7/18/2017 0 Comments gamingGame based learning or gamification is the use of games in learning. We live in a technological world and both children and adults are drawn into online games. To use these kinds of games to teach and learn is a great way to engage students and to give them an opportunity to practice skills to the point of mastery.
As a college baseball coach we spend most of our time out on the baseball field. We do meet daily in the locker room or they check in with me in my office but while I can integrate things like twitter and google docs into my curriculum, gaming doesn’t fit into the program. I do find the concept of gaming or gamification fascinating and would like to use it with my children. When they arrive home from school they are supposed to read daily for 20-25 minutes, do homework, and spend extra time practicing math facts or concepts they are learning in the current units of study. When the kids get home from school however they are exhausted! It’s hard to find the time to get in the practice in that they are required to do and will benefit them now as student and in the future. As we have learned this year about how to best learn, engagement as well as practice are important factors in learning. If I can find the right math program, spelling games and reading games, my children can get in the time they need, and have fun doing it!
0 Comments
7/18/2017 1 Comment technology in the classroomTechnology in the classroom has been a leap for me. I wasn’t familiar with all of the amazing tools that exist for teachers. At first I was reluctant to brainstorm how to use them in college baseball coaching but after practicing myself using these tools as well as seeing what my classmates have done with them, I have taken a total different stance on this issue.
Google docs, you tube, twitter, ed puzzle, we video and twitter are tools that directly apply to how I teach. I am constantly sharing information with them but with the use of these tools I can do it so much easier and efficiently. With you tube and ed puzzle I can show players real life examples of good baseball technique, with we video I can make recruiting videos to get my players to the next level. Twitter allows me to give game updates to the players as well as the community and parents. As a coach I am a facilitator and mentor to my players. We provide things like study hall, review their grades weekly and offer them support in their academics. Now that I have had the opportunity to be a student in the 21st century, I can help guide them. I will be a better mentor and can give them more guidance than I ever would have been able to. I am very grateful for that opportunity! 7/11/2017 0 Comments ToolsEdpuzzle was much easier than I had anticipated. I had learned about how it is used, that you find videos and can trim, add audio, music and questions. Many of the technology tools that are out there for education don’t fit my needs as a college baseball coach. When I learned about this tool however I was excited to play with it and explore how it works and how to use it with my players. Once I logged on it was simple. I don’t consider myself tech savvy and that is one of the reasons I was a little hesitant at first about using it. With the pop ups, and the videos explaining how to do things, I was able to create a lesson easily. There is a lot of video available that is really useful but often it is too long or we would have to watch on a projector. This tool allowed me to work with technology on the field giving my lessons much more flexibility. The one barrier with this tool is if there is no internet access on campus when we are working outside of the classroom.
I also explored screencast-o-matic. This was a great way to easily capture voice, screen or have a webcam. I created an account and played with the different tools. I could use this to do live at home instruction. I will play with this more to see how I can use it in other ways. The challenge that I see, that is a challenge always with technology there can be issues with internet. 7/4/2017 0 Comments Google FormsMy daily routine typically goes as such:
I arrive at the office and PRINT out all my lessons plans for each class, fitness and baseball. My fitness classes start early morning around 5:30 am or 6:30 am depending on the day. Students arrive with a lesson plan posted on the board, and promptly get to work after a quick “Housekeeping”. Further instruction is provided per student if needed. The same typically goes for baseball. As players enter the field, a practice plan is posted, players quickly study it and get ready to work following a quick “housekeeping”. Again, further instruction is given per player when needed. Here is my new lesson plan to start me towards a paperless baseball field: Each evening when my lessons plan are written, I will post them on a google doc and send them out. Not only will this create less waste in paper, but get the students information earlier. Giving students opportunity to respond with questions prior to class which will lead to better preparation. I also think I could have some fun with this as Team Building for my athletes is a huge aspect in my coach philosophy. Each day of the week usually has a theme. For example, Wednesdays are our free dress days and music during our all hitting under the lights. Although there is a ton of laughter do to awful apparel, players don’t speak to each other, it’s all business. My thought is how cool would it be, not only to get the practice plan, but to also get an inspiring video with music opinions for the practice. Just giving us another way to inspire players to fulfill their talent. |
Photos used under Creative Commons from writerbenj, Jinx!, Go-tea 郭天, BeyondAccessInitiative