Virtual environments are extremely engaging and useful tool in supporting the 4 C's collaboration, creativity, communication and critical thinking. Teaching critical thinking and problem solving effectively in the classroom is vital for students. Learning critical thinking leads students to develop other skills, such as a higher level of concentration, deeper analytical abilities, and improved thought processing. Students must be able to effectively analyze and process the overwhelming amount of communication in their lives today. Which information sources are accurate? Which ones are not? How can they be used or leveraged effectively? Dede states, "That part of the challenge today is that students must master applying such capabilities not only in academic settings, but also in complex, authentic real-world contexts." This is a very good point, and virtual realities do just that. Virtual realities are an especially important tools for diverse needs of learners by doing all of these things:
InCell is a great virtual environment, especially if you are a science teacher! You get to travel through a human cell and try to stop a virus!! Players will be able to understand cell structure and organelles functions (which are similar to the real functionality of the organelles) players will improve their skills and will have a chance to impress completely suspicious The Most Excellent Assistant Robot Zero-Seven. Click the link below to see it in action! https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzKVA--Bto53cmpOajB5dG1hR3M/view?usp=sharing The Digital Divide The digital divide in our school is fortunately very small. Our school is located in a moderately affluent area and I have maybe 1-3 students that do not have access to internet or some type of technology tool. I was extremely surprised by the number of people that do not have access to good internet or the ability to hook up to the internet. The video, Digital Divide between Rural and Urban America’s Access to Internet by CBS, was very eye opening and I am hopeful that this issue can be resolved soon. In my classroom, if students do not have access to the internet, I make sure they have the opportunity to complete any assignments in class and allow extra time for completion. References: Dede, C. (2015, June) 21st Century Students Crave Deeper Learning. Retrieved from: https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2015/06/21st-century-students-crave-deeper-learning
2 Comments
Ray M Davis
3/26/2019 09:11:48 am
Hello Shelly,
Reply
Whitney
3/28/2019 04:32:51 pm
Shelly,
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Shelly WoodsLearn-a-holic, lover of books, dogs and travel. :) Welcome to my blog. Archives
April 2019
Categories |