WU: Josh Stock, 6th grade Language Arts teacher and Kansas Moonshot: School Redesign podcast host from Olathe, KS. Over the past week or two I've had several students who started the year hating reading, find books they love. #xplap
Ryan, 8th grade US History from Olathe. Wife & celebrated our 12 year dating anniversary & Ss FINALLY got to give their John Brown presentations. #XPLAP
Hi #xplap crew! Stefanie, instructional coach from Illinois. Got to watch my 13 yo in a scholastical bowl meet today. He was so happy to see me there. How could I not be happy?
Good Evening #XPLAP, Dave Kolb, 7th grade math in Genoa, IL One thing that brought me joy this week was some of the awesome student side quest submissions.
Michael Matera
6th grade teacher
Auther of #XPLAP
Something that brought me joy this week... That has to be sharing out the joys of #gamification at my first @CESA6 event on Monday! So many great teachers who got excited about the ideas shared!
Hello #xplap friends! Jamie Halsey, 4th grade teacher from Roseville, CA. I enjoyed hanging with my family over the weekend playing Zombicide Black Plague.
Justin Oswald from @circleusd375, yesterday was our first experience as a building to have student led conferences... parents, students, and teachers were all nervous about the change but with careful planning from our committee they went phenomenal! #thrivein375#xplap
Jimmy from SD. 6th grade math Joy this week has come in many ways. 1.) conferences- talking with parents and now being done with them :). 2.) watching my 10-mo old daughter learn more and more #xplap
Hey #xplap! I'm Jen, a 6th grade English Teacher from IN! Seeing my 6th graders conducting literature circles and discussion with 7th graders today brought me joy! @rebevelous29
A1: Every S has the chance to find success by tapping into their talents & passions. All activities & sidequests are open-ended so they can use their strengths to find success and “win” the game. #XPLAP
A1 We have random events every day that require no skill, so everyone has equal chance. I also have varying levels of side quests. Extra practice for those near/on level and enrichment for others who are above level for the current material. #XPLAP
A1 Most side quests are doable by any student. Make a @Flipgrid or draw a new pet for your avatar. Know your student and know when to challenge them. #xplap
a1) I have a variety of side quests that will hopefully fit most of the students. Also, some of the activities can be done as many times as possible so they can get maximum points. #xplap
A1: looking at introducing some different side quests that don’t focus on the math that we are learning. More logic and reasoning type of stuff. #xplap
A1 cont... I'd like more of my larger quests to have more pathways to show understanding. It can get away from you quickly as a teacher trying to keep track of it all. #xplap
A1: Still working on balance. I'm working on offering more sidequests for currency, but having variable item pricing based on your place on the leaderboard. #XPLAP
A1 Similar to @teachlikeaninja, my side quests are differentiated and also scaffolded and tiered for different interest and difficulty level... the funny thing is the more options you provide the more Ss want to do ALL of them! #xplap
A1- I always feel like I am looking for the ‘magic bullet’ that always keeps my players balanced but I have yet to find it 😔. I try and give a little more XP to Ss that struggle or offer them more gold so they can buy gear #xplap
A1: I love that side quests are choice-based which empowers the Ss to choose their own personal pathways to success. The idea of choice really embeds a culture a differentiation already. #XPLAP
A1 I try to keep the game balanced by including activities that and quests that appeal to different types of students. I also try to develop side quests that are scaleable. #xplap
AWH! I'm late! I'm Carol from Birmingham, AL! I was working on the next part of my game and time slipped away! My gamification session ended with applause! I'm hoping LOTS more teachers join us in the fun! :) #xplap
A1: combinations of items, types of challenges that address different types of learners and players, and side quests help address all learning needs #xplap
A1: I like offering quests and challenges that embrace all kinds of different skills. Since I teach a self-contained class, I can award XP in all kinds of subject areas, including PE. #xplap
A2 Content informs the Game. Content is the base material for games. The Narrative is centered around Historic overview. "Quests" are based on historic skills and content... #XPLAP
I think that’s what makes gamification so unique and special in that you can tailor the game for anyone of any ability level...if that isn’t something every teacher can use, I don’t know what is! #xplap
One of my most recent I stole from @jedikermit . I had students create math superheroes/villains from the funko pop template. I haven't had many opportunities to see this creative side of my student. Their characters and back stories were great! #XPLAP
A1: I like to balance my game for all students by offering different quests for each type of student I have... I first design using Bartles Test and think about my player types... Then I design some quests for kids that have not done one. Then I invite them to try. #XPLAP
A1: I make many secret missions (sidequests) open ended to fit all levels. Some of my sidequests have various choices of difficulty & kids choose which ones best fit them. #xplap
