You Can Still Learn Something From Nintendo

This course, EDT-211, is structured around the concept of “gamified learning”. Despite my personal issues with procrastination, I love concept of earning points to advance levels being applied to grading. However, I don’t think the incorporation of video games should stop there. The term “Edutainment” is about as antiquated as it is silly at this point, but some of the best video games from my youth were intended to be educational. I spent hours poring over a desk encyclopedia in the hopes of tracking down Carmen Sandiego, days following clues to find Mario, and far too many hours praying I survived dysentery in an attempt to make my way down the Oregon Trail.

The games I am referring to are from the 80s and 90s, but a game’s ability to spark the curiosity of its player hasn’t stopped. For example, games like Fallout, Call of Duty, and Bioshock, while highly fictionalized, are teeming with historical references. I spent several hours recently exploring Fallout 3’s “Capitol Wasteland” looking for The Declaration of Independence for an old museum curator who wanted to preserve the history of the United States despite the end of the world. It took me hours of searching through archives and vaults. I read dozens pages of historical information, and at once point took a quiz on the founding fathers using a rusty old computer terminal to unlock a door. And, roughly 20 years after graduating high school, I learned who Button Gwinnett was for the first time. He was one of the congressmen who signed the Declaration, in case you were wondering.

I’m not suggesting that we should design lesson plans around Call of Duty. However, the video games kids play are filled with references to academic subjects. Discussing the games yours students play and steering the conversation toward these topics is an excellent way to engage them in learning. You’re getting them to discuss the topics you want using the framework of something they already like.

Child Life Apps

Apps are a Child Life Specialist’s best friend in the hospital setting. Two apps that are fairly new but extremely helpful are White Noise Baby and Today’s Parents My family. The first app, White Noise Baby, is great to have in the NICU and PICU. When babies come in and need to stay in these units they do not have all the comforts that they would at home. Part of a CLS job is to calm down a baby so that a tired parent can get some rest. This app provides a wide range of sounds to soothe a baby. One example is a baby who was in the hospital and would not sleep because she could only sleep with a fan on. This app has a fan sound and would have been perfect for her. It has a range of sounds from vacuums, car ride, air conditioner, Doppler ultrasound etc. The app also has a “nap” mode. This mode allows for no interruptions.  So, even if the device gets a notification or message the noise will not interrupt the app. The second app is Today’s Parents My Family. This app allows parents to put in their child’s due date or birth date and then the app gets relevant information. When a parents puts in the app that they have a newborn the app generates helpful tips for dealing with newborns, recipes for baby food (more for when the child is older), it also has age relevant health information. Parents may not always know when their child should be walking or talking so this is a great tool. The app is also nice for a CLS to have so that they can introduce it to parents to use and educate new parents once they go home. The app also has a nap and feeding tracker. A CLS could look at this to see if the child is eating or sleeping properly and if that could be contributing to a health issue. The apps can be found in any Apple or Android app store and are free.  

SuperSibs!

When a child is sick it is natural for the majority of the parent’s attention to go to that child. However, this can often unintentionally leave siblings feeling left out. Since Child Life Specialists are responsible for the emotional and social needs of a patients sibling they need resources for this. SuperSibs! Is a website that provides support and resources for siblings of children with cancer. The website has a variety of applications.

One use of the website is for a CLS to use it in implementing programs with siblings. The website has a specific page dedicated specifically to hospital professionals who are assisting siblings that is located here. Having this resource available provides the CLS with support and it provides the sibling and their family support that is easily accessible at home.

Another beneficial factor of this website is the compilation it has of camps that are especially for siblings and their families. Siblings need support too so these camps are places for them to be able to express their feelings in an emotionally safe and supportive environment. It also allows the CLS to reference this so they can find a camp for a family that may not be in the area the CLS is familiar with. A special page is devoted strictly to sibling’s stories and voices. This page allows for other siblings to hear from their peers about similar situations and feel like they are not alone in their situation. This is beneficial to a CLS as well so that they can utilize the videos in the hospital sitting when a sibling support group or peer is not available for the sibling to speak with.

The website also offers additional resources if the ones on the website are not sufficient for the family’s needs which I think makes it even more valuable. 

Child Life Council

Finding online resources as a Child Life Specialist is hard. With the field being relatively new compared to other careers like teaching finding a reliable and useful source for all things child life is a challenge. That being said one website that holds a majority of answers to Child Life Specialists questions is the Child Life Council.

