Welcome to #XPLAP tonight’s chat is a game jam… First introduce yourself… What do you teach, where do you teach, and what was the best part of your day?
Hello everyone! My name is Destiny Huggins. I teach 4th math and sci in Houston, TX best part of my day Huggins my kids each morning and hugging them each day when they leave! #XPLAP
Hello everyone. Best part of my day, participating with @goformative in an Ironchef protocol activity with head chef @davidwkwan and fellow #goformative certified educators @vendi55 and Michael Lutz #XPLAP
Hey! I'm Triva. I teach 7th grade ELA in Manteo, NC. I'm on spring break so the best part of my day was sitting on my deck reading Innovator's Mindset. #XPLAP
Hola #XPLAP Irv from MN -Former #Spanish Teacher now I get to work with teachers daily to get the best out of their Ss :) Very excited about this game jam! #XPLAP
Katie, 6th grade, IN checking out this game jam thing. Best part of my day was that my classroom was in the part of the building that maintained power after today’s storms & brownout 👍 #xplap
Hello #XPLAP! Ambre from SoCal here and I teach 11th/12th English SDP classes. Best part of day: 6th period class creating amazing #sketchnotes with #Newsela-
Hi! Kirsten from MD excited to follow along tonight. I teach 8th grade ELA and 7th grade Digital Communication. Looking for some fun game ideas. Best part of the day was putting on PJs (I am 8 months pregnant). #XPLAP
Hey there #XPLAP! Jocelyn from Toronto, Digital Literacy Resource Teacher. Best part of my day was being pampered at the hair salon! Hooray for spring colours!
Hi all... John from STL MO... 3rd grade T jumping in for a bit... best part of the day was seeing entire school cheering on other Ss during the Olympic Games activities our spec ed Ts put together for their kids #xplap
Oooh...best part of my day was hanging out with two first-year teachers and helping them plan their cross-curricular research paper. Love their excitement! #xplap
Round 1: USB - hide clues within, give out to Ss as a reward after opening a specific level, contains elements to start a new thread or quest in your #gamified class #XPLAP
A1 Love to put a mysterious Flash Drive hanging around in a random spot with a strange note attached to it... Students open up the doc on it and find a GForm with data validation riddles in it related to content. Add excitement! #XPLAP
R1: We could use a USB drive in our games to have students keep their groups digital quests… Then tell students you will take them home and check them on Wednesday nights. #XPLAP
A1 I'm thinking of hiding it somewhere in the room or school and if a Ss find its use it as an easter egg with a secret message to decode or something along those lines #xplap
To find the amount of free space on drive? See what percent of the drive has pictures versus documents? Am I on right track with this? First timer #XPLAP
First thought is an escape room. Like when you have the find the right lock, maybe you have to find the right usb with the assignment or answer key... #xplap
Thanks, Noa. I’ve becoming really excited about creating digital escape rooms and have found that combing them with a scavenger hunt type feel really increases interest. #xplap
A1 Create a relay like game. First usb leads to second usb that leads to a third, until the round is done. First team gets max XP and down from there #XPLAP
A1. Use for a chain game/relay race? Each team member needs to complete a task and save to the drive before it can be passed to the next teammate? #XPLAP
Round 1: The beauty of USB drives is the versatility. They come in different shapes and sizes. You can add in a few red herrings with them. You can have a very mission impossible-esque theme. #xplap
A2: Various clipboards house different types of information - Maybe make them different colors. All clues housed there are relevant to only one clue/idea - Have to use the combination of them to solve - but can only access one at a time :) #XPLAP
I like having physical objects, but I also worry about my stuff disappearing. seems to be happening a lot for me this year (but USBs are cheep these days) #XPLAP
R2: A more literal use, I have white board paper on the back of a couple dozen clipboards. Ss use it for wagering, for answers, for brainstorming, for arranging post-it notes...#xplap
A1 I LOVE having a USB with a password-protected Word Doc in it. Students think they've found a clue, only to realize they need ANOTHER to open the Flash Drive file... *cue evil laugh* #XPLAP
A2 Use clipboards to keep answers secrets from classmates, I also use it to add XP to students as I walk around and see Ss are working. Use them to hide clues or answers #xplap
R2: I Clipboards hung on board for students to sign up for quests… Once a party of 4 have been made, the get their quest… Till then, the clipboard hangs there waiting more players. #XPLAP
Building on this, guilds or characters typeshave one color. The only way to work things out is if you have talked to/collaborated with other guilds/characters types. #XPLAP
A2: enough clipboards for # groups. Each acts as a station with a “secret” task that must be completed before moving to next one. Tasks could be coded w group number or groups could take based on when they finish initial and move on to the next, so contain dif boosts too #xplap
