I'm Michael Matera
6th grade teacher, father, gamer, youtuber, and foodie...
Story from today... My daugher and I both love everything seasoning... Tonight we put it all over our homemade Naan bread... It was amazing! #XPLAP
Ryan, 8th Grade 19th century US History, Olathe, KS. Today had two separate grps break the record for fastest time on the Underground RR breakout I designed for their Adventure Path #XPLAP
hi everyone, Jay from NE, MS science teacher. Today we had a snow day so I got to snowblow the driveway and drink hot chocolate with my 4 year old. #xplap
Hi, I'm Adam, Inst Tech Coach from Illinois. Today I was reminded of a game I was going to build over the summer that went on the back burner. Now it's on the front burner and I'm pretty excited about it. #XPLAP
Hi #XPLAP I'm Patrick Amel from Oshkosh, WI I went to school before 5 this morning to prep for a sub so I could stay home with my son who was out sick. We spent a lot of time reading on the couch.
Hi! Jocelyn, Digital Literacy Consultant, Toronto. Got to help a teacher design a gamified Web Design course today! Kids will ask for a lesson/activity from Ts to gamify for them and design a personalized website for each teacher! The KIDS will gamify stuff! #XPLAP
Hello! I’m Dalton Quick - high school ELA teacher in Plato, MO... today my journalism students were reporters at the scene for Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech - reporting a breaking news story on the emotional and political power of the march. #XPLAP
At my son's baseball practice today a batter hit the ball right at my face. There was a net and I was not in danger, but I freaked out anyway. Everyone had a good laugh. Especially my son. #XPLAP
Great to be here! I have been planning to participate last 2 weeks, then got caught up with something and both times realized I missed it as I was heading to bed. Excited to get some new quest ideas tonight! Will is feeling better. #xplap
A1 I like to vary the quests. Some digital and some more physical and hands-on. I also like to make students search for items/clues around the school to progress in the quest. #XPLAP
Hello, I'm Josh, 6th grade ELA teacher from Olathe, KS. My daughter asked me to describe my day in one word and I told her it was uneventful. I'll need to fix that for tomorrow. #xplap
A1: I typically try to find unique stories from US History that rarely get taught. One of my favs is to have Ss create a replica of an artifact brought back from the US Exploring Expedition. 1 S created a Fijian necklace of teeth made out of clay she painted. #XPLAP
A1 I don’t have any, but looking forward to gaining ideas. I recently watched a lesson with 1st graders completing “space missions” to rescue “Commander Link.”#XPLAP
A1 - as assistant principal I try to challenge staff (and myself) to go on the quest of always chasing continuous improvement. Quest of reflection and growth.
#XPLAP
a1) I had a quest to create a submarine one year for studying density. Students had to make one sink, one float on top, and one hover in the middle to explore an ocean world. #xplap
A1 Right now we have a couple of fun quests going. One is using Google slides to create an animation story w our Wizard Academy characters. Another is creating a chain reaction machine that ties into our study of energy. #xplap
A1: Sometimes we go on a class quest like today when we tried to get into the giant's castle. They had to solve vocabulary riddles to earn keys to unlock it. Other times, they have individual or group quests. #xplap
Hey... John 3rd grade T checking in late. I set up a challenge for Ss to complete while I was out for about an hour... forgot to make the Slides editable in Google Classroom... told Ss it was on purpose so they could figure out Make a Copy :) #xplap
This is basically what they are doing with this quest. Ss are really excited about it and it's fun to see them putting in the time on this at home. Then they share a video of their creation. #xplap
A1- Lately my quests have revolved around our new theme. A super villain is trying to steal all the knowledge in the ‘ever-verse’. It’s our alliances’ job to thwart his attacks. 😂#XPLAP
A1: One of my favorite quests was a 3D scavenger hunt at home. They loaded vidoes showing 3D shapes they found around their home using Seesaw. So fun! #xplap
A2 @classcraftgame is great for posting quests because the default is a map. However, I would love to create my own map with hidden areas that require more exploration. #XPLAP
Hi #XPLAP Crew! Susan Basalik, music teacher from near Philly, PA. Our gig story on Action News (as we say around here) is that I finally finished a game that I've been creating for my stringed instrument students. I'll test it tomorrow.
