#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 September 15, 2016
Good evening everyone! Welcome to : Connecting Tangible and Digital in Game Design. Intro: Name, location, & position please.
Richard Campbell, South Korea, teacher/IT guy
Good evening everyone & welcome! Robert - MS Computer Tech teacher in northern NJ + ambassador.
Aryah Fradkin, Baltimore, former teacher turned start up founder and dev of science games for the classroom
Arcadia, Ed Tech teacher in Virginia Beach.
Thanks for joining us all the way from South Korea Richard!
Hey everyone! Melissa from Nebraska, 11-12 ELA. Super excited for tonight's chat!
Hi! Pam, SpEd Tech Inst. Specialist, Charleston,SC.
Ann Smart from Adrian, MI work in Jackson, MI as a EdTech Consultant.
Hi Arcadia!! Glad to have you here!!
Hi Brittany, pre-service teacher from Coe College, participating for class and hoping to learn and connect.
Jersey in the house! Welcome!
Hiya Aryah! Always good to see you!
Thanks for having me here Melissa!
Hi Pam! Happy multi-chat-tasking :)
Hey , Keegan here, educational technologist . Looking forward to chat tonight! :)
Super excited to join this chat this week! is the Man!
Hey Keegan's here! Let the fun commence!
Hey all! Amber here from central Florida. K-5 global studies/7th grade robotics/6th grade digital media creations.
Thanks for being here! Always love your input!
Welcome Brittany! Great to have a Pre-Service teacher here.
Hey Amber!! Happy Thursday!
A1: Using and in the classroom
A1: Mainly paper/pencil right now. But that's where so many great ideas start!
seems like the perfect connection between the physical and gaming world..cant wait to learn more!
A1) Using right now for professional development! Loads of fun doing game design with faculty.
A2: We have used Floors, MakeyMakeys, cardboard, and now
A1: I am using , Floors, , , , hoping to use soon
Logging on for Hello everyone, Stephan here
A1: Will be using RPG Maker.
Hey Stephan!! Glad to see you!! Q1: What game design tools do you use in yr classrm?
We are currently using with my 7th grade robotics class.They are using with K-3 to peer tutor.Always a crowd fav
Such a cool idea already! I bet they have so much fun working together! https://t.co/hgGkVmMww0
We are currently using with my 7th grade robotics class.They are using with K-3 to peer tutor.Always a crowd fav
A1 Mixing traditional board creation w/ and for
Just signed up for bloxelsbuilders email list. :)
A1: Forgot about . Gonna start encourage Ss to create own this year
They do!Every wk they learn a different robot or coding "toy."It's like having a big sibling w/o arguing! https://t.co/FgmZiZi6ns
Such a cool idea already! I bet they have so much fun working together! https://t.co/hgGkVmMww0
We are currently using with my 7th grade robotics class.They are using with K-3 to peer tutor.Always a crowd fav
to me has such an obvious stem implication..anyone here taken advantage of that yet?
I use it to teach pre-coding, spatial awareness, design!
ahh! Such a great idea! I'm doing a staff PD on on Monday for teacher inservice. Can't wait! https://t.co/X75ikjmVtn
A1: Forgot about . Gonna start encourage Ss to create own this year
can you give us an example of something unique your s's have built with ?
Sorry Im late, finishing up my BreakoutEDU (and my last game of Smite)
Great for art as well. Goes along perfectly with the challenge! https://t.co/mEIcp9Owf6
I use it to teach pre-coding, spatial awareness, design!
MANY - but off the top of my head - Ss created a themed game where different areas were diff movies
That sounds excellent. Do you have an example product you could share?
Welcome!! What's the BreakoutEDU about?
Hi Friends! Steve from NJ stopping in late - back to school night :)
A2: That will take more than 140 characters. But #1 for me is creativity.
I'm not using any game design so far. We are just starting coding with https://t.co/vVGR8BrXWB & Code Combat. I am here to learn!
Ss use Bloxels as a tool. It naturally evolves to that when designing the "most fun game"
A2: Programming skills, creativity, critical thinking
Great list for those not started yet. Thanks https://t.co/VA36I1DpGo
A1: I am using , Floors, , , , hoping to use soon
Welcome home Steve! Nice to "see" you.
