Edutainment and Neopats

I f found CJ’s presentation very interesting. My article is from the same author and hearing her presentation helped to me to think about my article and my presentation. I know CJ spend some time talking about Edutainment and I was surprised to have heard that term for the first time during the reading of my own article. It’s actually an interesting term and it got me to think how I ran my kindergarten classroom during my first year of teaching. Did I have materials in my class that were educational or where they considered to be more entertaining?
I did have 2 computers in my room and now I see they were used for edutainment purposes. It was both to educate and entertain my students. They were allowed to play the games ones the lessons were taught in class, so that would be the educational aspect of the game. When students were standing around watching the others play, I think that would be the entertainment part of the game (where those students would just stand around and watch). It did take some time for those students to learn to use their time wisely and not stand around and watch the other students play.
Joyce’s presentation was well done as well. I had never heard of neopets until I had to do the readings. The site seems to be safe enough for young children and I was glad to hear that not only did it involve some of game that could be played, but children you engage in some sort of creative writing activity. I commend Joyce for having her pet for 7 years and for being so dedicated. I know that is something that I could not have done. I do think that Neopet could be just as addictive to people as Second Life can be.