Eclectic Technology

Does gaming have a place in the classroom? The information on this infographic provides reasons why gaming should be in the classroom (with resources provided on the infographic). A few of the reasons discussed are:
* The students love games and are familiar with them.

* The students are engaged. "Computer games stimulate the brain to produce dopamine" which helps with attention and making connections.

* Student are motivated by games.

For more information check out the infographic!

This short book combines thoughts, observations, tools and practical tips to help you understand more about using and making computer games in the classroom.

"Video games have very real benefits but too much of the same thing, day in, day out, actually ends up hurting you...Check out the inforgraphic and see what good gaming can do for you."

Video games can be used to educate through repetition and feedback, but they can also have some less-than-positive side effects. Learn about how video games can improve the educational experience as well as hinder it.

From cell phone and video games to Facebook and YouTube, digital media are changing the way young people play and socialize in the 21st century. In this vide...

Gaming in the classroom as a teaching tool is gaining popularity; however, some question whether or not it's actually effective.

This infographic looks at some of the information that is known about video games. 

After a quick look at some statistics the infographic looks at benefits and concerns about video games and provides some resources.

Game-based learning is gaining traction in many areas. There are concerns, but there is also much to suggest that game-based learning helps students learn academic subjects. Here is a listing of 20 blogs that discuss game-based learning, with descriptions that provide information so you may choose which you might like to follow.

Every wondered what an educational video game has to have in order to be successful? Here's a list.

* Define the learning objective

* Describe the learning mechanic

* Imagine what students are thinking

* Pick a game mechanic

* Create a theme where the mechanic can exist

Read the article for more detail and information.

Online gaming among tween girls is on the rise, as more are turning to the web to take quizzes and participate in role-playing challenges.

"A new report by tween gaming platform GirlsgoGames.com found that about 50% of tween girls between the ages of 8 and 12 are turning to the Internet for entertainment and social gaming. In addition, the amount of time tween girls spend playing games each month has more than doubled over the last year, from 38 minutes a month to 1 hour and 18 minutes."

If you would like to read the report, The State of Online Gaming Among Tween Girls in the U.S. Q1 2012 go to http://www.spilgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/StateOfGamingTweenGirls_US_Q1_2012.pdf ;

"Playing video games for an extended period of time, or, well playing them at all, will rot your brain. At least, that’s what we’ve been led to believe. Actually, those fighting against gaming see something a lot worse than simple brain rot. To that particular establishment, video games are responsible for just about every social ill you can think of, especially violence."

If you are interested in seeing statistics that show that gaming has positive influences check out this infographic.

"We’ve all heard the horror stories about how hardcore gaming makes us anti-social and possibly even homicidal. There are politicians, activists, and shrinks around the world who say gaming is the way to the dark side, that it’s a path to evil, that Anakin Skywalker became a sith because he was a closet gamer, and that every mass murderer in the last 20 years can be attributed to being a gamer. What if the exact opposite is actually true?"

Check out this infographic  that discusses social benefits of gaming...

The NMC Horizon Project identifies and describes emerging technologies likely to have a large impact on teaching, learning, research, or creative expression within education around the globe. The 2011 report was published in November 2011 and six new technologies were identified that they expect to be adopted in the next five years that will affect both teaching and learning. To see a copy of the full report go to this link: http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2011-Horizon-Report-K12.pdf

Dr Paul Howard Jones assesses whether the latest scientific findings support popular fears about what technology is doing to us. Listen to the full audio: ht...