motivation

I came across an educational game on the internet (education.com) “school bus spelling”.  I tried it out and then gave my 7 year old brother a turn to play. My little brother was very happy I let him play this game and even asked me to download it on the family’s tablet. It’s a simple game to play yet has exciting music and pictures.  The aim of the game is too help the school bus get to school by spelling the word the narrator tells you correctly. This will cause the bridges to be built so the children can get to school.  A game usually motivates kids to learn because it’s exciting and fun. The game I picked includes some of the 6 C’s. This game includes a challenge which helps student’s motivation to overcome the challenge. There are different levels that one can choose which creates a challenge for learners who want something a bit more difficult. Secondly, in the game the player has the choice to pick the first letter from a list of letters. After the player choses the first letter the narrator tells you a word to spell that includes the first letter you chose. Malone and Lepper (1983) explain that when a child is given a choice or options it enhances intrinsic motivation. This also lets the player take control of the game and their learning. Students are motivated when they are given some control. This is a single player game where you are in control at all times. When you touch any of the letters the narrator clearly says the sound of the letter I think this is a great learning tool since a player will hear the narrator and learn the correct sound. Lastly this game helps construct meaning by realizing the importance of spelling. When a child constructs meaning with what they are learning they become motivated to learn more because they see the importance. This game encourages students with intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. The player receives compliments and the reward of having the bridge built by the narrator of the game as extrinsic motivation. This will then lead to intrinsic motivation because the students will recognize the importance of spelling.

BULLYING

Unfortunately in the year 2015 22% of students reported that they were bullied. Students that are victims of bullies many times become depressed and even worse have suicidal thoughts. Jared High took his own life at the tender age of 13 because he could not stand being bullied any longer. He couldn’t go on with his life being constantly bullied. Jared became an assistant to his baseball coach; he was two years younger than the baseball team and smaller in size. He became their victim and the team constantly bothered him. A turn for the worse came when Jared gave the head bully the evil eye and he beat Jared so badly in the gym where no one was looking. The beating went on for almost ten minutes. The bully threatened to kill him. Jarred was called into the principal’s office together with the bully, yet he was too intimidated to speak up. The school at that time did not know how to deal with bullying. There were no federal laws that spoke about bullying at that time directly. If I was the teacher of Jared I would take prevention steps to make sure this doesn’t happen. I would create a classroom that the teachers and students have an open line of communication. Students should feel comfortable to express their fear and feeling with an adult teacher who can get students the proper help and guidance. This way if a student is being harassed right away they would feel comfortable telling the teacher. I would also encourage parents to contact the teacher if there’s a noticeable difference in their child’s behavior. It is important that teachers and students are properly taught about bullying and the terrible effects it can have. Sadly bullying still goes on and children’s lives are shattered forever. I hope teacher parents and students learn how to properly deal with bully’s and their victims so each person can receive the proper help.

 2014. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/news/media/facts/

2016. Retrieved from http://www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/stats.asp

 Jared’s Story retrieved from http://www.brendahigh.com/about.html

2014. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/federal/

http://www.apa.org/topics/bullying/

Week 4 Video Activity

http://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cD6hbEjvcT