#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?
Matt, @UNC_Colorado asst professor, GBL author (https://t.co/4espEsyLsC), Colorado. Currently playing Assassin's Creed Origins: Discovery Mode! The educational museum tour. Pretty awesome!! #games4ed
Thanks everyone for a great first chat! Join us for the next 5 weeks and tell all your friends! #lifelongKDG Now I need to move over to #games4ed. Join us if you can!
Welcome to #games4ed everyone! Hoping some of my #gdwams students join us to share their experiences with the topic. My students have been writing and recording reviews of games for education and we are hoping people are listening to their feedback and ideas!
Melissa from Nebraska, 11-12 ELA. Still playing How to be a Speech Coach for a couple more weeks...then I get more time for playing with games and ELA again! I miss it! #games4ed
I just got all my flight/housing/registration approval/details finalized for ISTE today from the powers that be-looking forward to seeing you there (if not before) #games4ed
Steve from NJ here - I teach game design and development to an awesome group of middle schoolers. Currently I am playing Stardew Valley, Dominion, @PlayHearthstone and a little game called #minecraft#games4ed
A1: You can get feedback from your students to inform your teaching by having them elaborate on what they have learned or played about from a certain game or adventure. #games4ed
A1: It's probably not a good idea to ask directly because students tend to feel obliged to give positive feedback. I would watch the students instead and see how they react when you teach #games4ed
A1: observation, questioning, conversations, assessments, surveys, projects, focus groups, @Flipgrid videos…oh yeah, and the shouts of exuberance when we play #games4ed
A1- Conversations- I eat lunch with my Ss almost daily (open invite to the classroom and they love it!) and we talk about lessons/ideas. Ss also talk about this during meetings. I often throw survey out in GoogleClassroom- #games4ed
A1: One interesting way I get feedback is through the @classcraftgame quest statistics. I can tell which quests students are clearly interested in and not based on their completion rate. #games4ed
A1 to get feedback you would need to be able to having them, openly share there opinions when they want to say something about it and letting them give you feedback. #games4ed
A1: As a student my teacher, Mr. Isaacs, he informs our learning by making us write a review on what we learned and how we can make it better or modify it. #games4ed
A1: It's probably not a good idea to ask directly because students tend to feel obliged to give positive feedback. I would watch the students instead and see how they react when you teach #games4ed
A1: Students and I tend to have a feedback loop going around quests they submit and the iteration involved. I am always open to feedback about my teaching and the activities but could certainly provide more of a vehicle for that #games4ed
A1 Feedback/Playtest questions for Ss: Who do you think this game is for? If you kept playing, what do you think would happen next? How would you describe this game to a friend? To a teacher? What did you want to do that you couldn’t do? What do you think you learned? #games4ed
A1: Mr. Isaacs is a great teacher and it is very easy for him to pick up on things that we need to learn, we can use blog posts, and other means of writing and reviewing to help guide the students as well as the teachers on what to know and not know #games4ed
A1: Mr. Isaacs is a great teacher and it is very easy for him to pick up on things that we need to learn, we can use blog posts, and other means of writing and reviewing to help guide the students as well as the teachers on what to know and not know #games4ed
Great point :) But for me, if you have feedback that can help create better (and different) quests, please don't hesitate! #games4ed - kind of like when we give feedback for each other's games in class - the feedback is so valuable
One quest that I think would be amazing is that kids take a video of something that they do outside during a weekend and then bring it into class. After this, the whole class proceeds to make a game based off of the things they did in their video @Mr. Isaacs. #games4ed
A1: It is also helpful that in class craft we can directly message Mr. Isaacs and or anyone else so we don't feel hesitant on asking of any questions that we have that could impact others and others could have that same question that the teacher would address #games4ed
Q2: Encouraging student voice is so important (at least we think so)! What ways do you currently empower student voice in (or out of) your class?
#games4ed
And he only paid scale for this endorsement-ha! I’m super impressed that @mr_isaacs students are willing to continue discussing school when there not at school #games4ed
We have a teacher at school who shared a similar approach recently. She said it's amazing how few people leave during their @breakoutedu and other engaging lessons. She really uses that as solid feedback - so smart! #games4ed
In reply to
@MatthewFarber, @pandacucho, @breakoutEDU
A2 Provide diff ways and options for Ss to show what they have learned, being open to their ideas and continuing to look for more engaging ways to show learning #games4ed
me too :) You know I am a huge fan of #stuvoice and feel that we have so much to gain from listening to them. I love when they participate in chats - we need to hear from them and not just our echo chamber #games4ed
Q2: Encouraging student voice is so important (at least we think so)! What ways do you currently empower student voice in (or out of) your class?