A2: I embarked on choice reading today... Not sensational, but new for me! Students choose their own book and then create a website they'll make with each page dictating a different analysis (author's purpose, conflict, etc.) culminating in a trailer for the book. #xplap
A2: I have a map. The Forgotten Realm has been growing slowly since school started. The kids just noticed it in January. Now, how to stop it from growing. Hmm.... #xplap
A2: I’ve thought about designing a quest for our Civil War unit that would incorporate maps onto Google Slides with links on top to take them to hidden areas/quests that branch off the main story. A bit like D&D #XPLAP
A2 I'd really like to create a map like this for our game where students can visit different places to search for our stolen artifacts. There would be an challenge in each location they would complete to search. #xplap
A1: I embarked on choice reading today... Not sensational, but new for me! Students choose their own book and then create a website they'll make with each page dictating a different analysis (author's purpose, conflict, etc.) culminating in a trailer for the book. #XPLAP
A2 - maps can be created to show the destination (goal) and all the stops along the way (checkpoints). With some creativity and time, maps can be created for almost lesson!
#XPLAP
a2) I have a blank map for my 7th grade class right now. Students had to pick a place to create their settlement based on a few facts. Slowly had them investigate landmarks and ideally look for water and natural hazards, but not sure how to do that yet #xplap
A2: My English 1 are finishing up a unit on "The Crucible." A map of the village could definitely be interesting... Could tie it into the Google Exploration we did of 1692 Salem. #xplap
A2: Theme is based on Carmen SanDiego (nemisis is her daughter Miranda)... if I get my act together we could track her crimes across the US or world via a map
#xplap
a2) I just saw an activity where students create maps tracking where the materials for some object came from. Looked pretty cool, but not sure I'm going to have time to do it now. #xplap
Something like this has been on my list for a while. Would love to do a real life scavenger hunt around the city with geocaching or even using @goosechaseEDU#xplap
A2: Once I hid an easter egg in a Google drawing using a transparent shape. I could hide things where the kids were likely to pass over. I will be teaching a PD session on our LMS. I was planning on gamifiying it, now I am also considering adding a map! #XPLAP
I have an activity where students have to try to figure out where Carmen Sandiego is based off of climate clues. Students love trying to guess where it is. #XPLAP
A2- I’d love to start creating some of my own maps for my quests. Right now making a map to go along with any of our European explorers is available as a side quest on our website. Hoping for a cool Ponce De Leon to come rolling in! #xplap
A3: One way I get more kids to do quests is I require they create a team of all 3 character classes to do the quest with- pulls groups in w/ some positive peer pressure. Less scary to try than when alone! #XPLAP
A2: Could use tools like Google My Maps or Tour Builder to have students design maps and tell stories. Love that you can add images and text to locations on My Maps and Tour Builder. Then can add them to Google Earth and view them in VR! #XPLAP
This is awesome... we already did the unit but we have a symbols/monuments mini-unit that I could incorporate next year to map these across the US... I like the climate idea... could maybe tie in with habitats/ecosystems #xplap
A3: Another way to get more buy in is having "Quest Lunch time". My kids will do anything to avoid the loud lunchroom- if they can do a quest instead they're in! #XPLAP
A3: My Ss are motivated by being at the top of the leaderboard and uncovering special items/badges that can only be earned on certain quests or combos of quests. I’ve already had more quests completed this year than previous years. #XPLAP
A2 #XPLAP I am not sure about adding a map to my next quest in class, but I did use a school map and use a basis for our crusade and quest for the Holy Grail in Renaissance Unit. Brought in priest to guide Ss using the map & find clues to lead us around school to the Holy Lands
A3: Since my students are young (2nd grade), they need a little bit more help in knowing a new sidequest (secret mission in my game) is up & clarification w/ directions. Once 1 finds it, they usually jump in. #xplap
