Download Gamequarium Workshop Presentation

The site that swims with learning fun!
http://www.gamequarium.com
What is Gamequarium?
Gamequarium is a portal to more than
3000 online, educational, interactive
games and learning activities.
The purpose of Gamequarium is to
provide a doorway to the Internet for
teachers, parents, and students who
are seeking interactive, instructional
online resources.
Gamequarium is:
One of the most popular education sites
Used in all 50 states
Used worldwide in many countries
A great start or home page
A student friendly search tool
A supplement to traditional curriculum
A valuable resource for students,
teachers, and parents
Teachers like Gamequarium because:
it is as a valuable, well-organized resource for
teaching and learning with the Internet
it helps teachers address NCLB
it brings technology into the classroom, computer lab,
and students’ home
it engages students in the learning process
it provides for practice of essential skills in all
curricular areas
it is a teacher timesaver that allows teacher to spend
more time teaching and less time looking for resources
it is used by teachers who don’t have a classroom
website
it is affordable--- FREE!
Students like Gamequarium because:
It has a happy underwater theme
Uses student-friendly navigation by subject,
topic and grade level
Today’s students are motivated and
engaged by technology
It makes learning fun and enjoyable
Gamequarium (3-6+)
This is the section of Gamequarium that allows easy access to subject
area activities.
Gamequarium Junior (Pre K-2)
This section targets the special needs of Preschool through 2nd grade
students and teachers.
Readquarium
The section addresses the 5 key focus areas of reading instruction as
indicated by the National Reading Panel.
Gamequarium Computer Lab
This section of Gamequarium provides easy access to tools and activities most
often used in computer labs. It provides a solution for schools without
adequate lab software and acts as a supplement for all schools.
Gamequarium Reference Tools
This section provides all of the reference tools found in a traditional library.
These tools support inquiry-based learning. The reference tools can be
accessed through the Gamequarium Computer Lab.
Gamequarium Blog
The blog keeps you up-to-date on additions to Gamequarium and
offers suggestions for teaching with the Internet.
Meet the Gamequarium Webmaster:
Diana Dell, Ed.S
Educator of 25 years
Classroom teacher for 23 years
Currently working as an Instructional
Technology Specialist for the Valley Park
School District in Missouri
Mother of 4, Grandmother of 1
Masters Degree in Curriculum and
Instruction from National Louis University
Educational Specialist Degree from the
School of Information Sciences and
Learning Technologies at the University
of Missouri Columbia
Currently a learner in the School of
Education at Capella University working
toward a Doctorate of Education with a
Specialization in Teaching and Training
Online
Click here to make
Gamequarium
your home page.
Google Safe Search
Gamequarium and NCLB
A primary goal of NCLB is to improve student academic
achievement through the use of technology in elementary
schools and secondary schools. Two additional goals set
forth specific requirements:
Every student must be technologically literate by the time
the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the
student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income,
geographic location, or disability.
All schools must effectively integrate technology
resources and systems through teacher training and
curriculum development to establish research-based
instructional methods that can be widely implemented as
best practices by State and local educational agencies.
Gamequarium helps students become technology proficient
with Internet technologies. It also helps teachers and schools
integrate technology resources into all curricular areas.
Benefits to schools:
Web-based access allows students to learn anytime
and anywhere there is a computer with an Internet
connection, be it in the classroom, a computer lab, or
at home.
Because it is web-based there are no CD's to scratch
or lose and no server system to maintain. There is
nothing to download or install. There are no
registration or participation fees, or software or
hardware expenses. There is no impact on budgets.
Many educators do not have the knowledge or skills
needed to create a classroom website. Gamequarium
can serve as a student-friendly website for these
teachers.
Gamequarium is organized by subject, topic, theme,
and grade level. This allows teachers to easily find
interactive online resources to supplement traditional
curriculum.
Benefits to students:
The use of Gamequarium supports the following
principles supported by research:
High motivation in students is linked to reduced dropout
rates and increased levels of student success.
Students are more engaged in learning when they are
active and have some choice and control over the
learning process, and the curriculum is individualized,
authentic, and related to their interests.
Intrinsically motivated students retain information and
concepts longer, and are less likely to need remedial
courses and review.
Intrinsically motivated students are more likely to be
lifelong learners and continue to educate themselves
outside the formal school setting.
Why Games?
Research has documented the effectiveness of games for
instructional purposes. The following statements, drawn from
research, support the use of games:
Even today, “practice makes perfect.” The Internet and games can
capture student attention, engage them in learning, and make practice
happen.
Online educational games challenge fine motor coordination while
developing logical thinking skills and content mastery.
Interactive games allow learners to construct new understandings on
many different levels through seeing and hearing.
Teaching with online games allows educators to better meet the
needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time
increasing motivation of all students.
Games provide immediate feedback to participants, and mistakes do
not result in unwanted consequences.
Games have been found to serve a range of functions in education
including tutoring, exploring and practicing skills, and attitude
change.
The beneficial effects of games are most likely to be found when
specific content is targeted and objectives precisely addressed.
Easy access to Gamequarium can be provided to
students, by using one of the following methods:
Open the main page (http://gamequarium.com ) on each
classroom/lab computer and click "Make This
Gamequarium Page Your Homepage" link to set
Gamequarium as the homepage or click the "Bookmark
This Page" link to add Gamequarium to your
bookmarks/favorites.
Send a shortcut to Gamequarium to the desktop of
each classroom/lab computer.
Provide a link to http://gamequarium.com from your
school's web site or your classroom web site.
Let parents know about Gamequarium. Print and send
home the parent handout located at
http://gamequarium.com/parenthandout.pdf.