A1 I try to give a lot of choice and options to meet diverse learning styles/abilities....and focus on the real task—learning. In my game they are gathering an understanding of the enduring issues in history (which has been erased) to control the future #XPLAP
A2: Getting balance toward content and standards is easy... The hard part in a classroom is to build meanful relationships with each student. #Gamification is a great way to get to know and hopefully tailor that expierence toward your learners. #XPLAP
A2: I've built my class around units and the projects that can be done to finish them, and ideally the game will give students more ways to complete them. Maybe more work gives them more items to work with, Chopped-style? #XPLAP
A2 Item cards are a great way to introduce content while playing the game MTG created cards like what @mrmatera and @MrPowley inspired me to create specific vocabulary cards like matter materialization, cellular regeneration, velocity pass, and others that have vocabulary #xplap
A2: I plan 2-3 deep dives per unit that are tied to specific standards. From that point, I limit Ss to 3 sidequests per unit, but always reminding them that our assessed tasks come first & then sidequests, though Ss learn time-mgmt & work on both. #XPLAP
A2: the game adds the spice to the content and is great for engagement. I also extend side quests by asking Ss to be able to track their learning. #XPLAP
A2: I just let the game replace either how I introduced the concept or how I practiced the concept. No more time is taken away from the school day. Time taken from my off time, however.... :) BUT it's really turning into a hobby of sorts. #xplap
A2-the primary way my Ss level up is through so given on assignments that connect to stds. My boss battles are mostly built into @classcraftgame but I am expanding and adding more content focus...@MeehanEDU inspired@me@to create a hashtag hunt type thing but based on stds #xplap
a2) I try to tie all the activities to the standards first, and then see if I can twist it into a game element. for example, we have a standard about thermal energy transfer so the students will make heat shields to protect our rockets. #xplap
A2: the challenges, mini games, and side quests all use the theme to guide them such as with items awarded or used, but the content of those is driven by skills we’ve learned or are learning. #xplap
A2 I'm only in my first full year of gamifying my class, so I am still working out the kinks. My game runs in the background of class. We cover all of the material, but with our game, Ss have more incentive to go above and beyond. They're not afraid to try new things. #XPLAP
A1- I am constantly having to add that Mario Cart mechanic in to my battles and challenges to make them even out. I keep my side quests very open ended to allow for all students to participate. Most of the time I am surprised by which students impress me on which quests! #xplap
A3: I am constantly using trial and error for this. I push students to correct side quests and challenges, and then I celebrate students working through struggle. I’d love to hear of other badges people award for students who stick with something difficult. #xplap
A2 I look at the standards first and then the game. Transitioning to NGSS has made this even more challenging as I tackle new facets of science teaching and trying to fit in gamification. #xplap
A3 I don't know about grit. I think students need the opportunity to be unsuccessful in order to learn how to be successful. It has to be a legit choice. #XPLAPhttps://t.co/sdcNCZyuRJ
A2: I am flying by the seat of my pants right now. I try to just keep the game in mind and try to find ways for the Ss to interact with the content in a #gamified way. #xplap
A3: I think the open-ended XP values teach this well. When they don't know how much XP it will be they tend to above and beyond. I also think you can add grit in the team challenges since they have other's strengths to pull from #xplap
A2 Most things from my game either align to or extends from our content. Usually I start with the content, then try to think of fun things that build off of or relate to it. #xplap
A3: I try to work in a "Workday Wednesday" on full weeks so that the students who need that extra time for their quests can have it, but the "leaders" also like it as it gives them time to explore the sidequests. #XPLAP
A3: I offer redos on all assessed tasks & encourage revisions based on feedback for any standard which received a score that is below our target. #XPLAP
Scott from Illinois. I’m late! Just drove home from a grad class and what brought me joy was listening to the latest #WellPlayed episode. I enjoyed it so much I listened to it for a second time! #XPLAP
A3 This was a challenge for my class personally this year because I was all in for #gamification but it was a foreign concept for Ss, fellow Ts, admin, and parents so I had to change gears mid semester, but now second semester the kids are asking for more challenges! #xplap
A3: this is something we talk a lot about as a team. Also, how to teach kids how to think and reason about the problems and answers. I don’t know if I have an answer yet... #xplap
I'll be honest, I used to plan the game first and work the standards in, but you're right. It helps to work the game element around the standard. #xplap
A3 We have recently been talking a lot at my school about "stamina." I am trying to increase my students' math stamina by giving them choices. If it is something they have chosen and have stock in, they are more willing to put in the work. #XPLAP