The Child Life Council provides a wide range of resources and support for CLS. They have sections that are broken down into what stage of the CLS process the user is in. The website starts with the student section, moving on to interns, and finally educators. Each section provides a comprehensive overview on the process, requirements, and need to know information for each stage. This is especially useful to UM-Dearborn students as our Child Life program is relatively new. The Course guidelines page details the type of courses that are required for students to sit for the national exam. In new degree programs it is always important to have a resource to check and make sure the requirements are being met.

Another part of the website that I think is extremely helpful is the Child Life Activities page. Being a CLS means you have to be creative. However, sometimes it can be difficult to come up with new and innovative ideas on a daily basis. So, when a CLS/student is stumped on what to do next the Child Life website provides resources to help. In addition to activities for patients they provide activities to promote Child Life. With Child Life being relatively new, exposing people to the profession is quite important. It is important for a variety of reasons but a main reason being if patients do not know what a Child Life Specialist is they will not know when they need one. The website details a list of activities to bring awareness of CLS in the workplace. These activities are broken down in categories for children, adults, or other staff members in the hospital.

I think that this website is an essential tool to be aware of for any CLS. They also offer a list of conferences and ways for CLS to maintain their credits which is imperative in being a CLS.

Online Learning Opportunities

    Virtual/online learning, full time online schools, blended learning open educational resources; these are phrases that may have only been heard of at collegiate levels of education just a few years ago.  Today however, they are readily seen at the K12 level.

    Virtual/online learning can be seen in 48 states and the District of Columbia, allowing children an opportunity to receive a full-time online learning experience, supplement classroom instruction, attended summer school or receive credits needed to advance or graduate.  When students are attending full-time, they are not attending any schoolhouse in the traditional way, they are receiving all instruction and earn credit through an online school.

    Blended learning includes both face to face learning in a classroom and online learning.  The way that blended learning is taught can vary from school to school.  I believe that blended learning is a good opportunity for students because of the various ways people learn.  Students are able to talk to their teacher face to face if needed and they are also able to work online.  The Department of Education website, also discusses “Open Education” (Technology, n.d.), and believes that “educational opportunities should be available to all learners,” and the goal is to create an open education ecosystem that “involves making learning materials, data, and educational opportunities available without restrictions imposed by copyright laws, access barriers, or exclusive proprietary systems that lack interoperability and limit the free exchange of information” (Technology, n.d.).  In this way all learners will have access to what is needed for an online learning opportunity.

    Here in Michigan there is a virtual school that is state run for middle and high school students who, through districts in the state, work with the virtual school to grant course credits and diplomas to students.

    Online learning is a great alternative for children to receive their education.  I am sure that it takes discipline of the child and their families to work online receiving an education, but I believe that it is a great opportunity for learners.

References:

Technology, O. o. (n.d.). Open Education. Retrieved from Department of Education Web site: http://tech.ed.gov/open-education/

Explore Better Teaching Methods

With time goes on, this semester comes to an end within a month. This is my first time studying in America. I learned a lot from this society to the study system to chatting with different people to visiting different places in America. I really cherish these memories. I also found out some points that the reason why the educational system in America is advanced. Parents give a proper space to their children to do what they want to do, and in the meantime teachers respect everyone’s personality that they allow students to do anything in class except breaking school rules. 

Although the educational system in America is better than that of China, but we also need to look forward, to have better educational methods. (5 School Technologies To Watch: Personalized Learning Is Here) So the key point of what the educators need to do is to enhance each person’s personality and then to encourage students to be specialists in the field that they are really interested in. Combing with the adaptive learning, mobile technologies and gamifications, students will have a customized learning experience. Just like the online classroom (Here's the Interactive Future of Higher Education: synchronous learning lessons.), students will put more passion and energy into the course what they chose.

The excellent teaching skill is a final goal for educators. With the development of the technology, educators need to think more about the teaching method which combines mobile technology with conventional ways together. We need to lead students to get passion to study and to guide them to find themselves in what they are really interested in. Using technologies can solve the conventional problems such as low-efficiency studying, no-interest in studying, same methods to teach every students and so forth. And education needs to change as fast as technology. The level of education depends the future of a country. So following trends of this era is a better way to enhance the quality of education.

