#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?
Here's a preview of tonight's questions! First will start at :05 after the hour!
We'll follow the Q1/A1 format in this #blendedlearning chat tonight!
Don't forget to tag your tweets with #games4ed
Q1: What forms of blended learning do you and your students find especially effective? (Station rotation, flipped classroom, flex learning, others??)
#games4ed
Hi all! I’m Stefanie Crawford, instructional coach from Illinois. My husband had a heart scare right before break, so the best part of break was just having him healthy and with us! #games4ed
A1: I'm a big fan and user of flex learning. I like giving students the choice of pace and order of assignments to work on and also teaching them time mgmt! #games4ed
A1: flex learning has been good for Ss and Ts. I like how it supports the idea that we learn differently and helps support all learners. The idea of flipped classrooms is great, but I’ve seen some executions that miss the mark and distort what’s supposed to happen. #games4ed
Q2: Blended learning can come with many challenges. What have you found or do find challenging? Any advice for others starting blended learning?
#games4ed
I've nver done a flipped. I'm with you. I like the idea, but many Ss don't watch at night. I like the idea of an in-class flip...we have a math T who's been finding success with that. It's taken consistency though #games4ed
A1 I've used rotations, flipped, and even students scheduling (similar to personalize learning) honestly I think they we all effective its a matter of what you can use consistently. Ss are adaptive but they need routines #games4ed
Blended methods combined with XP grading is a powerful combo. Ss read/listen to lectures or presentations on need-to-know topics outside of class & come to class w/ a resolve to really focus on getting work done autonomously (due to XP grading). I just hover & help #Games4Ed
Q1: What forms of blended learning do you and your students find especially effective? (Station rotation, flipped classroom, flex learning, others??)
#games4ed
I definitely start small. Two tasks over one or two days. The longer I do it, the more I realize how much more support Ss need for time mgmt. That's my next focus--being more proactive about teaching those skills #games4ed
A2: I’d equate it to Potions class at Hogwarts. 😆 It takes consistency but also the willingness to reflect...a lot...to revise it for what actually works best for Ss. It doesn’t just happen, and sometimes going “by the book” for flex learning isn’t the right fit. #games4ed
I would say that combining my gamified classroom with flex learning was super effective and the easiest for me to be consistent with as well. #Games4Ed
The hover and help--that's what I love about blended learning! How do you deal with students if they don't watch videos outside of class? Do they then watch in class? #games4ed
A1: I’ve done a form of flip within my class. And I’ve done a form of station rotation. A2: I want students to use every minuteur my class learning, so I’d like to learn more about flex. #games4ed
So true. I think there are some classes who never are ready for a "full flex" learning environment. Just like anything else we teach, I guess. Sometimes we get further in curriculum than other years #games4ed
A3: one of my favorite supports from a gamified classroom was the side quest aspect that catered to all types of learners and provided support in multiple skill areas for the content #games4ed
I love flex learning, but one thing I had to learn to deal with is students who don't manage their time well. I'm trying to do more student goal setting to try to be more proactive about how they spend their time. #games4ed
Amen for procedures! Seems like it always takes forever to get rolling at the beginning of the year, but it's glorious when it all starts to work! #games4ed
A4: I really love @activelylearn for any kind of reading assignments. I can give feedback right as the students read and answer questions. Also @sowntogrow for tracking student progress and goals. Two of my current faves! #games4ed
A4: I like WeVideo for what Ts can create for Ss as class resources but also for what Ss can create. Our district purchased seats that we check out to Ts who need them for class projects so that we don’t have to purchase seats for every student in the district #games4ed
A3 writing my dissertation on using gamification to build habits of mind in ss. I feel like if we use the game platform to promote skill development that ygd content will come #games4ed
Wow...I would love to read what you've done!! I'm starting my doctoral work this semester and have been thinking about #gamification#gbl#blendedlearning and executive function routes for research!! #games4ed
Absolutely!! You snuggle in for a wonderful weekend! I'm hosting a speech meet, so I'm looking forward to a delicious glass of wine Saturday night!! #games4ed
A4: I like WeVideo for what Ts can create for Ss as class resources but also for what Ss can create. Our district purchased seats that we check out to Ts who need them for class projects so that we don’t have to purchase seats for every student in the district #games4ed
My latest way of incorporating game mechanics is how I structure our pt-based class discussions (we call them “class councils”) & our pt.-based quiz bowls (we call them “class battles”)
Check it out:
https://t.co/UTDlxG8OPe#Games4Ed
