Day 2 - Morning

How do you currently use technology in your classroom?

As an instructional designer, I don't have a classroom, per se. But I help professors, teachers and instructors use the classroom technology. Currently, I focus on WebCT and Moodle which are termed "Learning Management systems".

Typically, these take the form of a delivery method for course material, a communication tool with discussion boards and intra-class email, and a quizzing tool which includes a gradebook. The professors are happy with this system as it helps them manage the courses. The gradebook allows the students to see exactly what their grades are. The quizzes, once created properly, can be a real benefit in teacher time and student assessment. The discussion boards and email is a good way to facilitate communication between students and the professor. And, even the simple idea to have all the material (schedule, syllabus, policies, announcements) online and available to students is truly powerful when compared to a non-computer, non- network method.

The closest thing to a game is a quiz ... Which makes we think of what is the difference between a quiz and a game? The reason why it's like a game is interaction. Of all the things I mentioned before there isn't much interaction. Do something, change something, do something again.