Weeks 2 and 3 of the course are now finished. They centred on the deeper subculture that surrounds games, understanding games as structuring identity, and game design. Its all still theoretical but its good to know the lingo if I’m ever talking about it with a gamer/researcher.
2013 October
We recently presented the AIS ICT Integration Conference. It was a great two days and it was so exciting to be with like minded techies. One of my favourite presentations was by Michael Beilharz from Knox Grammar – you can see more about him in this article on their school blog. In the first half he talked about the Minecraft server they had set up and how many subjects had utilised this tool: English, History, Geography, Maths, and Science! Not many resources or tools for the classroom can boast of having such a broad scope of application. In the second half we were able to login to the schools Minecraft server and try to build a bridge. I can’t say I wasn’t terribly successful – using the desktop rather than the iPad will take some getting used to – but it was great moving around the space with the other participants.
I want to learn more so I have created a page of Minecraft to collate links, success stories, lessons and a few ideas if they should arise…
Going to try a course from the University of Wisconsin – Video Games and Learning.
Here is Week 1 homework.
It’s the day after the conference and I think I have con-lag (conference version of jetlag). Through the dazed expression though I am thinking allot about the work I saw from so many inspiring and innovative teachers. Here is a bit of a blurb about the teachers that really stood out for me…
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AIS ICT Integration Conference #aisitic
Posted by Laura Wright | Wrightstuff Interactive | No CommentsIt’s the day after the conference and I think I have con-lag (conference version of jetlag). Through the dazed expression though I am thinking allot about the work I saw from so many inspiring and innovative teachers. Here is a bit of a blurb about the teachers that really stood out for me…
Emma Clemens
It was so inspiring to see the cross curricular iBooks some of her upper primary students created and to be able to speak directly to the students who created them. Emma has a blog – Think Teach Learn – and is on Twitter so I encourage you to follow this innovative teacher integrate technology effectively in her classroom.
Abi Woldhuis
Abi was a great presenter even though I was only able to attend her short presentation about Social Media. “Do you feel the love?” she would ask. Really engaging and fun. During the conference I found her on twitter and then clicked the link to her blog – Journey Through Learning. Abi writes with the same warmth, passion and professionalism she spoke with at the conference. She is another great educator you should follow.
Chris Woldhuis
I am pretty sure Chris didn’t present but it was great meeting him and chatting about everything from technology to children. On the final day of the conference Chris was floating around with students from his school clad with cameras and tripods. At the conference wrap up session he and the students showed their amazing montage of the conference which they made all on the spot! Professional quality work from Chris and the Media Team of NBCS – well done! Chris is on twitter and blogs at EngagedEd.
Bruce Dixon
Bruce Dixon was the first Keynote presenter on the second day of the conference. His matter-of-fact style and clear presentation brought the facts and figures of technology integration to life. He is on Twitter and has a blog as apart of the Anytime Anywhere Learning Foundation he founded in 1996. I also loved it that Bruce mentioned Alec and George Couros in his presentation – by knowing these two international educators it showed me that his perspective is global rather than simply focusing on Australia. He confirmed my own opinion that Australia is woefully behind in technology integration but he does, as I do, have great hope for the future.
Kristina Stoney
Ride to Learn is the exciting “adventure education” consulting business that Kristina Stoney presented on as the second Keynote speaker of day two. Kristina literally gave me tingles as she spoke about and showed beautiful pictures of her riding across the world while connecting with students back here in Australia. Kristina was also very generous when I spoke to her during a break and I am so excited about the possibilities she and her husband Nicholas Arney have made with the formation of Ride to Learn. See their website here and their twitter feeds @KristinaStoney and @NicholasArney.
But the best presenter of all was Samuel Wright (which I say with no bias at all!). He can be seen in the video conducting conference participants in an iPad orchestra 🙂
I really enjoyed attending the conference and presenting with Samuel on our favourite topic: iBooks!
I look forward mixing with such inspiring people again very soon.
For more information reflections of the conference you can look up the #aisitic hashtag and just scroll back a couple of days.
P.S. Also really enjoyed Michael Beilharz’s presentation on Minecraft in the classroom. See future post.
Samuel and Laura are:
Laura is:
