#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?
Evening #games4ed! N from 🇨🇦, #edtech creator, cofounder and enthusiast. Favourite summer food... all I can think of is 🍕, because I'm eating it right now...
Hey #games4ed! Louie from Lancaster, PA here. Louie from Lancaster. Mooving to Philly to teach 5th grade. Also beginning my gamification journey this summer after being inspired by #xplap! Favorite summer food... Is Chicken or Pork BBQ Summer-y? lol
We'll start in a minute or two, but here's an overview of tonight's questions :) We'll follow the Q1/A1 format, and don't forget to tag #games4ed! Also, you all earn 1000 XP for being here!
Oooh, I don't think I've tried it with cheese. I'll have to try that! I love it with salt. Butter is even better, but I try to stay away from that if I can ;) #games4ed
I'm being boring tonight and just grabbed a pepperoni. I also started eating dinner just after 4 (way to early of a morning). I'm trying to not gobble it down - I put it in one room and every once in a while I go grab another slice. #games4ed
A1: XP helps to motivate some Ss who need a little extra nudge. It also allows me to reward Ss who are doing the right things in the class. As a note, I only give, never take away XP #games4ed
A1 - #1 reason I love idea of XP is that you have to earn every point. Most Ss seem to develop a mindset that they start a class with 100%, and lose marks over the year. When really, you start with 0, and have to work your way up. XP is very explicit about that. #games4ed
At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the accumulation of XP is probably the greatest illustration of growth mindset I've worked with. Students naturally want to level up their learning and dig deeper. Love the way it changes self-motivation! #games4ed
Quick XP terminology: XP stands for Experience Points, like you earn in a video game. (I know I had to figure that out when I first started on my gamifying adventures :) #games4ed
We're always representing. Just usually quietly, with a few "sorry"s thrown in. 😛 🇨🇦 Actually, I've been following the "freakout" over curriculum updates in ON and AB. We could use a few sorrys.🤦♀️ #games4ed
A1. Haven't used XP yet, although I've jumped into the #xplap train and love what I've learned so far. I love the idea of XP because it adds a reason for engagement in the classroom. There's a reason for students to be motivated beyond just playing the "grades game." #games4ed
You bring up a good point. Plus I think it's a simpler concept for students to understand--like most games, it builds points rather than does an average, which seems more abstract to many #games4ed
A1 - #1 reason I love idea of XP is that you have to earn every point. Most Ss seem to develop a mindset that they start a class with 100%, and lose marks over the year. When really, you start with 0, and have to work your way up. XP is very explicit about that. #games4ed
Once you've had an experience, you've had it. Doesn't make sense to ever take any XP away. That's also the reason that there are multiple "currencies" in games. #games4ed
A2: I prefer to use XP for grades. It allows a stronger connection and ownership of the material. I think it also places more importance on the XP itself. #games4ed
A1: XP helps to motivate some Ss who need a little extra nudge. It also allows me to reward Ss who are doing the right things in the class. As a note, I only give, never take away XP #games4ed
A2: I use it as when Ss are working well, but also for a reward when they win a Boss Battle. Some Xp is given for different assignments in the class. More thorough the work or project, the more XP #games4ed
That's a good point (build vs avg). And important one. It's easier to see benefit of each task when they get stacked vs when it feels like a blob. Less motivating to do something that barely effects avg. More motivating to add to stack. #games4ed
I think collaboration is a huge benefit of XP. Kids who might struggle academically can still do well with earning XP if they use good communication and collaboration skills #games4ed
I have seen this done both ways, & impact on engagement is there regardless. I am personally strongly opposed to linking XP with grades. I find that in recognizing process along the way, many students who might be traditional "low flyers" are motivated to do their best! #games4ed
Understand reasoning from practical gaming perspective, but I don't think I'm ready to add the currency/HP components yet. Hmmm. Need to ponder this and my WHY for taking away XP. Adds intrigue/strategy. Maybe rename it HP, but that would be backwards starting at 0. #games4ed
XP and gamifying the reading process has amounted in more books read, purpose for struggling readers and provides freedom post-Powering Up! Truly, a BIG part of our day!
I do the same, Kevin. Students earn XP for assignments, but definitely other ways to earn XP, too. One thing I'm already thinking about from this chat is how to use to it spark more 21st Century Skills and encourage growth in those #games4ed
Each of my Ss have a character with HP. If they lose the HP there is a consequence like cleaning up the classroom or 5 acts of kindness or a few other options. #games4ed
Q3: Besides grades, what other ways could students earn XP? Do you have any other currencies, such as Health Points, gold, or badges that you use?
#games4ed
Interesting, i guess it depends how you assign XP. To me, XP is skill based, which ties pretty close to grades. I see rewarding things like following instructions or helping others as tasks that should earn gold or hearts. Good to do, so fun reward. #games4ed
And it totally makes sense to just start with XP, get used to it and get your students used to it. Always time to add more currencies later, if you feel that's the right path #games4ed
Yes! Here is my game platform. Currently under construction. Would love any feedback or ways to add or improve experience.
https://t.co/Ec6Iftd1ED#games4ed
A3: I use Health, Gold and Silver. Ss can also earn XP by helping out someone on their team. @classcraftgame does a great job of handling that part. #games4ed
Interesting... Going to be honest. Not sure how I feel about cleaning classroom as a consequence to game. Think it should already be part of culture, but giving me things to chew on... :) #games4ed
Absolutely! In some cases, reading isn’t really a love to begin with (and may never truly get to that level); so, XP provides a transactional benefit to hard work and focused attention. #games4ed
A3) No extra currencies. I tried some and it just felt like more work for me for no extra engagement. Having one number that just keeps growing works great. #games4ed
This chat is so great and engaging. Already ten minutes behind. lol
A2. I'm going to keep them separate as a way to engage and motivate those who may struggle in the more traditional academic sense. Hope that XP will reward their "efforts" and risk-taking! #games4ed
And some people use different resources for keeping track. I love @classcraftgame to help do the work, but some people have used Google Sheets. It can be as simple or elaborate of a system as you want :) #games4ed
In reply to
@mr_middle_2, @VirgoDiva89, @mrmatera, @classcraftgame
My “reading grades” are all about XP. Quizzes, daily challenges, finishing books and reaching goals amounts to XP. 2k XP points leads to POWER UP (which then leads to reward — free time, Minecraft, etc). Revolutionized reading work ethic. #games4ed
A1: It's an excellent motivator! Most Ss are hooked immediately, and they WANT to learn. Hebrew Talmud says: because from doing it not for the right intentions, he will come to do it for the right intentions. #games4ed
A4: You can get XP for the effort, for trying again, or a different way. Can be as style points for creativity. Sometimes XP for Grades can lose those choices #games4ed
Louie, this is really cool! I love the storyline that you've developed here to create more interest and excitement! You guys should check this out! #games4ed
Yes! Here is my game platform. Currently under construction. Would love any feedback or ways to add or improve experience.
https://t.co/Ec6Iftd1ED#games4ed
A4 - Ownership of learning. It's much more visible than grades, and (usually) feels much more actionable. Instead of focusing on a "bad" grade, can look to see what other tasks you can do to increase XP. #games4ed
It really depends on your game! I wanted something Ss could work for in class, trade and spend in a store, so we created our own Silver coins #games4ed
Depends on your purpose and features of your game. Is there anything for them to buy? Can they lose health for any reason? Check out my site (link in bio) if you like. I have a ton of info on there. #games4ed
I'm personally a fan of min of two: XP + gold. XP gets rewarded for anything that you can't "unlearn"/"unexperience" (more closely related to how we see grades). Gold for extras you want to encourage (like behaviour). #games4ed
Definitely! Are you on @Voxer? Would love to collaborate! @SteinbrinkLaura and I are collabing on this game once her summer slows down! lol. The more the merrier! #games4ed
In reply to
@SuperEvansMath, @voxer, @SteinbrinkLaura
A4) Love the creativity it allows. I can offer projects as side quests that I just coudn't do with all my students. Had some awesome 3d modeled sculptures last year. #games4ed
A4: I have 3 types of rewards: XP for academic achievements, gold for social emotional improvement and badges for side quests. Ss can use gold to buy items, and also convert XP to gold. #games4ed
Oh! Also, I debated doing Marvel/DC Themed because I love DC as well, but decided against it! I love the TV DC Series' and thought that was a little mature. #games4ed
A4 - SO many "hidden curriculum" advantages to using XP - Digital citizenship, collaboration, organization, stamina, use of flexible learning spaces... It's all there. #games4ed
Q5: Different ranks or levels of XP often come with different privileges or prestige. What powers, privileges, or recognition can your students gain through XP gains?
#games4ed
Agreed. I can't wait to hear how your game goes. I'm looking forward to going full DND for my own game next year. I'm all for sharing ideas, if you're up for it. #games4ed
Seeing XP progress (culmination of points), especially when there is a desired XP total in mind, is a great way to teach a goal-oriented approach to mastery. Furthermore, 100XP feels better than an “D” or a “2”, grade-wise. #games4ed
And some ppl use badges or trading cards. I've tried the cards, and they were fun but too much to track as the year went on. I always have to remind myself to expand slowly, not start every year huge #games4ed
LOL. I actually never played as a kid. It was this past year that I started to play and I realized it was everything I wanted my Ss to learn: characterization, visualization, logical thinking, etc. #games4ed
In reply to
@mr_middle_2, @mpilakow, @MrH_AOH, @Stranger_Things
A5: Most of the privileges my students earn are bonus powers that apply to the game itself. The biggest one in my superhero game was that they could call on a superhero like Wonder Woman or Gambit to help them fight Boss Battles. #games4ed
A1 I plan to use XP in conjunction with badges, levels, items.
Can earn XP by completing side quests (or secret missions), game/item related events, class "battles" etc. Still brainstorming!
#games4ed
Q3: Besides grades, what other ways could students earn XP? Do you have any other currencies, such as Health Points, gold, or badges that you use?
#games4ed
A5 - I'm a big believer in the value of power ups. We use items in my class, and each level allows you to carry 3 additional items. Leveling up can also unlock abilities in class. #games4ed
I’m planning for stars to be the currency. The quality of side quest submissions and grades (SBG) are worth stars and there is a store to spend them. Stars earned promote students through levels too. Thoughts? #games4ed
Yes, gold (or silver) gives more flexibility to buy, trade, or even lose. We sometimes use it for wagers in games or between teams. I've actually seen my students set up loans & interest rates with it! #games4ed
Yes! Was hoping to recognize micro-accomplishements, acts of kindness. Planning on counting badges for XP at the end of the quarter, like @mrmatera talks about. Chance to start fresh on my part! lol #games4ed
Q6: Not all students are motivated by XP or other currency systems. What other strategies--gamified or not--do you find engaging for these students?
#games4ed
I'm not sure the two are required to be together. Think about your WHY before thinking your have to jump in, then maybe you will decide to do so. :) #games4ed
A6: I try to add some easter eggs or side quests with natural challenges to intrigue the explorers in my group, teamwork to pull in the socializers, and a chance to completely change the game for my disruptors. #games4ed
A5: Following the SAPS model: Stuff=items, Access=rewards with privileges others don't have, like outside pass, Power= rewards that effect the game, like more HP, Status: leaderboard and badges. #games4ed
Free Chromebook time, free creative time, Minecraft gaming time, lego time, personal tech time, music while you work/headphones; all in 20 minute time frame. Working on more ideas. #games4ed
Q5: Different ranks or levels of XP often come with different privileges or prestige. What powers, privileges, or recognition can your students gain through XP gains?
