#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 September 1, 2016
I’ve been missing a lot. Got enough stuff done this week to make this one! (finally)
Good evening from Rio de Janeiro.
Prize for longest distance today!
Noah in Denver tweeting on behalf of Stackup. Excited to learn from you all!
you're on a roll!
2 for 2 :)
Hey ! Welcome back!! Share your name location and fave part of back to school
Noah! Did you get my slack invite finally?
Steve from NJ -I teach game design and development - this year can't wait to see look on kids face when they see my learning space
Whew! Computer froze at 1 minute until the hour! Back up now! Here's the opening graphic for realz! https://t.co/XAEj6L9mTE
good to be able to meet up.
Hey , Keegan here, EdTech . Excited to start trainings and PD for the semester! :)
Aryah Fradkin from Baltimore Maryland. I love all the innovation at the beginning of the year
I do love getting to know the new batch of kids and getting them engaged in game design -
Yes but apparently I'm "slacking" in jumping on it:) Thanks for the nudge!
Kevin, 7/8 history. Blowing the kids' minds.
Tucker from Winchester VA, great meeting new students and seeing former grow from the past year
So glad y'all started w/out me! Melissa from Nebraska, 11-12 ELA. Fave part: Always new, fresh ideas. And new office supplies.
No, but I won't let that stop me :)
Now that I'm in the edtechspace I'm so interested to see how a new batch of tech gets integrated
no problem - just glad the ball is in your court now :)
YES! Happy Friday Eve, Kevin!
Psyched for this year as I just got a kick awesome PC via to run the I am getting! also have
Heya Keegan! Been a few weeks! Glad to see you again :)
Jeff from Halifax, NS, Canada. Getting to know a new group of Ss!
im so interested in hearing more about the VR experience
I am 's sidekick on Twitter.
This is my first Twitter chat btw! Excited to learn from everyone
i got an intro on a roller coaster last spring...really freaked me out
Mark G from NJ, 5th grade T, excited to talks games to start the school year!
Nice! Love . New gear is fun.
Hey everyone, Shana, MS tech coordinator. Hope everyone is doing well.
Yes, it has. Excited to make it out tonight for though! Things going well?
Mark whats been your best experience with games so far?
Fantastic! Wrapping up week 3 of school...awesome students! You?
A1: My number 1 Goal is to turn Ss into lovers of learning through game design and creation. Producers > consumers
FQ1 soooooo what's up with you?
Loved planning the classes ahead with sts on the day back to school
A1: To bring DGBL to my school and district; cut into the 1000 or so worksheets our S's have to do.
finishing week 2. Preparing to launch next big project for week 4! Going to have faculty building games!
Awesome! Love it when students help with the plan :)
A1 to roll dice for what we are going to learn that day
I love the idea of having students help drive the learning process
A1: Get my collaboratory up and running (1st set of classes coming tomorrow) and get my new maker/coding club for Ss going as well
A1: Really interested in idea of student growth in areas that actually matter in college/real world
A1: Get all my students playing Fracture Crisis - not just the high achievers.
what kind of cool stuff did s's make last year?
A1: getting everyone active in a fitness bases PE program
A1) Build some more games. Want more practice, want to experiment more.
What software engine are you using for your coding club?
I'm going to try to multi-chat tonight Pam, SpEd Tech Inst. Specialist, Charleston,SC.
A1: I want to go all in with 's model of a student led classroom!
Literal dice, right?! D&D dice with 20 sides & 20 different options?!?!
i agree. student led classrooms are the future of
Glad to have you even multi-chatting :)
It's like getting students to create their own fun, right?
77 sided dices. Have to live life on the edge
A1: goal is to refine quest structure to leverage student choice fully in terms of what tool students choose to use to make games
S's less likely to complain about games they built
Improving my coaching skills. I'm a Tech Facilitator.
What's the largest # dice in D&D?
more motivation to make them better if they're not what they want
That will be fun! Sounds like your first year? What major challenges do you anticipate?
Yes, but also letting Ss design their own curriculum and demonstrate mastery of skills/standards in their own way
I would like to join your army.
this is my first year so they've made nothing yet 😀
join the club. It takes a couple weeks to get students use to it
Volunteering for duty, sir!
A1: Goal is to get Gaming Club / eSports going in my school and far beyond!
A1: My goal- to help SpEd T's integrate tech into their classes to make scripted programs more engaging.
I used to know, before middle-age.
it would be super cool to make your whole class into a game board full of units designed by students.
I've already had students asking when the first game jam would be! LOL!
life is a game, after all.
A2: team building activities like the human knot and body scrabble. Getting the kids to interact together
I want it to be free flowing. This summer many of them liked the Google CS First set up
And a child's occupation is play.
An area I need to improve. Finding an organized way to have Ss meet standards & provide choice for how to meet them.
I thing does something like this...
I would throw flocabulary in there the first week. such a fun way to learn current events
def need to check that out
Yes! It's going to be a big year for e-sports around here...I can feel it! https://t.co/ztLjuf1dba
A1: Goal is to get Gaming Club / eSports going in my school and far beyond!
CS First is awesome! I love it, especially the passports/badges. Good idea!
Do you ever use the FitDeck? I made my own with regular playing cards, based on suits. Kids love it!
we had a fantasy football club last year we used to teach math skills
Also, this is our 1st year with a health program. Any ideas to incorporate games via first few days of classroom?
How often do you do game jams during a typical school year?
Can't miss with e-sports.
A2: Not exactly a game but choosing which castaway survivors to save is awesome (especially as the kids realize I'm one of them)
A2: Love Breakouts for a way to get Ss working togther. Did it Day1. Marshmallow Challenge when we broke into permanent teams
Looks awesome, do you have a link to the game you can share?
i tried to keep it exciting by doing it every few weeks
i've come to realize that the learning outcome of my course is iterative design process - tool agnostic
A2) and of course Apples to Apples with my lunch boardgame group.
as long as you dont play cards against humanity!
A2: 1st thing when they arrive, we're doing a ! The principal locked up my lesson plans!
Marshmallow Challenge? Please elaborate!
I am using the wooden box, w/ locks as well. Phase 2, Ss make own clues to build own All About Me Game
A2: is my favorite! I'm actually working on some for our SpEd T's to use during scripted direct inst. programs.
There are a lot of icebreaker physical activities out there...human knot, circle games, etc.
need a combo of student created games and games informed by teachers which drive content understanding. a blended approach
Lots of good ones team-building games using hoola-hoops.
relationship building is key to cooperative learning. esp in middle grades
So Ss will work in groups of 4 and each create 1 set of clues to open a single lock, four locks in all
sounds like a recipe for students and teachers making games together!
A3: I like to start by asking myself how I'll answer ss who ask "Why should I care?"
A3: celebrate clever strategy and how students improve as players by making mistakes.
"why should I care" is a question T's should ask themselves more
A3) For my situation, emails this week and blog post coming tomorrow. Super exciting! lol
1st student just turned in his game name with a paragraph of research. 1 hr after school ended. for no points. Yes, I'm bragging.
Such an amazing idea! I think I'll have to do that next year!!
you should brag..internal motivation is the hardest thing to tap
Love the Marshmallow Challenge! And this is a great activity to repeat in so many way.
A3) started with vid intro. now sending them emails with naming rules and adding sidequests to LMS page. https://t.co/N0i0U73haK
LOLOL! Love it! I had a team who wanted to keep spaghetti sticks and marshmallows to build their tower again!
Stepping out for a while. Hope to be back.
A3 by playing super awesome games like .......
This is always important and we should always have a reason in mind. Never underestimate motivation.
Had one go home and play through Mission US 3 times to see more endings last week. Games rule.
s's want to learn from "cool" teachers, esp. in middle grades. games give you cred
I just realized I’ve done this once before. A decade ago in boy scouts. lol. Fun rediscovering things.
Agreed! Ss need us to have better answer than "Because you should be intrinsically motivated to learn"
use game time as incentive for getting through readings. or scavenger hunt the readings
and other amazing games like........
