[vet-mm] RE: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 11

Wed Jun 17 15:17:20 EST 2009

Hi Lisa

Thank you for a prompt and informative response. 
I do not disagree with the methodology of teaching students through games. It is the basis of "R&D", research and Development.
Even though it did not come across in the last email, I am also a great believer that these games, game makers and consoles need to be studied and investigated so that we can improve if not find a better way of addressing some of our social issues. 
On one hand I applaud Nintendo and the Japanese Doctor "Ryuta Kawashima" for introducing Brain Games but the effectiveness of making people smarter, slimmer, more refined motor skills is still questionable.

I quote
University of Rennes professor Alain Lieury, a cognitive psychology specialist in Brittany, France, recently studied a group of ten-year-old children playing a variety of mentally-challenging games. Not all were video games, however; Lieury pitted more traditional games (including sudoku, Scrabble, and regular old reading and homework) against Nintendo's popular line of DS hits, including Brain Age, Big Brain Academy, and Brain Training. Although he credits the Nintendo DS - one of the best selling consoles of all-time - as 'a technological jewel <http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10150154-1.html> ,' he finds Nintendo's claim that it can actually help kids learn is nothing more than pure 'charlatanism.'"

There is much research out there for and against the above claim
It is the Nintendo band wagon and questionable claims that I object to. 
Having said that, I still encourage media and multi media students to be engaged through using games but care should be taken in making our students aware of the issues we are dealing with and the purpose of the use of the technologies involved.

Unfortunately, I am engaged at the times of the PD, but I hope I can make in future dates.

Regards

Naim Abdelahad

St John's Regional College 
5-11 Caroline Street 
Dandenong 3175 
Phone: 03. 9791 3366 
Fax: 03. 9794 5481 
Email: nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au <mailto:nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au>  

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necessarily those of St John's Regional College.

________________________________

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of vet-mm-request at edulists.com.au
Sent: Wed 17/06/2009 13:19
To: vet-mm at edulists.com.au
Subject: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 11

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: RE: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 9 (Lisa Chadderton)
   2. wii and wii fit thoughts (Arnott, Suzanne S)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:12:43 +1000 (EST)
From: Lisa Chadderton <lisa at vitta.org.au>
Subject: Re: [vet-mm] RE: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 9
To: "VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List" <vet-mm at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID:
        <18077549.94131245208363759.JavaMail.root at office.vitta.org.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Hi Naim,

It's an interesting question you pose and one that has been debated for quite some time. Last year at the VITTA Annual Conference, keynote Derek Robertson from Learning and Teaching Scotland answered many of the questions that you raised. He has been conducting trials in Scottish schools on games for learning using several different consoles. The program, funded by the government, produced positive results for games in the classroom and their ability to engage students and improve their results.

VITTA has included a transcript of Derek's keynote presentation in the latest issue of Infonet (I notice that St John's Regional College is a member school so your school would have recently received the journal). I recommend that you take a look. You can also find out information at Derek's blog as he updates us all on what's going on with the trials. http://hotmilkydrink.typepad.com/ It's not just Scottish schools who are getting on board with games in learning either, there are programs in the US which can be found online and the DEECD in Victoria are also considering the technology.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact VITTA on the details below. Alternatively, it might be a good idea for you to come along to one of the Wii Idol or So you think you can rock...? Information sessions being held in all Victorian education regions in the next fortnight. Both competitions are focussed on teacher-student collaboration, working as a team, performance skills and engaging students.

Kind regards,
Lisa
_______
Lisa Chadderton
Senior Project Officer
VITTA
P: +61 3 9495 6836
F: +61 3 9495 6834
M: 0402522596
E: lisa at vitta.org.au
W: www.vitta.org.au
Suite 209, 134-136 Cambridge St
PO Box 1099
Collingwood VIC 3066

----- Original Message -----
From: "Naim Abdelahad" <nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au>
To: vet-mm at edulists.com.au
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2009 12:46:35 PM (GMT+1000) Auto-Detected
Subject: [vet-mm] RE: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 9

The intentions of using Wii in the class room to promote Learning and in nursing homes to promote Health are very encouraging and noble in essence.
However, being a sceptic and a cynic I question the real value of the Wii for loosing weight, improving coordination, and bettering your memory.
What studies were conducted to prove this?
Who conducted the studies?
Who paid for the studies?
What were the conclusions?
What methodology was used?
Or are we merely jumping on the bandwagon of Nintendo advertising, with the end result of higher sales and better share values?

