#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?
Thanks everyone for joining our first chat! Join @MrMillerReads and I again next week for round 2! Continue to use the hashtag through the week and join our @discordapp channel! I'll have to find the invite link :) #EsportsEDU and now head over to the #games4ed chat!
Hey all! Caitlin here from VA! Earth Sci teacher (currently), but moving to a new school and Bio/Chem next year! Fav Sci-Fi Movie is probably... I am Legend or Cloverfield- although they are probably hardly sci-fi #games4ed
Steve from NJ here - I teach game design and development at a middle school in NJ #ilovemyjob fav science fiction movie... I might disappoint everyone when I say I am actually not a big SciFi fan - crazy, right? But I did love The Matrix! #games4ed
Q1: We know you want to discuss it... If you've read the book and seen the movie, what are your thoughts of each and the idea of bringing this novel to the big screen?
#games4ed
Hey Pete - You're from Jersey? I'm from Jersey! What exit :) In all seriousness, where in NJ are you from! #NJStrong#games4ed I teach in Basking Ridge and live in Bound Brook.
We were playing Chameleon game in class tdoay (cool game BTW) and some kids didn't know what The Matrix was.
Another "Gee, I'm getting old" moment. #games4ed
A1: The idea of turning #ReadyPlayerOne into a movie was really ambitious. It seems that a lot of the gaming, movie, and music references had to be sacrificed. That being said, the lack of character development and SCHOOL was my biggest issue with the movie iteration. #games4ed
Yeah, I watched the original trilogy a zillion times. They're my favourite. The newest set (and prequels), I'm not as excited about. As I set up my "office", I've got my Star Wars stuff :) #games4ed
A1: I love the book and movie, but they are so different it's not fair to compare. The books was no literary gem, but it told an epic tale. The movie make a relatable, scary future #games4ed
A1: I haven't seen the movie, but my Ss who have only seen it but not read it says it's great.
Those who read the book first left disappointed.
#games4ed
A1: I am not much of a reader and #readyplayerone is definitely my favorite book ever. The movie was definitely fun and captured the essence but I do question some of the decisions. Like why take out the Joust matches? #games4ed
Q1: We know you want to discuss it... If you've read the book and seen the movie, what are your thoughts of each and the idea of bringing this novel to the big screen?
#games4ed
A1: I definitely went into the movie knowing it was going to be different from the book in some ways. They did a great job with some of the effects and the sound was pretty tremendous in the theater I saw it in. #games4ed
A1 I read the book 2 years ago, maybe even 3 as part if ISTE games and Sims book study, loved it! Have not seen movie yet, but cannot wait! think it is a great idea #games4ed
A1: I love the book and movie, but they are so different it's not fair to compare. The books was no literary gem, but it told an epic tale. The movie make a relatable, scary future #games4ed
A1 - Haven't seen movie (yet), but did read the book before all the hype. Liked it on read, then with some of the blow back, started to feel more unsure about it. I don't expect it to live up to what I pictured as I read (but movies based on books never do). #games4ed
Q1: We know you want to discuss it... If you've read the book and seen the movie, what are your thoughts of each and the idea of bringing this novel to the big screen?
#games4ed
Q1: We know you want to discuss it... If you've read the book and seen the movie, what are your thoughts of each and the idea of bringing this novel to the big screen?
