The Jason Project

The Jason project is an online resource that contains  free downloadable curriculum packs and access to the corresponding learning video games and digital lab.  It is in partnership with National Geographic to make available earth sciences learning resources. The site has a range of science based units such as ‘Operation: tectonic fury’, ‘Operation: resilient planet’ for example.  The videos above show teachers incorporating these resources into their classroom.

This online resource gives participants the opportunity to become a member of an online learning community. This is an important learning environment as Shaffer, Squire, Halverson, and Gee (2004) suggests that online social and cultural worlds help students learn by integrating thinking, social interaction and technology that come about by them doing things they care about.  Johnson (2001) explains that in communities of practice constructivist techniques are present and this enables learning to take place.  The online community here gives students and teachers a valuable tool here to enhance their learning in a supportive active way.  I think that this would be a great link to a unit giving an authentic real world connection to the content being studied.  Students will have the chance to talk with other students and experts from around the world which will promote substantive conversations on these issues which will consolidate their learning.

This resource also contains smart board lessons, lesson plans, work books and video games to fit in with the unit topic as well as tutorials on how to use the video games provided.  This I believe is important as students can loose interest quickly when they can’t operate a game therefore compromising the learning.   Bourgonjon, Valcke, Soetaert & Schellens (2009) research suggests that ease of use of a video game has significant relationship with successful engagement and learning opportunities.  Overall I think that this could be a valuable resource when integrated into a science unit and is definitely worth a look.