A3 Most of my quests are opt in. A few things that drive participation are sharing what others create, items, and the videos for sketchnote side quests created by @HeckAwesome#xplap
A3: This unit I made sure all the quests I put out there were things that anyone could do with things they had around the house. It helps to level the playing field. As such, I had a few more kids turn them in. #XPLAP
A3 Students who have completed an entire Chapter of quests make it onto the Legacy Wall in our classroom. Some are motivated by that. Other quests have rewarded students with unique item cards. #XPLAP
A3 the last unit I offered students the ability to either quest on the map or complete a traditional DBQ essay. I wanted to make the questing more voluntary. When given the choice about 95% chose to quest! #XPLAP
I'd love to see a game board/map where each kid could see his or her spot without it getting bogged down. The ones I've seen always seem cluttered. #XPLAP
A3: My students like points.... But word of mouth is also good. Had a student do a side quest, then come to school and talk about how much fun she had doing it. That led to more. If students tell others they like it, it increases buy-in. #XPLAP
A3: I do a check when I see some not doing any of the secret missions/sidequests. I have found if I pull them up & ask, they need help understanding what to do. I explain them again & they are ready to go! #xplap
A3- Taking a page from your book (actually channel) I’ve found more partipation has stemmed from leaving point values as a mystery. ie ‘How much CP will we get?” “Good question! How much XP will you produce?” #xplap
A4: This was my nemesis! The highest participation came when there were chances to earn scratch offs and XP. Some scratch offs were for 5 -8 points added to any score. I think they liked the element of chance along & the potential for a positive impact on their grade. #xplap
Want to share this before everyone leaves #XPLAP. I am presenting at #FETC next week and I'm giving this out instead of a business card. (#XPLAP in the text)
Hey #XPLAP crew... I need your help. I want to play a game with as many students and teachers as I can. Could you please give this a watch and join in the fun next week.
https://t.co/QBCgyUb9HP#XPLAPGameNight
A3. I think also making a quest with a choice in product gets more buy-in from my kids. They create some interesting things when the limitations are lifted! #xplap
A3. Only doing baby steps w game this year. But most sidequests have launched via "hidden" QR codes around room... they love finding and scanning #xplap
Hey #XPLAP crew... I need your help. I want to play a game with as many students and teachers as I can. Could you please give this a watch and join in the fun next week.
https://t.co/QBCgyUb9HP#XPLAPGameNight
A3: Building rewards that the kids themselves have suggested seems to get more buy-in for the quests (e.g. 1500XP = 1-minute notes check on a quiz/test). #XPLAP
Thanks Each of our math chapters has about 6-8 lessons. I try to give an additional/optional task for each lesson. Some need to be completed to open others. Some are just free roam. If a student completes them all, they get on the Legacy Wall. #XPLAP
Hey #XPLAP crew... I need your help. I want to play a game with as many students and teachers as I can. Could you please give this a watch and join in the fun next week.
https://t.co/QBCgyUb9HP#XPLAPGameNight
Well, welcome to #XPLAP it is a great community. Check out https://t.co/YCH10eLlXN for more info on my book, podcast, youtube channel... Plenty of ideas to share.
It is a new road for me. I did my class last year when I was still in the classroom. Now as a Digital Learning Coach I am learning along the way. I know @MrsCford_tweets, @KyleNiemis and @MikeWielgus pluse others already do this. #XPLAP
In reply to
@drmcclard, @MrsCford_tweets, @KyleNiemis, @MikeWielgus
I watched this. If I can get my plans together thought we might play in our guilds. Could be part of our morning meeting routine for a few days. #xplap#traegerel
In reply to
@BritGlad, @tlzimmel, @valverhunce, @deb_norton, @MrKohl106, @ms_ecrain, @KatStepha
Steve at #TheMcGillisSchool in Utah. 11th year teacher, headlong this year into gamification. A student asked today if she could play Minecraft during office hours sometime, and I was glad to tell her she could earn game points for doing a Minecraft quest! #XPLAP
