#games4ed Archive
#games4ed discussions cover ways in which gaming can be used in education. Games mirror the way the human mind was designed to learn. They motivate players to take risks and actions, persevere through failures, set and achieve increasingly difficult goals, and devote attention, time, and effort to acquiring knowledge and skills. All this while the game is tracking the player’s actions and assessing the player’s achievements and skills. Isn’t this what we want from education?
Thursday February 4, 2016
Nick Baskwill, NS Canada, Grade 5 - basketball
Hey all - Steve from NJ - I provide opportunities for cool middle school kids to create their own games
Everyone ready to chat? We're broaching the question of whether playing games can make you healthier
Hey folks! John Morelock, Ph.D. student from Virginia Tech.
Shelly from Toronto; Instructional Coach
Carrie Bakersfield, CA and I lost 75 pounds and went down 10 sizes playing dance video games! https://t.co/5ZuZOGwtp2
Rebecca Gauthier 8th gr World History 7th gr Geography in Green Bay. Foursquare!
Happy Thursday, Rebecca!! Welcome back!!
Mark Suter in OH - tech teacher, indie gamer, future host, noob at
Yes video games can make you healthier!
yes, games are like a window to a persons true emotions. They help relaese them differently, if its good or bad, you decide!
and love me some foursquare! I'd forgotten about that!
Garrett Zimmer Founder and Co-Found Chat. Edu-Ecosystem supporter and Passionate about GBL & EduGames
Intros - please introduce yourself with name, location, role, and favorite recess game!
thanks! And it's Friday tomorrow! I know it's been a while.
Hey Mark! What's your favorite recess game?
Hello and good evening :D What a great topic for tonight!
LOL. That was generally me at most physical activities in elementary school
Topic: Can games make us healthier?
Akash, New jersey U.S, minecraft
You are already tonight's chat MVP!
Awesome! We've got a couple questions about just that!
Hi from Pittsburgh, Spanish and teacher, kickball! and 7up!
video games are fine I moderation; we need to get outside to play sports & games; come up with your own!
kickball was probably my fav recess game too! loved wiffle ball as well
Nice Carrie! Dance Dance Reducation!
I played any game or sport earlier in life. Well anything but golf which doesn't qualify for either
Recess game fav? Run Horses Run ("All horses with...RED!" run A to B w/o being tagged to join center.
ITERATION MASTER --> STEEEEEVE
Yep! Can't remember what we called it. But yes. I hated days I wore multicolored shirts!
Oh yes, and hopscotch too and the jumprope with rhymes!
Hah... Steve "Iteration" Isaacs here :)
I prefer the OG dance game, dance dance revolution
I believe that games can inspire us to view the outside world differently. There can be inclusion if designed correctly.
I loved hopscotch & double dutch
Matt, NJ teacher & blogger, Recess games- then: tag, now: Twitter tagging
fQ1 Can you do a cartwheel?
For Example - Minecraft can encourage going outside to study the world in order to implement it in your game world
i see what you did there - twitter tagging.... we need to add BAM radio host to our intros
Fortunate to get to play a lot of four square when I work aftercare these days :)
Never could do double dutch. The one rope was tricky enough for me :)
A1 look at the Kinect. Ties movement with digital games
I know this chat is going to make me want to break out my wii fit :/ and get more kinect games!
I think they don't directly impact physical health, they relieve stress and motivate you for exercise, or blogging in my case
A1 ARG-style mobile apps, like , ,
Video Games are the language of today! It get the students excited about physical education. https://t.co/tfIfYEzI1D
A1: digital games can help Ss stay active in cold winter weather; o/w they need to be outside & experiencing nature
you gotta try it; I love it!!
A1 you can treat as an exercise game
A1 I have an xbox, havent used in a while, but was doing & other fun games,engaging,make exercise accessible
A1 Also ALL fitness bands, apps, etc use gamification mechanics
A1: I've been playing Ingress and will say there have been times I've walked an extra kilometer or so to hack a portal :)
A1: Also has often led to great urban hikes
I forgot about the Kinect and Wii games, you're right there are many!
loves here fitbit. I may need to get one!
A1: I play Wii Biggest Loser a lot when getting in shape. Love not knowing what workout I'll do until I log in.