#games4ed
Loved the book, loved the movie's interpretation. It really is a Charlie & the Chocolate retelling in a virtual world - there is a blog post about it brewing inside of me #games4ed
Yeah, they really did manage to avoid the whole school thing didn't they. Hmmmm. was a big part of the book and could have been very interesting to see how it was interpreted in the movie. #games4ed
I don't know if it's really happening but there was some buzz about a free screening of #readyplayerone at #ISTE18 (not sure if it's an @iste sponsored thing) with the possibility of a Q&A after. Hope it's not #fakenews#games4ed
A2: I really believe VR and AR are going to revolutionize education. The possibilities of visiting museums, planets, monuments, etc. is incredible. Brings the student directly into the curriculum #games4ed
Oh, and another fun Ode to the 80s book that I just read is The Impossible Fortress. Another fun read...no #VR since it was set in the 80s, but lots of video game design! #games4ed
A2 - I think unless we figure out (sooner rather than later) how we're going to keep people employed and making *livable* wages, we're going to be moving even more so to the "stacks". And I think how some people are raised now, isn't that dissimilar. #games4ed
A2: We already have online schools, albeit not really immersive. I don't think it's too far off. Doesn't have to be full on VR but we can do away with essentially text online virtual classes and do much more... #games4ed
Very Fahrenheit 451. :) This was always the part of the books that really got me. Wanting to interact with others, but never in person... I think we do a lot of that now via the internet, without the VR. #games4ed
A2: The aspects of Ready Player One that I think will become a reality first are greater accessibility, a wide range of experience, and also the ability to experience things in a digital world that are a challenge in the real world. (Maybe these are already possible?) #games4ed
A2: there are lots of ads for virtual school running on TV in our area. As more kids have anxiety, bullying problems, etc., I can see how it would be reasonable for parents to just switch. #games4ed
I will add that to my TBR list that I am compiling for the summer already. Almost finished with The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin - not for my MS students but a good read #games4ed
What do you mean -- it already is. We have virtual schools, changing our understanding of learning spaces too. I do hope my school gets class set of VR headsets soon - no more cardboard #games4ed
A2: I really believe VR and AR are going to revolutionize education. The possibilities of visiting museums, planets, monuments, etc. is incredible. Brings the student directly into the curriculum #games4ed
A3 - Lack of parental involvement/care in their education. Feelings of separation from schooling (both the *actual* schooling and the Ts). Being ostracized for many reasons. Trouble finding/making/keeping friends. #games4ed
Very Fahrenheit 451. :) This was always the part of the books that really got me. Wanting to interact with others, but never in person... I think we do a lot of that now via the internet, without the VR. #games4ed
A3: I think that RP1 helps emphasize that real, face-to-face interaction is becoming a challenge for many. Some demonstrate more comfort w/ digital communication. This trend is present in RP1. Realizations in the novel are valuable (i.e. p.198). #games4ed
A3: Many of our Ss concepts and understanding of family are not "traditional" & there is a sense of loneliness among Ss with working parents or absentee parents #games4ed
Sadly, you're right. The disconnect I see between some Ss and parents is already apparent. Some parents just "give up" once their child reaches high school... #games4ed
A2: the concept of digital schooling will happen. It’s too cost effective and many of the ideas from the novel sound effective at providing sound education to students all over the world. We need a platform, someone make me an OASIS plz #games4ed
Q4: We currently have online schools. What impact would a truly immersive online learning environment like The Oasis have on education? What benefits?
#games4ed
:( I've also seen so many Ss who make it to University because of parents who half carried them the whole way. And now they're floundering with the very basics. V hard for parents to find the "right" amount of involvement. #games4ed
Maybe this is a twitter chat for #games4ed - using games to connect parents & Ss. Too many of my parents are lost or struggling to connect/be present for their children today. It is very worrisome
I think to truly make online successful, we need to get past that "text online virtual classes." It truly lacks humanity and relationships. #VR and more face-to-face communication is needed in them #games4ed
I've seen my sister struggle with helping my niece with homework, because when she knew something was wrong, she'd make her fix it, without always an explanation as to *what* was wrong, which also deprives Ts of knowing where a S is struggling. #games4ed
A4 benefits would be access to learning anytime, really develop understanding by close interaction, but at the cost of loss of human interaction #games4ed
A4: My biggest concern is the lack of face to face interaction and I love how in the end of the movie that the Oasis was turned off 2 days a week. There was a blatant message that we need each other & human interaction is key #games4ed
The thing I've always encountered with online / self instructed schooling, is that most Ss (young or adult) are not self motivated. They need that classroom and face-to-face time / accountability to keep going. (Some of this could be fixed by better class design...) #games4ed
A4: in the book the 'immersive' school was awful! Everyone just slept through class, if they attended. So much else to do! Online schools will be the downfall of education. Totally impersonalized #games4ed
A4: Immersive online learning environments like The Oasis could have a huge impact on distance learning, especially for Ss w/ barriers such as location & medical conditions. These are the biggest benefits, & also bringing more engagement to digital learning communities. #games4ed
A5 - Allow us to isolate ourselves even more. Personally, I worry about increase in #depression, as we realize we don't have "real" friends who will show up at our house and interact with us in person. I don't think online = in person (can be close...) #games4ed
Q4: We currently have online schools. What impact would a truly immersive online learning environment like The Oasis have on education? What benefits?
