In my search to find a Web 2.0 Tool that I can use in conjunction with my CBR project I located an AWESOME tool called Electro City. This is a FREE learning tool that can be used by teachers and students to help teach the concept of energy, sustainability, and environmental management. The students can create their own city and decide on various aspects such as tourism, budget, coal and gas production, supply and demand, and much, much more!
This tool comes with teacher resources and Fact Sheets that give more direction to potential projects. For example in teaching about the Ocean this tool can be used to show how the ocean produces energy.
They give teacher ideas on how to use the tool in the class. It is web based, but for schools that may have an issue with connection there is a downloadable limited version that runs on ANY computer without Internet access. In the life of a teacher FREE is always good, but FREE, EFFECTIVE, and INTERACTIVE… even better!
Registration as a teacher gives a Teacher’s Code to be used by the students. Whenever the students finish a game they enter the code to associate the game with you!Okay… So I tried it and I LOVE IT!!!! I actually got a grade on how well my city ran… AMAZING. I mean think about you give the assignment, the kids work on making a bustling city in “150 turns”, the site grades the city, and lastly the kids can compete against others in the school and even throughout the website.
Electro City http://www.electrocity.co.nz
Wow, what a neat program. I can see this being used in so many subject areas in the K-12 realm: math, science, social studies. Maybe even history? (recreate historic cities).
ReplyDeleteWhat's interesting is that this falls in line with the topic of my CBR literature review: using virtual environments to improve engagement.
In doing that research I discovered quite a few programs that were immersive, interactive and fun, but were useful to teach lessons as well.
What's great about this, and other programs like it, is that they're *fun*. The design makes the activity like a game, which excites students and makes them *want* to use and engage.
I hope you get to use this for your CBR project. It has so much potential (I kind of want to play with it myself).
Also if you would like to see other science virtual resources that I've discovered in my research let me know.
You might be interested in the RiverCity program. I don't know if it's free, but it's an interactive, virtual "game" where students use principles of scientific inquiry to solve the mystery of sick people in a town.
Here is a link:
http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/index.html
STEPHANIE,
ReplyDeleteThis program is awsome. I think it will be something I can use with my CBR as well as I am doing a project on sustainability of a recycling program using 3rd , 4th , and 5th , graders. I will be having an after school recycling club and this would be a perfect addition.
I hope all is well with Full Sail in general and your CBR project. I am very excited to see how it turns out.
Hang in there. Your Blog looks great!!
Jeanae