Alice Games

Alice is a software that enables students and teachers (and anyone else) to make games. In theory, this is a great concept. Teachers could use this to assess whether students are learning by requiring them to make games.

However, Alice, was extremely difficult to use. Even after consulting tutorials and instructions online, there were many functions we could not perform (such as making characters walk). I got very frustrated and, in the end, I was not able to make the game I wanted to. I would feel uncomfortable making my students use this tool to reflect and reinforce the material we learned in class. The software is too complicated and too time-consuming for my elementary students to use effectively. And as a teacher I do not feel that I could use this tool well because of the time it would take to make a simple, thirty second story. It would be easier to find another method to teach material, in my opinion.

Education Societies- NAEYC

If I were to join an education society, I would most likely join the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Since I want to be an elementary school teacher, this would probably be the best society for me to belong to.  Their mission is to improve the education of young children and improving the educational system for these young students.

Members of the NAEYC receive discounts on education material to improve their pedagogy.  They also can receive discounted insurance for their cars and for "professional liability."  Most important though, membership allows teachers to build networks and meet other teachers and administrators.  This enables teachers to improve their teaching and have influence in their local education systems.

To learn more about the NAEYC, visit their website at: http://www.naeyc.org/