#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?
Hi all! Melissa from Nebraska, 11-12 ELA. We start school on August 15th...coming up! But we report back on Monday! Got my room put back together today...exciting! #games4ed
Hi I'm Jeff Larsen. I am currently a undergrad at APSU in Clarksville, TN. I'm studying History Education. I want to teach 11th and 12th grade U.S. History. #games4ed
A1. I want to do as much relationship building with my students as possible the first day. I believe very strongly that building relationships results in the most effective teaching for students. I'm hoping to get some fun ideas tonight! #games4ed
A1: I'm thinking I will have kids choose teams by picking Easter Eggs or something similar with different items inside, grouping them, and they'll do a Breakout Challenge. Should set the tone well! #games4ed
Hiya Mariana! I'm hoping I can join in your #hivesummit chat tomorrow! (FAmily is coming, but fingers crossed they won't be here until afterward! ) #games4ed
A1: I intro the new game. Four of my five classes will consist mostly of kids that played with me before, so it's really the unveiling of a new game. #games4ed
A1 - So excited for day 1, I’ll be sharing my game trailer with my kids and they will start their “cadet” training with a play dough activity. My first year gamifying 😬 #games4ed
Evening #games4ed, sorry I'm late. N from 🇨🇦, #edtech creator, cofounder, enthusiast. Not going back to school, but every September still feels like the real New Year marker for me. :)
I love Breakouts, especially on the first day. One year I incorporated my syllabus, too. Any type of escape room activity is a good one to use! #games4ed
A1: I'm thinking I will have kids choose teams by picking Easter Eggs or something similar with different items inside, grouping them, and they'll do a Breakout Challenge. Should set the tone well! #games4ed
A1 - So excited for day 1, I’ll be sharing my game trailer with my kids and they will start their “cadet” training with a play dough activity. My first year gamifying 😬 #games4ed
A1. On my first day of school I want to have a relax atmosphere where I get to know about my students and start building a good relationship between myself and the students. #games4ed
Q2: What activities/games are awesome at getting students to know each other and form bonds? What do you do so they know and bond with you, their teacher?
#games4ed
Yikes! We actually have to do a three day workshop next week that's not even in our contract, so I'm hoping that will take care of some snow days down the road. #games4ed
In reply to
@MarianaGSerrato, @MusingsOnEdTech, @mpilakow
A2) Field tripping to my car on the first day sure helps break barriers and build bonds. Building shoe towers is a great one to get them bonded to each other. #games4ed
A2: Lasr year we did an activity where students had to figure out if they could survive in space. I have also had students do an about me sheet, so that I can learn about them. #games4ed
I've been thinking about Goose Chase too! I want to use it for finding resources in the room, selfies with classmates...trying to figure out what other tasks that they should do. Labeling their folder... #games4ed
A2 - I love to do some get to know your peers icebreaker activity...I’ve used many different over the years. I want to do one with dice this year...I also want to do 1 or 2 team building challenges. Short STEM activities. #games4ed
A1. "Welcome to the Great American @DreamRushEDU!!!" Asynchronous centers activity to have students complete start of school year procedural stuffs, icebreakers, and tech downloads. NO MORE DEATH BY SYLLABUS! https://t.co/KcmowWzszz#games4ed
A2: Kind of out of the loop there since I know most. Even many of my littles are siblings that have been "waiting". In any case, we do a couple quick design challenges the first week to get back on track. #games4ed
I like this idea...I've thouoght about doing something similar after reading Dive into Inquiry. I'm definitely doing this with my new speech/drama class. I've done no planning. None. I'm gonna let the students plan it out.. #games4ed
Very crazy. My favourite summer we moved from US back to CAN. Finished K end of May, started G1 beginning of Sept. 1st month in CAN, everyone else was in school - felt so free. #games4ed
A2. My back to school welcome game gives me face time w/ students in small groups while other groups complete other startup. Some taking the Bartle Test. Some filming intro videos on @flipgrid. Some posting selfies with bios on for @padlet. Etc. #games4edhttps://t.co/KcmowWzszz
Q2: What activities/games are awesome at getting students to know each other and form bonds? What do you do so they know and bond with you, their teacher?