#games4ed
Q2: Encouraging student voice is so important (at least we think so)! What ways do you currently empower student voice in (or out of) your class?
#games4ed
A2: In one day Mr. Isaacs brought up a student and asked him to play and share his thoughts, and I thought that putting a student in the power of the game and having the teacher listen and encourage them to share the ideas was great. #games4ed
A2: I like to empower student voice by letting every student know that their contribution to anything creates a spark in the human mind that really triggers something special in others. #games4ed
i would think it would be very nice to see the whole class choose one activity and work on it together, although individually doesn't seem too bad #games4ed
Mr. Isaac's students might not be aware he is a ROCK STAR in the games in education community! Everyone in the space knows who he is, and if fortunate, know him personally. #games4ed
A2: I love to have my students beta test games for developers - currently they are testing "Puzzling Chemistry" by @coiascience - it uses the Chemistry update for #minecraftedu - it's AMAZING to see how great their feedback is and how it will inform the development #games4ed
A2: Mr. Issac allows us to share ideas and compare what we are doing when we review games, which makes us feel helpful and more integrated in the activities #games4ed
A2: In the class, I like to be as helpful around the class and with friends as possible as I understand that Mr. Isaacs has a lot of students to deal with. #games4ed
A1: my students share most of their work publicly through their blog / digital portfolio - i think it's so important for them to have an authentic audience. My pinterest boards have great links to student work https://t.co/hRbHR7O9bu#games4ed
A2- My classroom is student led- Ss contribute a lot! One student recently designed a "Wheel of Chance" to enhance our @classcraftgame - Ss help design @quizlet and @quizizz games- they know they can help set the pace and tone of our games! #games4ed
A2 agree heartily with those saying a choice of product. Right now my Ss have choice to make a board game, create 'flipped lesson' videos, a series of smaller research based projects or suggest their own idea! #games4ed
That's really the best part about school and the outside world these days that now kids are being delegated the task of thinking outside the box. We certainly are doing very well at that #games4ed
A2: Also important for student voice beyond the classroom. I know @mr_isaacs students do YouTube game reviews. Personally I love https://t.co/UyYVm1NLIW for my jrs and srs for ease and very quick publishing #games4ed
Hah - that's awesome. And ALWAYS welcome. We are creating a community of learners. I love when students can help each other. Once a few kids get comfortable with the #VR equipment it's great to see them just take it upon themselves and that extends to all areas of class #games4ed
A2: Through digital portfolios or student blogs/Google Site. I teach Culinary so each student captures their creation & then blogs about it for reflection. This also increases literacy through student centered learning. #UMEdTech#games4ed
Thanks, Ivan :) #games4ed and this group of students got to play through a bit of Sydney's World with me. They may not know that you are the developer! We need to bring you in for a @skype call!!
A3 - I was designing a game for the students and one girl came to me and asked me what I was doing. I told her I was trying to make this game fun for them. And then she asked me "Why don't you make it fun for you?" Blew my mind. Now I apply that to everything. #games4ed
A3 I learned about @StoryboardThat from one of my students when she was in 8th grade, enjoyed her project so much, have used it and now she presents at conferences with me abt it #games4ed
A3: I will have to say that I am very excited to building a trampoline park in minecraft. I never really knew how to build in Minecraft, but thanks to many friends and Mr. Isaacs, I got through. This is my idea for my Mini project and I cant wait to start building it #games4ed
I think most (if not all) of the people in our class are very interested in minecraft quests, I think it would be better to have more minecraft quests that involved more playing and building, because that is what seems to interest them #games4ed
Hey - all my students on the chat - share out one of your game reviews or other projects - this group of educators would LOVE to see them. Maybe Jack can re-share his #3dexport bus and I know Haider and Alexis have some great blog posts #games4ed (Really all of you do!) #games4ed
A3: Students can come up with a project that qualifies for these three things: Life lesson learned, involves teamwork and problem solving, and it has fun features to it where kids can bond with each other in class. #games4ed
A3 Whenever making a project, I learned that you should have some very creative aspect to whatever you're working on, wether it's making a game, or inventing something make it creative that makes the end product unique #games4ed
A3 Mr. Isaacs allows people to teach him through the quests and allowing feedback and sharing our knowledge about the game and even giving him ideas for quests #games4ed
A student first taught me about @Minecraft several years ago and they convinced me it could be used for instruction, so I began using it and haven’t looked back #games4ed
A3: I can take this question all the way back to my days starting with #minecraft - it was continually hearing kids talk about the game that made me think "If this game is that important to these kids, I need to bring it into class" #games4ed
