#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?
#games4ed
I'm Bailey Hartley and I am a student at uiuc in the EDUC department I am looking forward to leaning about how to best implement games in the classroom
Hi everyone, my name is Corey and I'm a student at the University of Michigan's School of Education! Really I'm just ready for a great start to the weekend tomorrow! #games4ed
Sean, NYC, #District75 special educator & STEM-Friday I have a Microsoft meeting/training UUDDLRLRBAS (I included an Easter egg/cheat in my intro #games4ed
YES, i love it! I remember using the first four back in the days of Gradius, was it, the rocket game? Played for hours in our local ice cream shop #games4ed
A1: Easter eggs are little surprises embedded into your regular assignments that provide opportunities for fun and/or discovery. I tend to hide minigames and or fun images that serve as motivators. #games4ed
I helped my sister take my nephew to a food challenge for a 🥜allergy and he failed. Very stressful and long day. :( And threw off my entire week. I want spring break back in my life! #games4ed
A1 - They're like a fun little secret for those that happen to stumble upon them or go looking for them! A little treat from the dev to the player! #games4ed
A1 - Easter eggs are bonuses. Hidden content that may (or may not) be connected to what they're hidden in. Could be extra content on a DVD, a mini game within a bigger game, surprise bonus, or anything #games4ed
A1: I would say, hey noob, essentially it’s like real-world Easter eggs, something hidden with a special prize for the one that finds it. Though the best way to explain is to allow them to see/experience it. #Games4Ed
A1: Since we don't celebrate Easter, most Ts in Israel have no idea... I tell them they can have "surprise eggs" (kinder eggs) in their lessons. #games4ed
Beth Bachuss, currently sneaking to tweet from dinner with my in-laws in Alabama. I teach Ceramics and Video Game Design to high school students and I'm looking forward to my advanced ceramics class tomorrow - learning about ceramics of world cultures. #games4ed
Hi everyone! My name is Tynan Graniez and I am a Masters student in Latin at the University of Michigan. I am looking forward to learning what types of games can be incorporated in the classroom. #games4ed
A1) Technically - historically the "Easter Egg" was a way developers signed their work. Atari worried that naming their devs would lead to them being lured away so they had to hide their names in special rooms #games4ed
It could be a hidden fun video, or it could be a chance for a special power (lunch with your teacher) or maybe a chance for a special secret quest #games4ed
A2: I think one reason to use Easter eggs in classroom is to keep your students engaged and focused so that they are able to find the Easter egg #games4ed
These days of course, the gaming easter egg is a way to hide little in-jokes, references and maybe the odd special credit or goodie that requires exploration or special combinations #games4ed
A2: I'll teach English as a foreign language in the future, so I always think that sometimes teaching language is teaching culture. Using Easter eggs can help my students learn and feel more cultural things in the class. #games4ed
A2: Eastereggs can be great motivators. I know that as soon as one kid finds an EE the rest are clamoring for the "where did you find that?" It quickly becomes Game on from there :) #games4ed
A2 - Easter Eggs can really be a way for kids to just take the pressure off of themselves for a second; nothing like a fun little bit to give them a breather in the middle of a tough assignment! #games4ed
A2 - For moments of fun and surprise. Break people out from what they were expecting. Break tension and sort of "reset" class mode. Also, great motivators for exploration #games4ed
I love the idea of students being able to do this in their own work...a hidden link to their picture or "visual" business card. Make the students feel more like designers! #games4ed
A2: I’ve planted Easter eggs to help some students catch-up when they’re falling behind peers and I’ll make the clues geared to them (but any can solve/earn it). Sometimes they’re extra credit quests or just something fun for advanced Ss to explore #Games4Ed
A1) I would describe an Easter egg as something that an individual earns for completing some task that wasn't necessarily related to the task at hand. #games4ed
A2: when implementing Easter eggs would you let the students know before hand so that their goal turns into going through the activity for a chance to find one?
