Archive for February 2009
Microsoft examines ed-gaming
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 27, 2009
This week I conduct last of my educational gaming sessions for the semester. And just as I bring these sessions to a “close”, one of my RSS feeds send me an article about Microsoft investigating the educational benefits of gaming.
Here’s a snippet from
“We want to figure out what’s compelling about the games,” said John Nordlinger, [...]
Mind42 for collaborative mind mapping
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 26, 2009
Just discovered another online mind mapping tool. It’s called mind42.
Many thanks to Tom Barrett for tweeting the resource and sharing his map.
Is Batman better than Superman?
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 24, 2009
Thanks to a recommendation by Martin Weller, the Ed Techie, I have discovered two more nifty tools.
OpenZine allows users to create a blogzine. OpenZine outlines its purpose below:
aMap is a very promising tool. It allows users to create ARGUMENTATIVE concept or mind maps like the one on cutting technology costs while improving education. Or the [...]
Telescopic text
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 23, 2009
I discovered a nifty Web site called Telescopic Text. I’m wondering what language teachers might do with something like this.
BTW, there is also an editable version of Telescopic Text.
My Prezi presentation on Second Life
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 21, 2009
I have just completed my draft of a revised presentation on Second Life that I intend to use with my classes in two weeks time. I used a new presentation tool called Prezi to do this.
One thing I like about Prezi is how you can break out of the linear presentation mode that is so [...]
Wiimote and Dabbleboard
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 20, 2009
One of the things that we have experimented with at the MxL is Johnny Lee’s low-cost multitouch whiteboard using the Wiimote.
It’s a great cost-saving feature because smart boards or interactive whiteboards typically cost between S$3000-4000. A Wiimote costs around S$60-70 and has the potential to recognise multiple inputs (i.e. be used [...]
A head start
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 19, 2009
Enlightened parents and educators are discovering that games and virtual environments can be learning platforms.
Karl Kapp recalled a discussion with his then 12-year-old son.
He concluded by saying:
Here was my 12 year old son in charge of six people who he never met, setting goals, delegating tasks and assigning roles as well as posting help wanted [...]
Game recommendations and the MxL
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 18, 2009
All four of my classes have started their journey on educational/serious gaming by this week. We focused on Flash and Wii-based games.
I am thinking of getting some handheld gaming devices and games for the next semester as this would make me less reliant on the MxL as a venue. I would like to get Nintendo DS and [...]
Games and work
Posted by: ashleytan on: February 17, 2009
We don’t often think of video game experience as being an asset for the working world. I have read of a few people mentioning how gaming experience might be part of resumes [example], but here is a story of how playing games led to a job for one 18-year-old.
Amy Goodman interviewed P.W. Singer, a former [...]
