Incorporating Video Games into Curriculum

I had never considered that Angry Birds could be used in the classroom.  That being said, I found our guest speaker's presentation to be enlightening and inspiring.  It really made me realize that technology is something we are going to have to use in our classrooms and we can use it in ways that really engage students.  I especially liked his sentiment that we can use activities as a means to engage students in subjects they struggle with.  It seems that incorporating a game like Angry Birds helps to make students comfortable with a subject.  It is with this comfort that students open up and may see a subject in a different light.  Yet what struck me most is that games, like Angry Birds, can be used as a way to get students to pose their own questions.  According the speaker, students start questioning the best players and strategies.  Not only does this engage students with the material, it also creates a team atmosphere.  The atmosphere or environment of a classroom can make all the difference, and by using inquiry-based activities, a positive learning atmosphere can be created.

Still, I am finding it difficult to see how games can be incorporated in an English curriculum. I understand there are many places for technology in an English classroom--podcasts, blogs, online forums--yet I am unsure how I would incorporate an actual video game. I'm am hoping we learn more about how games are used across all disciplines because I think they are interesting learning tools to consider.

I also enjoyed the speaker's discussion on use of Twitter in education.  I have never thought of Twitter as an educational tool, but I am beginning to see its merits.  It seems like a great way to not only generate discussion among educators, but also share teaching strategies and lesson plans.  I also think it would be really interesting to incorporate Twitter in the classroom, perhaps by having an account solely dedicated to class. I think this would be an interesting way to get students involved in their learning.

Using Weebly is also a new experience for me.  While I am initially skeptical of posting information online, I think it could be a useful professional tool in the future.  I more so see it as a tool to be used in classrooms. I think it would be great to have students navigate boundaries between the personal and the professional by using Weebly. I especially see this being a useful tool for high school seniors, as it could help teach them how to present themselves in a professional way.  

Overall, I feel like my view toward technology is evolving and I am starting to feel less afraid of the reality that I will have to use it in my classroom.  When I can see educational benefits of Twitter, anything is possible.