#games4ed
A4) I believe online school could benefit some. Many students are independent learners, and those would benefit from working at their own pace online-- however, the ones who need guidance and supports, may not benefit as much- or may just benefit the same...#games4ed
I teach grad classes online and they are self paced modules for Ss to complete. If one is not responsible, advocates for oneself, or diligent with deadlines, it doesn't work well & more aggravation than learning #games4ed
This comment reminds me of a German class we took long-distance and talked via telephone to a teacher once a week. We all took turns "being absent" so we could take a nap or catch up on other work. #games4ed
A4: students could move at their own pace and dive deeper into topics that match their interests. What if only one kid in a regular class finished the marine bio unit on day 2? #games4ed
A4 Haven't seen the movie but AR instruction that capitalizes on the always on nature of the tech we and our Ss use is going to change #edtech and education as we know it. Super exciting time to be empowered to try, even if you fail! #games4ed
Agreed, need a hybrid where there is a mix of both and reading online - input and output perspective on education is not what learning is about #games4ed
Agreed. I don't think Ps often have good resources (or know where to find good resources) on how to deal with this. I've watched one of my BIL learn how to read to his kids by watching myself, sister, mom. Before it was monotone and not interactive. #games4ed
You're right. Research shows humans need connection and socialization, even the most introverted. For any online school to succeed, there has to be successful social connections #games4ed
Pacing is absolutely both a strength and a challenge! As a T we love mastery based self paced, but it can be miserable to try to motivate Ss whose pace is slothenly... #games4ed
OMG - this is the theme of weekly team meetings: Have we scaffolded too much, how can get Ss to be independent learners, who wrote the paper (mom or tutor), etc #games4ed
A5: A 100% digital educational environment would not provide Ss w/ full relationships w/ teachers and classmates. In terms of distance learning, I have wished for years that online orgs & Ts would make better use of video calling and similar tools (& VR in the future). #games4ed
A5) social interaction and mentorship/guidance are two of the main ones that come to mind immediately. online school could eliminate social interaction, which, is an important skill to learn for the 'real world'.. maybe add in weekly in-person seminars... #games4ed
A5 Touched on it before, but motivation will always be a challenge, particularly when instruction is self paced. The immersive component could allow access to things Ss actually like, so the knife cuts both ways... #edtech#games4ed
A5 - As has been repeated earlier by many, the lack of face-to-face time. As much as we may find people we better connect with online, we do have to live in our physical realities, and that means finding ways to connect with those people too. #games4ed
I think that schools are continuing to evolve and technology is not a magic bullet but can support students w/the right facilitation to be engaged, critical citizens #games4ed
A5 lack of F2F interaction, but having the tools to engage in synchronous/meetings, see classmates, develop an online presence, have to build that in to feel connected and attach meaning to learning #games4ed
A great point. I'm not sure an online immersive school would be a fit for everyone. Some kids really need that face to face teacher. And some kids just need another reliable adult that they can talk to and be with. #games4ed
A5: The obvious would be lack of face to face socialization. I have taken online courses and made wonderful friendships that have extended outside the class so we can bridge that gap and don't lose socialization through the course time, but it's still missing something #games4ed
I would adjust slightly and say motivation will be a challenge for many - some thrive in this environment but it's DEFINITELY not for everyone! #games4ed - I've taught online classes and some kids just can't handle the self paced approach.