That sounds like a neat concept. Made me think of minecraft biomes. Ss creating!
A2 Outside the box thinking and collaboration for my Korean Ss
A2: Ultimate creativity to create something uniquely theirs, potential meaningful collaboration, meaningful problem-solving.
A2) Great way to think predictive thinking and planning in terms of beg,middle,and end. Appeal to many ages and genders is a plus
I have also used and from Berkely, worked with their lead developer who is an amazing individual!
I like the idea that S's are responsible for their creating their own "fun" in class, so to speak
A1: mostly I go from scratch (no puns period) but I'm looking to try out GameMaker this year.
PERFECT!!! That topic is DYING to be gamed!
A2) and I are focusing on digital storytelling and game design this week. Lots of potential for student learning there.
A2.1) I also love that it levels the playing field in terms of language for our students and our students.
A2: Video Game design allows for process. Lets Ss demonstrate mastery in a variety of creative/collaborative ways
I'm very happy with it. Kids are playing it Monday. Hope I'm still as happy then.
I LOVE GameMaker - feel free to hit me up for resources
amen! https://t.co/NivW5XNwwH
A2: Video Game design allows for process. Lets Ss demonstrate mastery in a variety of creative/collaborative ways
Mike from MD El LMS thought I'd stop by and play for a bit.
your point about ELL's and gaming is well taken..special ed kids also get a huge uptick from
A2: Game Design hits on all the 21st century skills: Communication, Collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, etc.
Hey Mike! Always love it when you stop by!
lol. Just saw this after stating the same thing. Glad we’re on the same page! ;)
A2: The iterative design process which is inherent in game design is used in ALL careers.
I do a variety of things in PK-6. Movies, coding, MakeyMakey, robots. Need to figure out the stories to go with the tech.
Glad to have you here Mike!
Great to see you! It's starting to become a habit :)
Brainstorming along with being creative with the design process.
A2) Teaches problem solving and gives them a built in audience (and teaches them to think about that audience)
A2: Ss are given a voice, learn design, pre-coding, spatial awareness, problem-solving, collaboration, & EMPATHY!
Yes,I have used these with both groups and the excitement is high because success is achievable. Success! https://t.co/sTHP3qorJH
your point about ELL's and gaming is well taken..special ed kids also get a huge uptick from
Amazing S quote: "The most important thing I learned from designing my game is that I'm way more capable than I think I am."
A2: Allows Ss who aren't strong in traditional school areas to show their skills in game design
Agreed. & what better way to create their own fun than creating their own learning? We guide, they explore/create!
when we piloted our app style games for middle school we saw a huge benefit to special ed pop.
Q3: Which video game design tools can students use to connect the physical and digital worlds? https://t.co/s63xOIDM6C
Extremely valid point! https://t.co/IJf1kiAdpz
A2: The iterative design process which is inherent in game design is used in ALL careers.
. You can go home happy after that. :) https://t.co/qMIiUsPeQM
Amazing S quote: "The most important thing I learned from designing my game is that I'm way more capable than I think I am."
That is a major plus for the learning process. https://t.co/AbWyItuMAi
A2: Allows Ss who aren't strong in traditional school areas to show their skills in game design
so true!!! and SO empowering :)
gives helps S's realize learning is not limited to one modality
most school rewards one type of learner
Amazing.convinced admin to allow me to teach coding to our self contained K-5 students. 1 of my new fav. https://t.co/TidbbrUTT2
when we piloted our app style games for middle school we saw a huge benefit to special ed pop.
A3: I love to have kids use to create their own game controllers
A3) seems like a much more usable version of aurasma.
A3: Paper prototyping provides a connection between physical and virtual while testing out ideas
Very true. Important to recognize other skills that aren't the "traditional" academic areas https://t.co/jPZ8HyYfMY
most school rewards one type of learner
A3: Favorite, of course, is Bloxels. Love how the hands-on piece makes VG design accessible for ALL Ss. Video game manipulatives!!
A3) Doing a storyboarding exercise nxt week that’ll engage Ss in planning of their game before translating to story board.
