Date of Award
2011
Document Type
Honors Thesis (Colby Access Only)
Department
Colby College. Computer Science Dept.
Advisor(s)
Bruce Maxwell
Abstract
America’s typical classroom setting is limited, stressful for students, and doesn’t provide students with the resources they need to grow. It’s also difficult to accommodate everyone in a traditional classroom setting, and students are expected to be constantly alert in a confined, static environment. At the same time, studies have consistently shown that students learn more when studying is contextually enriched, fun, web-based, and includes spaced repetition (e.g., Smith & Rothkopf, 1984; U.S. Department of Education, 2009). All of these findings suggest there is a need for more individualized education.
Here, we present “PlayZam”, a website to help students study more effectively through personalized learning and fun, educational games. Study material can take the form of images, sounds, or text, providing students with the opportunity to practice a wide range of skills. PlayZam is an excellent tool for teachers as well. Posting fun assignments and monitoring overall student performance is easy, which means teachers can quickly identify areas where students are struggling. Whether you’re a teacher, student, or simply want to study something new, PlayZam is a great way to learn just about anything.
Keywords
playzam, online, internet, education, games, learning
Recommended Citation
Graham, Peter A. and Harmon, Sarah M., "PlayZam: An Online Learning Environment" (2011). Honors Theses. Paper 624.https://digitalcommons.colby.edu/honorstheses/624
Multimedia URL
Copyright
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Comments
Full-text download restricted to Colby College campus only.