Regards

Naim Abdelahad

St John's Regional College
5-11 Caroline Street
Dandenong 3175
Phone: 03. 9791 3366
Fax: 03. 9794 5481
Email: nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au <mailto:nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au> 

This e-mail and any attachments may be confidential. If you are not the
addressee indicated in this message (or responsible for delivery of the
message to such person), you may not copy or deliver this message to anyone,
and you should destroy this message and kindly notify the sender by reply e-
mail. St John's Regional College does not represent or warrant that the
attached files are free from computer viruses or other defects. The attached
files are provided, and may only be used, on the basis that the user assumes
all responsibility for any loss, damage or consequence resulting directly or
indirectly from the use of the attached files, whether caused by the
negligence of the sender or not. The liability of St John's Regional College
is limited in any event to either the resupply of the attached files or the
cost of having the attached files resupplied. Any representations or opinions
expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual sender, and not
necessarily those of St John's Regional College.

________________________________

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au on behalf of vet-mm-request at edulists.com.au
Sent: Wed 17/06/2009 12:12
To: vet-mm at edulists.com.au
Subject: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 9

Send vet-mm mailing list submissions to
        vet-mm at edulists.com.au

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
        http://www.edulists.com.au/mailman/listinfo/vet-mm
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
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You can reach the person managing the list at
        vet-mm-owner at edulists.com.au

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of vet-mm digest..."

Today's Topics:

   1. Competition details - Wii Idol & So you think you can rock?
      (Mia Solomon)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:08:50 +1000 (EST)
From: Mia Solomon <mia at vitta.org.au>
Subject: [vet-mm] Competition details - Wii Idol & So you think you
        can rock?
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Message-ID:
        <30348092.93551245204530027.JavaMail.root at office.vitta.org.au>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Hi everyone,

Apologies for the cross posts.

Since my emails yesterday we have had a couple of queries regarding Wii Idol and So you think you can rock? And what the competitions entail, so here is the information again.

Wii Idol and So you think you can rock? Are competitions designed to encourage teachers to use games in the classroom and to motivate student learning by using the popular game Wii Music and Guitar Hero: World Tour .

Studies have shown that using games such as Guitar Hero and Wii Music substantially improved attention, collaboration and results in the classroom . Games can make learning a dynamic, rewarding and relevant experience that resonates so much with students they want to be a part of it.

VITTA is leading the way in creating positive perceptions of games in the classroom; we have created a new initiative which will bring games to Victorian schools in a fun and educational competition.

Free Training Sessions!

VITTA will be running free training sessions in the coming weeks for all those interested in competing in the competition, or simply want to learn more about the use of this technology in the classroom.

1) Wii Idol Ã¢EUR" Primary School Competition

Register for your regional training session by emailing VITTA at music at vitta.org.au and letting us know your name, your school and the information session youÃ¢EUR(tm)re registering for.

Date  

Region

Venue 

Address       

Time

22 June       

Grampians     

St. Brigids CSC       

Robinson st, Horsham  

1pm - 3pm

23 June       

Loddon Mallee 

Quality Hotel Mildura Grand   

Seventh Street , Mildura VIC 3500     

12:30pm Ã¢EUR" 2:30pm

24 June       

Western Metropolitan  

Williamstown PS       

Cecil St , Williamstown       

1pm - 3pm

25 June       

Gippsland     

Bairnsdale Secondary College  

Wallace Street , Bairnsdale   

1pm - 3pm

26 June       

Hume  

Yea High School       

Racecourse Road, Yea  

1pm - 3pm

29 June       

Barwon South West     

Mercure Hotel Geelong 

Cnr Gheringhap & Myers Street 

1pm - 3pm

30 June       

Eastern Metropolitan  

Ashwood College       

Vannam Drive , Ashwood

1pm - 3pm

01 July       

Northern Metropolitan 

Thornbury High School 

238 Collins Street , Thornbury

1pm - 3pm

02 July       

Southern Metropolitan 

Mornington Secondary College  

1050 Nampean Highway , Mornigton      

1pm - 3pm

Prizes

Each member of the winning Wii Idol band will receive their own personal Nintendo DSi. The winning school will also receive a four pack of Nintendo DSiÃ¢EUR(tm)s as a classroom kit! Prizes will be available for runners up and heat winners. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Want to know more?

Visit the Wii Idol website for information about the competition, important dates, Wii Music tutorials, educational hints and tips and to register your band for your local heats. Go to www.wiiidol.vitta.org.au

2) So you think you can rock? Ã¢EUR" Secondary School Competition

Register for your regional training session by emailing VITTA at rock at vitta.org.au and letting us know your name, your school and the information session youÃ¢EUR(tm)re registering for.