#games4ed
I also do it for my early finishers. I'll start hiding things if a couple are far ahead so that they will continue on while the rest catch up. #games4ed
They can even be put (in a way) in the middle of a test. Throw in a totally random (and simple) question, worth points, and hear Ss breathe a sigh of relief at knowing there's at least *one* question they'll get right. #games4ed
Yes to this! I remember a veteran teacher telling me this years ago. Rewards are great if they're unpredictable. They build culture and appreciation #games4ed
A3: I am not quite sure how to incorporate them into a lesson but thats why I joined tonight! I student teach next semester so I am looking for creative things to add to my lessons! #games4ed
Also, rewards that are constant lose their value. Because now it becomes a question of "Is this task worth the reward?" When it's random, you have to keep trying because you never know... #games4ed
A3: not just in assignments, but on website, in classroom, anywhere! My game design students just made ARGs for some of the other classes, and I'm thinking of all the clues & puzzles they made. Would be great Easter eggs. #games4ed
A2: thinking of it from a gameplay exp to class. Could use Easter Eggs as neat but subtle callbacks to previous "games" - see if anyone picks up on it? Makes learners feel like there's a "canon" between adventures #games4ed
I teach a quest based class and use @classcraftgame so it would be easy to have certain quest branches unlock the easter egg as the 'next quest' in the quest line. #games4ed
A3 - Maybe if you had an online assignment you could "hide" a link or two to your easter eggs? Once that's been done the first time, students might be more vigilant when looking for them! #games4ed
A3: One of my favorite ways is using invisible linked shapes in Google Drawing, or white linked text in Docs. (Trying to think of a way to hide Easter Eggs in @classcraftgame) #games4ed
A3 I've used URL w/o descriptions just to see if Ss click. Taken 1.25" hole punch paper token & l hid them around room and literally had "hunts." different color for different classes. Current class got to hide eggs for next class. #games4ed
A3: In general there’ll be an extra credit slightly off-topic clue near the end of an assignment or if it’s a series of quests/assignments, I create a side journey that may require a fair amount of work but then the rewards are bigger. #Games4Ed
A3: Invisible shape on Draw, same coloras background text on docs, seemingly random question or fact that then can be used further down the line. Even where's waldo-like in otherwise busy graphics. #games4ed
A3 I've used URL w/o descriptions just to see if Ss click. Taken 1.25" hole punch paper token & l hid them around room and literally had "hunts." different color for different classes. Current class got to hide eggs for next class. #games4ed
would also be a nice way to embed recall as well which can aid in ensuring learners are actively doing learning recall which will help with long term memory #games4ed
Since I teach game design I could always link them to games in hidden places, especially classic games so it becomes a little bit of a hidden history lesson as well #games4ed
Yes, that’s what I tend to use now-in the past it was harder to make my side quests as elaborate. I had to keep them simple when they were just linked docs or a Google Form CYOA but now it can be a bigger journey #Games4Ed
A1 - Last week one of my students told the class, as he was presenting, to keep an eye out for the Easter egg, it was just a small egg in the corner of one of his slides. #games4ed lol?
A4 - Reward can be learning too. It could be a preview of something upcoming (like a hint). It could be a way to provide more background information on something (a video clip). The reward (to me) is finding the easter egg, not the contents of the egg. #games4ed
Interesting idea. I never thought about hiding them in classic games, but makes me think of how I could hide some in some of the games we play. Hmmm... wheels are turning... #games4ed
Q4: Make the hunt a journey where the learner has to discover things or use their prior learning at progressing levels to get to the reward. No matter what it is, the accomplishment will make the egg worth it! #games4ed
I can't wait to get busy this summer and really refine my quests. Right now I'm just trying to stay a week ahead of them! But truly loving this map format that @classcraftgame has! #games4ed
In reply to
@seanmarnold, @mr_isaacs, @classcraftgame, @classcraftgame
I've made a couple @GamestarMech games. Some of them have easter eggs down a "canyon" that would otherwise kill player or up high on platforms #games4ed
In reply to
@mr_isaacs, @Teachmathtorr, @GamestarMech
A4 cont: Love cerating mini-games on learning apps andsugarcane. These are often designed as practice. In sugarcane, whatever points they get from playing the game are added to their overall, so SS know not to tell me about scores until they are glad w/ their score #games4ed
A4: the EE could branch off into a topic that is still relevant to the lesson but not the the specific topic at hand. I think that a fun fact that is relevant to the students life could still count as a reward.
