Almost half way through…

This is it, we are the home stretch to the Christmas break and wow so much has happened. I presented at CAST in Dallas to a packed room (who knew gamification would be so popular!). I have been modifying and changing the game model I am using. We have done a project that I hope has helped the students learn kinematics more efficiently. I have been nominated for the PAEMST award. And I am applying for PhD school for next year. Man, I am tired just typing it all out!

First, my presentation…I presented at CAST (Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching). I basically just put together an account of how I am using gamification in my classroom. (Though I am a bit behind in promoting it in my actual class as of right now. Hope to fix that soon.) STAT had to move me to a bigger room because so many people showed for my first session and left me in the bigger venue for the second. I have gotten great feedback and there are a lot of people who want to try this in their classroom. I even had a suggestion to start a group for teachers who want to try it out in their room so we can support each other. (I am in the process of figuring out the best way to do this.)

Second, I have done the usual egg drop project that I do every year, but I have revamped it a bit with the help of my new PrinTech teacher partner. I think it is more rigorous and challenging. And it follows the scientific method a bit better now. After the first drop we analyze everything and then we are rebuilding the carrier and doing a second drop this week. The second build doesn’t have as much time as the first, but I think they are getting the concept a bit better by having two drops to analyze.

The game has fallen by the wayside a bit. I haven’t been pushing it as much as I should have. But I am going to be assigning backpoints for the last six weeks in the form of the project’s objectives. Next semester I think it will be better since I have already gone through the game once before with the second semester. But I am in definite need of a boost to my enthusiasm for the game and a way to boost my students’ interest and enthusiasm also.

Finally, my nomination…There is some serious work involved in getting the application done. But I have the support of my school and principals so I am going for it. My AV class is going to help out in the filming of my exemplar lesson. But right now I don’t know what it will be. I have to find one that I teach as much as I guide. I want to show the interactive-ness of my class.