You can even save a massive map file (using multiple sheets of paper!) on a USB and have students print out to solve a physical map puzzle. Indiana Jones / Well Of Souls style. Hey @mrmatera - what’s that iOS site for oversized maps? #xplap
✨Round 2: Clipboards came in very handy when we played @mrmatera's Master Chef Relay Race Challange. Such a fun educational competition with so many possibilities! #XPLAP✨
A2. Each clipboard is a different station that contains a game question or clue. Students either respond on the paper clipped on the board (to share - no repeated answers) or on their own capture sheet (to keep ideas and progress secret) #XPLAP
R2: What if each clipboard has a list of "word sneak" words. If you say one you have to hold the clipboard till you hear someone else say on. While you are waiting you can't talk, just listen. #XPLAP
A2: My Ss recently used clipboards to record results during our Math March Madness Basketball Shootout game! Ss were “recruiters” and collected data as each S took a turn at the free throw line! Clipboards help create flexible learning opportunities! #XPLAP
A1 Create a relay like game. First usb leads to second usb that leads to a third, until the round is done. First team gets max XP and down from there #XPLAP
R3 My brother and I used to fashion paperclips into lock picks for the locks we would buy in quarter machines. I don't really know how this relates to the #XPLAP game jam - just good memories.
R3: Paper clips… Have students collect paper clips in a review game… They need to build a chain that can cross obstacles… Think World of Goo, but with Paper clips for a review game. #XPLAP
R3: a weight for paper airplanes. Ss make a hypothesis in science about how far the plane will fly. May need to add weight to it to make it go further. #XPLAP
R3: Colored paperclips could be hidden, awarded, given out...then powers revealed. Could be as simple as clipping them on papers being turned back to students #xplap
r3) I feel like I should be able to do something with parts of an atom or balancing chemical reactions. Maybe different colors for different elements, shows the conservation. #XPLAP
R3. Collectible sets. Color coded. Combine like Voltron. Trade in for additional power-up / ability unlock. Super easy way to add subtle gamification. #xplap
Love this! Even if they are virtual obstacles, they would have to figure out how many they need to cross, or even get creative creating ropes to jump over water or something :) #XPLAP
A1 - Having students decode a message on it that tells us the challenge we need to complete in order to make it to the next level. I’d hide the usb in a student’s desk, cubby, or around the back computers with an item label #XPLAP
R3: Paper clips… Have students collect paper clips in a review game… They need to build a chain that can cross obstacles… Think World of Goo, but with Paper clips for a review game. #XPLAP
A3. Use paper clips as "chips" or "points." Or have different colors represent different questions/tasks to complete. Paper clips are also handy for attaching paper clues/posters to window blinds! #XPLAP
#XPLAP What if the paper clips were used to keep score, and every now and again there was a colored paper clip with extra power. Ss have to collaborate with another guild to earn it. #XPLAP
A2: each classroom has a different clipboard hidden somewhere. Ss have to find it, snap a pic of them with it or take something off it, all without being seen by another group as a way to earn a special item, badge, or XP #XPLAP
A2: Clipboards to use for "match mine" mini competitions where players are back to back. One person gives the clues, while the other tries to match it before advancing. #xplap
✨Round 3: Paper clips...could be used as tokens and be able to be redeemed for XP, prizes, or to reach new levels in the game. My other thought, is that they could be bent to make creative representations of the content Ss are learning as a side mission. #XPLAP✨
I like the idea of messages on the clipboards, what if they were hidden clues left for “allianced guilds” from other classes. Keep the learning going across classes. #XPLAP
Distribute paper clips of different colors and sizes as students work but don’t tell them what they mean. Maybe they mean nothing. But they’ll be like, “Wait, mine’s blue. Is that better than a big silver one? Who’s winning?” #xplap
I think if given to those Ss who just thrive on creating, the possibilities are endless. Maybe we just give Ss a handful and see what they do with them. #XPLAP
A4: Envelopes are #awesome - Secret letters from villains are intercepted by Ss to figure out a mystery - Envelopes could house some pieces of info necessary to solve quests, etc.. #XPLAP
A2 clipboards could have a quarter of a drawing on the corner where you need four boards to create the picture. Maybe use for grouping, represent team or allies or find enemies #XPLAP
Love the different colors without reasons for the meaning. It would be interesting to see if they kids start to assign meaning or value on their own. #XPLAP
not if it's the avenue you use to send your messages and codes to your alliances across the room, now you have to figure out aerodynamics or your message could get intercepted by the opposition.