#games4ed
I shouldn’t put my dmbias on where the class should go. The class should go where the students want. I am a believer in true student ownership. Not like those mouthpieces out there. #games4ed
A2. With students now having their own laptops in class I would like to set up a google form that allows them to submit questions anonymously. Then as a class answers as many of their questions as possible #games4ed
My kids and I have played quite a bit of Farkle this summer...it's inspired me to try some more dice games with my own students. Would love to hear what you come up with! #games4ed
#games4ed indoor and outdoor team building activities and getting to know you challenges with teachers involved as well, intro council as well and throw in outdoor sports time
John, can your students get on laptops right away or will you use phones for the Flipgrid videos? Ours have to wait until paperwork gets signed. #games4ed
A3: My boss battles, which I developed at the beginning of the summer, have seen major modifications. I did a trial run just as school ended, learned and tweaked. I cannot wait to roll them out. #games4ed
I know a surprising number of people with birthdays between Dec 24th and Jan 3rd. Never seems like a great time. Mine's June 25th - 6 months from Christmas. 😛 #games4ed
In reply to
@MarianaGSerrato, @mpilakow, @MrsBeguin
A1. "Welcome to the Great American @DreamRushEDU!!!" Asynchronous centers activity to have students complete start of school year procedural stuffs, icebreakers, and tech downloads. NO MORE DEATH BY SYLLABUS! https://t.co/KcmowWzszz#games4ed
A2 a lot of the stuff we do are common ground work at ropes courses. Moving objects through obstacle courses as a team, we do communication games where the active team members are blindfolded #games4ed
There's something about centers that makes it *feel* more personalized and like there's more student choice (even when there isn't - everyone has to do the same centers). #games4ed
In reply to
@mpilakow, @MeehanEDU, @Flipgrid, @padlet
A3 I run whatever new game I’ve built, but I get excited for Ss created PE and class games that pop up all year long, they have created some epic games that have carried over several years and made their way into other classes #games4ed
A3 - everything will be new this year 😂 but I’m really wanting to use badges, item cards...I have my kids collecting scientist cards that tie into our game and I really want to incorporate boss battles some how. Oh...I also want yo do LEGO Challenges #games4ed
A3. I would like to task students with coming up with their own game. That way it will help them be creative but also break away from games that may be over used or dated. #games4ed
A3. Using spiderweb graphs as scoring rubrics! Then presenting this data back to each student on a half sheet of paper & asking them to use the reverse side of the sheet to reflect on their performance. Building #GrowthMindset with specific, actionable feedback. #games4ed
A4: I am looking to expand PD for Ts on media making and teaching with media. We still have many surface users and I'm going to do my best to bring them to the "dark " side. #games4ed
A4. I am going to create a virtual classroom using Microsoft Teams (My county uses Office 365). I will post all course material and notes on the class Teams, which will cut out many of the usual excuses. "I lost my paper." "I don't know what I missed when I was absent." #games4ed
I'd love to have a ropes course nearby. I loved leading them when I was a camp counselor way back in the day. That's so awesome that your school gets your kids out to them! #games4ed
A3. Using spiderweb graphs as scoring rubrics! Then presenting this data back to each student on a half sheet of paper & asking them to use the reverse side of the sheet to reflect on their performance. Building #GrowthMindset with specific, actionable feedback. #games4ed
A4 - Not back in a classroom, but my goal last few months (and continuing forward) has been to focus on positive feedback. Easy to give negative (and I can be overly judgemental 🙁). So want to make sure I'm noticing and praising *positive* things as much (if not more). #games4ed
A4: Less talking from me and more talking from them. I want to take more of back seat this year, and watch the magic happen. Our students have the tools, and learning has moved from the classroom, it is interesting of the things they can do and know. #games4ed
Super easy, too. Presents the information in such a clear visual format that students can't help but spot where they're weaker and where they're strongest. Very powerful, especially to compare with class averages and track self improvement over time! #games4ed
A4 - blogging for both me and my students. I started my blog back up this summer and really enjoyed the process and I want my students to blog about their learning this year too. #games4ed
I'm intrigued. Tell me more about how you'd do it with story cubes. I just got in four new boxes and of course I want to use them right away! #games4ed
A3. I would like to task students with coming up with their own game. That way it will help them be creative but also break away from games that may be over used or dated. #games4ed
I know! It makes me wonder if we can come up with variations on this idea too just to mix it up. Side-by-side skyscrapers comes to mind as a possibility. Other thoughts? #games4ed