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Video Game example. In MegaMan X there's a whole heap of optional upgrades, which require players to go off beaten path and use play-skills in progressively harder level designs. The best players who get all the parts can unlock a v special upgrade #games4ed
A4 - Making the easter eggs an interesting tie-in to the assignment could make them more powerful, such as a bit of trivia that could help reinforce the lesson being taught. #games4ed
A5: I would definitely like to do more of this. Right now, I've only had a couple cerate something or share interesting finds that I've then used as EE. I need to devise a way to explore this further #games4ed
A5: If the Easter Egg they are creating gives extra information then it allows for both the creator and person finding it to learn something new! #games4ed
A4: I've done a few side quests/Easter eggs with the Classtools Pacman...then offer the option for students to create their own game. It's always something fun to offer about March when students can use a fun pick-me-up #games4ed
A5 - It's something that gives students a feeling of ownership and creativity, which is awesome! It also allows them to interact in a meaningful way with their peers and/or instructor! #games4ed
A5) student created Easter eggs allows some control to be given to the students. I think that makes them feel important for classroom learning and they are more invested. #games4ed
A5: I’ve had students plant Easter eggs in games they’ve designed, but having them put one in a regular assignment would be cool. I may have to to plant that seed of an idea. Recently I’ve set up AR Easter eggs in classroom objects and student projects #Games4Ed
which happens to allow the player to use the "Hadouken" move from Street Fighter II - it doesn't break the game but players feel strong sense of accomplishment because of the extra work put in - would not be same if easy to get #games4ed
A5 - Others will want to try what they make. :) But more so, they have to think differently about what they're making. Where does it make sense to hide something so it's not obvious (but not *to* hidden)? What should the surprise be? Why? #games4ed
A5: I haven't done this, but I think of the first easter eggs--names of designers hidden in a game, or Mac engineers' pics in the early Macs. Could use this as a springboard to encourage Ss to add a pic or digital business card to their digital creations #games4ed
A5) One benefit of students creating Easter eggs is that they learn more about a particular topic because they have to create the circumstances which will unlock the Easter egg. #games4ed
A3 I saw a YouTube channel slip in hidden, unlisted videos as Easter eggs for people who listened to the whole playlist...almost like a hidden track on a CD. It was really cool! #games4ed
I’ve allowed special badges and ‘character upgrades’ for students who’ve created/solved Easter eggs sort of like getting to play as the Fresh Prince in NBA Jam #Games4Ed
This could be a great way to meet advanced learners who need a challenge...provide a hidden egg for them to motivate them to keep learning and searching #games4ed
A5: a student being able to plant an EE means that they are comfortable in the topic and are able to go past the surface level. It could allow them to connect with what they are doing on a personal level.
#games4ed
Easter Eggs can be awesome for this, in that finding them is a different skill set than normal class activities. So it feels like a more level playing field across all students. #games4ed
I both love this idea and the hidden CD track...I'd forgotten all about the hidden tracks. That's clever with the YouTube videos. And something easily adaptable for students to do if creating videos #games4ed
A3 I saw a YouTube channel slip in hidden, unlisted videos as Easter eggs for people who listened to the whole playlist...almost like a hidden track on a CD. It was really cool! #games4ed
A5: tricky - I guess depends if students are sharing work, then they could include little easter eggs and see if their friends locate the little extra details as part of their feedback? But it's not really meant to be a requirement, more a bonus #games4ed
A6: I love this idea. For me, it's easy since their work is making games but I haven't really gotten into this formally. However, I would like to maintain the integrity of the easter egg idea without having it become obvious that they exist #games4ed
A6: I do not think my students know what are Easter eggs, besides the ones they use for the holiday. I would love to do an assignment that gives them exposure.#games4ed
A great point, Britany! This makes me think about students taking a piece of work, such as a poem they're reading, and then adding hidden eggs in it that relate to interpreting and understanding the poem...then sharing it with other students #games4ed
A5: If the Easter Egg they are creating gives extra information then it allows for both the creator and person finding it to learn something new! #games4ed
A6 - One possibility is to let students submit ideas for EEs if they want to; it gives them a chance to try and find their own suggestions as you put them in and keep an eye out for their peers' EEs! #games4ed
A6: I don't know about the inspire part, but you could make creating the EE a fun mini assignment to give the students a little break from learning new material.