A5 Touched on it before, but motivation will always be a challenge, particularly when instruction is self paced. The immersive component could allow access to things Ss actually like, so the knife cuts both ways... #edtech#games4ed
I don't think it would be best for ANYONE! Even if we think are students are great now, we really haven't prepared them in the best way with an industrial model. #games4ed
As we live more and more behind avatars, how does that impact our view of ourselves? The avatar can have the "correct" body type, have the right race/religion/gender. Things that aren't always so easy to change in person. #games4ed
A4: we have many Ss who don’t function in a regular ed setting. Instead of battling them every day, and accomplishing nothing, online programs would give them other options while giving the other Ss a chance to learn without those distractions. It’s been a rough week :/ #games4ed
so perfect that you two have the @OnEducationPod together. You compliment each other so well (and compliment is a funny word here if used out of context) #games4ed
In reply to
@irvspanish, @misterwashburn, @OnEducationPod
Q6: Did the book or movie go far enough in discussing societal and/or ethical implications of VR? Which aspects do you personally feel are important?
#games4ed
N, you bring up another interesting point I haven't considered. We've talked so much about interpersonal, but how would this affect our own identity? Especially in teen years where so much of their focus is finding that identity... #games4ed
As we live more and more behind avatars, how does that impact our view of ourselves? The avatar can have the "correct" body type, have the right race/religion/gender. Things that aren't always so easy to change in person. #games4ed
Like I said during the introduction, Mr. Anderson... My name, is #Neo. Our Ss have digital personas as an addition to all the others. We need to help them learn how to manage those appropriately. #digcit#games4ed
In reply to
@MusingsOnEdTech, @mpilakow, @Astabeth
I agree, Glen! I just feel the movie extracted a lot of the meat of the concept, story, and characters, and replaced it with special effects. #games4ed
Q6: Did the book or movie go far enough in discussing societal and/or ethical implications of VR? Which aspects do you personally feel are important?
#games4ed
A1: the book does seem to show the impact to the main character’s health. At the start he is pasty, fat and very out of shape, but I do not think it discusses the mental health aspect enough #games4ed
A6: I wish that both the book & movie versions of RP1 went further in their discussion of how #vr (& other tech) could impact society in the future. See the attached image. Kline could have gone even further w/ commentary of VR/tech on minorities and society in general. #games4ed
A6 - Nope, no where near far enough. And this is a topic that is super important right now. We're handing over MASSIVE amounts of information about ourselves to companies (and government). There is *one* OASIS and *one* group profiting. Monopolies are good/bad. #games4ed
Q6: Did the book or movie go far enough in discussing societal and/or ethical implications of VR? Which aspects do you personally feel are important?