Where I live we have a lot of bad air quality days that we can't go out side! With Exergaming there is no excuse
going outside & creating & playing games engages Ss; need more of this
A1: Yup my band is a social competition game. Love it.
Ingress is a lot of fun! Haven't played in forever
well played - taught her everything she knows!
Hey Mitch. I challenge you to a game of DDR. Next game convention I get to :D
We use a Wii in Elem. PE. Students get to use the tech. which increases participation plus they are sweating!
A1 Bring out the ol' Dance Dance Revolution... Pitching in between break. times in class Movement also releases pent up energy
someone please give me the scoop on Ingress.
wow - that's sad but great about the alternative to play and exercise indoors
they still need to experience sports & high physical activity besides video games indoors
resistance or enlightened?
My interest renewed thanks to and Ingress is fun, not enough time to play yet
well I ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄
great pt. Allows for settings where can't always go outside. Even snowmageddon is no longer excusable https://t.co/GI6YdW2url
Where I live we have a lot of bad air quality days that we can't go out side! With Exergaming there is no excuse
A1: Minecraft has given my kids and me the desire to get out and parkour in real life, so YES! Sore the next two days, worth it.
You are convincing me to put mine back on :)
You could also call Fitbit and clones a type of gamification
still needs to be a balance b/w digital games & playing sports/physical fitness inside
UP 2 band, wife does too, we compete on everything, even "sleep quality". I'm losing.
That's Awesome! https://t.co/S7ikzK8E1K
A1: Minecraft has given my kids and me the desire to get out and parkour in real life, so YES! Sore the next two days, worth it.
A1 ,games also give the person a call for something better, good games at least,and this call can be changed to anything
. Definitely. And the My Fitness Pal app plays with gamification elements, too
Sure thing! It would be nice to see more games that include a prompt to go out.
Great point! There are parkour classes based on video games.
LOL couples that compete together stay together
, who likes to just relax after a long day of writing and just play some games and listen to Panic!at the disco
A2 use games that student only play against themselves
A2 - This is a good one. Games allow a social comfort that can empower mental and social well-being. Cause kids to grow
A2 's gameful life concepts in
A2:The Oculus store already has betas involving dealing with stress on a beach and phobias.
Hope joins us - this chat is right up her alley! talking games and health!
Minecraft has helped many kids come out of their shell because socially it avoids the predjudices often in classes
A2: I feel like games are designed to take all the abnormalities in behavior and release them on the game, instead of your art hw
Exergaming brings the family together. The students learn a fitness skill they can go home and do! https://t.co/XIHaoiYiyr
we need to share favorite games - have you tried inCell or inMind yet
A2: Even the controversial ones like the 9/11 sim can, under supervision, help with traumatic experiences. VR is REAL therapy.
A2: Games give students (and teachers) a much needed brain break during the day.
A2 - Can't help but think of all the social good coming from . Social Impact games are tremendous for our future.
There is a debate about whether first person shooter games foster bad mental habits
A2: Certainly stress relief and also empathy
A2 Those with mental health issues often seek support but those without such issues can have trouble understanding; games can help
A2: games also make sure you similar to the character of you has molded to the character
With Exetgaming I have 100% engagement with traditional sports only some are interested!
A2 good for relaxing, but also exercise, get endorphins flowing, time to disconnect from learning/hw, have fun
Not yet, my students actually now are preferring to MAKE new VR content in !
that's awesome - would some like to mentor my students?
A2 and they keep our brains thinking in a fun way!
A2: In PE, heart rate monitors help students set goals for exercise, when success is built students stay motivated.
I've read some of that, too. A concern w/my 8 & 10 yr old boys. Still won't buy them a game like that yet
Out of school I have a software to make games and whenever I don't know what to do next, I take a run and clear my head.
That's really cool! Makes it so much more visual for them!
(2/2) A2 Examples: Depression Quest, Actual sunlight
what gamemaking software do you use?
I think if we are going to say "good" games -> good, then we may need to agree "bad" ones -> bad
May I weight in? My Prob with FPS is that it's too heavily balanced toward the negative fighting. CouldBBttr
Heck yes! Cross-country-Collaboration. The 3 C's. Ss will broadcast/record 4 YTube
lots of factors, but it's also belligerent online behavior, IMO
wait, who asked you? :-) Of course you can weigh in!