#games4ed
A5: Following the SAPS model: Stuff=items, Access=rewards with privileges others don't have, like outside pass, Power= rewards that effect the game, like more HP, Status: leaderboard and badges. #games4ed
Im loving reading thru this chat though I don't have much to add since I'm just getting started, purchased @classcraftgame premium yesterday, anyone use it? #games4ed
Also, remember that anything that can be done with half, can be done by just doubling the number of whole. So if you wanted 5 stars and ability to have half, just use 10 instead. #games4ed
In reply to
@SuperEvansMath, @MrRoughton, @mpilakow
A5: Following the SAPS model: Stuff=items, Access=rewards with privileges others don't have, like outside pass, Power= rewards that effect the game, like more HP, Status: leaderboard and badges. #games4ed
A6 - Easter eggs, personalized side quests, connections to tech / the arts / project-based learning. We also use a Bartle Test as a reflective piece to try to think about what motivates each player within a game. #games4ed
A4. I don't have experience with this first hand, but these non-academic benefits are the reasons for gamification that sold me. So many opportunities for the 4 Cs! #games4ed
Easter Eggs are hidden things that students come across, possibly accidentally, as they play the game. Side quests are extra challenges that can be done but are not essential to the class itself. #games4ed
If you think of a story, quests are the main narrative, often pretty linear. Side quests are things that branch out like little twigs, short, add to the story but not essential. #games4ed
My easter eggs usually take the form of a hidden item, a creature encounter, or a single-use ability. These are totally removed from the curricular links. Side quests are optional, heavily rewarded opportunities for deeper demonstrations of learning. #games4ed
My easter eggs usually take the form of a hidden item, a creature encounter, or a single-use ability. These are totally removed from the curricular links. Side quests are optional, heavily rewarded opportunities for deeper demonstrations of learning. #games4ed
Since I only see my SS once a week for 45 minutes, was thinking of using side quests to give extension activities to Ss who want to keep learning #games4ed
Some of my side quests are Easter eggs. For example, Only the most INCREDIBLE heroes can do this quest. What is the password? KRONOS (from the first The Incredibles movie). Then they have access to a quest no one else can access. #games4ed
I teach computer science in k-5 and have been thinking about putting Easter eggs in the code of the projects we make but I'm not sure what to reward finding them with #games4ed
I always throw in the disclaimer that class time may not be available for side quests (though it often is). Lots of my students do these as "homework" #games4ed
I’ve been thinking about making one for my game in google form to tell kids their hero class. But I also want kids to pick their own. #conflicted . #games4ed
Love this image. When creating storyline, it always helps me with the bones of a story. So much can be changed, but it's good to have a direction!
#games4ed
We use @Schoology at our school so you can set up student completion rules or password protect certain quests. Or you could do the same using Google. #games4ed
In reply to
@owenpeery, @SuperEvansMath, @Schoology
Would they have to go into the code to find them or would they be visible online? This sounds like a super cool idea that is WAY beyond my skill set. Reward could even be a PVP student vs teacher battle of some kind. Trashketball 3-point contest, etc. #games4ed
My CS curriculum is 20 lessons over the year, was thinking each lesson would be a quest, with side quests for early finishers, they would be to go deeper than the main quest, and not possible to do w/o finishing main quest #games4ed
I'm planning on doing vocab games using @gimkit but I want each class to begin with them bc it's part of my theme of rebuilding the money supply #games4ed
In reply to
@mpilakow, @MusingsOnEdTech, @JaredRLopatin, @gimkit
A8: I want to sit down and brainstorm about how I can encourage, promote 21st Century Skills more. Hoping to build an even stronger culture with my students #games4ed
A7. It has been and is still something I'm wrestling with.
My Why: Engagement and empowerment of Ss. Boosts opportunities for 4 Cs in the classroom.
I'm sold on giving it a shot, as long as it is removed from grades and actions out of S-control (family SES, etc)
#games4ed
My face often tonight as I've read some of the great ideas and seen some of the websites created! Thank you, thank you for the wonderful chat tonight, everyone!! #games4ed
A7: It's true for #gamification, untrue for #gbl . If it's just a reward system, and Ss are learning the same then external motivation. If you design an actual GAME, and the learning stems from it, than internal. ,many discussions on this topic... #games4ed
There were so many good resources shared tonight! If you want to revisit them--or reread parts of the chat, too--here's our link at @participatehttps://t.co/yiB8PuZOM2#games4ed
I'm heading to a school where internet access is not guaranteed or abundant at home. I'm going to be mindful of this and provide opportunity in school to do this, but never discourage work at home. If not an issue, DO IT. #games4ed