#games4ed
So true. In our school we have alternate online classes (which I'm not a huge fan of), but they're for those students you mention. Adding a #VR component would make their learning so much richer, and I could see them being more engaged in those lessons #games4ed
It was interesting to me that Wade's character was a bit teen movie-fied - whereas in the book I imagined him a lot different and over weight as he described himself. Avatar can be self esteem boost or complete altered #games4ed
In reply to
@MusingsOnEdTech, @mpilakow, @PCookTech, @Astabeth
A6: I wish that both the book & movie versions of RP1 went further in their discussion of how #vr (& other tech) could impact society in the future. See the attached image. Kline could have gone even further w/ commentary of VR/tech on minorities and society in general. #games4ed
A6: SPOILER—— I liked how Halliday says that he made a mistake by making it so easy for people to hide from their problems in the real world and offers the killswitch to destroy his life’s work. There were so many hints that Wade was appreciating IRL more and more #games4ed
A6: I wish that both the book & movie versions of RP1 went further in their discussion of how #vr (& other tech) could impact society in the future. See the attached image. Kline could have gone even further w/ commentary of VR/tech on minorities and society in general. #games4ed
A7: Beyond VR, another issue in RP1 that could be addressed in the classroom is screen time. This week, at Google I/O, some features to help people w/ BALANCE that sounded good: time management, #winddown, #donotdisturb when phone is face down: https://t.co/fhoctzlNl7#games4ed
A7 - I think it can be interesting to take the time period in question (80s) and try to re-create the book focusing on female icons of pop culture. While it "went there" on some aspects, it was still very male driven. #games4ed
A7: Such rich potential for discussion around social issues, importance of relationships, #SEL stuff for sure - The OASIS was such an escape for Wade but how often did he get to really address the deep rooted emotional stuff? #games4ed
A7: One thing I've read about a lot lately is the importance of nature in both our creativty and stress levels. What impact is the lack of nature have on people and life in the future? #games4ed
A8 - The future is scary. 😛
We need to think really carefully as we move forward with VR/AR/IR in schools so that we're aware of what new problems we may be introducing, even as we solve others. #games4ed
Before #games4ed ends 2night I just want to share that I am giving away a copy of my new book #PersonalizedReading (ISTE, 2018). Share a digital strategy or tool you use w/Ss to help them be successful readers. Tweet me & use the hashtag #PersonalizedReading
Most of the controversy over the book I've encountered is specifically how it pretty much writes out any achievements done by women during the 80s, like the only important stuff was that done by men. It definitely makes you do a double take. #games4ed
A8 Lots of implications of #edtech and VR/AR for our Ss. They are going to be exposed (immersed) in it with or without us, so we need to figure out how to support them in learning to use the tech while remaining in touch with reality and other people! #games4ed
A8) reflecting on my own schooling. I would have loved to school in VR but I would have turned out completely different. You learn a lot from dealing with bullies, acceptance of different people, and getting out of your comfort zone. I’m less sold on online ed now. #games4ed
There are many gaming lessons in Ready Player One for teachers & Gamers - Technology needs thoughtful implementation for supporting learning, showing tenacity, and creating critical & digital citizens #games4ed
I love using @activelylearn while teaching Macbeth and Hamlet. I can link the video for each scene, embed questions, and add sidenotes and images that are referenced in the text! It's a must have for me! #engchat#engsschat#2ndaryela#elachat
A8 loved hearing everyone's perspectives on the book/movie, but also the concerns about a fully immersive learning exper, be mindful of benefit of tech at cost of human interaction #games4ed
A8: I liked here some perspectives on the value of the film. Also, I think that the more we can discuss implications of new/trending technologies, the better. #happymediun#games4ed
Me too... I tried to convince my parents to let me do online in HS, and my mom said no. Worried I wouldn't interact with others if I didn't have to (probably true). #games4ed
A8: I liked to hear some others’ perspectives on the value of the film. Also, I think that the more we can discuss implications of new/trending technologies, the better. #happymedium#games4ed
Fantastic chat tonight everyone, even if it was VR! Thanks to @mpilakow for moderating! Remember to follow those with ideas you find challenging or interesting! #games4ed
Y'all are all so smart! One of my life goals is to surround myself with people smarter than I am so I can always be learning. Thanks for the great chat tonight. And thank you, @mpilakow for hosting! #games4ed
#games4ed thank you for helping me to think critically about Ready Player One - Lots of gaming in popular culture today worth discussing as a text and as a teaching tool. @mpilakow always an awesome host
Thanks @mpilakow for an insightful chat tonight. Lots to think about. Might pull out my copy and start re-reading (read about 2-3 years ago). #games4ed