Also awesome to point out why creativity matters. Young kids outperform on this task.
burn it. The book is crap
Oh ya? Good feedback! I am hoping my students enjoy it. It is on my “required/suggested play list”
if only book burning was a more viable option:-)
I love that my nerdiest habits make me cool in their eyes.
don't forget games that include the following skills ........
nerdy is cool in gaming..win win
oh my god, do I do that to myself. But,they dumped like 500 hw right out the 1st week. No time since also work
A3: hmmmm interesting question. I guess getting kids oriented with my quest / choice based approach generates enthusiasm
https://t.co/ESvlZu8gBQ
Agreed! Ss need us to have better answer than "Because you should be intrinsically motivated to learn"
100% of my kids wanted to play more of the missions based on a survey after the game.
I've got a few textbooks I'd donate. Only thing I did with textbks last year was make a classroom Xmas tree.
A3: I set up a lot of quests this year to have kids play a variety of games to really gain insight on different genres, mechanics
A4: Make a game for them to do at parent nights, when they see how fun/engaging it is, they'll be on board. Show the feedback too.
Be transparent w/ I share all games via w/ admins and parents. Share great things games have to offer.
Do you stick with mainly the digital, or do you have a large cache of tabletop/analog games, too?
A3: lunch bunch - allowing kids to come in for first half of lunch is great for building community around
q4: tell the truth in the first newsletter/back to school night...
kids who have more fun in class learn more in class
A4) had my parents do a game at BTSN, admins get to discover it whenever they walk in.
Well, most of the time they should be. If they aren't we're probably doing something wrong :)
A4: hoping to have some stations set up at curriculum night. Open for policy for admin and staff. They can join in anytime!
Both! Focus has been digital but I received bunch of nondigital games through a few years ago
trying to hide the gaming makes it seem wrong when its a huge benefit
Has anyone ever tried giving a bag of potential game implements (dice, pieces, etc) and 30 min to invent a game? Ideas?
A4: The use of Google Sites for parent information
A4: My colleague asked the P to join her freshmen in Breakout game today. A win for EVERYONE involved!
A4) Only the best way possible: MAKE THEM PLAY GAMES. ;)
Also emphasis on making free/open resources is a huge plus.
A4: For my administration, MUST provide research supporting GBL, very easy to find.
also looking to really encourage modding and creating of non-digital games with new approach to true choice based
plenty of P's wish they had fun learning..happy their kids will
I'm SOOO ready for Google Sites to update to their sleeker, prettier version, though!
They need to give me a reason to switch from Weebly. Not user-friendly enough yet.
Definitely! One Ss favorite activities to do a "game jam." My Ss (who I taught last yr too) asked about it today!
A4 we have always been using games before. You just couldn't see them
Cool! Always evolving, you rock star ;)
Agreed. But what I've seen of the new Sites is PRETTY DARN COOL. Much more like Weebly
planning on doing something like this for a presentation soon. Shooting for super fast though: 5-10 mins
A4: a colleague and I started running a Coffee and Coding event a few times per year for community members
A4: back to school night is great to really share the idea of class with parents.
Thank goodness! When is it live?
A4: I send out a letter at beginning of semester to explain gamified grading, why I want kids to blog, tweet, etc. as well
I love how this goes beyond parents/admin to other stakeholders. Creates great community support! https://t.co/lSw8xVR75V
A4: a colleague and I started running a Coffee and Coding event a few times per year for community members
A4: planning on a night for parents / community
Any resources, protocols you used that you can share?
i want to help bring enough science games to the classroom to teach entire units..work in progress as we speak
KAHOOTS!!! Never had a chance to use it until this year!!
A4: Also - with our VR research I like to grab anyone from the hall and pull them in to allow them to experience
Sometime this fall. There's a beta version out if GAFE admins apply for it
im working on games that will be aligned to the NGSS for 6-8 for all standards
Wow! Admirable! Lots of work, but fun work, I'm sure!!
A5) also bringing Code Names into my lunch crew, loving it so far.
thanks! more to come soon
A5: been using for years, but excited to license so students all have individual accounts
So excited! I'd like to switch our dept. newsletter to a blog instead. Then add to
then you could have kids as guest contributors
A5: I'm also bringing the RPG Maker engine in for 5th graders to make their own video game.
Excited to include a parent / educator experience at Oct 15 - 16 at Greater Philly Expo Ctr.