Q3: How can we use games to change behavior and establish good habits
I see much worry over PVP / Player Vs. Done right it can add to the engagment. But most PVP doesn't, I agree.
A3 games can help us model and practice desired behaviors risk free
A3: Super Better by and games that gamify our lives like
Very true. One of my Ss wrote a satirical essay mocking the behaviors he's seen while playing
A3: Games teach us so much that can transfer to life. One of my favs is information literacy. As well as risk taking.
Q3 Again I go right back to and Social Impact Games. The power of these is amazing. There are also benefits to collab games
A3. Games eliminate the embarrassment of failure b/c the best games make us fail often!
A3: In the classroom, and at home, I use game time as a reward for good behavior choices.
A3 Help learn to interact, collaborate, communicate, prob solv/ teamwork skills, crit thinking.
I really need easy point of entry with so please please please
A3: I feel like games are examples for good and bad things, its our job to choose which to be a mixture of, that's what makes good
A3: My Ss tracked their physical fitness goals & reflected on their progress; do community circles to discuss
A3 games foster teamwork between student who may not normal socialize
Q3 - In Minecraft's collab environment students often end up managing behavior themselves. Create Rules Ect.
A3: Reality is Broken describes some interesting ways to create personal games to motivate ourselves to set better habits
A3: teaches perseverance & goal setting
so true! I've seen the most unlikely leaders emerge!
A3 We can build compelling game spaces around activities. Zombies, Run! and Chore Wars are good examples https://t.co/NEDchRWfIi
A3: Modeling perceived risk taking in VR, composure amongst VR peers...referring to my speech-induced anxiety Ss
Remember to post links to resources you mention as will curate them as well as chat transcript
No prob :) Never a penalty for lateness :)
everyone is soo professional ,i just play minecraft and halo 5, maybe warframe
A3: The game concept of “farming” where you do repetitive tasks for easy reward. Used to master game skills. Maybe life skills?
A3: when my Ss play team sports/games they learn to collaborate, listen & provide feedback
NICE John! Chore Wars - Just a spoon full of sugar :D
Just found out, this twitter chat is not a reason to avoid doing the dishes. Darn.
its a hilarious theory by the Penny arcade comics explaining trolling behavior will say more but in clas
A3 Games allow players to assume roles. A great opportunity to learn perspective, empathy, and social implications of behavior
Yes! that's the one I was thinking of from the book.
A3: pair up strong S w/ a S who is new to a sport and/or physical game/activity
A3: Losing is an opportunity to see what we can do better and that allows us to be more successful the next time.
A1: Wii games are often used as physical therapy?
A3 games can help students learn who to really take over the world
yes and a lot of seniors started to use the wii
A3: I'm very shy in school and in my game I'm woking on, am a character and I try to make as many jokes as I possibly can.
Doing that made me a little less shy.
Love this Crystal! Failure is only True Failure when we fail to learn. Games encourage failure and retry https://t.co/20USLWTyz8
A3: Losing is an opportunity to see what we can do better and that allows us to be more successful the next time.
oooh sorry what I did miss. some amazing things I bet
That's what I love about writing and creating characters: you can live through others and be what you're not
I'm a huge proponent of physical fitness; my Ss were doing lunges & squats & stair exercises for 30 min a day
A3 Games use experiential play to teach w/o real world consequences, i.e. Pox teaching vaccination circles w/mechanics
Yes, but no worries! You can check out the archive later! Glad you're here!
Moving on to Q4 (See what I did there ;) (This was why I was usually chosen about last in PE) https://t.co/njuYTYv0Cx
OMG! I think I need to be one of your students!
the best example of behavioral development is the tell-tale games, they are like ur spin on every franchise
Haha I just got it! "Moving on!" Haha!
how do you like it? I have it but haven't used it much. Use a lot
. I love TellTale games for their Multiple Storylines. It focusses on Choice and Consequence
A4: this might be a dumb idea, but punishment for bad behavior could be dance dance revolution
A3 games teach kids to stay active in sedentary situations. My kids ❤️ indoor recess- range of healthy vids for kids
A4: take learning outside! So much math,science, geography to be learned on top of sports & activities
YES! definitely create content for = much XP to be had!