A3: and allow you to create augmented reality / mixed reality games like
bloxels levels the creativity playing field
Just did that with my 7th graders! https://t.co/iks3oQ1lSA
A3: I love to have kids use to create their own game controllers
I've got a lot of tabs open for later! Keep the ideas coming.
For $15 you get about $1000 worth of software & games/source code
I clearly need to get my hands on some materials to try out. I've never seen them in person.
I work with S's with disabilities. Still worth it for less independent S'?
I will say I love Bloxels since its great as a concrete mechanism to start teaching more theoretical concepts.
A3) huge fan of this book for real world school writing activities that apply to game design. https://t.co/ljuzh85P8b
What grades and how involved?
U could start bldg with the app, but the bloxs really connect it together. At least a good place to start! https://t.co/fPzU0UJ9X0
I clearly need to get my hands on some materials to try out. I've never seen them in person.
They are super fun!! Also, that's what my two sons are getting for Xmas :)
if kids are going to play video games anyway, they might as learn how to design their own. brilliant!
I just received my first set. Sharing custody with Looking forward to PK this yr.
All grades. Tech integration specialist. Trying to engage, bridge gaps,etc.
A4: Digital Storytelling!
A4: I use Bloxels to teach , pre-coding, creativity, and problem-solving.
having bloxels in students at diff learning levels would be esp useful
Beginning to use as a game design tool for me and my Ss. Since its still back-to-school, extending all about me game
A4: My Gr 7 & 8 Ss are challenged to use Bloxels as part of Design or to teach their topic.
Had 1st grade buddies make an african animal and habitat with fact story blocks. Each grd learns a diff continent at my school.
the more time kids spend driving the learning process the better..all these games contribute to that
A4) Used in the past. Unfortunately, my focus on other tools atm. I am interested in everyones current projects/use cases though!
Yes. Mostly Resource, 1 to 1 schools.
Sorry fol, but have to leave a little early. Have a good one!
I also love that it can be utilized for creating the sprite animations. That is another aspect that is phenomenal!
I look forward to trying some of these game designs when I have to create lesson plans and student teach in the future.
Hey ! Check out starting in 25 minutes if you're not too tweeted out by then.
I'm an OT; work with all special ed students in my building K-5: feel free to consult.
LOL, "sharing custody" of your Bloxels set!
A4) My 7th grader Ss suggested making animal and plant cell games for science. Pretty creative idea, imo. I was impressed.
btw love the profile pic with Moby :)
Sounds awesome! I have no idea what is, but digital storytelling is something I know. Must check it out!
can you use bloxels to help kids tell stories in ELA?
It's my required picture every year at I may have to get more creative this year!
Totally understand. We have joint custody cases of Breakout boxes :)
That sounds excellent. I’d like to see what they produce when it happens!
Love when the teaching ideas come from the Ss! Sounds like you foster that really well!!
Have a few boys that have taken ownership of the .They get upset if the colors are mixed up in the box the next day
I know the feeling! Yikes. https://t.co/tLpu9Fmj81
Have a few boys that have taken ownership of the .They get upset if the colors are mixed up in the box the next day
I definitely think so! Great way to retell a story or weave a new one! Especially w/reluctant Ss
always ask them, how could we make this more fun?always an answer. They have done that for several bots https://t.co/J8Ea8beKym
Love when the teaching ideas come from the Ss! Sounds like you foster that really well!!
Always blown away by the characters and animations Ss create in
You'll have so much fun! You're going to be amazing!
Just glad they enjoy enough to take care of them!Need more boards so we can have more collaboration.2 now. https://t.co/TJ4zaALRRz
I know the feeling! Yikes. https://t.co/tLpu9Fmj81
Have a few boys that have taken ownership of the .They get upset if the colors are mixed up in the box the next day
do T's see confidence in bloxel building bleed over into desire to read better/take on math problems. all about confidence right?
Just checked out the bloxles site: as an OT I see the value in perceptual-motor-skills alone with the main features huge bonuses!
A5: Ss discovered they could use animation to make hazards disappear/reappear. CRAZY!!
