Augmented Reality

For this assignment, I reviewed TaleBlazer. I like TaleBlazer the best because it offered pre-made games as well as the chance to make some games. For me at this point in time, I think I would use the pre-made games in the classroom. Some time in the future, I may want to branch out and try my hand at creating one, but I just don't have the time for that right now. I liked that TaleBlazer gave me the option to do both. I also really liked that you didn't need an internet connection to play the games! I found from working in Minot Public Schools that often the internet was spotty and did not work well. I would use these games in rotations. My cooperating teacher for practicum did math rotations where the students spent 20 minutes at each of the three stations; math writing, math games, and textbook math. I would use TaleBlazer during the math games portion of the rotations as one of the options for the students.

How is TaleBlazer being used in the classroom?

"The games take on a “choose your own adventure” format, allowing for creativity and critical thinking from not only the players, but from the game creators." (http://www.gettingsmart.com/2013/08/38712/)

This idea of giving the students choices and allowing them to really think is so important in the schools nowadays that often take away creativity in favor of higher test scores and textbook memorization. Critical thinking is also a very important skill that kids today do not get to practice nearly as often as they should. Check out the link above for more information about how TaleBlazers (and augmented reality) are changing the classrooms of today.