Annotated Bibliography Assignment

By Micaela Baker, [Multiculturalism in Cinderella, Team 4]

 1. Jeng-Chung, Woo. “Digital Game-Based Learning Supports Student Motivation, Cognitive Success, And Performance Outcomes.” Journal Of Educational Technology & Society 17.3 (2014): 291-307. 

     Jeng-Chung begins by stating that studies have been done proving the effectiveness of digital game-based learning. The hypothesis stated is that games are attractive to learners and therefore make them an appealing form of education. The negative side of digital game-based learning is the possibility of cognitive overloads meaning that because multimedia has the ability to display information incorporating various cognitive methods, learners can have their extraneous loads reduced. 

     In today’s society, studies have shown that the majority of children use video games and are exposed to digital games. So digital game based learning is appealing and effective for children because it increases motivation and attraction. The ARCS model is a motivational model proposed for discovering problems in motivation and suggesting strategic solutions. Jena-Chung outlines some descriptions and benefits to the ARCS program in his article. First is attention. Digital games have the ability to provide effects with rich visual and auditory variations to induce curiosity. Next is Relevance. Digital learning has the ability to include different tasks that all work toward achieving certain goals. These also drive people to participate more in teamwork settings promoting collaboration and goal setting. The final two strengths that digital learning and specifically ARCS has to offer are confidence and satisfaction. Confidence is promoted through various challenges adapted and adjusted to different ages and skills and satisfaction is from the scores displayed and feedback obtained after accomplishing tasks. 

     On the contrary, these games have glitches that are still being worked out. For example, their fun, fantasy genres attract the attention of learners but are not always directly related to learning. Additionally, there is an extent of external learning that exists in order to maintain the game’s value and this information is not pertinent to helping children learn. While digital learning has a lot of benefits and pros to it, there is also a lot of criticism to pay attention to. 

2. Lafer, Gordon. “The Last Teacher.” Nation 299.15 (2014): 30-33. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2014

     Lafer explores the idea of an educational classroom with no teacher. He discusses moving to a school system where all instruction is done online. Lafer highlights the ups and downs to the rising epidemic of online education. One benefit of digital learning is how cost effective it is. In Silicon Valley, they have created a program called “Rocketship Education” where students spend about a quarter of their class time in teacherless computer labs using math and reading applications. Lafer describes that the goal is to use technology to save money and be rid of poor teachers. School will require a fewer amount of teachers but they will in turn have to be the most highly qualified individuals. 

     The emphasis of all classrooms is placed on math and reading where all other subjects are treated as inessential. Although research proves that online instruction has many flaws and is by no means, the most beneficial, lobbyists are promoting the idea for strict financial reasons. With online instruction, the possibility of producing once and consuming many times is the goal. Schools that implement systems like Rocketship receive the same amount of funding as schools with credentialed teachers but their programs last much longer. Lafer highlights the goal behind striving for a day when you wont need to pay teachers but simply replace them with highly profitable digital products that can be mass produced across the country.

3. Scherer, Michael. “The Paperless Classroom Is Coming.” Time 184.15 (2014): 36-38. Academic Search Complete. Web. 15 Nov. 2014.

     Scherer highlights President Obama’s goal regarding the federal effort to get a laptop, tablet or smartphone into the hands of every student in every school in the US. He hopes to get all 49.8 million American kids online simultaneously by 2017. Scherer discusses the objective of moving everything into the digital world such as replacing bulky textbooks with flat screens or storing worksheets and assignments in the cloud. The paperless learning environment is environmentally friendly and also represents the result of technology transforming the classroom. In one particular classroom in northern California, one teacher has gone completely digital where he believes that students have more engaging lessons with interactive videos and the activities for math and reading are adapted to the skill level of each child. Scherer discusses a potential problem with the digital classroom being if every classroom converts to digital learning, this would result in a large amount of learning teachers and parents who would have to catch on to the new trend. Optometrists also warn that an increase to blue-light exposure from screens can lead to eye problems later in life. The argument being explored is that a lot of money is placed in implementing more technology into the classroom without it being proven to be completely successful. Scherer discusses the idea behind implementing technology. It is to create a classroom filled with more engaged students because the tools that they use outside the classroom are now being brought inside to make learning more appealing. 

4. Thompson, Greg. “4 Keys To Designing The Classroom Of The Future.” T H E Journal 41.9 (2014): 18-22. Academic Search Complete. Web.

     Thompson explores the future of the classroom and what that looks like. From a time where every child arrived at school with a pencil and a paper to progressing to a time in the future where every child has an iPad or a tablet. Technology is the future and changing classrooms to match this is of utmost importance. Finding spaces where children have open access to Internet and are able collaborate with each other either on line or in person is pertinent. Thompson describes that this means getting rid of desks and allowing students to choose where they sit which promotes easier discussing because students will place themselves next to the people they want to be and therefore the likelihood of academic discussion will increase rather than be forced by instructors choosing partners for them. 

     Thompson also discuses that in order to make this all happen, teachers will need to be coached. His main idea is that technology is the direction they should be moving in but it will require a lot of preparation, training and skill to make it happen and make it successful. Even young, new teachers will need to be properly instructed on how to adapt and use this new phenomenon correctly. This idea is radically different from education systems now that it will only be effective if all teachers, administrators and school officials are all on the same page so little to no variations lie from grade level to grade level for the children. The last line of the article is spoken by Erin Klein who is a second grade teacher and technology consultant. She says, “Ultimately, you really need to think about the design and layout of your space and how that can support your curriculum. Then you can start thinking about how to outfit your infrastructure and what devices you might need to enhance the curriculum.” Although switching to a digital classroom will come at a cost, Thompson explores its benefits and how they outweigh the downfalls. 

5. Williams, Bronwyn T. “Around The Block And Around The World: Teaching Literacy Across Cultures.” Journal Of Adolescent & Adult Literacy 51.6 (2008):510-514, Academic Search Complete

     Williams first draws attention that children of today’s generation have much more access to cross culture learning than past generations simply because of the advances in technology. The point is made that for some students, exposure comes through their pastimes, such as online video game playing. The argument made is that by engaging children in these cultures we are beginning fruitful and enriching conversations about what they have encountered, what they’ve understood and what they have been confused by that will help make them more culturally aware and diverse in society as they grow older. 

     Various languages and literary works can be brought from all over the world into the classroom. Teachers can be challenged to assign their students to engage in discussions about how they would communicate with various cultures exploring how and why languages vary from place to place. For example, children can be tested to determine why differences in Chinese language versus English language fits perspective countries. 

     The overarching goal of a project like this is to explore, discuss and reflect on the question of culture and identity and how this affects questions of ‘who has power?’, ‘who decides what is correct?’, and ‘how is identity presented through the portrayal of the piece?’. This type of a project will help to motivate students to navigate through other cultures through the eyes of those who know them best. By doing this, Williams believes that students will gain a sense of respect for other walks of life and other cultures outside their own. Additionally, they will better be able to appreciate their own culture and identity because they will be able to pin point what that is to them in relation to cultures around the world.