#xplap
R4 I REALLY badly want to seal an envelope with wax and use a Signet Ring to put a seal in it... then send it secretly to a student in the class, who can decide who to share it with #XPLAP
A3 I had an #xplapcamp game jam creator. 2 teams. 1 pic. The 2 teams could only have 1 per team communicate. The 2 pics created 1 overall pic connected t
With 2 paper clips! #XPLAP
A4 use them to keep clues or conceal clues in a @breakoutEDU, use envelopes to play the game danger cars, have winning surprise for teams concealed for mystery prize at the end of a game #xplap
r4) could use envelopes for a random drawing event. Students pick one Envelope, maybe something good inside, maybe something bad. Maybe an random encounter of the day. #XPLAP
A4: envelopes hold sections of info that have to be placed together with the missing pieces. Have to locate the envelopes that best belong together and explain why they fit, or lib it into a LEGO challenge after where the matched info now has to be built #XPLAP
Put a different step of each problem or task in an envelope, a set of envelopes for each group. Turn a completed envelope in for next one. Easy way to keep track of who’s winning and builds suspense. #xplap
R4. For some crazy reason, my students *LOVE* it when we use envelopes for a “Maury Povich Show” inspired dramatic reveal for group roles. Like, irrationally so. “Team X... you ARE the (role).” Craziest thing. #xplap
R4: Send a mystery letter from a character/historical figure in current or upcoming unit. A mystery to solve as the unit progresses. Add clues to envelope-stamp, postmark, return address, other markings #xplap
R4: Different clues for different activities/challenges in envelopes. Ss have to work together to discover what clues goes together to solve the puzzle. #XPLAP
R4: just like using the USB for passing secret messages, we go old school and use envelopes to pass messages to Ss or they pass between each other during a side quest /mission. #XPLAP
A4: Envoy or ambassador/spy messages between groups (real or fake of course)... but to continue on the MacGyver idea others proposed... a paper clip, envelope and two clipboards... build a functioning plane :) #xplap
R4: Different envelopes for each pair. Collectively the teams come together with their envelope tasks completed to move on to a collective challenge. #xplap
Once had a staff member walk in and give a student an envelope with a letter that launched him on a real-life quest. Led him to another envelope with clues and supplies for rest of class. I pretended to have no idea what was going on. #xplap
It’s always so fun when the whole team is involved! We just did a whole grade escape room the day before break (Thursday), and the Ts wrote ?s for their contents. #xplap
A4: Long play #ARG@PaulDarvasi style clue - Actually send a letter from a random location you know someone at to start Ss down a rabbit hole-- Feels authentic...even a bit creepy! #XPLAP
I keep thinking of the Johnny Carson bit where he had a word inside the envelope and asked a question that would be answered by it. Then he would open it. Always funny. I can’t remember the character name. #xplap
✨ROUND 4: Envelopes: I like to cut up parts of a story, essay, article, etc. into strips and put them in envelopes. Students then have to put them back together like a puzzle. They have to get it put back together correctly to earn points, or move on! #XPLAP✨
Oh, what if the envelopes cannot be moved. Only sages can read the info (riddle style), and must then communicate the riddle to the rest of the team, who must solve it without having had access to it? #XPLAP
R4 Not really a game, but would love to use envelopes for some type of Karnak hook that would intro vocab or ideas for a lesson. Maybe after students have seen it, they could make their own. #xplap
Nice! In my HP themed classroom, I could see it taking a Ravenclaw to read the riddle since their strengths are reasoning and logic. Great idea! #xplap
Envelopes are also great for just holding pieces. Worksheets are boring. But cut one with answers apart and have kids match questions to answers? Or sort questions into categories? Magic. #xplap
R5: This is the toughest one yet...maybe a perseverance game (ala Big Brother, Survivor) whoever can hold weight out in front of them longest get a clue for their team #xplap
✨Round 4 (2): After a little Google Search, I found these accordion envelope books on https://t.co/I5uupT8EeA, probably a lot of cool possibilities for these too! #XPLAP ✨
r5) kinda specific, but we talk about power and work in my physical science class, could use the weights for a team to show the most amount of power. #XPLAP
R5: Weights… How about having different weight challenge… Students have to hold up a 5/10/15/20 lb weight for the class. The last standing in this physical challenge earns something… They must all still do all the classroom tasks that are required for the day. #XPLAP