A3: Most of my students struggle with math more than anything. I would have to say Photomath was one thing I learned about from my students that really caught my attention. We utilize it for calculating/converting ingredients for recipes as well as food cost. #UMEdTech#games4ed
A2. I got ideas from my friends to make a parkour map, when I was planning on making a simple find the button mini game, which would be a lot less interesting #games4ed
A3: I'm starting a game with Unity and Mr. Isaacs helped me learn how to use it since I'm used to using blendr a program similar to it. I'm really looking forward to the game I'm planning on making. #games4ed
Hey Naldu! Warning to everyone out there - Naldu is currently undefeated against me in @playhearthstone - he's got skills! #games4ed Stay tuned as I will be quick to post when I finally beat him
A4 learning how to do something in VR and view how to accomplish something is better than reading something like a manual to solve the problem
#games4ed
A4: We can learn about what makes a game good for learning or just fun and analyzing and could even learn about new things in games like the new physics update in minecraft #games4ed
A4 - So much information nowadays is presented more closely to games than texts. News comes so fast and in so many forms. Understanding how to learn from and critique content in all these forms (as well as blending it all together) is super important. #games4ed
A4 - So many! Games vary so much that each one could boost a different digital literacy! But I think the most important one is the skill of thinking and understanding the meta of digital environments that surround us in this century. #Games4Ed
A3: I began using Kahoot! as an assessment method when a student came into my classroom begging me to check it out. It's a great reward/assessment tool. #games4ed
A4: "Reading Digital Games as Texts" Story-driven digital games can drive students to explore concepts like linear and nonlinear narrative, the unreliable narrator, and more. My @Edutopia about reading @HerStoryGame & @A_i#EdithFinch as texst! https://t.co/bGqlWsspt4#games4ed
I definitely agree with you Naldu and since they can do this they get better at the game. Therefore, students want to play more because they can dominate. #games4ed
A4: First off, the analyses is more meaningful to the students so if they are employing analytical thinking in a manner that speaks to them, that's a win right there. #games4ed
A4: "Reading Digital Games as Texts" Story-driven digital games can drive students to explore concepts like linear and nonlinear narrative, the unreliable narrator, and more. My @Edutopia about reading @HerStoryGame & @A_i#EdithFinch as texst! https://t.co/bGqlWsspt4#games4ed
A teacher in my new book uses @GetKahoot for students to vote on choices in games played as whole class, so they can take collective agency over decisions... and consequences! #games4ed
A4: The skill of evaluation and forming an argument debating the merits or downsides of a game. These skills will serve them throughout entire lives #games4ed
A5: There right in our society games and technology are taking over, and kids love playing new games. Because of this they share with others about the games that they love. #games4ed
A5: You know, when you think about it, almost everything is technological and it is creepy yet good. I think it is the next book reviews because in two generations, the kids will be like what are books? #games4ed
A5. Even though game reviews are very important, I personally feel that books and games are two very different topics, like movies and books, but both need a place in society #games4ed
A5: Again it goes back to relevance. Games are relevant to kids. If we can encourage the same literacy (writing, analyses, etc.) then why not? Games are a great vehicle. Plus good game reviews really demonstrate good writing #games4ed
A5 I would say Game reviews are meant for games, and book reviews are meant for books, but I guess you can't really write a game review for a book. But you maybe can write a book review about a game #games4ed
A5 They could be, with the development of the story and characters, but the great part of games is you can be the character and feel like you are right there in the story, so with new technology games are more interactive with the story so, there should be more insight #games4ed
A5 game reviews have a lot more freedom, you don't need to explain the plot, climax, etc. You can explain how to play the game, make a video walkthrough, there are a lot more options #games4ed
I wrote about this in https://t.co/4espEsyLsC: The Tribe of GBLK experts are transformational leaders outside thew classroom, but are servant-leaders in their classrooms, leading from behind like the Sherpa people #games4ed
Mr. Isaac's students might not be aware he is a ROCK STAR in the games in education community! Everyone in the space knows who he is, and if fortunate, know him personally. #games4ed
I second Haider's comment. I love that game reviews are rising in popularity, but what's most important is #studentchoice. In ELA, I let them choose what to review--book, movie, game, restaurant...the analysis skills are similar with all #games4ed
A5. Even though game reviews are very important, I personally feel that books and games are two very different topics, like movies and books, but both need a place in society #games4ed
I sure hope that's not true but I understand where you're coming from! #games4ed I do believe we have great opportunities now for mixed media that bring literacy / narrative into games in a powerful way that maintains literature #games4ed
