Welcome to OLTD 508 - Mobile Technologies and Game Based Learning. I am excited about this course as it has huge potential in terms of the way that we can engage our students and present educationally sound content. Both of these are very much a part of BC Education Plan - "Learning Empowered by Technology". Already, many students own mobile devices and many engage in "gaming". What I am hoping to do is affect the way that you view these so that our students or employees see value in using mobile technologies to personalize their learning and also see the educational gains that can be made by interacting with information that is contained in a game type format.
Currently, the notion of "inquiry" based learning is receiving a lot of attention in the field of education. I am a huge fan of "hands on learning" and allowing students choice and flexibility with regards to assignments in order to motivate them. Tied to this is the idea of problem solving and applying knowledge related to the world of today. With this in mind, this course has been structured to allow for that in terms of the focus of your work. My hope is that this resonates well with you and allows you to do some independent exploration. This could connect well with OLTD 510 and your final project.
I realize that some people have very strong opinions on the use of "videogames" in the classroom - whether that be traditional mortar and bricks or online. Fair enough. What I and others are proposing is markedly different than simply playing popular games via a console. I tried to articulate this vision in a small article I sent the local newspaper where I attempted to debunk some misconceptions and be proactive and positive in terms of the benefits it offers our students. There were no scathing rebuttals or letters to the editor...hmmmm...maybe attitudes are slowly changing. This is good. Anything "new" in education needs to be clearly explained to parents, students, administrators, trustees and the public or an employer in a way that highlights the "learning positives".
Hopefully, this course will allow you to learn more about these two areas and do some hands on experiential learning and content creation. As always, these "tools" have much to offer but rely on the educators/employers that use them, to focus on sound learning outcomes. I intend to learn much from you and how you envision their use in your own teaching or work environment.
Thanks,
Greg Lewis - OLTD 508 Instructor
Masters in Educational Technology
Currently, the notion of "inquiry" based learning is receiving a lot of attention in the field of education. I am a huge fan of "hands on learning" and allowing students choice and flexibility with regards to assignments in order to motivate them. Tied to this is the idea of problem solving and applying knowledge related to the world of today. With this in mind, this course has been structured to allow for that in terms of the focus of your work. My hope is that this resonates well with you and allows you to do some independent exploration. This could connect well with OLTD 510 and your final project.
I realize that some people have very strong opinions on the use of "videogames" in the classroom - whether that be traditional mortar and bricks or online. Fair enough. What I and others are proposing is markedly different than simply playing popular games via a console. I tried to articulate this vision in a small article I sent the local newspaper where I attempted to debunk some misconceptions and be proactive and positive in terms of the benefits it offers our students. There were no scathing rebuttals or letters to the editor...hmmmm...maybe attitudes are slowly changing. This is good. Anything "new" in education needs to be clearly explained to parents, students, administrators, trustees and the public or an employer in a way that highlights the "learning positives".
Hopefully, this course will allow you to learn more about these two areas and do some hands on experiential learning and content creation. As always, these "tools" have much to offer but rely on the educators/employers that use them, to focus on sound learning outcomes. I intend to learn much from you and how you envision their use in your own teaching or work environment.
Thanks,
Greg Lewis - OLTD 508 Instructor
Masters in Educational Technology