#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?
Hey there #games4ed! I'll check in after kiddo bedtimes. I am a USHIS T in SC. My favorite pie would have to be Brown Derby Pie. (Basically a giant choco chip cookie!)
Q1: Argumentation is a skill with many components. What do you most emphasize and want students to be able to do when it comes to argumentation? #games4ed
A1 respectfully disagreeing and proving supporting evidence. And providing context. And listening first... Wow that is a lot and thats just to start #games4ed
So agree. I have kids look at me funny when I suggest that. Or when I prompt them to choose something they aren't emotional about--they think I'm crazy #games4ed
Q2: Debate is one way to give students an audience and purpose for their arguments. What topics could be ripe for students to debate in your content area?
#games4ed
That's what's so crazy. There are SO many skills that go into debates, it's really hard to do all of them at once. I think it's one of the ultimate activities b/c there's so much in it #games4ed
A2: For my content area of math, many of my classes have been making a push for teaching students to be problem solvers, so I think that having them make their cases for possible solutions and useful strategies for solving open-ended problems would be worthwhile. #games4ed
A2: Sometimes I've had Ss choose prompts. During Macbeth, we debated who/what is the cause of his downfall. I've done similar with Antigone, too #games4ed
Q2: Debate is one way to give students an audience and purpose for their arguments. What topics could be ripe for students to debate in your content area?
#games4ed
Q3: There are a plethora of games and game mechanics that promote argumentation and debate.
What games or mechanics do you/could you use to promote argumentation?
#games4ed
Definitely. And I'm starting to work harder on Toulmin's "warrant." WHY is that reason important in the first place. I've seen Ss missing this in the past, but I haven't been teaching it well enough #games4ed
If you are Aussie and need a #Science follow can I really, strongly, absolutely recommend @ChouinardJahant . Very #Sciencelearning helpful plus writes with feeling and meaning.
p.s Can I get more info on Thinking Tic Tac Toe? Never seen it b4 #games4ed
A2: I taught science. So, any topic basically. We have a whole unit just to teach argumentation. Not on a specific topic. I usually start with this: #games4ed
A2 Should we go back to the moon/Mars? How to spend money on biomed $ treatment, research, prevention? Should be people be allowed to build in certain areas (think natural disasters + building codes) #games4ed
Someome introduced Would You Rather Math to me this summer--I thought it was a brilliant way to weave math and argument together! https://t.co/Dr3kxN9AdA#games4ed
A3: I saw something called the Four Corners game that I think would be good. Students stand in a corner of the classroom depending on if they strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree on a topic. Then, each group discusses their opinions. #games4ed
LOL, this reminds me of one of my seniors. For their practice argument paper, she wrote about why her mom should allow her to keep a TV in her room (She'd already snuck it in, but mom hadn't noticed yet!) #games4ed
That is a good one! I've heard of some teachers having students research historical figures and debating who is the most important...so many possibilities with any unit! #games4ed
Q4: At the end of political debates, the media analyzes the arguments and determines winners.
How are debates judged, analyzed, or evaluated in your classes? Or what post-argument activities would you like to try?
#games4ed
A3: This week we used Superfight! My very "non-school" students have done so much planning and research with their ridiculous topics. It's worked so well to teach parts of an argument #games4ed
Q3: There are a plethora of games and game mechanics that promote argumentation and debate.
What games or mechanics do you/could you use to promote argumentation?
#games4ed
A4: I would have my students reflect on the debate and share things, such as what did they notice, what was something that they hadn’t previously considered, has their position changed, is it the same, are they more adamant on their stance, etc. #games4ed
I think I've done it before. It's a great icebreaker, but also great for using it this way, too! It could be interesting to allow students to make a second move after the arguments are over, too! #games4ed
A4: I'd like to try having a before/after poll, and having students explain why they may have changed their position - again with the evidence :) . #games4ed
A4: I'd like to try having a before/after poll, and having students explain why they may have changed their position - again with the evidence :) . #games4ed
A3 cont: What I'm thinking about, though not necesarily a game is to have a pre-poll and assign students to debate the opposite POV of their "natural" choice. Could make for some interesting arguments. #games4ed
A4 science arguments/debate -- gotta have evidence/data to support or not support! @Flipgrid could be a good tool but havent used yet for these type of projects #games4ed
I think many kids would struggle, but it would really emphasize the importance of letting go of emotion and force them to consider other ideas. Could be so powerful! #games4ed
Most debates/arguments in my class (which we do very few of) are settled with a simple show of hands. We have some discussion; why did you vote this way? Why was this argument better? #games4ed
Thanks for the compliment. Actually the #gamification#gbl#plap#games4ed tribe changed my life! for the better! I'm not a teacher anymore. I transferred to a different role in headquarters. Also, I have a "startup": a digital platform that supports live RPGs in class. #games4ed
A3: Strategy, domination, buying and selling (artifacts, land, etc.) @MrPowley and @8bitbiologist taught me that. They have AMAZING narratives. #games4ed