This is just sick..so cool https://t.co/dNxr8UShxj
A5: I'm also bringing the RPG Maker engine in for 5th graders to make their own video game.
A5: Developed Game of Thrones this yr. MMPG type game w/in room. Throne competitions test effort, grit--the intangibles.
Awesome! We should collaborate! https://t.co/lBIiE1sCRR
A5: I'm also bringing the RPG Maker engine in for 5th graders to make their own video game.
We need real digital games for ELA for younger students!
King of Tokyo,players become monsters, fight to be King of Tokyo using dice rolls combos, purchasing cards
No...but looks interesting.
q6: remind admins that competition creates success in all parts of society..school is no different
I found that it promotes forethought bc players allowed 2 rerolls,w/dice combos deciding how much health/damage/points
A6: Oh man, I'm trying! Going to instructional council for that exact reason.
A6: is going to be a great way to introduce immersive experiences in schools - I hope to continue to get other Ts interested
kids are not "invested" in textbooks
Nice! Sounds a lot like the Game of Thrones that we're doing in my room! Dice, cards, house competitions...
A6: Minecraft can be used across the curriculum. Our entire 7th grade will be licensed this year - hoping to get other Ts using it
I think I remember playin w/some ppl during a chat?
its described as a . It looks like a framework to tie content together. Ideas used looked cool.
t's at your school will jump on that..i know will
Is this the same as an exquisite corpse or a bit different?
A6: For me cross content collaboration. Getting core teachers input on their own subject will get them involved in the games
A6: I'm hoping to do some activities with our learning buddies class! too
Not exactly, but have done the start a story, next person continue it. Reminds me of that some...
Ive also included a house rule that players must make up attack names,both bc its fun+ beef up their vocab lol
That's what I'm hoping for mine. It's early, so they're still feeling it out. Gonna promote cards heavily nxt wk
crosscurricular learning is missing in a lot of schools..games could be the tipping point
A6: What about hiding clues for our own games in colleague's content/classrooms?
A6) By decreasing barriers to entry for teachers and educating everyone about the “why gamification/gbl?” questions.
Great idea! And immerses the kids in the content more, so a total win-win! Smart man, you!
yup..thanks for the handle correction!
Played it w/3rd-6th graders during summer job,slow start bc of 6 dice to consider,but once they learned,games go fast
I believe they are related in concept. I wasn’t even thinking in terms of pictures. Originally was thinking text.
That opens up even more possibilities. :)
s's might create better t relationships with cross curricular games
A6: More playful, interactive PD. My Ss played Google Grudgeball this wk...would be fun to do for PD.
Hilariously, I only won once for an entire 2ish week period of playing. XD
get t's out of their classroom "silos"
A6: One thing at a time. Try a tool, let the T's do it for PD, let the "bug" spread on it's own. is very effective!
What is Grudgeball? Sounds fun!
Very true. The energy does spread...I know it is with Breakouts in my own school right now!
I am liking all the responses to question 6. Lots of good ideas! :)
Do you have Explore Like a Pirate book?
the possibilities of student led learning are endless
Yes! Haven't read it yet though. Just finished Working on now. It's next!
A7: Parting thought - excited about involving community / stakeholders throughout the year.
Each team starts with 10 points. As other teams solve a problem, they win 2 pts but take them from other teams
A7: Checking out Play-By-Post RPG and always nice to know there are others out there using GBL.
integration of new ideas from tech world into the classroom is the most exciting part of the classroom experience..never ending
A7 Love 's idea about Ss making All About Me Breakouts...gives me all sorts of ideas for my own classes.
A7) This is my Q7 response for sure: https://t.co/RTehdxP4XA
I am liking all the responses to question 6. Lots of good ideas! :)
I want to bounce that idea around more too! I've got a few Ss who would really enjoy it!
That’s why the interwebs are so great! Connecting to all the folks!
Now I'm learning...only knew exquisite corpse as words. Agree, idea of pics opens up possibilities
great to meet everyone..excited to hear how folks continue integrating new tech
It's been a great hour, and great to see so many familiar faces, plus new ones! Thanks for all your ideas!!
It was great having you! Thanks for all your comments! Hope to see you back!
