Gamification: Passing trend or new paradigm?

Gamification is a fancy word for applying game theories and mechanics to topics not typically  associated with games.  Socializing, learning, mastery, competition, achievement, status, self-expression, altruism and closure are the humanity aspects used to leverage for desired outcomes.  With learning being of exigency in today’s information driven economy, gamification will hold court as a growing field of research, expertise and even emerging career field.  First, a brief history and background of gamification.

First used in 2002 by Nick Pelling, a British programmer and inventor, the word “gamification” (which Pelling calls “deliberately ugly”) didn’t become popularized until 2010.  Prior to the term, elements of gamification were used in many fields such as business.  In fact, some have labelled author and business consultant Charles Coonradt the “Father/ Grand Father” of Gamification for his 1970’s/80’s consultancy and book, “The Game of Work.”  The more specific aspect, currently in use after 2010 refers to “gamification” catching the eye of venture capitalists.  This, larger funding presence, coupled with the growing use of software to use the game aspect of social and reward base applications across many platforms (Social Media, E-Commerce and Education).

One of the best descriptions come from bunchball.com:

“Gamification is the process of taking something that already exists – a website, an enterprise application, an online community – and integrating game mechanics into it to motivate participation (and) engagement.”   This means that truly anything can benefit from gamifying elements.  Here are the core principles of gamification:

Feedback (Fast)

Transparency

Goals (Short and Long)

Badges/ Evidence

Leveling

Onboarding

Competition

Community

Points:  Tangible measures.

It is clear that gamification has depth in its purpose and multi-dimensional paths of entry.  It will continue to grow as a path for all types of learning and learners.  Stay tuned for continued investigation into this exciting topic.

Keep School Tech Working

One thing that is often overlooked in the Tech Ed realm is the facilitation and logistical aspects. There are millions of devices in classrooms all over the world that are used every day.  These devices are maintained, monitored and managed by a small group of professionals.  As the world of ed tech grows more mobile, while increasing in density, it will be crucial that education institutions develop clear plans and expectations around the roles of ed tech professionals.

Changing Roles?

The educator/ school professional of today has many roles, teacher, coach, facilitator, mentor, and administrator, to name a few.  What about technology?  In the past, technology has been the realm of a department or even whole position(s) in a school.  While 80-85% of school budgets are tied to salaries, a position solely dedicated to hardware/ technology, seems like one that could be evaluated further for overall viability and effectiveness.  This is not to say that a position dedicated to the management of hardware, and more importantly, a school network is not vital, however, the role of these positions is certainly worth examining in the days of tightened school budgets and accountability.  Looking into a crystal ball of technology is impossible, it stands to reason that some very time/ labor intensive parts of Information Technology (IT) will and are changing.  Will schools require huge, clumsy, land line phone systems?  What about schools that are Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)?  Computer labs are on the way out, if not already, at best obsolete.  In the day of cheap, mobile computing, does it make sense to be funding a full position to manage devices?  The answer is no, but take heart full-time school tech guru, there is still a robust role for you to fill in most places of learning.

The Return of Technology Education.

“The device in your pocket is more powerful than any of the tech used to land men on the moon.” This often used (and abused) quote is a bit of a misnomer.  Sure, the actual computing power of an IPhone is greater than what they had during the Apollo missions, but there is one big difference.  The people at NASA new (and know) how to use every bit of that computing power to its fullest.  Today, we are lucky to be fully organized digitally, let alone, using our iPads to launch rockets.  Of course, that isn’t to say that there aren’t individuals and institutions doing amazing things with digital devices, including schools, but the scale is so tiny it mine as well be 1965.  What if technology use could be scaled up further?  Would it spark greater, the learning evolution/ revolution that is already migrating to the web?  The answer is yes, it is also the answer to the malingered role of the IT professional. Nearly everyone employed by a learning institution should be a teacher in some capacity.  From the head administrator to the lunch crew, everyone can teach in some way.  So should the IT department.  Keyboarding, Social Networking,Digital organization, Blogging, Web Design, and e-commerce are all soft skills that almost every working professional needs in the 21st century economy (those that don’t have them are probably not working).  The hard skills would include digital design, network administration, coding/ programming and analytic's.  These aren't being taught in today’s schools, and it shows.  Stop fixing phone lines and jammed printers!  It’s time to empower the tech professional employed by learning institutions to lead groups of learners in their area of expertise.

