Cognitive Wellbeing

Question #1:
I think that online gaming is so popular because of the accessibility. If we think about it, kids we teach in their generation have not had a life without the internet. They were born into a world where video game consoles already existed and the internet was already formed. Therefore, they do not know a world without the internet or video games being predominant. Whether there could be drawbacks, I think everything has a drawback, but we cannot go back only forwards. As teachers, we can promote healthy lifestyles and teach how to be involved with healthy behavior in the classroom and out, but we cannot manage what happens at home. I feel for students at home, and it could offer opportunities if done correctly. For example, if a child at home has the structure inside their home life where they are motivated and engaging in a healthy lifestyle after they're done, they can have brain breaks to play online age-appropriate games that can be beneficial that way they learn that they put their health and learning first and it could motivate them. As for in the classroom, I think teachers need to know and assess when technology is helpful. I am constantly looking for educational games that stimulate, teach, and engage students; for example, for students who I have who are low with literacy skills and phonics or math and maybe don't have foundational skills. When they're done doing something like an activity or assignment, and there is free time or choice time, they have the option to go on Starfall (starfall.com), where there are educational games that are fun but help build their skills. I have seen improvement with students using it. I had a dual language student who did not know the alphabet in Spanish or English, but once I started allowing him certain educational games during free time, he would go. He learned his ABCs and is learning letter sounds because I am providing him that support, but he also has an engaging, fun game to help him.

Question 2 & 3:
Managing my study schedule is something that I can teach and preach and help my students with, but I can really ignore my own advice, which upsets me. One thing that really helps me manage my schedule is planning and creating a system that works for me. First, I use my planner and use the fun stickers but also make it practical. Still, I also use my Apple Calendar, so it is easily accessible to me on my computer and phone and sends alerts of upcoming assignments. I set it to alert me a few days before the assignment is due, the day before, the day of, and the time it is due. This helps me ensure I do it, get it done on time, and submit it. Whereas in my planner, I have a page for each month and fill in the days of assignments due, and then in the weekly spread in each day, put in on the day due and write a to-do list of what assignments I need to do each day. This helps me ensure it gets done. However, when discussing engaging and feeling motivated to do my work or that I can have excellent work, I struggle for myself as a perfectionist. Sometimes, it unmotivates me, and I feel as if I cannot produce perfect work, so I may feel the want for procrastinating. I have tried to reinforce myself if I get things done and take brain breaks, but I feel as if I don't even have time for breaks. Therefore, this is something I still need to work on.