Week 14: Distance Education and Virtual Schooling

This week we learned about distance education and virtual schooling online including online degree options and game-based learning for students. Distance learning refers to education that focuses on the instruction, teaching styles and instructional systems design that aims to deliver education to those who are not physically present. We focused on distance education last week as well so I was more interested in expanding my knowledge regarding game-based learning this week. There are numerous benefits of online games and they can cover multiple fields of learning and careers such as sports management, advertising, education, and psychology. In addition to games, the rise of virtual schools and online classes was discussed. Based on a CNN report, many older men and women are now able to get degrees online from their home. There are also multiple fraud sights that will give candidates fake diplomas, which I did not realize was an issue. In several Universities and high schools around the United States, virtual or online classes are also offered. For the state of Florida, Florida Virtual School has been on the rise in recent years and nationally virtual schools are growing 30% a year.

The topics that we covered in class this week are definitely relevant to my career as a future educator. Virtual School is on the rise so it is possible that one day I could be a virtual school teacher. Therefore, it is important for me to understand how online classes work so that I can be better prepared. Also, game based learning has a direct influence on the role of educators. Games, whether they are academic or not, have multiple positive effects on students; students can strengthen their reading, math, and analytical skills. In the third grade classroom I volunteered at this semester, the students use programs such as FCAT Explorer to strengthen reading comprehension skills and Brain Pop, which covers a wide variety of topics and information for students to learn. Since technology is so prevalent in our society today, it is vital for me as a future teacher to recognize and explore multiple online games that may strengthen my student’s learning in the classroom.

I chose to embed this video for the week because I felt like it gave some valuable information regarding game-based learning. The video defines game based learning as “a learning approach that incorporates the use of educational computer games or software programs.” Game based learning can assess and engage students in the classroom. This video introduced me to the term edutainment, which incorporates entertainment with education, and to the term training simulators, which train students in certain skills. Serious games, however, are games that are not designed for education but rather for education. This video was very informative and expanded my understanding on different theories and terms in reference to game-based learning and how it can be used in my future classroom.