Škola hrou, hra školou...

clipped from howto.wired.com

The question

I don't really know the answer to this, so I'm asking for a How To. My kid is 5, about to enter kindergarten. What are some entry points for coding? Fun environments, or basics that are great foundations? Should I get a Apple II+ on eBay and start with BASIC? I'll cross post suggestions to Geek Dad. Thanks, Ross Mayfield.

Tools

Logo
Logo is a programing language for kids. There is a free version for the PC, MSWlogo, which also has lots of online tutorials. There is also a free version for the Mac, ACSLogo.

Lego Mindstorms
Programmable lego sets that offer a fairly simple programming interface. There is also a free online Lego simbot which overlaps with Logo.

Flowol
Control applications offer a good visual way to learn programming concepts. Flowol is a popular one used with students.

Game Maker
Game maker is excellent and free and allows for both drag and drop and coding.

clipped from sleducation.wikispaces.com

Jo Kay and Sean FitzGerald Explore the Educational Uses of Second Life

Welcome to the Second Life in Education Wiki. This space is designed to provide an overview of the educational possibilities of virtual worlds, in particular Second Life.

Within this space, Jo Kay (aka jokay Wollongong) and Sean FitzGerald (aka Sean McDunnough) document a detailed list of Educational Uses of Second Life, provide a range of useful resources for educators, and link to a range of handy Second Life online resources.

We have established a flexible and dynamic space in the Wasp region of Second Life which includes informal and formal meeting spaces, plus a range of interesting objects and tools to explore. Our space is designed to assist teachers and students gain competency and confidence in using the Second Life interface - whilst they are having fun!

For further information view our comprehensive list of the Educational Uses of Second Life.

clipped from www.simteach.com

Why Second Life?

Students and educators can work together in Second Life from anywhere in the world as part of a globally networked virtual classroom environment. Using Second Life as a supplement to traditional classroom environments also provides new opportunities for enriching existing curricula.

For a fantastic summary of Second Life focusing on educational and serious applications, please check out Real Virtuality in your Second Life and beyond. If you'd like to learn more about the history of Second Life, take a look at the SL History Wiki. For a comparison of Second Life and other virtual world platforms, check out Oz Spade's Virtual World Comparison Page.

clipped from www.classroom20.com

Welcome to Classroom20.com, the social networking site for those interested in the practical application of computer technology (especially Web 2.0) in the classroom and in their own professional development. Especially we hope that those who feel they are "beginners" will find this a comfortable place to start being a part of the community dialog and to learn more.

Just learning about Web 2.0 tools in the classroom? Here are some good links:

• Classroom 2.0 Wiki


• SupportBlogging!


• Infinite Thinking Machine


• 2006 K12Online Conference


• Educational Wikis


• Coming of Age


• Videos on Web 2.0

clipped from www.leapfrog.com

Appropriate For Ages 3 to 6 Years

Turns your TV Into A Learning PC! Introduce your child to the world of computer learning. Featuring a child-friendly wireless keyboard, a console and a mouse that converts for right- or left-handed play, ClickStart My First Computer creates a safe environment right on your television, transforming it into child's very own computer.
Four included games teach essential skills for school while introducing basic computer navigation. Additional software featuring popular children's characters will also be available.

clipped from karlkapp.blogspot.com

Tonight was the first "Learning in 3D Class" it was totally fun and totally chaotic. It reminded me a lot of the first e-learning classes that I taught, no one was really sure what to do, the software would crash from time-to-time and students and instructors where figuring out what needed to be done.

clipped from karlkapp.blogspot.com

• Definition of Metaverse
• The Metaverse Roadmap Project
• Metaverse Roadmap Overview
• Article titled: Another Life: Virtual Worlds as Tools for Learning
• Article titled Defining and Understanding Virtual Worlds
• Games and Learning? Getting Serious
• Blog by ProtoSphere founder. Ron Burns
• Like Fish to Water, my weekly entry on TrainingDay blog
• Intellagirl's web site

Top Ten Missing Features of Second Life as an Educational Simulation Platform

clipped from karlkapp.blogspot.com

Kids who have grown up with video games, Gamers, are self-educating. They seek out and learn from the information that is available to them. They do not rely on formal educational settings for their learning. The gamers’ learning style:

• Ignores any hint of formal instruction. They are self-directed learners.
  
• Includes trial and error and approaching a problem from different angles.
  
• Relies heavily on learning from peers with a distrust of information from authorities.
  
• Focuses on small, focused bits of information
  
• Demands just-in-time information. They don’t want to learn about what they might need.
  
• Is not focused on books and reading.

So while they may look lazy and self-absorbed while sitting in front of the TV playing a video game, they are actually learning valuable skills for the information age. We should all be paying attention.
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Content Guide