Spelling Practice with Dolce Sight Words

"Spelling Practice with Dolce Sight" is a great online educational game that provides students with the opportunity to practice spelling sight words. "Sight Words are words that are recognized immediately (on sight) without phonetically decoding or sounding out parts" ("Spelling Practice Dolch Word List", 2012). In this era, kids are increasingly becoming tech savvy, so providing games as such is a great way to include technology in the classroom as well as in the home. However, many online games should be properly assessed by parents and educators to ensure that content of the game is appropriate for the child. Many will find that the use of rubrics in determining appropriate games can be beneficial.

 As an education major, I've been immensely exposed to various types of rubrics. Many are simplistic in structure, while others are merely complex.  It always crossed my mind that one day, I would have to create one of my own. When constructing  the rubric for an online educational game, one of the most difficult tasks was creating categories to cover different aspects of the game without causing the rubric to become too lengthy. For example, the category of layout and design may include various categories such as layout, graphics, sound, color scheme, and navigation. Some of the categories covered the same content, so it was more convenient to compile into one category. Overall, no matter the categories, rubrics are scoring tools that should explicitly represent performance expectations.

Use of this online educational game is appropriate for teachers who are looking to integrate technology and would widely reflects that of NETS*T Standard 2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments.  By doing so teachers are able to increase learning opportunities by providing students with contemporary tools that help develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes (NETS*T website).  I felt that "Spelling Practice with Dolce Sight Words" is a great tool for the younger primary grades to use as spelling practice at  home or in the classroom. This game, as well as many other online educational games, can be played after students complete assignments. It allows for the students to continue with the learning process even during free time. Teachers can also use this game as an interactive technology activity with the whole class. By turning it into a timed game of who can spell the most words, students are motivated to progress each time they play. 

 After my experience with constructing a rubric for this particular online educational game, I felt students should be provided with different means of monitoring their progress. In the future, because this game does not provide any real form of feedback,I would provide my students with a monitor sheet that allows them to keep track of their progress (Ex: Number of words spelled per game session). I felt that when incorporating technology, students should still be able to monitor how well they are progressing and teachers still need to be able to assess the performance of the student. 


Overall, this assignment has emphasized the importance of ensuring the appropriateness of online educational games. Like many other teaching tools, it is essential that teachers provide appropriate material for their students, but at the same time keep up with different technology trends. Incorporating online educational games is beneficial for students, parents, and teachers and provides appropriate "educational fun".

References

Abcya.com(2012). Spelling Practice Dolch Sight Words .

     Retrieved March 1, 2012, from abcya.com website: http://www.abcya.com/dolch_sight_word_spelling.htm

International Society for Technology in Education.  (2008). NETS*T Advanced Digital Age.

     Retrieved February 20, 2012, from ISTE website: http://www.iste.org/standards.aspx.

Group A (Dana Cruz, Gabrielle Aguon, Tanya Calip) Online Educational Game Rubric

 Online Educational Game: Spelling Practice with Dolch Sight Words
Website: www.abcya.com 

Educational Online  Game Rubric
Criteria	Satisfactory (1)		Good (2)	Excellent(3)
Organization and Design
Layout	Layout is cluttered looking or confusing. It is often difficult to locate navigation links		Game has an attractive and usable layout. It is easy to locate important navigation links.		The Game has an exceptionally attractive layout. Navigation Links are easy to locate. White space, graphic elements, and/or alignment are used effectively to organize material.
Graphics	Graphics seem randomly chosen, are of low quality, or cause disruptions.		Graphics are related to the topic/purpose of the game, are of good quality and enhance interest or understanding.		Graphics are related to the topic/purpose of the game, are thoughtfully cropped and organized, are of high quality and enhance interest or understanding.
Color Scheme	Colors of background and font make content difficult to read or otherwise distract the player.		Colors of background and fonts detract from some of the content that may distract the player.		Colors of background and fonts are appropriate, do not detract from the content, and are consistent throughout the game.
Instructional Design and Delivery
Objectives	Integrates internet access and involves players with the learning process.		Nurtures internet assessors and effectively engages players with internet involvement through the learning process of the game		Game nurtures internet assessors and effectively engages players with internet involvement through the learning process in a diversity of ways throughout the game.
Learning Styles	Provides limited graphical features or auditory activities to enhance the player’s learning		Helps with various graphical features, and /or auditory activities that enhance the player’s learning.		Provides multiple graphical features and or auditory activities to enhance the player’s learning.
Higher Level of Learning Skills	Provides limited activities to help players develop critical thinking and/or problem solving skills.		Provides players with some activities that develop critical thinking and/or problem solving skills.		Provides multiple activities that help develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Game-Based Learning
Rules	Rules are not stated clearly.	Few rules are stated clearly and will cause some confusion.			Rules are clearly stated.
Goals	Goal(s) of the game is incomplete.	Goal(s) of the Game is not entirely stated.			Goal(s) Clearly stated and will help accomplish game
Feedback	Does not provide opportunities for players to receive feedback on their performance	Some opportunities are provided for players to receive feedback.			Feedback is consistent throughout the game.
Interaction	Student to computer and/or student to student interaction is non-existent.	Student to computer and/or student to student interaction is limited.			Student to computer and student to student interaction is consistent and identifiable.
Subject	Subject or topic is unidentifiable.	Subject or topic is partially described.			Subject of the game is clearly stated.