A5 not a fully realized idea. What if some answers had a wieght and had to balance with another teams, correct answers had certain, weight which would,even out with another team... #XPLAP
A5: What if weights act like speed bumps. Teams can put them on other teams clues, so in order to retrieve your clues you have to clear all the weights first. #XPLAP
I do this also. I like to do this to review text structure. Ss put the passage together, decide how it's organized, and draw/complete the correct graphic organizer. #XPLAP
R5: kids pick if they want brain or brawn team. Brawn team has to do curls over and over until brain team misses a question…then they switch. Most questions answered & most curls win. #XPLAP
A5: make the weight a curse. The group or person has to have it with then at all times. Create a mechanic that lets them pass the curse on. Call it the weight of the world curse. #XPLAP
R5 Really like this unique challenge, but I get uncomfortable doing one that might exclude students with disabilities. Doing a challenge around lifting might be exclusionary... #XPLAP
r6) I used to know someone who had a "triathalon" challenge. Students had to track their physical activity and see if they could beat the teacher. #XPLAP
A6 keep track of steps as a challenge to stay active and earn bonus XP's for most steps, tie it into math and convert steps to miles or distance traveled and see which family traveled the farthest together to tie in accountability #xplap
A4: what if you put the info in the envelope, sealed it, “sensed” the answer, and had Ss guess what the info was. Closest wins. Maybe even combine with dice game to limit word count on response #xplap@psamel
R4 Not really a game, but would love to use envelopes for some type of Karnak hook that would intro vocab or ideas for a lesson. Maybe after students have seen it, they could make their own. #xplap
R6: Love this! Use fit bit to get Ss up and moving more in class. Make it a competition. The team who earns the most movement points for the day/week earns XP points. #XPLAP
Or the kids could earn weights and building materials. Then build a structure to support an opposing team’s weights. Structure left standing while supporting opponents weight wins. #XPLAP
R5 Maybe incorporate weights in a relay. Teams have to complete an academic task, then each complete 5 curls (or whatever) before they can get the next challenge. #XPLAP
R6: Fitbit challenge… Have students create groups and have them compete in a step challenge… More steps = distance traveled in your game… Each 1000 steps earns them a chance to discover something in your game. Now go EXPLORE…. #XPLAP
R6: We use a physical map in our game. It could be cool to uncorporate Fit Bits to portray the Tolkien-esque idea of travel. Guild steps in a day = distance traveled. #xplap
A6: spoke to a gym teacher about this. Multiple ways to score points. Steps. Heart rate zone duration. Actually winning the game they are playing. Means Ss can win even if they are terrible at the actual game they are playing. #XPLAP
A5: What if the weights are just a decoy? Set them in the middle of the room and don't saying anything about them. If students ask just whisper "not now, they're watching." Then don't ever address it again. #xplap
A bit off-topic, but I’d love to get a cross-section of students to wear a Fitbit in my class for several days to help me assess if I’m getting them moving enough. Or all day to look at that as a school. #xplap
I like this. I’m thinking you could have stations so that each team member had to complete one station. They could decide who is best suited to each task. The weights could be one if the tasks, clipboards a second, etc. #xplap
R6 I use Difficulty Checks with a d20 for certain taks. If a task involved modifier from strength or dexterity, those with 10k previous day could get a bonus/dice modifier #xplap
Sorry everyone I have to cut out a little early . Always a pleasure to chat and exchange ideas withe everyone. Can't wait to check back and see all the ideas I missed. Enjoy the rest of the chat! #xplap
Must be going but wanted to say thanks to all for awesome response and to @mrmatera for a great #xplap chat... was planning on lurking but got drawn in by all the fun!!!
Players cannot talk live to teammates. Each player at different stations. Must leave recording messages to next teammate to come to that station. #xplap
A6: could you imagine students writing a secret message using gps and a Fitbit! Or we give them locations to run to and it spells out a message. #XPLAP
R7: My mind first jumps to using an audio recording as a clue. Who is speaking? They have the clue...what do you hear to help you figure out where to go.