Raj I totally agree with you. Also, in MineCraft for the Xbox, there is a gamemode based off of the hunger games where players have to search for hidden chests, grab loot, and fight to the death! #games4ed
A5: Game reviews are a great way for younger students to practice opinion writing. I think this could motivate a student to transition into book reviews, which is still an important skill! #games4ed
A5 I see games as more of an interactive and being the character unlike a book where you are reading the experience the characters are having instead of being apart of the experience
#games4ed
A5: I never really was on for book reviews-a summary/jacket cover was enough to tell me if I might like a book-is there an book equivalent for a ‘walkthrough’. Who is literature’s Leeroooyyy Jenkins? #games4ed
Have you played any of the episodic adventures by @telltalegames - they really provide a feeling of interacting with the media - there is a growing body of games that embrace literature #games4ed
In reply to
@RajGiller, @naldu_pienaar, @telltalegames
Agreed! I truly don't think "traditional" literature will die, but newer blends of art will be created--it's a hopeful future that awaits us, I believe :) #games4ed
So true! Games can evoke different emotions than film and books because of agency, like feelings of guilt or complicity. The medium is the message, as McLuhan wrote! #games4ed
A5. Even though game reviews are very important, I personally feel that books and games are two very different topics, like movies and books, but both need a place in society #games4ed
They do indeed! Personally, my favorite Telltale games are Minecraft Story Mode and The Batman Series, because they’re so different than their other games, which are part of different compamies #games4ed
In reply to
@mr_isaacs, @RajGiller, @naldu_pienaar, @telltalegames
In class you will have an opportunity to create a text based adventure if you like using @twinethreads - really neat opportunity to explore in terms of narrative in games #games4ed
In reply to
@jackkrikker, @RajGiller, @naldu_pienaar, @twinethreads
As seeing more of the people my age more invested in games, I see that games draw them in because of the immersive nature and being able to experiencing it instead of just reading it happening #games4ed
A5 I would argue (as @PaulDarvasi has) that critiquing and commentating has been democratized by the Internet. My 7-year-old pretends to make Let's Play YouTube videos about his toys. His fave phrase is "As you can see..." #games4ed
I own so many of the @telltalegames - now I just need to find time to play them. I have Back to the Future on the Xbox in class and many in my steam library - you can play the school appropriate ones :) #games4ed
In reply to
@haiderish12, @RajGiller, @naldu_pienaar, @telltalegames, @telltalegames
A6: There is extreme value to this. Kids get to express what they really feel, and this way teachers and new developers can get thousands or millions of POV's. #games4ed
A6: I REALLY hope that the reviews and walkthroughs by students in my class and other classes takes off and gets the attention of educators and game developers - kids have the best suggestions when you give them an opportunity to be involved in the co-creation process #games4ed
A6: This is a very interesting, I think that as I posted before, kids are at the front of this generation and for a good reason. We must lead this generation and the teachers and adults should be open to that #games4ed
A6: Kids can help inform development of games. It goes back to what @PeggySheehy and @knowclue always say - Ours is the only industry where we rarely ask our customers (in this case students) for feedback. kinda crazy, isn't it? #games4ed
A6: It can be hard to listen to students. Sometimes they say things we don't want to hear. But sometimes I may say things they don't want to hear. Why? Because I want them to improve. And I should want that for myself as well... #games4ed
A6: Anytime you give and encourage student voice/choice you are showing their opinions matter. Individualized learning is definitely a value also. #UMEdTech#games4ed
Experiencing something is very powerful. To me, I'd rather experience the learning through a game than reading a text book any day. It stays with me if I am immersed in the experience. Great point, Colin! #games4ed
A6 Games can be also used for learning because kids will see a whole new perspective of a story, or art, or any other subjects. Any subject can be shown in games, thats the beauty of making games in the first place. Your creation is limitless! #games4ed
A5 - were book reviews so tenuously linked with the marketing for books? Whether it’s sites that rely on funding from video game ads for the games they’re reviewing or youtubers paid to promote games with a disclosure in the info box
So much sketch #games4ed
A6: Really, games can be used for learning when it is used properly. For example, it is interesting that Minecraft was used for education but it was used well and we need more games like that in our life to keep pushing through with our ideas. #games4ed
A6: Much like @Mr_Isaacs mentions, Ss reviews and walkthroughs serve as a commentary to developers. I would hope that they are listening to their customers. #games4ed
Interesting, while not much story, my 6th period class seems to really enjoy playing The Witness together - we have solved a lot of it and I'll say the groupthink has been a life saver in that game! #games4ed
Last question...
