#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 June 9, 2016
Hello all! Time for the chat
Hey everyone, and welcom to tonight!! Share your name, location, position, & vacation plans! https://t.co/bgNps9Y6Vw
Melissa from Nebraska, 11-12 ELA. Vacation: ISTE! And take family to Lake Okoboji in Iowa.
Steve from NJ, I support middle school students in game design and development, Vacation seems to revolve around conference travel
Extending trip by about 5 days with :)
Nice! My colleague is planning the same with his family!
Kevin Roughton, Middle School History, So Cal. All stay all the time! (Except for a GAFE and AVID conference)
And attending which will involve presenting and table top gaming!
Good evening ! Jeff from NS, Canada. I teach grade 5. Looking forward to reading and spending lots of time outside with my kids!
John, Ph.D. student at Virginia Tech. Vacation: 3 conferences in New Orleans, Troy (NY), & Madision (WI). Can't wait!
Glad to have you hear, Kevin! We're usually a Staycation family!
Glad you made it, Jeff! What's your favorite outside activity?
I am heading to 2 Music festivals, one with my daughter and one with some friends and
Hi John! Good to see you again!
See you in Troy! Don't think I'll make this year in Madison :(
Glad to be here again! I saw I missed some mighty good chats in my absence.
Rebecca Bogard, Cincinnati, Ohio, ELA grades 8-9; going to Florida!
OH! Peachmusicfest is great! Enjoy!
Heya Rebecca! Have fun in Florida! Disney World?
Have you been? This is our fourth year! LOVE it! my daughter likes the water park :)
Hi :) Rachelle, Spanish & Fr T in Pittsburgh, headed to & , then will travel and sightsee
Hi Rebecca. Welcome! I must be tired I thought your name was Rebecca BoardGame
Kari from Nebraska, k-6 library and staycation this year
Awesome; see you at GIE! Sorry to hear about GLS. Have you attended previous years?
Agreed! Our park has some amazing trails. Enjoy!
Hey Kari! Enjoy your staycation! Which part of Nebraska?
Yes, past 3 years. Great conference. You will love it. and I LOVE Madison! try to visit
Rebecca Bogard, Cincinnati, Ohio, ELA Grades 8-9; going to Florida!
Alright alright alright! (Channeling my inner Matthew McConaughey). Q1 coming up!
Will do! Thanks for the heads up!
Hi - JR joining from NY/NJ - mostly lurking to get some ideas and learning from all of you :)
Lurk away! Always good to have you!
our social media manager is originally from Scranton :) Love the Poke-A-Nose!
A1: was a huge hit for my crew. Totally different than anything they've done before in school.
A1: As simply as it is, they LOVED . My kids had so little exposure to tech that it was completely novel.
Ditto! My students absolutely loved it!
A1: For my students, no question. - redstone creations and creating their own games in minecraft
A1: And honorable mention to Love Letter which I played with my lunch time board game crew. Learned plenty about deduction!
A1: I integrated into my daily routines as well. It was great, but I know it has way more potential than I applied
A1 My Ss have loved for yrs also and end of yr we also playd
A1: was very popular, as were game jams! Those things didn't "feel" like school, I think
Hey ! Joining a bit late. I’m Keegan, Educational Technologist
A1: speaking of minecraft, Minecraft: Education Edition officially released today! Free through September!
. new fave games in my class are live and
playing Kinect games as a storytelling medium.
A1: Minecrafting for social studies. Ss get agency in possibility and challenge
My Ss enjoyed Quizlet live, too. Different than other vocab games out there. Much more team based
that's the right answer :)
BreakoutEDU is on my definitely list for next year, Classcraft is on my hope to list. Going 1 to 1 is going to change everything.
A1) Only one major activity this year: . Excited to work on another project for the fall though! :)
Steve always has the right answer. He's like our Gandalf.
that is why everyone thinks I am a super genius
I hear great things . Haven't played it yet but we play some other social deduction games
Yes it will, but exciting! Both have been great additions to my classroom!
Also created lessons w/links to & live mixed in btx activ & tours they lovd it
Well, then. You should go this year!!!
still on my list! Have some ideas about having kids make their own https://t.co/biEv2PZEQO
A1: was a huge hit for my crew. Totally different than anything they've done before in school.