A3. Using spiderweb graphs as scoring rubrics! Then presenting this data back to each student on a half sheet of paper & asking them to use the reverse side of the sheet to reflect on their performance. Building #GrowthMindset with specific, actionable feedback. #games4ed
Sounds awesome! We're a Google school, but I think Microsoft Notebook is just awesome. I loved going digital and never having the "I lost my paper" excuse again! #games4ed
A5: I honestly don't know. I feel good with everything I've modified this summer, but ask me again in Dec. That's when I'll know which of my hare-brained schemes are not working ;) #games4ed
A5: I read a quote this week by @marcprensky , and it clicked our students are digital natives they need a differ type of pedagogy the educational field provides them. Elements of gaming need to be in this new pedagogy. #games4ed
Agreed. I've had to confiscate an axe from a student, but it was just made from a yardstick during our Beowulf unit. Carrie totally leveled up. #games4ed
A4. Totally overhauling traditional summer reading tests. GONE are the blind "40 minute exam." Now it's all multi-day asynchronous activity centers on assigned text. Move through each at your own pace. All (x) centers due by end of class (y), or as homework by date (z). #games4ed
A5 - Not letting "I wish I ..." excuses (had time, the skills, knowledge, whatever). Stepping back and deciding if it's actually something I want to do, and if so, figuring out how to do so. Hoping this could increase follow through. #games4ed
The only homework I ever assign is to finish reading what they didn't get done in class. I get that they will have homework in college, but with 8 classes in a high school each day, it's just not realistic. And we have teachers that assign a TON of it. I'm with you! #games4ed
A5. I haven't taught in a classroom setting but I use to give Briefings in the military and when i have knowledge to give I ramble on and beat the topic to death. I want to stop and give my students more time to ask questions and less time hearing me drone on and on. #games4ed
A5 - I’m no longer allowing extra credit and most homework. Really if hey don’t finish it in class then it will be homework but they are given enough time #games4ed
A5. Last year I stopped putting grades on student writing, per the research of @dylanwiliam & the wisdom of @ncte. Made a HUGE change in overall quality of students' written work, AND their focus on #growthmindset! Maybe this year I can stop giving grades altogether? 😇#games4ed
A5. I am going to stop worrying about standardized tests. They're not an accurate measure of what students or educators can do. I'm just going to give my students the best Mr. Depatie I can. If the test says that's not good enough, maybe this isn't the career for me. #games4ed
👍👍 Besides encouraging kids to read more in early elem, or finish work they didn't complete in class (middle school), I really don't think until HS there should be any. And HS doesn't require much either. #games4ed
Yes yes! My life changed when I stopped homework. So much less stress! My Ss might do work at home to catch up or work ahead, but it's much different then traditional homework and so liberating!! #games4ed
A5: I read a quote this week by @marcprensky , and it clicked our students are digital natives they need a differ type of pedagogy the educational field provides them. Elements of gaming need to be in this new pedagogy. #games4ed
And, I don't actually think there was a ton in University - definitely not 30 minutes every night for every class, or any crazy rule like that. I loved university classes that gave all deadlines up front. Allowed early planning between classes #games4ed
A2 1 of my old students who is sitting next to me right now says burn them (syllabus). On a serious note she says keep them simple or interactive. I tend to have many things in the room Ss run and that helps a lot with buy in and enjoyment #games4ed
A6: I'm thinking of using Classcraft again. @mpilakow you mentioned in a blog post that they're doing something new and I want to try it. Going to have to find my notes to remember what it was though... #games4ed
I really like the idea of limiting homework too! Just a question- do you find it worthwhile to have bigger projects done (at least partly) as homework or would you stick entirely with class time? Thanks! #games4ed
A6 - last year I did a scanvger hunt like activity for students to get to know our expectations and course Canvas Page...it was team oriented and really fast paced, kids loved it! #games4ed
Agreed with the sentiment. Disagree with the last statement qualify with unless the course is AP. My daughter was innundated to the point of actually missing school so she could finish homework! #games4ed
I'm totally with you. College is very different--fewer classes, more time in schedule, and fewer extracurricular activities. There's no way I could be a high school student again and keep up. #games4ed
Between getting the little one down & browsing TpT sale, I lost track of time. I had actually hoped to get back to Twitter chats this month and this school year #games4ed
