Chapter 7 - Blog 5

        I have used Google Earth myself a time or two, but I never would have thought to use it in my classroom before reading this chapter and our discussion last class. Giving children the opportunity to take virtual tours across a variety of content. Even using English, to explore where the author was from or where a story takes place. I'm actually going to put it into place this week. We are reading a book about different types of Community Homes. What better way to show them a variety of communities than by virtually taking them there! 
              The part of Chapter 7 on Intelligent tutoring systems really stuck out to me. I depend on programs such as these ITS programs to give me feedback on what my students are understanding and what they are not. The program with GO MATH that my school uses breaks down exactly what standards my students have mastered and automatically gives them more focus questions on the standards they are struggling to master. It's really helpful for me because when you have 30 students, it's hard to pinpoint exactly who needs what at what time. This just makes my job a lot easier. 
         This chapter also discussed GAMES and learning. After last week's Mind Craft conversation, I asked my students how many of them played it. I was shocked. In their desks were books on this game, that taught them new strategies to win. THEY ALL PLAY IT. I thought last week that the game had no educational value, but I have to admit that I liked that my students have 300 page books on strategies. It required actual reading and thought to act these plans out. 

Questions: 
1) What do you think of the violence in Mind Craft or other popular games? Would you ever use it in your classroom or would the violence trump anything they could learn from it?
2) Has anyone USED a video game in your classroom as a part of a program or learning tool? If so, Which and why?
3) The programs I use in my school are all pre-chosen. Do any teacher in the class have the option to order whichever you would like?