Eight Ways of Looking at Intelligence Big Ideas In “Thirteen Ways of Looking At A Blackbird,” poet Wallace Stevens takes something familiar—an ordinary black bird—and by looking at it from many different perspectives, makes us think about it in new ways. With apologies to Stevens, we’re going to take the same premise, but change the subject by considering eight ways of looking at intelligence—eight perspectives provided by the science of learning. A few words about that term: The science of learning is a relatively new discipline born of an agglomeration of fields: cognitive science, psychology, philosophy, neuroscience. Its project is to apply the methods of science to human endeavors—teaching and learning—that have for centuries been mostly treated as an art. As with anything to do with our idiosyncratic and unpredictable species, there is still a lot of art involved in teaching and learning. 1. Situations can be internal or external. On one level this is obvious, but on another it is quite radical. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
The Science of Gamification - COLLOQUY The Gamification of Loyalty – Part Three of An Eight-Part Series This is the third in an eight-part series by gamification expert Gabe Zichermann that examines how loyalty marketers can integrate gamification strategies to increase engagement. The next installment is scheduled to run May 13. By Gabe Zichermann We've all seen game playing that goes beyond any reasonable level of appropriateness. Is this purely an art form, like advertising, or something more grounded in science? At the core is a concept called intrinsic reinforcement. Alongside dopamine's role as an intrinsic reinforcer, it also plays a significant role in the psychological state of “flow.” Similarly, gamification relies on many psychological and behavioral economics theories, and being well versed in these key concepts can only help a loyalty marketer interested in this burgeoning field. Among the most relevant areas worth exploring is decision theory, in particular a seminal work called Tyranny of Choice.
The Ultimate Motivation Hack Image courtesy of Hacksomia Ahh, motivation hacks! If you’re anything like me, you have tried dozens of motivation hacks in your life, with varying degrees of success. (Ever tried the one of spinning a dead cat around your head thirteen times in a graveyard at midnight during full moon? No? Weird, I thought everybody knew that one…) Thankfully, your search is now over! I’m not just going to throw a simple technique at you. Okay, ready? Why do you need a motivation hack anyway? Let’s face it. Pause for a moment and think about it. When I was a kid I used to jump out of bed at 6 am on the weekend, all excited. Notice something? So if you’re looking for a motivation hack, that means you don’t really WANT TO do something. In a moment, I will share the Ultimate Motivation Hack with you. Why bribing yourself doesn’t work: Let’s say you have some writing that you want to get finished. Nooooo! “But it works!” Well, yes and no. Okay, now let’s move on to the grand finale! The Ultimate Motivation Hack
Critical Thinking Abilities Weak versus Strong Critical Thinking Critical thinking involves basic intellectual skills, but these skills can be used to serve two incompatible ends: self-centeredness or fair-mindedness. As we develop the basic intellectual skills that critical thinking entails, we can begin to use those skills in a selfish or in a fair-minded way. In other words, we can develop in such a way that we learn to see mistakes in our own thinking, as well as the thinking of others. Typically, people see mistakes in other's thinking without being able to credit the strengths in those opposing views. We call these thinkers weak-sense critical thinkers. Another traditional name for the weak-sense thinker is found in the word sophist. Sophistic thinkers succeed only if they do not come up against what we call strong-sense critical thinkers. Perhaps even more important, strong-sense critical thinkers strive to be fair-minded. Figure 3.1. Figure 3.2.
Interactive Virtual Reality In 3-D, The Newest Learning Tool Remember the days when students would come to class armed with only a notebook and a textbook? In some places, that time is long gone, as laptops and iPads make their way into schools. Now a creative technology studio has come up with a platform for classrooms that makes digital textbooks look ancient. Chaotic Moon's immersive 3-D experience allows students to manipulate virtual objects and experience whatever they're studying firsthand. The platform marries a Leap Motion gesture controller with an Oculus Rift virtual reality headset so that students can experience scenarios arguably more memorable than anything they'd read in a book. The idea started as a passion project for Chaotic Moon CEO Ben Lamm, who previously had started an education technology company. After consulting with an education company, Chaotic Moon put together the periodic table demo. Chaotic Moon is already working on another demo involving an underwater shark attack game.
Designing for Motivation The importance of a game's experience depends on the how much general interest it can generate. Creating and keeping the player’s interest is the way to manage his motivation. His motivation is the factor that will determine if a player will continue playing after a few minutes, as well as how long he will play and whether he will finish the game. As game creators, we have the advantage of knowing that the player is motivated when he starts a game, because the player has already taken the first steps: both buying and launching the game on his PC or console (this motivational work has been done by marketing). This is where we step in, seizing these invaluable moments when the player starts playing. The player’s action responds to a paramount need which we should never forget or undermine – that is, HAVING FUN (everything else just serves to increase the intensity of the game experience). Managing the player’s motivations means meeting his needs. The story? The world? The gameplay?