Got the notification via email this morning. EXCITED for this!
school shouldn't feel like school :) https://t.co/ihwVJmLjKy
A1: was very popular, as were game jams! Those things didn't "feel" like school, I think
it is the river adventure game that came with the Xbox. I can't think of name
I had some make their own related to Beowulf. Really pushes their thinking! They realized it's not easy at all!
A1: The Ss really enjoyed , and 's new Live option. Does a digital count? Leslie in Mty, MX.
some is he coming back in another chat with white hair
right - we used to play that at home. might need to break it out
I like it for students because unlike many others it does not encourage lying but still has the thinking component.
A2: the ones that cost money and I didn't get to try! :)
students have to think of where that place is located
@lesliefarooq@breakoutEDU Hi Leslie! Yes, digital definitely counts!
interesting. which games encourage lying?
A2: I want my students to embrace Little Big Planet 2 on PS4 but it's not on their radar so without a bit more effort maybe not...
A2 I wanted to do digital not enough time, the took a while to plan in Span, so worth it!
It was great, so engaged, didnt want to leave class!
Coup, Resistance, and Werewolf come to mind. Of course, they call it bluffing.
A2) My struggle with was perception of participants. But I was teaching adults. Luckily fine once we got into it.
regular wii games in the wiiU
time - yes - time... https://t.co/8HXd6wMlEf
A2 I wanted to do digital not enough time, the took a while to plan in Span, so worth it!
Totally agree - MAKING games is where the real challenge is and awareness of the complexity of a good game
The Amazing Grammar Race; students complete short activity correctly, then receive clue to find in the school building
A2: gamified my whole class with https://t.co/N0i0U73haK but keeping track of all the points and powerups was a serious struggle.
I want to make my own Escape game in or using - plotting with a few others (stay tuned)
I love this idea! Would love to do something like this!
I am excited because planning on engaging teachers in game design this fall. Can’t wait!
Amazing Grammar Race--activities were too long, and it was difficult to coordinate clues; whole activity drug out!
Good to see you, my friend! Ready for ?
A2: With a couple classes, not as much interest in competition. And harder to incorporate games in composition classes
once again. good answer. i knew i liked you (and knew you were a smart man!)
imagine if the made a game out of hamlet
YES! https://t.co/EDG2nAEckI
I am excited because planning on engaging teachers in game design this fall. Can’t wait!
I started with "Make candyland better" when I taught game design to my GATE kids.
The students liked it, I think I just need to make the activities shorter!
A2: Ironically, games caused a bit of a struggle, because when we didn't play games, Ss became much more resistant at times.
thanks for this one. Led me to The Multiplayer Classroom book just now!
modding existing games is a great approach for sure!!!
hmm, I guess you're saying that those are not good games to play with Ss?
I may start do this for other chats
please do :) you can be my new branding manager!
I like this idea. It gives them a starting place and it's something that everyone can understand! https://t.co/Iujp0TLVaJ
I started with "Make candyland better" when I taught game design to my GATE kids.
That is on my radar too, with redstone locks w/ levers, doors, and picture framed objects.
I am the best Twitter wingman ever
These ideas sound great. Planning to have Ts build digital to teach digital & 1/2
Depends on your environment. I'm not in a game-friendly world so I don't want any reason to make it worse!
A2: it's interesting because there can be struggles getting started with certain games if kids aren't bought in as says
Yes, I enjoyed using and Ss loved it, but keeping up with XP and power-ups was a bit of a struggle too
Yes. I notice the same thing with my iPads
We ran escape rooms today in the library designed by Ss with a math teacher. It was awesome!
A2: I tried running a fantasy baseball league for 6th graders last year. Didn't go so well.
oh, I see, that is smart But more of our world should be game friendly. Lots more.
media literacy indirectly as well. Important to me to pair with game design. (2/2)
Awesome. Sounds like a blog post in there somewhere :)
That's really cool! This teacher is brilliant!
very much want my kids to create them. what a great activity.
Def. Inspired me to build a game to end the year w my class on Monday, too
Oh ya? Excellent. It certainly looks interesting from the surface. Thanks for the recommendation. :D
Perhaps great for my school for study hall Ss who don't have anything to do! Hmm....
A2 floors went ok with undergrads. Some loved it some piddled around
:( Sadness. What didn't click?
