CCNMTL project

The project that I found on The Columbia Center for New Media Teaching and Learning (CCNMTL) site is called “Experimental Digital Classroom”.  The project shows how a digital classroom can be useful in meeting the educational needs of students.  I chose this project because I am interested in how and what technology can impact education.  I feel that this project was educational because it gave some basic information about technologies that could be used to enhance a classroom experience.  It was not overly helpful, however, as I was not able to take any strategies with me after reading it.  I think that the educational aspect in regards to educating teachers is a positive one.  Teachers need to learn the technology well enough to use it in their own classrooms.  I think this is a hypermedia educational tool because it is combining both active and passive forms of media and allows them to work in conjunction, especially with regards to the interactive white board, to educate students on multiple levels. 

Interactive

The first site I thought of regarding interactivity was 3rd World Farmer.  This is an interesting game that students become easily engrossed in.  While playing the game, students/players must make decisions to keep a family of farmers alive.  One must choose the crops, tools and animals that the family has for the year.  As the year progresses, a readout shows at the last month to give a status update.  From the events of the year, the player must choose how to proceed in the next.

This game is educational because the player must rely on prior knowledge, as limited as it may be, of farming, life in a 3^rd world country, and human nature.  Also, the player has to make decisions based on facts and circumstances that they encounter.  This game is very much about problem solving and using the information gained each year to improve the lives of the family members.  It is a fun, addicting game.

http://www.3rdworldfarmer.com/