Fix it!

Through changing the often rigid roles and expectations around technology in education institutions like public schools, there will be immediate dividends paid. Those that continue to have IT professionals fixing hard drives and monitoring computer labs will languish further, eventually left to die on the proverbial vine.  With proper role and expectation shifting, however, schools can take better advantage of the professional expertise they already have.

Learning to Love the iPad (and Apple)

Rejoice!  Huzzah!  Apple Inc.  (a publicly traded company) has released the Iphone 6.  Please.  RIGHT MEOW!!!! Take my money!  All of it, for one of your shiny new devices.  This amazing technology will surely propel my thoughts to Zanadu and beyond.....How can I live without it???

I don't own an Iphone.  I don't want to.  I don't own any Apple hardware.  My employer has generously provided a work device called an iPad that I am to master in order to bring forth learning from its magic screen into a world of possibilities....or something like that, but I'm still not sold.  However, the iPad and Apple sold someone with a lot higher  pay grade than me on the software and hardware so I will lick the boot soul of Steve Jobs all the way to maintaining a monthly salary.

Truthfully there is a great deal to love about Apple.  (did I mention it is a publicly traded company).  The hardware is second to none and the software...well...its ok...(see IOS 8....)  Where the iPhone and iPad really shine in  software, however, has less to do with Apple itself and more to do with the developers creating amazing Apps, especially for the education market.  The following are some quick reviews of 5 of my favorite ed apps so far.

 Explain Everything: Woah. This thing has blown me away. Easy You-Tube uploads, image configuration and screen casts. A class flippers must have. Also a great deal of potential with student created projects.

Notability:  Pay to play but worth every shilling.  You can't do notes on the iPad without it.  Grab a stylus and get to work.  Anything and everything can be marked up and completed with Notability, couple it with a good scanner App for max digi classroom/ student fun.





Google Drive:  Unlimited cloud storage for schools, collaborate in real time, continuously improving, collaborate anywhere, FREE.  Enough said.










Adobe Voice:  A simple yet robust way to create with the iPad.  Tell stories using pictures, take learning to the next level.  Another one that is exciting because of the potential for student created "stuff".

Apple I-Work Suite:  Ok Ok, Apple software works best on Apple devices!  So they made a sweet suite that is just as good as anything Microsoft is crankin out these days.  Apple is popular because it just works, and so do there software offerings.  As long as you pay lots of monies, (did I mention Apple is a publicly traded company)?

Is the iPad the best tool for the job?

The Ipad changed the digital device landscape.  The device was released in 2010.  Since then, over 200 million devices have been sold, many of those to school districts (over 8 million directly to school districts) hoping to capitalize on the devices multiple capabilities.  Speaking of capabilities, there are dual cameras taking video and still shots, a speedy processor and at least 16 gigabytes of storage.  The real capacity happens in the app store with millions of apps that drive the device.  From presentation, word processing, music production, video and everything in between, the app store has it all.  

All this makes the iPad a great tool.  However, is it the best tool for early learners (K-12)?  I'm not convinced.  I use my iPad a lot, but I still find myself lugging around my laptop to do any kind of creation.  (Lesson, assignments, even email).  The troubling aspect (for the millions of schools buying them) of the iPad is that it is a media consuming device, not a creating device.  For creating, individuals still use their laptops.  The iPad and tablets are a distant second in content creating devices.

As is the case too often in public education especially, schools have jumped on the latest trend in technology without fully considering the consequences.  Its easy to think, "Oh, tablets are the future so if I want my school and students to be ahead of the game lets get iPads," harder to consider deeper trends in digital learning and Web 2.0 trends.

This post might come across cynical but it isn't intended to be.  I believe every student in the world should be in a 1 to 1 environment. (In the USA its more like 5 students to 1 device on average) I am grateful that I get to work in a 1 to 1 school but I also know that things cost money and choices have consequences.  I just hope its in the best interest of our students to put a $500.00+ iPad in their hands above all other devices available.

My Personal Learning Network (PLN)

Social Networks

Twitter is my favorite for professional specifics.  I am still learning how to best create and post original content to twitter, but I enjoy scrounging up as much information as possible and then re-posting or commenting on posts.  These are some of my favorites:

• https://twitter.com/bhwilkoff

I met Ben at an edcamp conference in Denver.  He is one of the few people I have met in person.  I agree with most of his philosophies on education and learning.  Ben is much more active than I am, with 1000’s of followers and following 1000’s himself.  His posts are always informative.

