Thursday, January 20, 2011

Secret Millionaires Club from AOL Kids - Tech Teaching FInance!

The Secret Millionaires Club is a video-based and interactive game website, sponsored by Toyota, that provides students with real life finance information and learning opportunities in a game format.  Students can manage a portfolio of virtual money and learn from none other than Warren Buffett.  I learned about this site from a special education math teacher in the NYC schools.  She uses the Secret Millionaires Club with her 8th grade students.  Thanks to Alessandra for sharing this great site with me.

Financial literacy is a topic that more students should learn.  My adult children have expressed their wish that they were able to take a course in budgeting and money management.  With packed curriculum and loaded schedules in schools, this website appears to fill a gap while engaging students through interactive games. 

The latest video episode is "Going Mental for Rental" and teachers students business techniques to consider for a rental business.  Warren Buffet offers words of wisdom about learning and earning.
The site is easy to navigate so the developers are keeping it simple.  I love the simple to read stock market prices that scroll across the top of the page.

In addition to the cartoon videos, the site offers money games like Earnings Expedition and Compounding Connections for older students and Lemonade Stand and Catch the Money for younger kids.  They will also learn more about Warren Buffett, his company and how he made his fortune.

The trivia game provides students the opportunity to answer questions based on past video episodes. This question ask students to define algorithms.

There are more advanced activities such as portfolio management but I am keeping it simple by sharing the basics today.

If you have middle or high school kids, share the site with them and if you teach, check out the site.  There is a lot packed into the site and I see it supporting more than just math.
I would love to hear what you think.  Maybe the next Warren Buffet is sitting in your class today!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Ideas and ISTE NETs - Keeping It Simple

Curriculum Ideas for Technology Integration, is a blog post on edtech Vision by Colette Casinelli. 

This list connects practical classroom activities to the ISTE National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students.  If you are looking for a manageable number of ideas to consider for your next classroom project or lesson, you will enjoy this post that keeps it simple.

As you develop a classroom lesson or project, look at the NETS for Students and I have blogged about the NETS in previous posts.  As you read the list of ideas, you may find some that you have already implemented in your class.  Decide which technology standard your lessons are supporting.

It is very important to reflect on your classroom practices and evaluate the quality of the assignments and/or classroom activities you develop for your students.  Use Ms. Casinelli's post as a jumping off point or a connection to NETS and your current practice. If you are just dipping your feet in the water of technology integration, this post should expand your understanding of quality practices that are linked to the NETS.

Leave a comment on edtechvision.org if you find the information helpful to your practice and professional learning.  Share your thoughts and keep learning