Date  

Region

Venue 

Address       

Time

22 June       

Grampians     

St. Brigids CSC       

Robinson st, Horsham  

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

23 June       

Loddon Mallee 

Quality Hotel Mildura Grand   

Seventh Street , Mildura VIC 3500     

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

24 June       

Western Metropolitan  

Williamstown PS       

Cecil St , Williamstown       

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

25 June       

Gippsland     

Bairnsdale Secondary College  

Wallace Street , Bairnsdale   

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

26 June       

Hume  

Yea High School       

Racecourse Road, Yea  

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

29 June       

Barwon South West     

Mercure Hotel Geelong 

Cnr Gheringhap & Myers Street 

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

30 June       

Eastern Metropolitan  

Ashwood College       

Vannam Drive , Ashwood

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

01 July       

Northern Metropolitan 

Thornbury High School 

238 Collins Street , Thornbury

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

02 July       

Southern Metropolitan 

Mornington Secondary College  

1050 Nampean Highway , Mornigton      

10am Ã¢EUR"12pm

Prizes

Each member of the winning band will receive a Guitar Hero guitar and game for the console of their choice (including PC and Mac). Prizes will be available for runners up and heat winners. All participants will receive a certificate of participation.

Want to know more?

The So you think you can rockÃ¢EURÂ¦? website is still under construction but will be available soon. Let us know if you would like to be notified of all new announcements by expressing interest at rock at vitta.org.au or by calling 9495 6836

We hope to see you there!

Kind regards,

VITTA Project Office

Mia Solomon
VITTA Project Office
T: +61 3 9495 6836
F: +61 3 9495 6834
E: mia at vitta.org.au
W: www.vitta.org.au
Suite 209, 134- 136 Cambridge St,
Collingwood, VIC, 3066, Australia

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Message: 2
Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:13:15 +1000
From: "Arnott, Suzanne S" <arnott.suzanne.s at edumail.vic.gov.au>
Subject: [vet-mm] wii and wii fit thoughts
To: "VET Multimedia Teachers' Mailing List" <vet-mm at edulists.com.au>
Message-ID:
        <902F9ECCA77D6C438F0717541D9275100365AF99 at edusm05.education.vic.gov.au>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Personal experiences with MY wiifit are really positive, and I would definitely attest that you can get fitter using it regularly (like any exercise program)

In fact it makes it fun, and interactive, and caters for a range of fitness levels.

The Guitar Hero stuff blew me away (my kids saved up their own money to get it..ages 9, 10 and 12.) It has taught them about rhythm, pitch, developed amazing hand eye coordination. None of them were the least bit musically inclined, and now, when I have a turn they tell me that I need to âEURoehit the notes on the right beatâEUR. They have also developed an appreciation for a much wider range of music styles.

The amazing cooperation as they help each other, so the âEURoebandâEUR isnâEUR(tm)t booed off stage is a sight to behold. Having taught gamemaking I found similar collaborative learning teams develop. Not sure if it was because it was games, or because of the way the class was structured that they could collaborate.

I havenâEUR(tm)t used it in the classroom, but here are links to a Victorian teacher who has been doing some awesome stuff with the wii and wiifit. I think you will find them not only of educational value, but engaging the kids so they want to learn J always a good thing

http://howfitarewii.wetpaint.com/

http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/introducing-the-how-fit-are-wii-program/

Suzanne Arnott

eLearning Leader

Sandringham College

Holloway Rd

Sandringham

From: vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au [mailto:vet-mm-bounces at edulists.com.au] On Behalf Of Naim Abdelahad
Sent: Wednesday, 17 June 2009 12:47 PM
To: vet-mm at edulists.com.au
Subject: RE: vet-mm Digest, Vol 52, Issue 9

The intentions of using Wii in the class room to promote Learning and in nursing homes to promote Health are very encouraging and noble in essence.

However, being a sceptic and a cynic I question the real value of the Wii for loosing weight, improving coordination, and bettering your memory.

What studies were conducted to prove this?

Who conducted the studies?

Who paid for the studies?

What were the conclusions?

What methodology was used?

Or are we merely jumping on the bandwagon of Nintendo advertising, with the end result of higher sales and better share values?

Regards

Naim Abdelahad

St John's Regional College
5-11 Caroline Street
Dandenong 3175
Phone: 03. 9791 3366
Fax: 03. 9794 5481
Email: nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au <mailto:nabdelahad at sjrc.melb.catholic.edu.au> 