A3: great Question! I love empowering students in learning process but realized that demos of resources are great way to introduce
A3 I want to focus on more building games
Make sure next time you go on the message boards and troll. Without trolling it's not fantasy football
Some Ts signed up w classes but many Ss in library ran through them all day. The T & Ss did great
A3: Going to try to track the XP digitally and then give tangible analogue "payments" when they level up so they see and feel it.
Re: A3 - would love to connect with anyone who measured meaningful results/impact on high value topics.
A3) The big change will be swapping from game playing to game making. Hoping to engage same and more Ts this time round.
Great idea though!!!! Try again for sure :)
I like that something is tangible. My Ss have responded much more to tangible badges than digital ones
Amazing Grammar Race: instead of posting the real clue in the school, post QR codes!
In short, not enough kids actively participated to make the league dynamic enough.
when we say "measured" what kind of data are we talking about here? Does Ss subjective feedback count?
A3: More is on my radar too, only ran 3 orig & 2 dig this year. Want to do more & collab to create over the summer.
A3 I desperately want Lego dimensions to be an Ed adventure game
I wish they had a world building component
shame. Don't give up. I was lucky to be invited in our 6th grade league. It was lit!
I’ve spent so much time looking at artwork this past year to recognize that snowman. Cards look great!
And while we're at it... what's up with the closing of and BOO HOO
A3 decide what I want to start yr with, have a plan ready, Try anothr have Ss make games
Are you sharing these somewhere? And have you decided on a license for them?
I want to use for a storystarter. Various characters in strange lands
A3: Using more Standards-Based grading & student input grading. Not directly related, but I'm gonna count it.
trying to get it free play for students
great idea! do you have it in class?
I am running a six week action research project on effects of on critiacal thinking in lit classroom
not yet. I have student workers playing through the levels
I see. Bummer :( Love the idea, though! Hope to see you try it again!
and I have other badges to go with His badges
I think that the model fits perfectly with Standards Based Grading,
I'd love to read it when you're done, Mark!
What I struggle with is when we bring in data a lot of what's good about falls out
either because we don't know how to measure the good game-like stuff, or b/c we undervalue
are we doing an analog game night?
yeah - stopping development (and I supposed support) on both :(
We must! Who's in for non-digital game night?
Ya, I don’t want to think about this :(
There are missions to choose from or create your own. Get live activ feed, fun
Actually on Tuesday at 7am at there's a - we can play there!
Can you say Collectos' items?
I think we may be talking past each other. :) Evaluating impact is diff. From changing design based on that analysis.
I'm definitely in for an game night! (As long as I can simultaneous drink wine...)
I would love to play operation or hungry hungry hippos with some folks
Haha, I would love to be finished!
Sorry I'm not able to join tonight! Hope to catch the chat archives 2mrw +++ Everyone :D
OK, I can do coffee instead of wine...
A4 see dimensions tweet earlier
Hungry Hungry Hippos- so in :)
yes, I agree. But I feel like we're lacking in tools for rich eval. Would love to hear what tools you have in mind
A4: planning to dig deeper into and virtual world design with variety of tools
I want to use Journey in a unit on oral narrative and have students create games that tell stories.
A4 for sure hoping to get lots of new ideas at I'm teaching a new course nxt yr
You are here in spirit my friend. Your voice will be missed. Hope all is well!
A4) Teach Ts game design in hopes they integrate those themes/practices into their courses where they fit. Just too fun not to ;)
A4: I've yet to do a digital --and want Ss to design one. Also want to integrate more Hero's Journey into Brit Lit
yes, you can :) Let's think of a night and place. We could always play in the Mariott lobby :)
Awesome! I'm gonna need to check that out!
Ya, luckily we live in a time with many options. Just miss those since I actively played some.
before getting to tools, I'd focus on guaranteeing there is something worth measuring in the first place. :)
A4: I am really into a few new games I picked up on Amazon: Disruptus, Extrodinaires Design Studio, and now Rory's Story Cubes.
Wednesday night is a great idea!!!! after all the craziness. everyone staying til Thurs?
oh cool - I need a full report!
