Game On! What do I do now?
I re-read my GAME plan, and I came up with a few things I
never thought of earlier. I basically
want my students to go into the Chinese city we visit (Yangshuo) and
come out with the ability to help fix something that they found wrong with it.
Really?
Now, I
believe that this is too broad;
Mr. Pike: “Hey guys, just grab your cameras and go video
tape something that you think could be improved or helped in the city.”
Students: "OoooKay?"
I really like my GAME plan, of trying to institute
some change, but I think that I need to narrow the focus. So I decided to look
into the city myself; the resource I need is information. What are some issues that are happening within Yangshuo, and what can I use to capture and display this?
So, how am I to guide my students if I don't have the know how? Laureate Education Inc. (2009) said that when using technology to customize instruction, we must have knowledge of what we are using.
I found
that there is a rising problem of over-tourism in the small city. Millions of
people visit every year, and it is starting to leave a negative impact on the
natural beauty of the area. Perhaps I
could have a lesson on this before we go their, to open their eyes to
this growing problem. Another lesson
could be done on the value of eco-tourism, and the soft impacts it has on the
environment. Now my students would be
armed with some background knowledge of the harmful effects of too many people,
and some examples of tourism that is healthy and sustainable. With this
knowledge, they could now begin the trip with a narrowed focus of what to look
for, and what could possibly be done to improve the situation.
Next step,
making sure they are all comfortable using a camera. All of the students possess a smart phone, be it a Samsung or iPhone, and these all have cameras that will capture pictures and video. My students will now be armed with an education of what to look for, and how to capture it.
Finally, the students will need to present their findings using a multi-media tool; PowerPoint, iMovie, Vodcast or perhaps a Keynote presentation.
I feel that giving my students a narrower focus will produce less muddled outcomes. They will have an idea of what to look for, how to capture it and how to share their discoveries with others in the class. Once we have this complete, we can start to focus on some solutions to the problem.
References
Cennamo, K., Ross, J., & Ertmer, P. (2009). Technology Integration for Meaningful Classroom Use. Mason: Centage Learning.
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009).Meeting Students Needs With Technology. Baltimore, MD: Author
Hi Josh,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea to have your students learn about the effects of tourism. Maybe you could some how find pictures of what the city was like before all of the tourism, to give them an idea of before and after. I know they would enjoy taking pictures as well, on their own with personal phones. Will your students work together or individually? Great idea with promoting learner centered learning and having the students choose how they will present it! Great Job!
From
Jenny Wood
Hi Jenny,
DeleteGood idea about the before and after pictures, do a little research on the origins of the city! I will have the students work in groups of 2, just with a friend.
Thanks for the reply,
Josh
Hi Josh
ReplyDeleteI like the way you are adapting this activity to narrow the focus. Perhaps you could have students write to the local tourism authority about what they find offering suggestions as a follow-up activity? That would add that audience feature making it even more authentic...
How may students are going? Could you think of other narrow focus applications and have each group pick one?
Regards,
Lisa
Hi Josh,
DeleteYou really seem like you use technology that interests students in your classroom. I think that it is great you that utilize resources that students use every day. I try to use video clips from United Streaming to see live footage which helps the visual learners. What do you do if your students do not have a camera phone? Do you or will the school provide those students with one? I like how you allow students to create their own Powerpoints or multimedia presentations. As students take a more active role in their learning and assessment, they will become more engaged and want to learn more. How will you grade their Powerpoints or presenations? Do you have a rubric that you will give the students?
Great ideas!
DeEtte
Hey Lisa,
DeleteGood idea about writing to the local tourism bureau. It will also let the students (about 40) converse in Chinese, as my school focuses on both English and Chinese. The itinerary is pretty full, so I would have to figure out a way to jam more activities into their day!
Josh
Hey DeEtte,
DeleteI think that by pairing the students up, I will eliminate the camera problem before it even starts. I don't have a rubric yet, but will create one once I figure out all the parameters.
Josh