"Smart" Devices for Education

If you have or have ever had or have an iPhone, iPod, or iPad you know that the device has some of its own apps. Every time I get a new phone, or technology of any sort I absolutely have to mess with all the settings and see what anything the phone provides me with. A lot of the apps that the phone provides I never use. Often times it is simply things I don't need or things I'm not interested in. A good example of one is the stocks application on my iPhone. I know nothing about stocks nor do I understand any of the numbers it reads. Unfortunately I do not have an option of deleting this particular app so it sits inside a folder named "Extras." 

I first had an iPod in 2009, at the time it was my first "smart" device. I was still carrying around a flip phone (which I loved). This was the best thing I have ever owned. I had 10 pages filled with different games, music, wallpapers, random pictures I would save, notes, & other random things. There has been huge changes since then. I currently have the iPhone 6s. I can't remember which update exactly involved some new apps, but I've had a chance to take a look at them. Some of which I have used as well, or played around with. 

Voice Memos: Now the name isn't  all that, but it could be a great use in class. I took speech last semester, it was about voice articulation. My professor mentioned that it was a good idea to record yourself speaking, and then listen to your own recording. Often times we think we sound good but we don't always notice our imperfections. A lot of us found that hearing ourselves helped us improve in our speed, timing, pronunciation as well as our breathing. Perhaps you don't have a speech class, but the voice memos app could help prepare for a presentation in class. Many times we are asked to present in front of a group and we get nervous because we don't want to say the wrong things. Recording your voice is sort of a twist on index cards. 

Keynote: This is basically the same thing as PowerPoint. You are able to create a presentation on this app. It of course has less tools and formats than you would get on a computer but it works just as well. You also have the option of emailing your presentation to yourself or someone else. You can send a copy in PowerPoint, Keynote or PDF format. This is a good app when you are on the go. It allows you to have the comfort of creating a presentation while you sit at the doctors for example. This is also a good way to study what you will say for specific slides as well. Saves the hassle of carrying your computer with you. You can even study on your break at work!

Pages: In this app you have an abundance of templates to pick from. It is similar to Word. In this app you can type essays, make brochures, business cards and so on. This is also a good to do your work on the go, although I recommend editing it on Word so you are sure everything is correct. It is a great way to start your essay. You can also use this to take your notes on or maybe rewrite your notes. It is a good way to study as you do other things. You are able to send a copy to yourself or someone else as a PDF, Pages, Word, or ePub format. 

I understand that many apps for iPhones cannot be downloaded on other "smart" devices. There is always similar apps that you can download. Maybe you can't use it to the full extent but even if you could take your notes in the "notes" app it could help you as well. Sometimes I randomly remember an idea for a project in class or an essay I have coming up, so it helps to write it down on my phone so I won't forget later. Also it is a rare time when my phone isn't in my hand. So the fact that these particular apps are on my phone motivates me to actually do the work just because I don't have to take out this huge device. 

Your smart phone has many other educational apps that you are able to download. It all depends on your needs. Even an app like YouTube can help as well. There are many instructional videos that help you understand a possible problem area for you. Math for example, there are many videos that are able to teach you how to solve a certain type of problem. All you have to do is pull out your "smart" device and search for it. I think using our phones for education can be really great when used wisely and to its full extent. There are many possibilities you just need to look into it. I think it is also a good way of keeping you interested at the same time as well.

Situation and Improvement of Current Eduction in China

Why do we need to educate children? Why parents pay tons of money into their children’s education? Why students in China need to study from first grade to twelfth grade in compulsory?

The answer is simple: parents and governments want their children to be successful in the future. (The Only Metric That Matters in EdTech: Student Outcomes) However, the current situation in China is that students are forced to learn at school and they are under the tremendous pressure to pass the entrance examinations. (中国教育的现状与改革 & Google Translation) Students need to study knowledge in their textbooks and take frequent examinations to test whether they master what they learned. As a result, students have no time to do what they want to do because they have no time or energy to deal with other things except for learning the knowledge in textbooks. Finally, most Chinese students have an excellent ability to obey other’s demand to figure out a certain job without creating a blue ocean (Blue Ocean Strategy). The most Chinese people in a certain field are same because they accepted the same education before. That is the reason why Chinese always copy or imitate others’ efforts. So China need to change this situation.

Luckily, the technology provides a chance for China to reform the educational system. New Technology HelpingSchools Achieve Individually Tailored Education which means that although the dense population is a real situation in China, Chinese also can have a better education that respect each person’s individual development. The number of students in each class is around 60 on average. So using mobile technology is a better way for such a big classroom to learn. This is a direction of future education. China need to grasp this chance to become a more capable country.

