BloggingSmart.org - Latest Comments

Re: Smart Applications

Cleve — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:10:12 -0000

Well I have been doing the smartappsportal.com business for 3 months now and have been making lots of money. That is the best online program I have ever done

Re: Gaming and Education

Pete Pellegrino — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:16:37 -0000

Hi Richard, found my way here from the History Teacher Discussin Forum.

Games...it is a shame that so much of the games in education discussion focuses on video/computer/electronic gaming. As a retired naval officer and former Games Division Director, War Gaming Dept, US Naval War College, professor of war gaming and strategic game theory, and amateur table top game designer with loose affiliations with Hasbro, I've seen the power of simple board games to engage students on a variety of levels.

If you haven't come across it, check out www.juniorgeneral.org, run by Matt Fritz, a middle school teacher in NJ. From the website,

"This web site is intended to promote the use of historical simulations as a tool for teaching history by providing free resources that anyone can use. The simulations make use of historical miniatures (paper or plastic toy soldiers), maps and counters, and matrix arguments. The simulations are designed for students in grades 6 - 8. Each scenario is complete with everything needed to run the simulation except dice and rulers."

While Matt targets the age group he teaches, I've used many of the games with older kids (and adults). For the video generation, there is a bit of initial skepticism that anything based on paper soldiers can be fun and engaging - I've seen adults even react this way. The true power of a war game to engage is the fact that the paper soliders are simply stand-ins for the real opponents, i.e. fellow classmates. It gets personal - fast.

I often cite the example of how my sons react to a naval war game we have on the computer. When they play against the computer in solitaire mode, winning/losing generates a particular set of emotional responses. Play the same game again, only this time with a sibling opponent on another networked computer. Same rules, same interface, same graphics...only now winning and losing is personal! Captain McCarty-Little, who brought war gaming to the Naval War College is the 1800's, said that the power of gaming was in knowing that in the room next door was a human opponent ready to pounce on our mistakes.

One of the more popular games I run involves the use of 19 inch plastic battleship models on the gym floor refighting the sinking of the Bismarck. The kids form teams, or crews, for each of the ships, with one kid the commandering officer and others representing the various departments - navigation, weapons, etc. The game becomes an exercise in group decision making, prioritization and leadership as only a few of the many options available to the crew can be executed each turn, and the group must decide what those actions will be in 2 minutes of intense crew debate. The Gunner wants the ship to turn to bring more guns to bear, but the Navigator is worried about mines. The Engineer wants to turn away to make repairs, but the Captain thinks that now is the time to press the attack. What to do? How to decide?!

The kinestetic value of manipulating forces, the consultation with collegues on strategy, the feints and 'mind games' played out against adversaries, the analysis of outcomes vs. the historical record...all for the cost of some paper and toner!

Re: Why I wont be your Facebook friend…

Morgante Pell — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 23:03:09 -0000

As I've said before, I think teachers need to stop considering the entire world as their students: your students are those who are actually your students.

On that point, I agree: you shouldn't be friends with those who are under your direct teaching. However, that doesn't mean you should consider the entire world of "students" your students. Where does the line stop? What about high school students to an elementary teacher? Or college students? Or graduate students? Or, teachers taking professional development? The fact is, many, many people are students – that doesn't mean they are your students.

By the way, in regards to the inappropriate use of Facebook by young adults I think it is actually a lot rarer than it is portrayed as. I have done a look through the over 200 profiles of my friends (most of my school class) and not a single one of them contained objectionable or inappropriate content. While it is certainly something to educate about, it isn't nearly as prevalent as people assume – must young people have developed some degree of sense around these issues.

I think Facebook can be a great tool for interacting with alumni: but I'd recommend you let them initiate contact and wait a while (don't friend them the week they graduate). By then, they will have developed the ability to engage in a professional manner while still staying friendly with past teachers.

Re: Smart Apps (1) : Blogging

richsmart — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:38:15 -0000

I like posterous.com and you are doing some interesting work with it. Unfortunately I can't use a tool that stores student e-mail addresses remotely. Only willing to do that on my host. My students don't have school e-mail addresses yet and I am not allowed to set them up with gmail addresses... perhaps I will use posterous eventually!

WordpressMU is working great for me at the moment, even with the time I have to spend administrating it.
Rich

Re: Smart Apps (1) : Blogging

edtech — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:28:27 -0000

Hi Rich,

I found Wordpress MU great for a while, but then it needed upgrading, tinkering with, etc. I think that edublogs.org is a bit more flexible these days.

Otherwise, have a look at Posterous. I'm using it with my Year 10 GCSE History students. They can blog via email and they're enjoying using it! (http://mrbelshaw.posterous.com)

Re: Beginning…

richsmart — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:48:29 -0000

Thanks for the comment... what's the URL for your blog?

Re: Beginning…

Ms. Wojo — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:13:56 -0000

Welcome to the Edublogosphere! I am a newbie as well, just having started my own blog about a month ago. I'm looking forward to reading your ruminations.