Pacman - Online Educational Games in the Classroom

Pacman- Online Educational Game
Bringing Technology to the Classroom

Student-centered learning allows instructional activities to focus on the needs of the student. Students' abilities, needs, interests and learning styles become the focus of how the units are presented to the class. This method of instruction is beneficial to student learning because it allows the student to explore the concept on their own. This promotes an atmosphere that allows each student to access the curriculum in the general education classroom regardless of their level of English proficiency, disability or learning style.

An online educational game is a good example of a student-centered activity that allows hands-on student interaction. The online game, Pacman, focuses on spelling skills and transportation-related words. Though not flawless, this game's method of repetition and fast-paced interactive style allow for a fun reinforcement activity to support the lesson during free-time.

Pacman is geared towards first grade students learning how to spell different words. The game would be best used as a spelling assignment on transportation. After the spelling lesson has been introduced, the students will learn how to play the game and a volunteer will help demonstrate it by challenging the teacher . the game will be set up as a challenge with two computers and projectors. The teacher will have students take turns playing the game.

This type of activity is beneficial to students because it allows student-to-student interacting, experience with technology in the classroom and provides a different method of learning for the students. Pacman allows students to continue learning their spelling words, increasing their recall of the words, especially before an assessment. This activity transforms free-time from just playing into actual fun learning!

This activity will also allow the teacher to observe the students; how they interact with one another, their strengths and needs and it will allow the teacher to evaluate the learning activity and plan for future lessons.

Aileen Alfonso, Jeanalyn Benavente, Shawnette Celes, Gabbie Fejeran, Laura Jiblits