Overhead Projectors/Visual Presenters

The first time I remember having an overhead projector used in class was in fifth grade. I remember using it for math, possibly for other subjects but math seems to be more clear to me. My teacher stood next to this somewhat bulky technology and taught us multiplication on it. She used transparency film, which is basically a transparent sheet, and dry erase markers. The dry erase markers allowed her to omit anything she needed to without the hassle of permanent marker. She also could have used more than one sheet if needed. I liked using the over head because it was much easier to see the handwriting on the screen.

Chalkboards are just messy, once you write on a clean surface, and then erase after, it just makes it more difficult to understand the handwriting on top of that. They also create unwanted chalk dust in the air, along with leaving your hands all chalky. Also if you sat in the back of the classroom or even in the middle it was difficult to see any handwriting at the bottom. I remember always looking over peoples' head. Transparency film usually comes in a huge pack, so it leaves less mess and is less time consuming, you just use a new sheet once you fill one. Way easier than having to erase what you already wrote, students are also able to perhaps revisit a sheet if they missed a part.

We also used an overhead in my sixth grade class in science. I loved it, my teacher always wrote the notes this way. Copying down notes has always been my favorite thing to do, so think I just genuinely enjoyed that half the room was dark and the overhead just made it way more interesting. I also felt that the students seem to pay way more attention this way. I think we are always mesmerized when a teacher uses a technology in the classroom. Digital visual presenters are sort of the more modernized version of the typical old school projector shown in the image above.

These visual presenters now come with an abundance of neat features. They are very useful features as well. We currently use a visual presenter in my math class. My favorite button on this technology is the freeze button. It is a really neat tool, my professor usually asks one of us to share our work on the projector. She lets us talk about it while the student stays up by the projector with her work. We revise a couple things to her work, then when she needs to go back to her seat she simply pushes the freeze button. This function allows the image of her work to be copied, the projector takes a picture of it and then it stays on the screen even though the student has moved her notes off of the projector.

This is a neat way to reference back to the sheet without having the student miss out on any other notes. It also has a zoom in and out button which is sort of self explanatory. It lets us view the image closer, or further. You can also connect the overhead to a PC, this way the teacher can actually go from her PC notes, to the projector. There are many different devices, all fairly similar. I will leave a link to the Samsung Digital Visual Presenter. The projector also comes with a user's manual that explains what is included and all the functions it has as well.

I think an overhead or a visual presenter can play a big part in education. It has many different uses and functions, the possibilities are really endless. I also strongly believe that it helps maintain the class under control and they are more engaged in the lesson or activity. I recommend that everyone give this technology a try in their classrooms. 

ESL/L2 Acquisition Via Technology

As I am on my journey to become an educator I am quickly learning that technology can be used to enhance most educational situations.  I have chosen to study ESL (English as a Second Language) as my minor so I decided to research how technology could be used to enhance an ESL classroom setting.  I came across an article that advocates using technology to increase success in an ESL classroom and in language learning (L2) classrooms in general.  In the article, Technology and L2 Learning, Dr. Gianfranco Conti uses the terms “interactional writing” or “writership” to define how people communicate via text.  Forms of technology such as social media, texting, email, etc. can expand language acquisition as it requires people to communicate effectively without using language cues such as, inflection, facial expressions or hand gestures.  People use such inferences to create an understanding and such inferences may be difficult to communicate via text.  

“Whether we like it or not, the vast majority of our students communicate via social media or other forms of instant messaging. Hence, if we are to prepare them for communication in the real world this phenomenon cannot be ignored. Teaching interactional writing skills is therefore a must, in my opinion.” 
-Dr. Gianfranco Conti

The article also claims that “writership” is an important component of ESL and L2 as it requires a certain level of comprehension of the language in order to do so.  Using “interactional writing” in language learning settings compels students to give more meaningful and coherent responses and generates conversation.  By having students engage with one another through technology via an online classroom environment, they will be more enthusiastic about responding and they will simultaneously be practicing communication in the language they are learning.    An online classroom setting also allows for teacher intervention, editing and assessment.  I believe if students are able to communicate through writing the language they are learning, they will be more comfortable speaking the language, making it feel and sound more natural.

Trends of Education

Web 2.0 changed almost everything, which includes the way of shopping, the lifestyle, the education and so forth. In this passage, I will talk about the trend of education. Because it can change the path of country’s future.

