Hi:
I'm Greg Lewis and I will be your instructor for OLTD 508. I have taught in the public school system for over twenty years at the secondary level and have been teaching on a sessional basis at Vancouver Island University since 2011. The image next door is my "Yes!!! moment" where I finally defeat "the boss level" and progress to the next stage. For mannny years...I have been a keen "gamer" - I bought my first PC game (Wolfenstein 3D) from an ad in a comic book in 1992 and it came with six floppy disks! However, in the last 10 years, this interest has evolved into thinking about how "serious games" can be used as an effective teaching tool to motivate students and deliver content that is consistent with the BC curriculum. Can we engage students with game based learning that promotes critical thinking skills and allows for various solutions and outcomes? |
In addition, I will admit to being a "tech geek" - I build my own PCs and have gone from the original flip, analogue phone and have now had several digital smartphones. Mobile devices have come ubiquitous and we have far too many phones, iPads and even an iPod Touch in our home. I consider all to be "tools" that can be used recreationally, socially and professionally - they allow me to do things basically any time, anywhere - whether I'm at the hockey rink, marking assignments or holding a zoom meeting while walking the dog (JK - far too dangerous). There are over 7 billion people on the planet - with over 6 billion mobile phones being used. So, how can we leverage this trend in order to educationally benefit both ourselves and our students/employees?
I don't believe in disclaimers but I do offer an apology straight off. Six weeks is not nearly enough time to cover both Mobile Technologies and GBL. Both of these are very current and applicable and we are seeing more and more being done with them in schools and work places for the benefit of those we teach and employ. I hope to offer choice in terms of assignments and very much believe in "experiential learning". Yes, there needs to be theory and thought based on research as to why we use technology the way we do. However, I hope to engage you for the most part with assignments that put this theory into practice so that we get to exist on the same level as our students and employees. Lastly, I have made serious efforts to get permissions for the resources that I have used and adapted, i.e. video clips, rubrics, presentations etc. I very much "get" and value the time and effort that goes into the researching and creation of these resources and therefore, seek permission ahead of time and give attribution wherever possible. If I have missed one or omitted credit that you know of, please let me know and I will try to make amends. Cheers, Greg |