#XPLAP
R7 Would be awesome if they got a message that seemed like gibberish, but students have to figure out a way to play it backwards. If they do, they hear a clue-filled message... #XPLAP
R7. Instant enhancement for any classroom to use short .MP3 files made using free voice modification apps. (think Jigsaw, Scream, Bane). Instructions feel like discovered clues - or “warnings” from big bad enemies. #xplap
R7: What if it is a bad audio recording. Kids have to find clues for the missing words.When they figure it out they have to make an announcement to helps others who haven’t figured it out yet. #XPLAP
A1-6. Set up hunt where Ss carry clipboard w/notes. Attach envelopes to weights so they cant be moved. Inside are USBs that they must return to class to plug in. Lowest heart rate on fitbit gets bonus pts. Each team is a diff color paper clip that advances on a map. #XPLAP
A3 I use them for lab partners sometimes. They could also be used to create teams. In fact, that might be how I create tribes for survivor science this year! #xplap
R8: I love Sand timers… I create activities that groups have choices of what they can do… They place a sand timer on that box and now can only work on that till it runs out… After that, they switch to another box they choose… Can’t change till time runs out. #XPLAP
R7 Create a mystery audio recording and have it play it on youtube w/out telling the students. It makes sound effect or gives a hint at random intervals and is silent in between. Lots of things we could do with this. #XPLAP
ANy idea how to do that, or would you just record your self and edit out some words? I am pretty lost on the digital versus analog signals standard. #XPLAP
R8. Remember that scene in The Wizard of Oz? You know the one. Physical sand timers are so great for immediate sense of urgency. And you can usually buy one cheap at @Target! (Just make sure to clock it once before the class so you know the exact amount of time!) #XPLAP
A8: Randomly put one out and flip it over without saying anything and see how it changes the room dynamic- then have something fantastic happen when it’s empty! #XPLAP
R7: With a voice changing app or website. You can record a message and transport your students anywhere!... Students can find these messages anywhere and they can share or keep it to themselves. #XPLAP
r7) I have a random alien noise that plays during one activity. Computer is just showing static (cause we were attacked/hacked) and suddenly starts making creepy noises. #XPLAP
I have HS students so probably have a friend with old cassette radios which means they'd have to take time outside of class. I laughed though because I'm sure there are some though that have never used one #xplap
R8 Build a sand timer with a figure in it who fits the theme of your game. When the figure is completely submerged, the team/class loses the challenge. Kind of a nod to the final scene in Aladdin #XPLAP
Only one team gets to work with the clues while timer is running. Other's can watch but not communicate (or they have to type their response in a back channel format). When time runs out teams switch spots.
#XPLAP
A8: As a powerup. The guild that "won" in the previous activity can start before the rest (like in cooking shows), the rest must wait until the sand goes down. #XPLAP
Not sure, but there are lots of different voice modifiers out there. My kids really like them. Maybe do a mix with that and have students record one or two words. iMovie lates you adjust sound tracks as you want. #XPLAP
Post Jam A1: Have students work to build meaning and connections out of some random content that you have given them… Maybe even as an opener to a unit… All facts they don’t know… Then do it again at the end of the unit. #XPLAP
A1: I could do something similar with our novels. I could give the students a random object and have them explain how it connects to their novel. #xplap
A8. Maybe having multiple small sand timers could be used as rewards or penalties. Sometimes groups could be awarded the "gift" of extra time to complete a task or vice versa, a "penalty" timer added before they can move on. #XPLAP
We just had an open-ended project for a science unit, and they came up with everything from Minecraft worlds to digital comics, children’s books, food challenges, etc. I never would have thought of all that. I love it. #XPLAP
Having to jump ship a little early. 2 year old is ready for night night. Thanks for an awesome chat! I can’t wait to use some of these amazing idea!!! #XPLAP
✨Round 6: FIT BIT: Ask students a question that requires a numerical answer and they have to get the FIt Bit step counter to reflect the correct answer! #XPLAP✨
A4: envelopes hold sections of info that have to be placed together with the missing pieces. Have to locate the envelopes that best belong together and explain why they fit, or lib it into a LEGO challenge after where the matched info now has to be built #XPLAP
A4 Love to do 5 min challenge, when kids come in they see envelopes on tables, and directions on screen, they know when the timer goes off it's GAME OVER #XPLAP
Post Jam Q2: The fact that I needed a quick response made me nervous. I felt like a lot of my answers were pretty basic not really innovative. Like to have time to think through activities. #XPLAP
Last, but not least, what I was thinking about specifically was this thing That I created on formative taking words out of a story https://t.co/evk3MLGnO2 You will need to sign up, but it is free #xplap
I recently found scratch n sniff stickers - used them in a breakout - a scent was the answer to a clue that coincided with a cypher which got them into a lock! #XPLAP
PostJam2: Moving on was the hardest. I want to keep working on an idea and polish it off. This is a great lesson for me. Sometimes I need to just implement and adjust as it goes. It makes it more exciting for me and the kids. #XPLAP
Post Jam 2: The time crunch and trying to look at rest of the answers while trying to come up with interesting things. Fighting with my judgmental self -"I cannot share that, it's lame!" #XPLAP