There are five trends in education technology in this year. (5 Top Trends in Education Technology 2015) Four fifths of trends are based on the web 2.0, which means that online learning do improve our skills and knowledge. Nowadays, learning are based on self-interests. No two people are same. “Online competency-based training” and “Alternative learning styles” focus on self-development with different learning methods. Comparing to in class teaching at school, students can have enough choices to make a decision in which way fits them best. “Flipped learning technology” allows students to learn with their own schedule at home. “Online corporate learning” consolidates what they learn by themselves.

Also, the web 2.0 connect world into a net. Thechallenges and opportunities for global education.

In one aspect, technology enhances learning in terms of the analysis of data, science research, and so on. It also help us get access to excellent education, such as the lecture in Harvard Health College, University of Phoenix. Internet allow students to access to the top school without moving. And it also change the function of the teacher. In the near future, teachers’ role will be similar to the guider. The most important change is that students in poor areas also can get a high quality education as the wealthy family students does.

In another aspect, we need to provide more relevant skills to students since not all of students want to be a scientist in the future.

Should Computer Science be Required for High School Graduation?

Technologically enhanced learning is making its way in education as more than just a cool or trendy way of teaching and learning.  It is quickly becoming an essential part of education as it provides the Digital Native generation with the educational information they need in forms that they are familiar with using.  Simultaneously, it is allowing students to fine tune their technology skill set .  What about making their technological skill set the focus in an educational setting?  

According to Code.org there will be one million more cumpter science jobs availabe than computer science students by the year 2020.  The stats page from Code.org also shares that, “computer science can only count toward high school math or science graduation requirements in 27 states”.  With stats like these, I think it is very important to assess the importance of exposure to computer science programs as a part of state educational standards and requirements for high school graduation.  The typical subject areas in college preparatory schools (such as math, ELA, science, etc.) are studied every year, the comprehension of these subjects is evaluated, all in preparation for our future as college students and eventually leading us to our careers.  Why wouldn’t we do the same for students that might be interested in computer science as a major or career?  At the very least, all students should be exposed to computer science in an educational setting and ultimately it should be incorporated into the requirements for high school graduation.

I feel that the rapid increase of careers in computer science is due to a lack of accessibility and the underutilization of technology by educators and students.  By looking at this huge increase in jobs in computer science that is supposed to take place over the next five years, I think computer science should be considered an important subject area to make available as a high school graduation requirement.

The Technology Gap in Education: Advantages and Disadvantages

The Technology Gap in Education:

Advantages and Disadvantages

     There is no question that technology is becoming (if it isn’t already) a necessity in everyday life.  We are constantly using technology for the simplest of tasks without even thinking about it, it is as if technology is becoming a part of our human nature.  For example, I recently had a conversation with a ‘tweenager’ that told me they made delicious breakfast and they were able to do so by “Googling – How to make a sausage McMuffin” on their iPhone.  Though I do believe making a sausage McMuffin could have been achieved through a simple assessment of the ingredients, I actually had trouble wrapping my head around the fact that “Googling” this not only seemed to be an instant, almost natural solution but that the information was so accessible - problem solved in a matter of seconds.  The caused me to question, what about kids that do not have the same accessibility to technology?  Would 'Googling' to problem solve be second nature to them?  If there is a technological divide socioeconomically, I am certain there is a technological divide on an educational level as well.

The technology gap between schools of different economic means is a major issue, as a lack of access to and use of technology in education will inhibit students of the poorer schools from learning with tools that are rapidly becoming essential in everyday life.  This also impedes students from becoming comfortable with using technology and keeps them from forming a skill set that is normalcy to many other students their age.  The article, Digital Divide: The TechnologyGap between the Rich and Poor, gives insight to the availability of internet and technology of different ethnicities and the effect it has on urban/rural on an educational level.  According to the article previously mentioned, “Fifty-six percent of teachers in low income schools say that their students’ inadequate access to technology is a “major challenge” for using technology as a teaching aid” (Liz Soltan, Digital Divide).  Having suitable access to the internet and various technologies provides an enhancement to education and affords the students with this type of enhanced learning a significant advantage that will carry through the rest of their lives.  This divide causes an imbalance in education and leaves many students unprepared for their future as students and as professionals.  With technology quickly becoming an essential tool used in everyday life, it is a serious issue that so many students are at a disadvantage because of where they go to school.

