The site that swims with learning fun!

1. The site that swims with learning fun! http://www.gamequarium.com

2. What is Gamequarium? • Gamequarium is a portal to more than 3000 online, educational, interactive games and learning activities. • The purpose of Gamequarium is to provide a doorway to the Internet for teachers, parents, and students who are seeking interactive, instructional online resources.

3. Gamequarium is: One of the most popular education sites Used in all 50 states Used worldwide in many countries A great start or home page A student friendly search tool A supplement to traditional curriculum A valuable resource for students, teachers, and parents

4. Teachers like Gamequarium because: • it is as a valuable, well-organized resource for teaching and learning with the Internet • it helps teachers address NCLB • it brings technology into the classroom, computer lab, and students’ home • it engages students in the learning process • it provides for practice of essential skills in all curricular areas • it is a teacher timesaver that allows teacher to spend more time teaching and less time looking for resources • it is used by teachers who don’t have a classroom website • it is affordable--- FREE!

5. Students like Gamequarium because: • It has a happy underwater theme • Uses student-friendly navigation by subject, topic and grade level • Today’s students are motivated and engaged by technology • It makes learning fun and enjoyable

6. Gamequarium (3-6+) This is the section of Gamequarium that allows easy access to subject area activities.

7. Gamequarium Junior (Pre K-2) This section targets the special needs of Preschool through 2nd grade students and teachers.

8. Readquarium The section addresses the 5 key focus areas of reading instruction as indicated by the National Reading Panel.

9. Gamequarium Computer Lab This section of Gamequarium provides easy access to tools and activities most often used in computer labs. It provides a solution for schools without adequate lab software and acts as a supplement for all schools.

10. Gamequarium Reference Tools This section provides all of the reference tools found in a traditional library. These tools support inquiry-based learning. The reference tools can be accessed through the Gamequarium Computer Lab.

11. Gamequarium Blog The blog keeps you up-to-date on additions to Gamequarium and offers suggestions for teaching with the Internet.

12. Meet the Gamequarium Webmaster:Diana Dell, Ed.S • Educator of 25 years • Classroom teacher for 23 years • Currently working as an Instructional Technology Specialist for the Valley Park School District in Missouri • Mother of 4, Grandmother of 1 • Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University • Educational Specialist Degree from the School of Information Sciences and Learning Technologies at the University of Missouri Columbia • Currently a learner in the School of Education at Capella University working toward a Doctorate of Education with a Specialization in Teaching and Training Online

13. Click here to make Gamequarium your home page. Google Safe Search

14. Gamequarium and NCLB A primary goal of NCLB is to improve student academic achievement through the use of technology in elementary schools and secondary schools. Two additional goals set forth specific requirements: • Every student must be technologically literate by the time the student finishes the eighth grade, regardless of the student's race, ethnicity, gender, family income, geographic location, or disability. • All schools must effectively integrate technology resources and systems through teacher training and curriculum development to establish research-based instructional methods that can be widely implemented as best practices by State and local educational agencies. Gamequarium helps students become technology proficient with Internet technologies. It also helps teachers and schools integrate technology resources into all curricular areas.

15. Benefits to schools: • Web-based access allows students to learn anytime and anywhere there is a computer with an Internet connection, be it in the classroom, a computer lab, or at home. • Because it is web-based there are no CD's to scratch or lose and no server system to maintain. There is nothing to download or install. There are no registration or participation fees, or software or hardware expenses. There is no impact on budgets. • Many educators do not have the knowledge or skills needed to create a classroom website. Gamequarium can serve as a student-friendly website for these teachers. • Gamequarium is organized by subject, topic, theme, and grade level. This allows teachers to easily find interactive online resources to supplement traditional curriculum.

16. Benefits to students: The use of Gamequarium supports the following principles supported by research: • High motivation in students is linked to reduced dropout rates and increased levels of student success. • Students are more engaged in learning when they are active and have some choice and control over the learning process, and the curriculum is individualized, authentic, and related to their interests. • Intrinsically motivated students retain information and concepts longer, and are less likely to need remedial courses and review. • Intrinsically motivated students are more likely to be lifelong learners and continue to educate themselves outside the formal school setting.

17. Why Games? Research has documented the effectiveness of games for instructional purposes. The following statements, drawn from research, support the use of games: • Even today, “practice makes perfect.” The Internet and games can capture student attention, engage them in learning, and make practice happen. • Online educational games challenge fine motor coordination while developing logical thinking skills and content mastery. • Interactive games allow learners to construct new understandings on many different levels through seeing and hearing. • Teaching with online games allows educators to better meet the needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time increasing motivation of all students. • Games provide immediate feedback to participants, and mistakes do not result in unwanted consequences. • Games have been found to serve a range of functions in education including tutoring, exploring and practicing skills, and attitude change. • The beneficial effects of games are most likely to be found when specific content is targeted and objectives precisely addressed.

18. Easy access to Gamequarium can be provided to students, by using one of the following methods: • Open the main page (http://gamequarium.com ) on each classroom/lab computer and click "Make This Gamequarium Page Your Homepage" link to set Gamequarium as the homepage or click the "Bookmark This Page" link to add Gamequarium to your bookmarks/favorites. • Send a shortcut to Gamequarium to the desktop of each classroom/lab computer. • Provide a link to http://gamequarium.com from your school's web site or your classroom web site. • Let parents know about Gamequarium. Print and send home the parent handout located at http://gamequarium.com/parenthandout.pdf.