Ed Tech in Our Classrooms

Over the years my opinion of using games as a form of assessment has changed. I used to think, especially at the beginning of my degree, that using games as a form of assessment was not actually helping you understand if the students are truly understanding the content. Honestly, my opinion has completely changed. I feel as if using games to assess students is one of the best ways you can get a sense of their understanding. Many students are great at memorizing information and answering the questions of the topic. How many of them do you think will be able to use that information but relate it to another topic? Surprisingly it would not be many. It is so common for education to focus on the test and it encourages students to memorize the information and spit it out when it is needed when in reality we should be teaching the students the content AND how to transfer it to other areas. Using games is a great way to assess not only the students' learning but also your teaching. The gam...

Assessing students using games is a great way to show what students know and how they think. The video discussed that when students make moves while playing a game, it provides information on what the students do and do not understand as well as how they apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills. It also talks about how students are able to take control of their own learning when playing games because they get immediate feedback from their choices. Using games as an assessment tool is a fun and engaging way to assess students. Games can break down content students have learned for better understanding. I also think that games can be a good opportunity for students to learn content in the classroom. In my experience, I have assisted in a 5th-grade classroom where my cooperating teacher played bingo in science with vocabulary and definitions to assess what students have learned in a unit. Students were motivated and focused on the content they were learning while playing bingo r...

Implementing blended learning in the classroom is an effective and efficient way to differentiate instruction for students depending on their learning styles and needs. With a blended learning environment, the educator can create several variations of a task depending on the needs of the student, create and distribute supplemental materials to support student learning, and give students access to material they can view 24/7 for additional help. Technology is always advancing, and it is quickly becoming one of the most valuable tools for our society. As educators, it is our responsibility to find ways to make our instruction reflect the advancement of our society, and prepare our students for the world they will live in. Blended learning is the perfect introduction to integrating technology into the classroom, and priming students for success in the real world. Many of the students that are in school today have had the opportunity to grow up with technology, so this form of learning may...

Using games as an assessment tool is a great way to understand how your students think. Watching the moves they make while playing a game can show you a lot about what they know, their critical thinking skills, and how they apply their knowledge. In my experience assisting in a pre-k and young 5’s classroom, children are more engaged in their learning when they are learning through a game or activity. When children were given worksheets they would have a hard time staying on task and were not as motivated to do it. When I have played shape bingo or number bingo, the children are engaged and motivated. I think using games is not only a good tool for assessments but also an important tool for learning the material. Using a game as an assessment tool can also reduce anxiety and take some pressure off the students. In the video, they stated that sometimes the students are having so much fun that they don't even realize they are being assessed. Thinking back to my time in k-12 schooling...

Using games as an assessment tool can be a fun and engaging way to evaluate students' understanding and skills. Games have the potential to create a more relaxed and interactive environment, allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge in a different way than traditional assessments. They can provide a hands-on and experiential learning experience, promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration. Games can also offer immediate feedback, allowing students to learn from their mistakes and make adjustments in real time. This can enhance their learning experience and help them develop a growth mindset. Additionally, games can cater to different learning styles and preferences, accommodating diverse learners and promoting inclusivity in the assessment process.  However, it's important to ensure that the games used as assessment tools align with the learning objectives and provide a valid and reliable measure of student performance. Clear guidelines and expectatio...