Emerging Technologies in the Classroom

Nintendo WII

The gaming console Nintendo Wii is great way to further engage the students in a physical education classroom setting. The game Wii Fit is provides students with testing their BMI, weight, and height tracking it throughout each workout through the use of a balance board. Activities range from Yoga and aerobic exercises to muscular endurance and balance (body management) workouts). This activity can be done on Wednesdays known as "Wii Wednesdays".



Other games can be used for learning and activites in the classroom. Some are wii golf, tennis, and baseball. All of these through the use of the Wii Remote require the students to accuratley perform the correct motion of the sport. This will help with students who may be timid in participating in the actual activity. This can also be done if the weather doesn't permit the class to go outside. This will really interest the students because it is a video game and create an overall general excitement about coming to class on wednesday.

http://www.wiiclassroom.com/index.html



Moodle

Moodle acts as a virtual classroom for students to post assignments, view calendars, and syllabi. Personally, I am taking a foreign language course here at WSU and Moodle was just introduced this semester. It proves to be a much more efficient system as a virtual classroom. A foreign language class requires many handouts, and since they are all electronic acessed through moodle, it allows for a more efficient system for studying. We also have to complete audio recordings of readings, so we can post those files onto Moodle.



Moodle can be used for any content base. I think it would be best suited for a class that has many handouts and meets everyday (such as foreign language). It has even improved the communication level between the teacher and students because there is a calendar of lecutres, quizzes, and exams.

http://www.stevenbowden.net/2007/07/11/emerging-technologies-in-the-classroom/



Skype

Skype allows you to talk to another user through the computer. Just as moodle, skype would be great for a foreign language. Classrooms could connect globally and have language exchanges. The best way to learn a language is to actually communicate and Skype allows for this in a intercultural exchange. Cultural exchanges can also be done where both classrooms learn about one another. Students could even have pen pals, instead of writing they would chat through Skype.



Skype can also be used to communicate with other classrooms in the same district or city. Classrooms can collaborate through large projects where they use Skype as their medium of communication.

http://www.stevenbowden.net/2007/07/11/emerging-technologies-in-the-classroom/