A3: I think one great way to teach grit is with challenges and sidequests. Both of these are open ended and have many chances for failure... But better than that, they have many oppertunities to learn from that failure and put into place new attempts and grow from them. #XPLAP
Q4: How do you balance your game for different gamer types? (achievers, explorers, socializers, killers) *And what was the kid friendly name for killers? #xplap
A3: I think #gamification naturally helps kids build grit toward completing a task or quest. The tasks seem less arduous when they are playing the game. They are enjoying the ride as much as the final destination. Even if they are a little overwhelmed, it's fun. #xplap
A3- I have had to constantly remind myself to step back and give the students time to discover things on their own, process together with other alliance members, discovery takes time! #xplap
A4: This is something that I'll have to evaluate later on, as I haven't done much with the Bartle Test and different gamer types. Would love to have different quests for each type based on the same content eventually. #XPLAP
A4: A- I want to work on develop groups of quests to complete as a set. E- I like hiding easter eggs in the building. S- I’d love to have more trading in my game. K- My chance cards make it easier for Ss to make other teams lives difficult. #xplap
A3 I totally just trick them by making it fun and/or a challenge. Never make anything the end all—we focus on the learning—and that’s an up and down process for everyone. A lot of the time they complain that I made them work hard/think without them realizing it. Sneaky. #XPLAP
A3:For me, I have noticed that my students will take more risks in the game because it is not attached to a grade. I have also noticed that they are more likely to pick themselves up and keep trying during a failure or struggle. #xplap
A4: I call my killers the provokers. I offer a different variety of side quests that will appeal to the different gamer types... I do my best at least! #XPLAP
A4: Griefers. I struggle with matching that player type to my game. I have hidden quests throughout my site for explorers & achievers, & allow partnerships or squad-based quests for socializers, but I can’t seem to tap into the Griefer mindset. #XPLAP
A4 Meeting the needs of different player types is something I need to do more of. Trying to get more team specific challenges and quests together for the second half of the year. #xplap
I try to vary my storyline team challenges to fit all of these. I have this one kid that is TOTALLY an explorer. He sees EVERYTHING that is different even when it's not obvious. #xplap Maybe warriors instead of killers???
A4: I like the Bartle test as it has the four domains and is easy to remember when designing learning oppertunities. I oftnen look over my unit plan and think have I done denough for each of the player types. I like to try to say I have done at least 2 for each. #XPLAP
A4 I had my students take the Bartles test at the beginning of the year. I use this information when planning lessons and side quests. I try to have something available for all of my plater types at all times. It is definitely something that is a work in progress. #XPLAP
A3- this is an area I really need to build more into my game. I try and offer multiple options and give something for attempts and always encourage Ss to try multiple quests to level up #xplap
Griefers want to exert control over the other players. I add this to games by creating cards/powers within a review game like "steal a player off another team" or "Force the other team to stand if they miss a question". #XPLAP
A4- Love this question. I've been reflecting on this a lot lately. I call my killers 'schemers'. I have one alliance that is crushing the competition because they are made up of 2 achievers, 1 schemer, a socializer, and an explorer. They are nearly impossible to beat! #xplap
I love that idea. I think a lot more of my students would do side quests if they were able to start at school and finish at home. The hurdle of getting started is what holds a lot of them back. #xplap
A4 right now I have three divisions “classic route” more traditional type activities but with a twist for team work, mod crew (moderately challenging), and CHALLENGE accepted with an all in attitude! All players make my game better by their #studentvoice#xplap
A4: having Easter eggs, items to attack opponents and gain advantages, creating a story line that’s strong and can be explored through the classroom decor, quests, character development all help address the multiple gamer types #xplap
A3 We do a lot with mindset to help us persevere through struggles and also to know that struggle is part of learning. On the other hand, we try to provide activities at different levels so students face the right level of challenge. #xplap
I think that's been my motto for all of my teaching career. It's what makes teaching exciting, fun, and terrifying all at the same time, but I wouldn't have it any other way. #xplap
A4 I always try to remember that motivation is fluid. One day I might want to explore. Next I might want to collect points. I try to plan on making opportunities for all types. #XPLAP
A5: It depends on the time of year, but I usually work in a game element into the regular class period about once a week. Most of the other game elements are outside of class time. #xplap
I just had a few students last week ask about side quests and how to get started. These are my achievers who didn't care much cause it didn't directly affect their grade. #xplap
Sure does... in big and small ways. When you start to think about these four types it start to come naturally in your planning.
