The CBS Evening News will be looking at games kids play on the computer and consoles and will report their findings today, Wednesday, and Thursday. I hope the media’s report doesn’t portray computer games as all bad, but have read books like Karl Kapp’s book and actually talk to people with knoweldge about games and what games can do for children in helping them learn. It seems that when someone becomes educated to the possibility of what games can do, they will then open up to the rich possibilities before them with their children and students. Games can be one set of tools an instructor can use to communicate with today’s generation. NetWorks has many resource links to different educational games that teachers use in the classroom. Remember to register for Karl Kapp’s webinar, Friday September 26.

Here is another question and answer from Karl:

What tools can instructors use to communicate with students effectively?

Ok, so the first one is just to talk to the students. In terms of technology, however, a variety of tools are effective, podcasting, video casting or vodcasting, using a blog, sending text messages, or creating a wiki for peer-to-peer collaboration. Even tools that are used to create simulations can be effective. All of these tools can be powerful and effective methods of communicating with students. And many Learning Management Systems have some of those tool built right in so they are typically part of software already used by a community college, university or school system. However, I think we should keep in mind that good instruction is not dependent upon the tools. Rather good instruction comes from a well designed lesson, topic description or activity. Good instructors use these tools to augment effective lessons and effective teaching…technology cannot replace pedagogy.

Mark Viquesney