Q7: Would you consider joining this movement to have students write and/or record game reviews? How can we ensure that our students voices are truly heard (by educators, game developers, etc )
#games4ed
A6 Games can be also used for learning because kids will see a whole new perspective of a story, or art, or any other subjects. Any subject can be shown in games, thats the beauty of making games in the first place. Your creation is limitless! #games4ed
Last question... Q7: Would you consider joining this movement to have students write and/or record game reviews? How can we ensure that our students voices are truly heard (by educators, game developers, etc.) #games4ed
Last question...
Q7: Would you consider joining this movement to have students write and/or record game reviews? How can we ensure that our students voices are truly heard (by educators, game developers, etc )
#games4ed
A6 - Feedback is always a tricky game. Especially with tech, as oftentimes users don't always actually know what they want (or, more accurately, don't know how to properly articulate what they want). I imagine S feedback can be similar. Tricky line to walk... #games4ed
A6: Really, games can be used for learning when it is used properly. For example, it is interesting that Minecraft was used for education but it was used well and we need more games like that in our life to keep pushing through with our ideas. #games4ed
I would definitely join the movement because it helps us express our feel on a subject, like discussing a book or movie, it will help the author or director or author in future projects, so it helps us be heard and give feedback that people might take for granted #games4ed
A7 - As a game developer and #edtech creator - YES PLEASE!!! Almost all edtech feedback seems to come via Ts, and it sometimes feels like playing telephone. Love to hear directly from Ss. #games4ed
Last question...
Q7: Would you consider joining this movement to have students write and/or record game reviews? How can we ensure that our students voices are truly heard (by educators, game developers, etc )
#games4ed
A7 - you have to be SUPER careful with this. Getting students to publish to the public web is super risky, especially in the gaming sphere where trolling runs rampant. #games4ed
Q7: I would definitely consider joining this movement because many people underestimate the power of every voice being heard and how it can change someone for a lifetime. Kids don't realize what impact they can have, so they don't speak up. #jointhemovement#games4ed
Last question...
Q7: Would you consider joining this movement to have students write and/or record game reviews? How can we ensure that our students voices are truly heard (by educators, game developers, etc )
#games4ed
Q7: Depending on your own relationship with the game developers, they may (or not) be heard. However using @flipgrid, posting publicly, even sharing directly we can at least know that they received those reviews. #games4ed
A7 I'm IN! Next year I'm modeling my 5th grade class after @mr_isaacs, and when they move me to HS I'm going to create a REAL game design class! #games4ed
A7: Absolutely! I think student reviews are something that should be taken seriously, not only in the gaming world, but in education as well! They are the leaders in their generation and deserve to be heard. This can only happen if us "old people" listen! #games4ed
A7 I would definitely join the movement, because out there are people who can lean about subjects about anything through games, but we need students to write those reviews to show what games are out there for other people. #games4ed
A7 I'm IN! Next year I'm modeling my 5th grade class after @mr_isaacs, and when they move me to HS I'm going to create a REAL game design class! #games4ed
Agreed, but the developers also need to be ready to listen to what is being said and not to what they want to hear. It's definitely tricky communication. #games4ed
I believe many game developers are open to and looking for the feedback. Sometimes it's in everyone's blind spot but I believe that we can really make something significant happen here #games4ed
A7: I definitely would consider joining this movement. I think they would jump at the opportunity if it was offered as well if it’s something they are truly interested in. This would also be a great confidence builder & encourage digital literacy. #UMEdTech#games4ed
Only about a week ago a 12 year old streamer was swatted by trolls picked up by a follower raid while streaming on YouTube
Story: https://t.co/lVDQzNJlwN
There are real risks here, you have to be mindful #games4ed
Not that it's not valid - but that it can be misleading. That often times trying to explain frustration A can end up coming out more about point B, and so requires careful communication to make sure both sides actually talking/understanding the same issue. #games4ed
A big shout out to @mr_isaacs & @MatthewFarber for their questions tonight! Also, thanks to all the students who joined us! All the great perspectives made this chat tonight so great!
Funny - I have to talk to my students about this all the time. Getting them to fully understand the importance of the feedback is tricky but I sometimes attribute it to age. Interesting to think that devs that NEED to listen may also tune it out #games4ed
Absolutely. It's a two-way street where both sides can get very muddled. Sometimes it feels like you're playing telephone even though there's on intermediaries. Good to do lots of "So, let me repeat what you said to make sure I understand it." #games4ed
It doesn't help that we (people) are naturally sensitive about stuff we're really proud of. Also why often important to have someone neutral in the conversation. #games4ed
Keep writing and recording great reviews and I'll keep sharing them with the world. It is great to see feedback that we give incorporated into products and games. #games4ed
