Tag: Science

Mar 17

One Size Does NOT Fit All

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Ed News
March 17, 2014

I have to keep reminding myself that one size, of anything, does not fit all. I have to remind myself of this when not all my students come to me loving Science. When not all my students want to make a video to show what they are learning. When not all my students want to …

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2014/03/17/one-size-does-not-fit-all/

Jan 28

Days 10, 11, 12, 13 WoW in Science #gbl

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Gamification
January 28, 2014

After having my 8th graders play World of Warcraft (WoW) during class for nine periods to level up their characters and live their stories, we spent another four periods in the computer lab bringing all our characters together to split into teams. Small groups of WoW characters had to get together and run to different …

Animals, Avatar, Class Periods, Classifying Living Things, Computer Lab, Creatures, Different Regions, Drawing Animals, Drawing Flowers, Drawing Trees, Earth, Flora And Fauna, Flora Fauna, Gbl, Goblins, Horde, Level Students, Period Class, Periods, Pictures Animals, Plants Flowers, Real World, Running, Science, Scientists, Small Groups, Team Leaders, Third Day, Trees Plants, Worgen, World Of Warcraft, Wow
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2014/01/28/days-10-11-12-13-wow-in-science/

Dec 19

Days 7, 8, 9 WoW in Science #gbl

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Gamification
December 19, 2013

This week we spent our last three days just playing WoW to level up. Almost every 8th grader had a blast. Two 8th graders complained about having to play WoW at first but then I never heard from anything negative from them again. Another 8th grader pretty much let me know everyday that she didn’t …

Afternoon Class, Gaming Language, Hearth Stone, Heroes, Mountainous Area, Noob, Retrospect, Science, Those Kids, Wow
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2013/12/19/days-7-8-9-wow-in-science/

Aug 16

How We Learn Math

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Ed News
August 16, 2013

Or better yet, how we SHOULD learn Math! [This is part of a series of posts I’m writing as I reflect on another online course I’m taking this summer, Stanford University’s EDUC115N How to Learn Math. Sure, I’m a Science teacher but I have taught Math so I’m familiar with Math instruction. Besides, we do …

Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2013/08/16/how-we-learn-math/

Jul 07

Whole Class vs Individual vs Small Group #3dgamelab

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Gamification
July 7, 2013

In both my reading of ROLE Reversal and learning how to use the 3D GameLab interface to gamify my classes the concept of student autonomy and choice is very important to create a student-centered experience. Kids need multiple pathways for learning and for demonstrating their learning. That needs to be balanced by the need for …

Background Knowledge, Butts, Chains, Comrades, Different Things, Different Times, Gbl, Genetics, Goodness, Inquiry Activity, Interface, Internet Research, Mark Barnes, Mitosis Meiosis, Nightmare, Pace, Pathways, Peers, Plunge, Prerequisite, Research Topic, Role Reversal, Science, Scope And Sequence, Small Group, Smile, Spirit, Student Autonomy, Textbook
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2013/07/07/whole-class-vs-individual-vs-small-group/

Jul 03

Characteristics of GBL #3dgamelab

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Gamification
July 3, 2013

With regards to the 8 characteristics of Game-Based Learning (GBL) [CORRECTION: this should be Quest-Based Learning (QBL) as GBL is something different entirely] mentioned in 3DGL: Choice (Autonomy) Failure Progress Bars Multiple long & short aims Reward ALL successful efforts (XP points) Prompt, meaningful feedback Elements of uncertainty/awards Socialization schools need to embrace these, probably …

Aims, Amp, apps, Autonomy, Candy, Discipline Problems, Elements, Failure, Game, Imacs, Learning Environment, Mark Barnes, Meaningful Feedback, motivation, Netbooks, Peers, Progress Bars, Rewards, Risk Students, Role Reversal, School Year, Science, Socialization, Stickers, Uncertainty, Whatnot
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2013/07/03/characteristics-of-gbl/

Mar 12

Ironman or Batman?

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Class News
March 12, 2013

This isn’t Science or Edtech or Edreform but it’s darn cool! I just couldn’t pass it up. Created by HomeownersInsurance.com

Batman, edtech, Ironman, Science
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2013/03/12/ironman-or-batman/

Jan 02

Gamified Classroom?

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Gamification
January 2, 2013

Not so much actually. I started the year all hopeful to gamify my classes. After reading Lee Sheldon’s book, The Multiplayer Classroom this past summer I was all ready to jump in with all my classes. I had badges all prepared for my students to place on their blogs as they showed evidence of understanding …

Badges, blogs, Collaborative Classroom, Excitement, Expe, First Trimester, Having A Great Time, Hopeful, Independent Work, Lee Sheldon, Lot, Prodding, Profound Effect, Science, Vocabulary
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2013/01/02/gamified-classroom/

Jul 16

Gamifying My Classes

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Ed News, Gamification
July 16, 2012

I’m taking the leap and am going to try it out. I finished reading The Multiplayer Classroom by Lee Sheldon and I was able to start mapping out how I can gamify my classes. After two and half years of teaching completely gradeless I have found that I still haven’t managed to engage all my …

Autonomy, Contrary, Daily Basis, Experiences, Facebook, Half Years, Leap, Lee Sheldon, Lot Like, Number 1, Own Pace, Peer Pressure, Playing Games, Scho, Science, Science Labs, Science Lessons, Sheer Excitement, Survey, Task Behavior, Those Kids, Three Times, Transformation
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Permanent link to this article: https://educatoral.com/wordpress/2012/07/16/gamifying-my-classes/

Jun 18

When is Extrinsic Motivation Okay?

By Alfonso Gonzalez in Ed News, Grades & HW
June 18, 2012

I’ve been looking into gamification and how it can help motivate students to have fun and learn Science. I would love to make certain lessons, projects, or activities look like a game to motivate students to learn boring things like vocabulary. I’d like to do that without points, badges or too many rewards. I’ve abolished …