Today's students learn differently from their counterparts in the past. The traditional model of teaching that involves lectures, notes, and quizzes may not feel particularly relevant to teens. Having grown up with a variety of interactive media, including the Internet and an array of computer games, these digital natives can best be reached through innovative approaches that incorporate what they know best.
The Support Learning Foundation understands these changes in education dynamics and has created a successful learning model that is based on interactivity. Their approach is successful because interactivity makes learning personal. And research shows that when learning is personal, it becomes permanent.
This personal learning experience curriculum is based on an interactive environment where students become virtual interns with a high-tech company that resides in Second Life. All learning takes place in this virtual environment, where students interact with "the boss," their customers, and their co-workers. Though the environment is virtual, the work assignment they receive is quite real.
Students improve math, science, and language skills as they learn the programming skills necessary to develop a three-dimensional video game. Phase one challenges students to complete self-paced curriculum made up of digital videos, animations, text, and images. At the completion of this curriculum, students earn a programming certificate and advance to the next phase, which is to create a three-dimensional video game that teaches a core educational topic to younger students.
All elements of the curriculum provided by the Support Learning Foundation meet guidelines established by the International Technology Association and the International Society for Technology in Education. Through careful planning and integration of a variety of standards, all learning activities combined provide students with the ability to meet objectives in math, language, presentation skills, economics, science, and social studies.
To learn how your school district can incorporate this curriculum, visit www.isupportlearning.com.