Jealous. That sounds like so much fun!
you in for a crazy night of gaming with this crew? etc
Unsure about Wed. night. Need to check my hotel reservations. Thinking we're leaving Wed :(
right, and what things are worth measure. Imo - flow, engagement, pathways to future learning, transferable skills
A4: Also excited to use some of the games from Reality is Broken with my 8th graders. Going to have them change the world. (easy)
right now our reservation is til Thurs morning
Checked it out--this looks awesome!
absolutely just couldn't fit
Wish I could figure out what to do with Story Cubes - bought them all. Only used them once.
I always hang out until the day after
A4: digital , and are at the top of my list for the fall.
Don’t forget the 2 D batteries!
nice to see you here, Randy!
awesome! Let me know if you need any guidance in getting strarted with
I should say my Ts and kids are loving your games. They are one of my ways of expanding playful learning in K-6
great list! as long as engagement means important learning is happening. Otherwise merely enthrallment!
will do! I have 5 raspberry pi, and 5 Android devices for the fall, so it will be a mashup of devices/ versions
Steve is a leader in & . Also, & I run the Twitter chat, Tues,8pm
thank you!!! Great to hear! More on the way.
A5) I want to learn more about the integration in the next year. Would be awesome to help a class use it!
to me transferring a skill from 1 activity to another=important learning content alone isn't the future of learning imo
A1: Completely forgot I used The Impossible Game to introduce Growth Mindset - kids loved it!
I'm also working on other ways to differentiate using technology; I actually just started a blog https://t.co/HtDVZwIGLj
A5: Hoping to integrate into some choice quests or side quests in my BritLit class
A5 Wait, it was? I should check that out.
. Sadly No, but may be running a training that week, not as good.
A5: If the Android version runs on Chromebooks as it should in a few months we'll be designing colonies.
where do you share your maps? will you build in edu or commercial ver?
but we will co-moderate the chat from and right?
would love to discuss colonial history in games. See it a lot. Taught it myself this year. Problematic often imo.
A5: Oh... I've got plans!!!! Definitely continuing using with my 7th graders (was a new option for them this year)
Yes, one of the awesome things about Wuzzit is it pulls out the heart of the maths, instead of focusing on algorithms
Darn Tootini! We still have to rock a call Re. that. ASAP. And that will be via as well.
A5: Game Design and Digital Storytelling with in our 7th grade cycle!
If you are doing BritLit, you need to check out for their Shakespeare & Tower of London stuff! Great Quests
A6: Summer is always a great time to play games as PD and work with game design tools for me - focus on and
A6 I end up doing a ton not on the game side but on district infrastructure side. Whitelists, bandwidth, hardware, all important
Very cool! You've put a lot of work into it so far!
A6) Developing the curriculum for the making games training. :) Also, playing as many games as possible. ! ;)
Yessir! I'll live vicariously through you. We should run a live Chat/Stream
I'm curious about the digital storytelling aspect! Can you describe more?
A6: Creation of side quests with my standards-based grading system
A6: Rebuilding Fracture Crisis (spreading the narrative out all year) and planning an early year (1st day?) BreakoutEDU.
A6 Use to learn all I can, then spend rest of summr working on new ideas
Hey Neal, For folks like me who work with and help other Ts dev their GBL Worlds, is there a path for Access to MCEd
Yes, I mean not only chat, but also Google Hangouts on Air for video stream too.
I was seriously thinking BreakoutEDU for the first day. Acquaint Ss with each other and with the classroom!
Hey , will be out for a few weeks for vacation. Thanks for the fun night! And now I have more books to read during travels ;)
Wow! on the first day. That is very bold. I really like it!
Might be a great way to teach all that procedure nonsense that ruins day 1 so often.
Everyone, thanks so much for a fantastic chat tonight! I'm inspired every Thurs. And shoutout to my counterpart !
- kids write design doc with storyline / backstory / character descriptions / level descriptions / full story
Thanks! I'm new at this whole teaching and thing, so it's really cool to see awesome ideas here!
Hi there . Paul from Tokyo. Anyone out there working with apps like Kodable and Scratch Jr in the K zone? (3-5 yr olds)
It's been great having you! There's such a treasure of great ideas here!!
likewise! Thanks everyone and have a great week!!!
Thanks for hosting! Cool hearing about such a variety of project and plans.
feel free to connect outside the chat to discuss the games / storytelling piece in greater detail
This is so cool! I think I might try this with my 8th graders!
