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What is Gamequarium?
Why is Gamequarium
needed?
How does Gamequarium
benefit teachers and schools?
How does Gamequarium
benefit students?
Why teach with games?
How can schools and
teachers provide easy student access to Gamequarium?
Why is Gamequarium free?
Who can be contacted with
question or comments about Gamequarium?
I would like to lead a workshop about
Gamequarium. Do you have prepared materials?
What is Gamequarium?
Gamequarium is a portal to online, educational, interactive games
and learning activities. The term “portal” is synonymous with
“doorway.” The purpose of Gamequarium is to provide a doorway to
the Internet for teachers, parents, and students who are seeking
interactive, instructional online resources.
Gamequarium has become
one of the most popular educational web sites. Its happy
underwater theme has made it a favorite of elementary students. It
is used in all 50 states and worldwide in many countries. It has
gained popularity with teachers and parents because it serves as a
valuable, well-organized resource for teaching and learning with
the Internet.
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Why is Gamequarium
needed?
In
2001, The No Child
Left Behind (NCLB) Act was signed into law by President George W.
Bush. It is the most recent authorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act, the principal federal law affecting K-12
educators. A part of NCLB is the
Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) Act of 2001. The
primary goal of this part is to improve student academic
achievement through the use of technology in elementary schools
and secondary schools. Two additional goals set forth specific
requirements:
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Every student must be
technologically literate by the time the student finishes the
eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity,
gender, family income, geographic location, or disability.
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All schools must effectively
integrate technology resources and systems through teacher
training and curriculum development to establish research-based
instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best
practices by State and local educational agencies.
Gamequarium helps students
become technology proficient with Internet technologies. It also
helps teachers and schools integrate technology resources into all
curricular areas.
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How does Gamequarium
benefit teachers and schools?
In addition to helping schools meet the requirements of NCLB,
Gamequarium benefits schools in the following ways:
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Funding for technology in schools is always a challenge.
Gamequarium provides free, online educational materials that can
be used in place of traditional software. There is no charge for
using Gamequarium.
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Teacher’s time is often limited. Gamequarium eliminates the need
to search for appropriate instructional materials. Students are
just a few clicks from appropriate instructional content. This
makes the best use of instructional time.
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Web-based access allows students to learn anytime and anywhere
there is a computer with an Internet connection, be it in the
classroom, a computer lab, or at home. This extends the curriculum
that is used in the classroom to the home.
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Because it is web-based there are no CD's to scratch or lose and
no server system to maintain. There is nothing to download or
install. There are no registration or participation fees, or
software or hardware expenses. Therefore, there is no impact on
budgets. Gamequarium is free. There is no catch.
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While educators have made progress, many are still in the process
of learning to integrate technology. Many educators still do not
have the knowledge or skills needed to create a classroom website.
Gamequarium can fill this void by serving as a student-friendly
website for these teachers.
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Gamequarium is organized by subject, topic, theme, and grade
level. This allows teachers to easily find interactive online
resources to supplement traditional curriculum.
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How does Gamequarium
benefit students?
Today’s students are
intrinsically motivated and engaged by technology. Gamequarium is
motivating and engaging for students of the Information Age. The
use of Gamequarium supports the following principles supported by
research:
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High motivation in
students is linked to reduced dropout rates and increased levels
of student success.
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Students are more
engaged in learning when they are active and have some choice and
control over the learning process, and the curriculum is
individualized, authentic, and related to their interests.
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Intrinsically motivated
students retain information and concepts longer, and are less
likely to need remedial courses and review.
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Intrinsically motivated
students are more likely to be lifelong learners and continue to
educate themselves outside the formal school setting.
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Why Games?
The instructional
philosophy of Gamequarium is supported by research. Research has
documented the effectiveness of games for instructional purposes.
The following statements, drawn from research, support the use of
games:
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Even today, “practice
makes perfect.” Most students don’t like to practice. The Internet
and games can capture student attention, engage them in learning,
and make practice happen.
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The Internet and
multimedia technology deliver challenging visual and spatial tasks
which serve to organize information and develop logical thinking.
Additionally, many technology based games can graphically
illustrate many concepts thereby making abstract ideas concrete.
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Online educational games
challenge fine motor coordination while developing logical
thinking skills and content mastery.
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Interactive games allow
learners to construct new understandings on many different levels
through seeing and hearing.
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Technology-based games
encourage students to think more deeply, pursue curiosity, and
explore and expand intelligence as they build mental models with
which they can visualize connections between ideas on any topic.
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Teaching with Internet
technology and online games allows educators to better meet the
needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time
increasing motivation of all students.
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Games are dynamic,
intrinsically motivating, and involve high levels of involvement.
They provide immediate feedback to participants, and mistakes do
not result in unwanted consequences.
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Games have been found to
serve a range of functions in education including tutoring,
exploring and practicing skills, and attitude change.
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The beneficial effects
of games are most likely to be found when specific content is
targeted and objectives are addressed.
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Students learn through
different modes, styles and multiple intelligences. Teachers
should access and integrate these modes for increasing
opportunities for students to access and retain new knowledge.
Games support this principle.
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How can schools and
teachers provide easy student access to Gamequarium?
Easy access to Gamequarium
can be provided to students, by using one of the following
methods:
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Why is Gamequarium free?
Gamequarium was created and is maintained by
Diana Dell, Ed.S. As an educator of more than 25 years (23 years
as a classroom teacher!), mother of four, and grandmother of one,
Diana understands the many demands that are placed on teachers,
parents, and schools. Teachers, parents, and schools need as much
help as possible in preparing our children to be the future
leaders of the world.
Diana’s mission is to organize the Internet
for teachers, parents, and students and to contribute to the
change that must take place in the way that today’s students are
educated.
Gamequarium provides an easy to navigate
portal to the world of online learning. There is no charge for
using Gamequarium, and there never will be. Gamequarium is Diana’s
gift to children of the world. Enjoy!
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Who can be contacted with
question or comments about Gamequarium?
Questions or comments
should be directed to Diana Dell through email at
diana@gamequarium.com
.
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I would like to lead a workshop about Gamequarium. Do you
have prepared materials?
Thank you for helping to spread the word about Gamequarium.
To make your job easier, the following materials can be downloaded
for use during the workshop:
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Guide to Gamequarium