A4: As a computer tech/CS teacher, I find any excuse to wander outside, i.e.. to measure new objs for Sketchup
A4 Seats need to not be tied a S, instead tied to a need. S's choose where and when they sit based on what they are doing.
A4: Even in ELA, I try to add some movement. Today we analyzed photos, but I hung them inconspicuously in room so Ss had to hunt
would love that! They were so mad at me but they loved the process they made
how do you like Sketchup? I had kids create stuff with that last term - intended to import to
A4 music that makes you feel like the last thing you want to do is sit
Hey kinda been lurking while cooking. Call me a skeptic but what if I don't want to "gamify" aspects of my health & well-being?
Nice! I got rid of my fluorescent lights for lamps this year...furniture is my next step.
😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/UivVxNDwKL
A4: this might be a dumb idea, but punishment for bad behavior could be dance dance revolution
Am I the only student who actually enjoys typing essays about this topic?
I have 5 folding tables not desks. I bought 3 sets of these legs and now groups can decide to convert table or not.
I think that's a very small part of this discussion - more about true healthful benefits of game playing
A4: design indoor lessons around movement; teach concepts by acting them out
And for ELA, too. Writing marathons outside on the football field. Or study guides w/ sidewalk chalk https://t.co/5VVQDEJD7R
A4: take learning outside! So much math,science, geography to be learned on top of sports & activities
A4 Makes me think about S's move around the classroom using resources to support and "unlock" their learning
Hey skeptic. I don't gamify my health or well being much either.
A4: never have Ss sitting for too long! Get them up & stretching & moving; then back to learning
My kids' school uses . It keeps kids who are antsy focused esp during winter indoor recess...
yes & that's very important. I'm a bit skeptical of the push to quest-out and big data all aspects of personal health
definitely; I took my 4 year old nephew outside & we ran around looking for branches to spell out letters
A4 I look for playfulness over game. Skits and class ARGs, breakouts... Fun kinesthetic GBL
Some love the gamified. I'm not when it comes to working out. For me it's the playfulness & randomness
I think that's ok. I know as a former athlete I only enjoy exercise if there's a game element... Extrinsic motivation
SuperBetter by is all about gamifying life and health
I really like the software, it took 2-3 days to understand but after figuring it out, it became easy to use.
Great point! It's the idea of moving & thinking, and lots of research to back up the connection b/t them!
Love Sketchup! We're exporting many assets into . My Ss can teach your Ss that!
A2: Improves cognitive flexibility, memory, reaction time, the list goes on and on
sure, I'm a competitive runner. But there's a shadow side to thinking we can make our wellbeing & health a "game."
YES YES YES! let's figure out the best way to connect them
It's also nice that the option is there. Some of us may not want to gamify, but others may find it helpful.
Q5: Why can movement be so effective in games?
right, what's the value in having "games" serve as a primary mechanism/model for being healthy? I'm not sure.
A4: maybe we could try to make a simulator game, and whoever gets the lowest grade has to start a class relating to thesimulation
Do you all remember playing racing games and LEANING to the side while making a tight turn? It helped MY game!
A5 moving get the blood flowing. Keeps brains engaged.
We often compete with ourselves for a better time. In a way, that IS a game.
A4 Sometimes Spanish charades, tradl board games,Ss move around, playing & they move!
A5: keeps you thinking & reasoning; important skills for life & learning
A5: imagine plying soccer and all the strategic places that will guarantee your win, now imagine those tactics in Fifa
A5: In HS, so many Ss are sedentary all day. Important to keep moving and blood flowing.
I think it can be used effectively if subtly push kids to stay active. But cant be overt "DO THIS" Or engagement dies.
is there anything about movement that makes a game better, or a better learning experience?
A5: Plus, moving & changing position can lead to better idea dvlpmt and thinking
I get that. There are lots of pluses & minuses to it. I think gamifying provides an incentive for the reluctant group
A5: My Ss and I used the Vive - walking in 10x8 ft zone. You lose yourself bc your body/mind agree you're somewhere else.
well hold on, competition doesn't make a game, esp if it's sugar coated in less than meaningful rewards
IA! I don't agree w/ digital games as a prime method to develop physical fitness.
