning.
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