ED638 Syllabus

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BLOG NOTE

NOTE: Post your overall (holistic) reflection of the ED638 activities you've engaged in. Remember, this reflection goes beyond the specified activities in Moodle. View the links above to get an idea of the holistic reflections (Re: A Glimpse of ED638 - Fall I, II).

INSTRUCTIONS TO LOCATE PREVIOUS DATES/POSTINGS

INSTRUCTIONS TO LOCATE PREVIOUS DATES/POSTINGS FOR REFLECTION:
In order to post your entries for previous dates/postings not listed on the current web page, scroll to the bottom of the page until you see the wording Older Posts, and click on that link. You may also visit the ED638 Archive located on the right hand side of our homepage to access previous posts. Good luck, and we look forward to reading your entries! :)

Thursday, January 16, 2014

www.ictgames.com

            The ICT Games site provides educational Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) activities that are linked to the English National Curriculum.  Parents and educators will find information and activities on the site that are targeted to young children (preschool to first grade).  These games can also be used to supplement the instruction of ELL or struggling students.  All of the games, visual aids and printables are absolutely free.
            The site has a very simple look, which makes it very easy for visitors to find exactly what they need.  There are 38 literacy games and visual aids.  A description of each game is found next to its icon on the site’s homepage.  Users will also see the specific objective for each game.  Directions for each game with an image illustrating each step are also provided.  All of the games are highly interactive and visually appealing.  In addition to phonemic awareness skills, spelling, and sight word practice, the site also includes math skills practice and even a few scientific topic features. 

            My students love this site.  I started out by demonstrating how to play the games on my laptop, with a multi-media projector.  They were so attentive to each activity and even said that they had fun.  After a few weeks of demonstrating how to play each game, I set up my classroom desktop for single or partner use.  I was able to observe that students at all levels in my classroom enjoyed exploring the activities on the site.  I follow-up each whole group, individual, and partner session with an exit ticket.  Students are instructed to write about what they learned.  I focus their responses by asking them to make a list or lists of words that they remember from each game.  My favorite tools from this site are the virtual word wall and spelling pattern (or word family) cards.  I like to use these as a quick way to review students or warm up their brains before a lesson.  I have definitely seen a difference in the amount of attention and cooperation from my students after we visit this site.

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