Assessing Playrooms

        

             The idea of assessing a playroom seems a little odd at first but the playrooms in the hospital are a vital part of a Child Life Specialist’s resources. Recently, a new rubric for assessing playrooms and their effectiveness came out. The rubric for the playrooms is available here.

There are a total of eighteen standards that Child Life Specialists can use to assess their playrooms.  Some of those standards include room accessibility, hours and staffing, gender sensitivity, staff training etc. While some of these standards seem straightforward a lot of them tend to be overlooked. Having a set list of standards helps a CLS keep all the playrooms up to the same safety standards as well as provide for all of the patients unique needs.

       Budgets are not tight in hospitals but funding for CLS programs such as playrooms is hard to come by without a proof of need. When an administrator not well versed in child life sees a request for playroom funding they may not see the need as clearly as someone who is well versed in child life. A clear and concise rubric allows the CLS to do an assessment for all playrooms that can be turned into administration and show a need for more staffing, a larger space or whatever else comes up on the assessment. 

       
       Another reason having this rubric is so beneficial is the lack of materials available to CLS. Since Child Life is a new field there are not nearly enough assessment standards available to show progress in a child life department. Putting this rubric into play in a hospital would give further explanation on why child life is an actual need in a hospital which is a constant battle Child Life Specialists face. This rubric is only available online at the website mentioned above and has only been available on Child Life blogs thus far.

The Power of Guiding & discussions

It is universal to use the mobile technology nowadays, but if we study via mobile technologies without doing what you need to do, then we will learn nothing at all. In other words, we will acquire little knowledge if we study on the mobile technology without any study guide or the outline [Evaluationof Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning (Conclusion Page 48)]. So as for an educator, this information may remind us that we need to focus on guiding students how to use the mobile technology to learn by themselves.




Another opinion is that we need more discussions and more debates within others (WhyOrganizations Need to Make Learning Hard).This passage told us that when we learn something new and it is a challenge for us, we always think it is easy to figure that out by comparing new one to the old knowledge. As a result, we may not know well about the new knowledge. The reason why we fail to master the new knowledge is that we just thought we could, but actually we cannot. So a better way to solve this problem is holding a meeting or a discussion. Let everyone explain their own opinion about the new knowledge. Then they will learn a lot. So for education, this idea is provoking. Even though we have mobile technology to study by ourselves, we also need to share our opinions with others in order to get a better understanding of what we learned. As a teacher, they may need to add the group discussions or debates in class or out of school on Internet. Combing online study with peer debates could enhance our learning efficiency.


Guiding and discussions online can help students study well.

Reading A Story Is Fun, Making One Is Fun Too.

Choose Your Own Adventure. These were books that some of us may remember growing up with and reading numerous times. Selling over 250 millions copies between 1979 and 1998, they were not your typical books that started with a brief introduction, story starting on page one, and then eventually reaching the last page. These books were all about letting the reader have some say in how they wanted the story to go. And the categories to choose to read from were substantial, 184 different books to choose from to be exact. With the advances in technology, how fun and educational would it be for teachers to be able to allow their students to create their own stories?

Inklewriter is a web-based site that allows its users to create interactive stories, completely free of any overhead costs. The aim of the website is to allow the students to be the main creators of the stories, so Inklewriter was created with a user friendly interface. One of the really satisfying features about it is that stories can be created and the work fully completed on them, all without the need of signing up. It should be noted though that if a story is began and the creator wants to come back at another time, an account will need to be completed. Considering the age group of the students who may be using this website, the account creation process was taken well into consideration. A standard email address and password can be used to create an account, but if there are students who do not have an active email address, a unique name entered "@inklewriter" will suffice. Some of the other features that are worth mentioning are the fact that Inklewriter will relay information in regards to what sections of the story have been finished and what sections still need to be completed. When a student is finished completing their interactive story, they can then choose to decide if they want to publish it to the internet or to social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Tumblr, just to name a few.

In my personal opinion, I believe that there's a multitude of possibilities that Inklewriter could be used for. Not only does it allow students to use their imagination to create any story they wish to come to life, but it may also influence them to take a deeper interest in reading and literature. It also gives the students a chance to practice becoming more fluent in educational technology use such as learning to post and share their works online with others. For teachers, it seems that it could be a great tool to include in their lesson plans since the cost is completely free, as well as its use is very straight forwards and simple.

To get a better visual understanding of Inklewriter, here is a video that shows it being demonstrated. An ongoing and regularly updated official blog can also be followed as well.