It's getting ridiculous. We used to just do them for Math and English for a total of 4 or so tests all throughout high school. Now they take one for all core subjects almost every year. There's no data to show that they are having a positive impact. Down with testing! #games4ed
I stand by HS doesn't require much. If courses require so much people need to miss school to complete, course needs to be rethought. Too much content for time? More effective ways to learn knowledge? Too many assignments with no benefit? #games4ed
A6. Turned a syllabus intro day into a massive two-day @FortniteGame centers activity, culminating in the Marshmallow challenge. Never going back. There is so much wasted energy and death by syllabus in those early days of school! #games4ed
What I've done is have students time me if I say "I need you for two minutes." It makes me focus on the most important things so they can get back to work. Just an idea that worked for me :) #games4ed
A6. I would like to see more non- traditional class settings. i.e outdoor classes, lessons taught during a picnic something along those lines. something that keeps them wanting to come to class. #games4ed
A5. I am going to stop worrying about standardized tests. They're not an accurate measure of what students or educators can do. I'm just going to give my students the best Mr. Depatie I can. If the test says that's not good enough, maybe this isn't the career for me. #games4ed
Nathan, thank you for this idea! I'm definitely going to use it in my Brit Lit class...would be a cool activity to do when students talk about their own reading books, too! #games4ed
Like I said. Totally agreed. I ended up at the principal's office several times and became "that parent", asking for the data, rationale, pedagogy and the harm being done by this. My daughter is no slacker so I can only imagine how it was like for others #games4ed
I bought a colored Jenga game and am exited to use it in different ways - like if you pull a blue block, you will be working on setting, pink for characters, etc. Still working on just exactly what we'll use it for but hope to use it many times. #games4ed
Personally, I found when setting changed, but method didn't, setting actually became a distraction. But when learning *matches* setting, then things take off. #games4ed
I bought a colored Jenga game and am exited to use it in different ways - like if you pull a blue block, you will be working on setting, pink for characters, etc. Still working on just exactly what we'll use it for but hope to use it many times. #games4ed
A7. @EquityMaps may well be the single best kept secret in all of ed tech. Map your Socratic Seminar right from your iPad & get a game-changing dashboard with results you can discuss, track, and compare over time. Set goals, see results! Like @fitbit for discussions. #games4ed
The fact that standardized tests have been designed to test specific knowledge and not ability to actually *use* knowledge drives me nuts. I'm for very occasional standardized tests, but not every year and every subject. Grade 12 made some sense. #games4ed
A8: Really love hearing how people are going to make their first days of school count. I like that my students get excited about coming to my class and it sounds like you all do too. #games4ed
Ah, okay, I must have misread your earlier tweet. :) I always imagine weighing how much work is reasonable is not simple. I had friends with hw in elem when I did't (same class), b/c I could finish in class. But, this could also be solved with personalized learning... #games4ed
Before you all go, have you joined https://t.co/L1xoJ9AzoV ? I'll be facilitating the chat tomorrow at 12:00 pm PST, though of course you can simply watch when you have time. #games4ed
And the big secret is: the students are actually doing A TON MORE WORK. Collaborating. Self reflecting. Finding relevant sources. And genuinely enjoying themselves in spite of the increased demand. Huge thanks to @LiteracyWorld for the inspiration! #games4ed
A8. My takeaway from tonight's chat is that you guys are some seriously creative and driven individuals. Some of the examples that were shared blew me away. It shows me that I need to step my game up! #games4ed
A8 - Loved the overall ideas for get to knowing students and I ❤️ the show tower idea. Already planning how to make it apart of our cadet training #games4ed
Before you all go, have you joined https://t.co/L1xoJ9AzoV ? I'll be facilitating the chat tomorrow at 12:00 pm PST, though of course you can simply watch when you have time. #games4ed
My grade 12 English T had us read King Lear, because they knew most classes (by far) read Macbeth. Said this way our essays would stand out on the standardized tests and be a relief for markers to get something different. 🤦♀️You shouldn't be able to do this. #games4ed
Think the quick read got to both of us. Thought you were saying that HS does not assign much. Now I get that it was more around it should not require much, which I wholeheartedly agree #games4ed
A8. #games4ed is consistently one of my favorite Twitter chats of the week. Great dialogue & dynamic idea sharing! Makes me feel like this day when my students learned that they’d scored a perfect gender @EquityMaps. (Cheap plug. The app is really just *that good*)!!!
I had such an amazing time tonight #games4ed folks! I thought I had some cool ideas for the start of school, but now I have double that swirling around my head!! Thank you!!