How to Implement Deep Learning Characteristics in the Classroom | The Educato... Deep learning is the foundation on which I instruct my students; whether it is through the use of practical thinking skills, human dimension activities, and/or data gathering. There are other deep learning characteristics I implement daily, but these are most commonly used in my classroom. These strategies help to... Deep learning is the foundation on which I instruct my students; whether it is through the use of practical thinking skills, human dimension activities, and/or data gathering. There are other deep learning characteristics I implement daily, but these are most commonly used in my classroom. These strategies help to keep me focused on one common goal for all my students: to promote better learning outcomes for all students-ones that are transformational. Engaging students actively in their own learning, and encouraging understanding of presented materials, should be the main goal of all educators. Practical thinking skills are an essential part of my lesson planning.
How Gamification Can Help Overcome Remote Employment Issues Gamification can solve remote employment issues, if used right. My favorite example is giving feedback, the immediate positive kind. Working remotely denies employees the opportunity to get it; this may lead to the feeling that they are working in a void. Feedback – as in “wow, you’ve managed to get so much done today” – contributes to the employee’s sense of well-being and drives them more. Many game elements can give this feedback – and also document it so a human will also be driven to give feedback too. Let’s look at how using gamification in dealing with remote employment holds great potential in dealing with each of these challenges: 1. Most suggestions require setting communication goals that emphasize many brief interactions across instant messaging and more. In knowledge management scenarios, think of how to reward over-communication. Companies using narratives and leagues with a sports narrative can carry out weekly matches that are hosted in a different place each time. 2.
How to hack your motivation and squash that to do list If one thing unites entrepreneurs, it’s our high expectations. We demand a lot from ourselves and are merciless in our self criticism when we don’t do enough. It’s good to want to do more. When entrepreneurs feel like they’re not doing enough, they’re usually right. Some folks will tell you to suppress ambition, to live simply and go easy on yourself. My view is different. Relentless ambition should be encouraged. Through the impossible tug of war between fulfillment (aka stillness) and desire (movement), we will create extraordinary lives. So keep an eye on “balance” and avoid any serious burn-outs. For my entire adult life, I’ve been obsessed with motivation. Confession time: It’s because I was very, very lazy. Growing up at the tail end of the most sustained period of economic growth in human history, I was apathetic toward almost everything. After all, we don’t have to look far to make ourselves feel good. Until I figured out how to hack my mind and ignite the fire.
How 21st Century Thinking Is Just Different How 21st Century Thinking Is Just Different by Terry Heick This content is proudly sponsored by The Institute for the Habits of Mind, promoting the development of personal thinking habits in 21st century learners. In an era dominated by constant information and the desire to be social, should the tone of thinking for students be different? After all, this is the world of Google. As a result, the tone of thinking can end up uncertain or whimsical, timid or arrogant, sycophant or idolizing–and so, devoid of connections and interdependence. The nature of social media rests on identity as much as anything else—forcing subjectivity on everything through likes, retweets, shares, and pins. But this takes new habits. Information Abundance There is more information available to any student with a smartphone than an entire empire would have had access to three thousand years ago. New contexts—digital environments that function as humanity-in-your-pocket—demand new approaches and new habits. Persisting.
Gamification: How Effective Is It? Reverse Hack Video Game Psychology to Increase Real Life Motivation (and Why We Play Video Games Instead of Living Life) | J.D. Moyer Is it time to uprez your game? Well-designed games, more than any other form of entertainment, directly hack into our motivational substructures. They play into our desire to achieve status, collect things, complete tasks, explore the unknown, solve mysteries, be powerful, and make tangible progress (otherwise known as “leveling up”). Ian Bogost's Cow Clicker Video game theorist Ian Bogost explores and satirizes this aspect of games with his Facebook metagame Cow Clicker. A good game cleverly manipulates us, playing on our various urges (competition, avarice, curiosity, desire for completion or closure). Are there ways we can apply the motivational energy (or dirty tricks, depending on how you look at it) used by video games to our real lives? Avatar design: "Rockband Redshirt" 1) Understand Your Character Consider the type of games you most like to play — you’ll probably see a common theme, or themes. I prefer empire building games. All your cities are belong to me. 2) Choose Your Quest
10 Team-Building Games That Promote Collaborative Critical Thinking One of education’s primary goals is to groom the next generation of little humans to succeed in the “real world.” Yes, there are mounds of curricula they must master in a wide breadth of subjects, but education does not begin and end with a textbook or test. Other skills must be honed, too, not the least of which is how to get along with their peers and work well with others. Students must be engaged and cooperation must be practiced, and often. 10 Team-Building Games That Promote Collaborative Critical Thinking 1. This team-building game is flexible. You can recycle this activity throughout the year by adapting the challenge or materials to specific content areas. Skills: Communication; problem-solving 2. This activity can get messy and may be suitable for older children who can follow safety guidelines when working with raw eggs. Skills: Problem-solving, creative collaboration 3. Zoom is a classic classroom cooperative game that never seems to go out of style. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10.