What would you use as a "Plug" to get T's to use it for academic support? Another tool, got to give a great reason!
teaching kids how to use the virtual world intelligently and responsibly is key. these games are a great step
A5: Bloxels really is a tool! Ts are using it to teach SS, ELA, Science, Math
That's Digital Citizenship, right, through empowerment! https://t.co/0XiojuNM2R
teaching kids how to use the virtual world intelligently and responsibly is key. these games are a great step
Give it a try!Bloxs are small-kids do well with them. I always have a chart out for color meanings to help https://t.co/jNUXzmZGWn
Just checked out the bloxles site: as an OT I see the value in perceptual-motor-skills alone with the main features huge bonuses!
I’m also interested in Bloxel games made by teachers. It is just as important for us to play!
Yes! Lots of ELA Ts K-8 are using
How would it help S's learn new skills if they are already behind?
i'm all for the flipped classroom..anything to put S's in the driver's seat is the right direction
Great for any area. Adapt for science, ss, ELA. Allow Ss to adapt learning in these areas into a video game
I'll have to play with it to see how it all works.
A6: I believe games are a great vehicle for storytelling - any tool can be used since narrative is so important in games
S's avoid confidence issues with reading/math initially..building is creativity first..confidence ELA/Math later
That is my favorite way to learn! Their perspective is always invaluable!
Not sure it teaches ELA skills to those behind, but can reach unmotivated students
Ss who may not succeed on traditional assessments may thrive with Bloxels! https://t.co/d6svjns0yP
How would it help S's learn new skills if they are already behind?
A6: any time kids design game, they should create a design document including storyline and other game elements before developing
Definitely. It's not a fit for every situation, but a creative option that can motivate Ss
K folks - gonna try to beat the traffic jam out of back to school night :) Thanks for a great chat!
A6) A great new twist on the massively outdated biography project!! Tell the story of a person's life...or your own life!
A6: Because is so open-ended, it can be used in SO many subjects. We use a storyboard before Ss ideate and prototype!
A6) I’d love to see english or history class translating content into a Bloxels game. Engage Ss in design & digitalstorytelling
Need a quick down and dirty on
whats a typical timespan for a bloxels project for you?
A6) Another idea fun idea would be rewriting ending of a book using a game design tool like Bloxels. Why do I want to do that too?
Seen this with studying the presidents, Egyptian history, retelling books, analyzing obstacles! https://t.co/4uoDCUww8R
A6) I’d love to see english or history class translating content into a Bloxels game. Engage Ss in design & digitalstorytelling
This is the best feature of game design tools. Open-ended means any class/subject can use. https://t.co/uDHg2XeE4V
A6: Because is so open-ended, it can be used in SO many subjects. We use a storyboard before Ss ideate and prototype!
A6: In our open-ended unit, Ss can't create the “most fun video game” unless it tells a story.
right, because learning should be fun! https://t.co/0HCnfUfIFB
A6: In our open-ended unit, Ss can't create the “most fun video game” unless it tells a story.
does that include prototyping and feedback? Or is that time for first draft?
i'd like to see kids take a game they built and then deconstruct it into an essay/story form...show that cross curricular learning
My classes are only 6 weeks, so we're kind of one and done - testings along the way.
A7: Ss use Weebly, iMovie, timelapse iOS Camera ON THEIR OWN. is a boss with this!
No...testing their games. YAY testing.
you could make a game for test review and play the best one
A7)Ss are building their own site to give examples of how to teach each of our robots, including and ideas
We use too! Great stuff. https://t.co/1HqO98gYjm
A7)Ss are building their own site to give examples of how to teach each of our robots, including and ideas
i see a bloxel magnet school in our future..like the robot magnet school in LA
What age do you work with?
LOVE it. Easy enough to use, but great way to teach visual layout! Want to tie in too for planning. https://t.co/G2INhWRpat
We use too! Great stuff. https://t.co/1HqO98gYjm
A7)Ss are building their own site to give examples of how to teach each of our robots, including and ideas
The class that is "teaching" is a class of 7th grd robotics/coding Ss. They then teach k-3 Ss how to use. https://t.co/Obmx7PMxAK
What age do you work with?