• https://twitter.com/edutopia

Edutopia became mainstream around the same time I became an educator (2008).  The site itself is amazing.  Twitter allows for a picking and choosing of articles, research, tools posted on the amazing network/ site that is Edutopia.  You go George Lucas!!!!

• https://twitter.com/mrmosesdotorg

Glen Moses works for Denver Public Schools.  He is an amazing leader in the area of learning technologies.  Another in the flesh acquaintance, he and I share a disruptive philosophy of education and learning.

• https://twitter.com/FactsTechnology

Tech Facts is unique entity on twitter (not always easy to find).  They typically tweet “facts” about technology, such as, “The first webcam was designed to monitor a coffee maker.”  I like it because it helps me jumpstart my thinking sometimes.

• https://twitter.com/EdSurge

EdSurge is another group/ twitter entity that has a large following.  I use it for up to date technology news and tips.  EdSurge is on the pulse of where technology and education are moving.  A very handy resource.

Content

Google:  Google does a lot for the web.  It has become a verb!  (in the dictionary).  Through my very favorite and best search tool, I have accumulated a plethora of content learning tools as well, including:

• https://www.youtube.com/user/crashcourse

The incomparable John Green, world famous author and amazing educator.  Green created an entire series on history that is short enough to keep anyone’s attention while simultaneously introducing complex historiography and non-fiction mindset.

• http://www.flowofhistory.com/

This is the High School History teacher everyone wishes they had.  His approach to History is both new school and traditional at the same time.  A gem.

• http://www.fordham.edu/Halsall/index.asp

Thank You Fordham University for creating a mountain of content on many history subjects.  The primary document reading are indispensable.   

• http://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/ and http://docsteach.org/

Government archives that are approachable to all learners.  Perfect.  Accompanied by documents that help students focus on the doing of history.  

• https://www.khanacademy.org/

Whenever I need a math tutorial of any kind, this is where I go.  Sal Khan, teacher to the world.  He and his academy started and continue to drive the flipped classroom revolution.

Video

YouTube has also joined Google in the newest verb category.  (Google owned so it makes sense)  From working on my Jeep to conspiracy theories I have my favorite Youtube channel tools and so should you.  These are the channels most associated trends and practices in online/ blended learning.  

• https://www.youtube.com/user/TEDEducation

Where would any 21st learner be without TED.  Inspiring, innovative, mesmerizing, TED is the gateway to 100’s of deeper content areas, including how learning is changing.

• https://www.youtube.com/user/usedgov

A little too much Arne Duncan for my liking, but its always a good idea to keep an eye on what “The Man” is up to.  A great resource for coming trends and initiatives like the Common Core.

• https://www.youtube.com/user/vice

Vice was once a skateboard company, it has now morphed into one of the best journalism networks on the planet.  Watch the HBO show for what is really going on, not the canned drivel presented by the mainstream media outlets.

• https://www.youtube.com/user/TeachingChannel

From classroom management to tech integration, The Teaching Channel has what any educator can benefit from, advice and tips from other educators.  

• https://www.youtube.com/user/bigthink

A channel dedicated to metacognition and understanding the human experience/ condition.  From meditation to chaos theory, the videos from bigthink are a big deal.  

Lesson Planning

Lesson planning in the digital age is as personal as it gets.  These tools help me create amazing, totally digital plans and content for my teaching.  

• http://www.readwritethink.org

A great place for digital literacy and writing tools.  Caution to Mac users, much is flash based but there are always workarounds.  Keep read write think bookmarked for when you have to do just that with your class.

• http://www.councilforeconed.org/resources/type/classroom-resources/

This is selfishly a perfect resource for those teaching economics. I include it because economics is a major driver of trends, including those in digital learning.

• https://learn.thinkcerca.com/

The latest incarnation in reading practice, the excerpts and questions are all based on the coming standardized tests (PARCC, CMAS, Common Core based).  Great readings with a digital twist.  Humanities teachers dream.

• http://betterlesson.com/

By teachers for teachers.  You can even buy from teachers.  Lots of free resources/ plans.  Its also fun and inspiring to see others in our chosen profession rocking out amazing lessons.

• http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/

Tons of great lessons, although based mostly on discovery channel content.  The Discovery Channel is a neat company that can create amazing media, so teachers should definitely take advantage.