I believe, we game, much like we learn. #XPLAP
A4: I have lots of activities for my explorers, socializers and achievers. I have the hardest time coming up with activities that appeal to the "conquerer" types. Any suggestions? #xplap
A5: I've spent months getting my class to the point where it auto-grades and auto-populates my gradebook, so now i'm hopeful to start spending my time working on narrative. But the game is pretty much non-stop. #XPLAP
a5) I'd love to have the game taking up all the class time. Hopefully, I can almost there next year. right now, little things throughout the week, and at least one major thing each unit. #xplap
A5 We have a random event every day. This keeps the game fresh in everyone's mind. I then usually try to include another game element (earning XP/GP) once a week. Plus, students always have the opportunity to work on side quests when finished with classwork. #XPLAP
A5 the game takes at least two hours a weekend to plan then a half hour each day during my plan to implement and follow through with leaderboards, items, and hiding sidequest Easter eggs #xplap
A5 Depends on what's going on. If I have a game specific lesson like designing a new quest it would be hours. If it is just upkeep and giving xp and gp then minutes a period. New cards and powers take lots of time and thought. #xplap
Like @MrPowley I appease the griefers through items that allow them to attack or curse other players. Some of those items have to be rolled (dice) to stick and aren’t automatic. This seems to help replicate the idea that your attack’s sometimes are blocked, etc. #xplap
A5 My framework is the game and then within the structure I can add the pieces. I use XP grading, feedback loops, narrative, etc... to set students up for historic skills. #XPLAP
A5: Everyday the game is live. Ss can work on sidequests at any point after assessed tasks are done. Each unit goes live with all tasks available, so Ss work at their own pace. #XPLAP
A4 I'm still working on this. I'm trying to add more interactivity, especially things that players can do to affect other teams. I find that a lot of the students like this dimension. #xplap
I just started using items/powers that can attack other players or teams. Wasn't sure of the dynamics initially and needed to make sure I rolled it out right. #xplap
In reply to
@MrsCford_tweets, @Coach_Stephans, @MrPowley
Mine was called the "Fugitive Slave Act" and I had a card that could counteract it called "Emancipation Proclamation". A Griefer for Griefers... #XPLAP
A4: I'm having to rethink some of my side quests because I have one girl who has won almost every prize box because she is a strong leader and somehow manages to get everyone on her team to complete side quests regardless of who I put her with. It's impressive. #xplap
Way late to the game - just never have actually had a chance to participate. Charlie from Ohio - 8th grade LA
A5. Balance is hard for me, especially with some students expressing a little desire for more balance on a recent survey. #xplap
A5: It depends on the day in my class. Some days we have several activities tied to the game, other days it plays more in the background. "Questing" is always an option if they finish with their work early. I had one of my early finishers find an Easter Egg today, success! #xplap
Q4: How do you balance your game for different gamer types? (achievers, explorers, socializers, killers) *And what was the kid friendly name for killers? #xplap
Another fast and fantastic chat this week thanks for guest moderating @teachlikeaninja! Thanks also to @mrmatera for allowing me the same privilege next week #xplap
A5 continued. I do limit the use of each item card to only once per week, and it has to be done during “work time,” unless specific to in-game competition, etc. Right now I have a game within the game The Amazingly Educational Race, which is one day a week. #xplap
Huge thanks to @teachlikeaninja for hosting #XPLAP this week. I love having guests fromt he community take the helm. So fun to watch their ideas impact this wonderful community of ours! Have a great week everyone!
I’ll be looking back and tracing the convo that I mostly missed out on. Excited to have gotten about a half of a question response in under the time constraint :) Maybe one of these days! #xplap
I have an item called the Robin Hood card that allows them to steal from one team, but they have to give the points away to another team. It add an attack element with a charity element. #xplap
In reply to
@pentaclethra, @MrsCford_tweets, @Coach_Stephans, @MrPowley
I see this too. I've got many students that show interest in side quests but might not follow through. In winter, I sometimes allow kids to stay in if they are a choosing to work on a side quest. After they try one or two, quests they often carry it over to work at home. #xplap
Thanks @teachlikeaninja for a great chat tonight. Lots to ponder! Thank you to @mrmatera for bringing us all together. Thank you to the #xplap pln for so many great ideas and support! Happy gaming everyone!
I also announced that any S who reaches the level of Obtainer of Rare Antiquities will get to hide an Indiana Jones themed Easter egg in my site for future players #XPLAP
Everyone!!! A new #XPLAPGameNight is starting up and I want you and your classes to participate. Check out this link for more infohttps://youtu.be/QvAfQWT_rkc Then Print off your template and prepare to play! #XPLAP
You are welcome! They were SUPER excited! Lots of laughs and smiles today when we played the games today. I just wanted them to see how easy it was to add game elements to the classroom & that all ages can do it! #xplap