#games4ed
A4 Players like to be in on the joke. A reference to something outside the content might prompt them to research something that they wouldn’t have otherwise seen. #games4ed
A6: I do not think my students know what are Easter eggs, besides the ones they use for the holiday. I would love to do an assignment that gives them exposure.#games4ed
A6) We can inspire students to create their own Easter eggs in their work by showing them the benefits to their learning of unlocking Easter eggs. #games4ed
I would say you just need to add some to whatever you are doing. Once they find the 1 one, they start asking if there are any in other assignments. That is what happened with me. I even had students go back to old assignments to see if there was anything there. #games4ed
It would certainly be a stretch and challenge aspect. I'ld have to think about how that works in a class situation and how we ensure it's not the same learners finding those eggs though #games4ed
A5: Designing a game (or anything, IMO) fosters the ability to get inside the other person's head and try to predict their actions, guiding them to the desired result. Sort of like computational thinking, am I right? @mr_isaacs#games4ed
Of course, now be prepared to have to very very very carefully examine every single thing they hand in. Because they'll be so disappointed if you miss it. #games4ed
A7: Team up with the teachers in the next grade and plan assignments that have eggs. Also hide them around the school. Great for open house. Students would love to find them. #games4ed
A7: As a middle level education major we talk about the importance of teaming and so maybe the school could chose a week and each team could get to together to create the EE and there could be some prize for finding them all #games4ed
A7 - EEs could be a great way to build school community! A string of clues that leads to a nice poster/comment/reward is just one way of many that the students could get together and enjoy the setting they're in! #games4ed
Good question! I've found I have to start simple b/c so often my high schoolers aren't curious. Just hyperlinking an unuusual word to a fun video a few times can be a start. Then gradually increase the difficulty of finding them #games4ed
Good point about adding some to whatever you do, even if they're just simple and fun, not always a side quest. Just a fun meme. Eventually, they'll start catching on! #games4ed
A5 Students get to practice thinking about the audience and how best to convey an idea. Those are such important skills, especially under the Common Core. #games4ed
I like to use a mix. On my Hamlet quest board, I have some fun Hamlet memes, a Hamlet/Simpson video, a link to a Hamlet game, but then also some helpful guides for Hamlet or Shakespeare language #games4ed
Q6: I think would have to explain the concept first. A good example might be starting with artists signatures. Some try to "blend" theirs into the work so it's not obvious and therefore easy to scrub out by art thieves/copiers #games4ed
Most video games subtly train you to hunt for items in the first couple of areas and then consistently reward you for doing so. It makes sense that our games would do that, too. #games4ed
In reply to
@mpilakow, @MarianaGSerrato, @natmak1118
Or use other media examples - for example - Pixar almost always hide a hint to their next film in the previous, and most CalArts Alumni hide classroom number "A113" in their animated films somewhere #games4ed
A7: About once a year, I hang random easter eggs...literally...in our halls. Any of my students who complete the task or answer the question on the back are somehow rewarded :) #games4ed
Or Pixar films. And I loved when authors did it in their books, sticking in Easter Eggs of characters and plots that happened in their other books...#games4ed
In reply to
@MarianaGSerrato, @taylorrcasarez, @natmak1118
I love this connection! I never knew that about artists' signatures, but it makes total sense! What a great way for students to put in an easter egg...a hidden "signature" #games4ed
A7: if the work is visual this is easy as will assume this can be hung up around the school. If so then encourage students to add little details they may be excited to see if their friends recognise #games4ed
