DISQUS

Farfisa · 1 year ago

I watched my 11yo play Webkinz the other day. He was aiming to collect %-off coupons and calculating how many coupons would add up, which furniture he wanted, which discount would be best applied to which piece for maximum effect, whether he could stack coupons (which led to the 50% + 20% does not = 70% discussion...)

What a great math lesson!

Doug Belshaw · 1 year ago

I hear you, Vicki. I think you're saying that it's the pedagogy behind the tool that matters; we just use a particular tool because it engages learners and/or has a low entry/high exit point (Skitch being a great case in point)

I don't know about anyone else, but I find it fairly annoying when those no longer in the classroom such as Stager make such pronouncements...

Karen Bosch · 1 year ago

I am teaching an after school class with 2nd and 3rd graders on "Safe Online Communities for Kids and will are going to use Webkinz next week. So I have been spending a lot of time there playing with my pink poodle over the past few weeks! (I spent several hours yesterday adopting Webkinz for the class.) There are many things there of educational value, I think. Some of the games practice math, reading, science, social studies, and even keyboarding skills. I even think the earning kinzcash and buying items for your house teaches economics in a practical way on a kids level. Plus, it's fun!

I asked some fourth graders to come in at recess to give me some Webkinz lessons last week. They said that they taught themselves how to do the games and to use the community without adult help. It also was interesting that they said they spend 2 to 3 hours daily on Webkinz - not sure that part is so great, but if they are going to be online playing games, I think Webkinz is a more constructive option than a lot of other places, at least for that age level.

Do you have any of your Webkinz lessons/resources that your older student created online? If so, could you direct me to where they are - I'd love to take a look!

Megan Fritz · 1 year ago

I agree Vicki....I sat up playing Webkinz games last night to earn my daughter points....but that's not the point!!! It really is teaching them responsibility, community, kindness, etc. She sends notes and has to read the text to make sure it's what she wants to say. She then knows to send a thank you note (which as a result she wanted to do after receiving he xmas gifts) to her friend. However, it has to be used in the correct way - not as a babysitting tool. I don't know that I agree with it being used in the classroom/computer lab. I definitely feel that it is a tool to be used at home to reinforce these important "social" concepts. On the other hand, though....I love how you used it w/ the older students. This is really meaningful learning! PS I just can't wait to see my daughter's (4) face when she gets the Love Frog for Valentine's Day!

LKP · 1 year ago

I also am proud to say I play Webkinz with my 10 year old son! We love the quiz game and often do the higher age group together, he is good at the Science and I'm good at the Language Arts, so we learn together. The lesson I think he gets the most from playing this game is a sense of creating a community, deciding what would be best to "buy" for his pets and how to earn the money to get those things that enhance the life of his pet. Now, does he play it all the time? NO! He logs on probably three times a week, which is just fine with me. I think that you can find some value in most of the "games" our kids play online or on Wii or Xbox, you just have to approach it with an idea of what can we do today that we couldn't do yesterday, and yes he needs to get outside and play that is why his "game" time both on the computer and on the Wii are limited. We need to use the things that our kids are drawn to positively because that will teach them the responsible way to discover the internet and all it's wonders. Just my 2 cents!

KKoz · 1 year ago

I agree! Kudos to all of you talking about pedagogy and balance. That's really what we need to be talking about! My 7 yr. old loves webkins and I used him to teach my graduate students about virtual worlds and how they could be used to design multimedia learning.

Janet Clarey · 1 year ago

Re: I just tire of the generation gap thing...Ditto.
I also play Webkinz with my kids. I have one and my 8 year old plays with his own but also keeps mine happy - very nurturing, fun games, safe.

Mrs. Keuhn · 1 year ago

There are those of us playing Xbox with our kids too!! My son wanted to learn to read because we played Breath of Fire on the Super Nintendo. I used to read him the story (it's an rpg) and he used to comment that he couldn't wait to learn to read so he could play himself. I IM both my daughters and my mother when I'm working at the college. I love the idea of your safety course!

Kathy · 1 year ago

I think it is essential to harness the enthusiasm kids have for their toys and turn them into learning tools.

Check out how I am trying to take my 15 years of teaching experience and help other teachers accomplish this:

http://turningtoysintotools.com

Kathy · 1 year ago

We really need to figure out a way to harness the enthusiasm kids have for their toys and turn them into learning tools. I've been taking my 15 years of teaching experience and creating this type of information to share:

http://turningtoysintotools.com

Kathy

Duncan Conner · 1 year ago

Couldn't agree more with other comments. I should come clean and state that I'm a Webkinz retailer, but I should also point out that I've got a Panda stashed away for my eldest daughter's birthday (tomorrow) and I can't wait to get started playing online with her.

Aside from the educational aspects of Webkinz World, which really appeal to me, it's a great way of getting her familiar with and interested in the workings of a PC and the internet - something which our children will likely spend their whole working lives around.

kids toys · 1 year ago

There must be those of us that bridge the divide and figure
out ways to use what kids love to our advantage and to teach

coolcatteacher · 1 year ago

WEll said!!! I agree totally!

quincy · 7 months ago

Children are still children we don't have to force them to do things which they don't like. If they want to play let them play. If we are going to force them this may cause to a traumatic experience. Lets help them to be independent.

coolcatteacher · 7 months ago

Don't see anything about kids being forced to use webkinz!?

Vicki Davis
Cool Cat Teacher Blog

Building the bridges of today that the society of tomorrow will walk
across.

Sent from my iPod touch

Fun Quiz · 6 months ago

Learning + Fun + Interactive = WebKinz!!!

;-)