Bc we have many kinesthetic leaners!
A3: We can play more emotional, moral based games like Heavy Rain, or just multiplayer or go on raid battles to encourage teamwork
P.E classes would be a lot more appealing if you were running on a treadmill using a VR headset
Competition doesn't make a game? I think many would disagree with that. Or at least I do.
I agree with that 150%. I do think that a diversity of ways to reach people and get them moving is best
im good, been super super busy but loving games and gamifying!
depends upon what you think qualifies as a game. Venn diagram w goals, attitude & means, not necessarily competition
Anything that gives Ss agency, which games do, can be a positive force in health
Teachers and students in my school are loving the - think they'll notice if I don't return it?
competition is fun but can be a hurdle. The learning objective should come before the competition
been lurking. I work in summer with HS kids, w 5 min downtime, they turn EVERYTHING to a game (it's great) When do we lose that?
I don't know about that. But I would love to run down the banks of the Parisian River System without Airfare Costs
Agree. Slight motions/movements is a long way from physical fitness. But oh the potential!
playing games is probably the only place where Ss thrive on failure
That joviality is lost when we start grading it.
and Suits def of involuntary attempts & unnecessary obstacles doesn't include competition
yes they def can but I question a program based fully on digital games; disservice to Ss :)
If that engages and motivates the Ss than keep it, encourage it and make sure theirs learning attached I say HURRAY!
Q6: What do you envision as the future in terms of merging physical and digital gaming?
i just got into Steam, engineering course for high school next year, and thats all due to my open thinking with games.
I was a HS varsity coach for a decade... not every kid benefits from competition but all benefit from games
A4: Ask students to help set up consoles in the classroom?
A6: Look fwd to losing some of the wires and such with VR future of unrestricted movement and is awe inspiring
A6: what about a blend? Digital game gives you a challenge GE to do outdoors; come back & do next challenge
Imagine history lessons where you could actually walk around among the people you're learning about
If your bail bond is less than the Vive...
Right; so it depends which def you use.
A6: I imagine that engineers are using simulators to create a machine for the Bio-meds to cure cancer
A6 seems like more systems want you to move and not sit with a controller. Bring on the holodeck.
you mean like Assassin's Creed?
some kids are tentative about "competing" they literally break down. So I focused on the play over the opponent.
A5 it's just good to get up and move, be active, have fun.
I prefer rules of Play b/c it synthesizes across 8 other defs, incl Suits, to reach its def.
A6: I imagine that engineers are using simulators to create a machine for th https://t.co/xAkj9oBR3O https://t.co/xNFv0uaYfa
When people piss me off I just continue doing my school work bc at the end of the day that's what's going to get me somewhere in life
A6: GearVR is a great start in terms of without restriction by wires - of course you may bump into things...
and that helped them? Did that help them learn?
A6: next iteration of has front camera so you can see where you are going in the real world while going virtual
That would be a bit dangerous! :S I'll let you play that VR Game on your own. Or behind closed doors :D
our culture of perfectionism is detrimental for kids. Focusing right objectives teach kids that failure can be awesome
as long as it's not all digital based :)
welp with all this information and opinions of passionate people, i'm ready to write another blog!
A6: I hope physical and digital gaming never totally merge, compromising both. Dodgeball, Basketball, No. Jump rope? Merge away!
A6: Probably just people enhancing VR games or making wii game for physical therapy more effective.
solid book, too bad so few people actually read it! Have you read Suits' The Grasshopper?
No, but I'll be putting it on my list
A6: My pre-order of a haptic suit must be back-ordered.
it helped my best athletes learn skills better. They were focused on outcomes. I shifted the focus to "the moment"
thanks for a great chat!!
Not yet, but I've certainly seen the impact its had on how scholars think about games.
Well, I can't postpone the dishes any longer, till next week.
agree! Nothing like good old fashion movement or play without tech.
Thanks for a truly great discussion tonight! Hope to see you all back next week for one of my favorite hours: !
Thanks all for a great chat - time to turn my brain off for the night
Next weeks topic spoilers?
This discussion was really nice. 'Til next week!
And Make sure you bring your Students and Children next week! More Student Voice.