Blogging/ Research

Tumblr is a great blogging platform/ Social Network for bloggers.  I don’t post to it much, but I do extend my learning network with it.  The images alone are worth a registration, you will be hooked once you start scrolling.  The following are a handful of the folk I follow, specifically related to trends and practices in online/ blended education.

• http://positivelypt.com/

Positively, is just that, positive.  A welcome respite from the gloomy news educators can find themselves in some days.

• http://cognitivedissonance.tumblr.com/

A graduate student/ professor at the University of Wyoming has a unique perspective on politics and Western life.  A great techy type to follow for humor and learning alike.

• http://findings.creativemornings.com/

A group of people dedicated to workshops, collaborative efforts, all in the morning.  I’m a morning person so I had to follow.  

• http://girlwithalessonplan.tumblr.com/

A traditional English teacher in a not so traditional world.  She keeps everyone on their toes with her work ethic and cat pictures.  A great resource for teaching writing.

• http://ourtimeorg.tumblr.com/

Love these guys because they are all about disruption of education and personalized education.  They post a great deal of very informative articles about how education is rapidly changing/ shifting towards an online platform.

JP Morgan Chase Bailout Bros

Oh JP Morgan Chase super bank how we love to hate you.  So apparently this amalgamation of financial wizardry fraud lost 2 billion dollars last quarter.  Gee thanks dude bros, I thought we were buds after, you know, we bailed your asses out of financial collapse.  Apparently not, apparently you are up to your old tricks again, taking huge risks, for albeit huge rewards, but still come on dudes? Not cool!

The New York Times reported that JP lost all the booty on a “misguided hedging strategy,” taking large positions in the credit default swap index.  FT Alphaville’s Lisa Pollak barked, “they may have really screwed the pooch on this one.”  Dealbreakers chief mister wizard math guy Matt “the lizard” Levine said, “this was not driven by the market moving against them (though it seems to have), it was driven by them getting the math wrong.”  Thanks Matt, for that keen insight into the exciting world of financial bullshittery.

The Bank of Morgan received 25 Billion from we the people and this is how you spend our jack JP?  Not cool.  The OG Financial goliath the Bank is named after, the JP Morgan, would not be impressed.  He bought railroads, flipped the script on 2000 times and bailed out the government, and was generally a ruthless capitalist of the highest accord.  He may or may not have been the inspiration for the Monopoly guy.  But seriously, this is how you do us?  It’s like, “OK here you go pyromaniac pedophile with a hand-grenade you burned down and raped the whole world, but you say you will be a lot more responsible with this flamethrower, here you go, we trust you….wait what?  You are burning shit again….”

So I guess get mad at the banks and bankers, but are they really to blame?  They are doing what they do.  The American people, however, can look in the mirror to find the blame for electing leaders completely beholden and willing to surrender billions of their money for JP Morgan Chase to burn.  

That

So.  How about that?  The word means an infinite possibility of awesome.  True that.  Wud up with that.  This and that.  That is hardly that.  I mean that is all that.  Think about it for a minute.  Aside from the boring old words the, and, or evil step sisters there, their, and they’re.  What do you use more on a regular basis?  That will continue to surprise you too?  What about popular slang or birthing adage, “That just happened.”  Its one of my favorites, especially when people fall down and stuff.  Or, “that guy” coupled with “And then there’s that guy.”  You are insulting someone without even doing it.  And isn’t that the beauty of that, the ambiguity, the mystery, the disdain for actual detail.

That sits on a crown (see you still don’t exactly know if I’m talking about the actual word or something else) of language use, matched by few if any equals.  It hums as a restrictive relative clause (“He took a test that was hard”).  Kills it as a pronoun all on its magnificent own, (“That was hard”).  Blows up worlds as an adjective, (“That test was hard”).  Keeps it on lock complementizing/ subordinating conjuctions.  (“She asked that he go.”) And finally, just to be a badass, that rolls as an adverb (“The weather wasn’t that bad.”) 

That sure is great.  But some people, mostly those with worthless English degrees, trying to teach a bunch of blind homeless people how to read.  Think that, shouldn’t be used so much.  That, that has no place in a formal essay.  That, that can’t be that great.  Well, in the words of the great orator Sir Mix-a-Lot, “I ain’t down with that.”  (But actually I am…Down with that…not that)