#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! I'm a student pursuing a graduate degree and employed in higher ed. I'm looking to learn more about gamification and how it might apply to this environment. #games4ed
A1: So far I don't recurrently use commercial video games in my classes. I make my own according to my learners' needs. I've use Pokemon and Jack Box in the past. And recently I got a Switch to see what I can do. I dream of more video games in classroom. #games4ed
A1: I use mostly card games, board games, and social games. But I like to reco game apps to my #adultedu#esl learners, if anyone has suggestions. #games4ed
A1 - I am not currently using games as my role isn't teaching, but conceptually, I would be curious to see a number of games that use auction systems to analyze market trends. #games4ed
A1: Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (communication), various games to demonstrate types (Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy for text-based, for example). Next 9 wks will do a Final Fantasy unit that ties in to their Economics classes. #games4ed
A1) Quandary is one I play with my lower-level students. Argument Wars is another one I use almost every year. Always wanted to use Gone Home, but now we're 1:1 Chromebooks... :( #games4ed
A1: *Controversy🚨* I stay away from video games & use table tops I’ve custom designed and/or modified. I want kids to have the tactile feel & joy or hands on, face to face play vs our increasingly digital world. Note: I’m not anti video game 👍🏻 #games4ed
We had a large discussion on terminology in GBL not too long ago..by video game, we're talking commercial games not designed for entertainment that CAN be used for educational purposes, correct?
#games4ed
Great!! Can you reco a good, simple starter one? Less than 1 hour? I'd try it w my conversation groups, 6-10 each. (I do play an RPG version of The Dating Game w/picture cards that I created, would love to do more.) #games4ed
A2) student pace, remediation, allow students to create the games and it demonstrates mastery. Also puts learning into their playing field since all kids are tech savvy nowadays #games4ed
A2: Good video games are GREAT learning environments. They offer the builtin structure to teach and assess at the same time, which I hardly see in any other medium. #games4ed
A2 - instant feedback on decisions, failure as a motivator (instead of demotivator), ability to do a lot in little time, easily combine knowledge/skills across disciplines... #games4ed
I think the fact that they can make their own choices and go their own pace is so important in learning...video game or otherwise in the classroom! #games4ed
A2: My entire class is a game start to finish. Since they play it daily I get their feedback to the 👍🏻s & 👎🏻s and as they feel heard and valued I see so much creativity, resiliency, planning, strategy and the list goes on... too much fun! #games4ed
Yes, the game has much of the instruction built in allowing for formative assessment, and teach instruction afterwards can be more meaningful and advanced. #games4ed
Yes! The own pace thing is so often missing. Always feels like most of the class is either racing to try to catch up or bored out of their minds. Both groups suffer. #games4ed
An idea I've seen suggested is allowing students to focus and level up in areas that they excel in without penalizing them for failing to excel at everything (the traditional 4.0 student). #games4ed
A3: Again lacking the practical comparison - I'd look for something relevant to the topic at hand either directly or through metaphor. If it sneaks up on students for their own realization - better. Let them think they had the idea. #games4ed
Similarly, whenever I can talk relatively intelligently about Fallout4 or Overwatch. What they don't know is that I've never actualy played them, I just watch/listen to my son and his friends ;) #games4ed
A2: when learning with games we engage in experiential learning. We are not learning ‘about ‘ something we are learning through immersing ourselves in the topic #games4ed
A3 - Content, possibility to play in groups, learning curve and how much time I need to spend teaching how to play it. (Good games teach themselves - Megaman X is a great example of this) #games4ed
A3: Always start with the rating...being Grade 4/5 I get some pushback with the Xbox to start, need to be modeling good Dig Cit by choosing games that fit our age. I look for ones that can be played by more than 1 person at a time and can have some good p vs p comp #games4ed
A3. I teach a very broad population, most of whom don't play games. So I need a game that has frictionless on-boarding, zero expectation of game literacy, and short learning curve. Applies to analog or video or social game. #games4ed
I always thought the best games fell into that 3rd category-like Carmen San Diego was fun to play even if you didn’t realize you were studying geography #Games4Ed
A3: As an English teacher I focus on: narrative, theme, capacity for critical thinking and analysis. You know, the same things I do for books. Because they're both texts :) #games4ed
Yes! Meaning, curiosity, engagement all necessary for real learning. Content without it is learned only for tests and quickly forgotten (and for disadvantaged students, often not learned for tests either). #games4ed
A3: Because I'm teaching it, I look for things that model best practices. Innovation, diversity, positivity, and of course school-appropriateness! #games4ed
A3: I look for opportunities for students to break down and analyze the game. I look for games that incorporate good (and bad) game design elements #games4ed
A3: I look for games from different genres so my students can better understand different types of games and better decide what types of games they would like to design. #games4ed
A3: As an English teacher I focus on: narrative, theme, capacity for critical thinking and analysis. You know, the same things I do for books. Because they're both texts :) #games4ed
A3: As an English teacher I focus on: narrative, theme, capacity for critical thinking and analysis. You know, the same things I do for books. Because they're both texts :) #games4ed
I was intrigued watching people play today. Didn’t realize it had the whole crafting element. Pretty interesting. Love the idea of building stairs to get up a building #games4ed
In reply to
@pentaclethra, @legendlearning, @MarianaGSerrato, @MrPowley, @johnCfallon
A3: I look for themes that will resonate with the students,especially if there are shades of gray or room for deep discussion. I also want to make sure it’s accessible in terms of tech and input (colo blind mode, mappable buttons etc) #games4ed
A4 - Ah, the good old "Video games promote violence" and "video games make you stupid" When I began working in my current school I had to change the whole culture Admin had on games. Still struggling with reaching parents. #games4ed
A4: It's my experience most parents get it...some teachers hop on pretty quick, but many for many administrators (esp. upper administration) DGBL is DOA. #games4ed
A4 Admin and parents are more intrigued and excited that I'm trying something different to reach kids. I have received very little push back. #games4ed
A4: "These are games. They're not actually learning anything from this." "You're not doing your job letting them play this." I'm assuming some possible options of course. #games4ed
“Video games will rot you brain, just like that new-fangled rock n’ roll.” Although I’ve been lucky to have mostly supportive admins & parents once I explain the research & they see results #Games4Ed
You bet! One hint: if you put #games4ed at the end of tweets, then everyone in the chat will be guaranteed to see it :) and WELCOME TO TWITTER!!!!!! Best PD in the world!
Same - I think many teachers are overly sensitive. My admin and parents are supportive. I can think of only one time I had dramatic negative feedback and I had full admin support. #games4ed
A4 Admin and parents are more intrigued and excited that I'm trying something different to reach kids. I have received very little push back. #games4ed
They can be pretty simple to make and the level of literacy/skill doesn’t have to be high. I have students use speech-to-text & copy/paste to help #Games4Ed
Wasn't/isn't that the same with graphic novels and comics? They have words, they follow a narrative, they have storylines, ... but Oh no, they have pictures! #games4ed
When novels came out, young ladies were discouraged from reading them because they were trash and would ruin their minds...oh, how times have changed :) #games4ed
The BS vendors equating video games with violence have, after several decades, finally been silenced by the research: unequivocal proof that as violent video games literally exploded in the 90's, violent crime plummeted. #games4ed
Don't forget they would use up all your empathy and leave none left for your "real life". Jeez - that sounds so familiar. And so utterly ridiculous #games4ed
When novels came out, young ladies were discouraged from reading them because they were trash and would ruin their minds...oh, how times have changed :) #games4ed
LOL, that new-fangled rock and roll! Supportive admins are a huge component. So thankful for mine! I heard another admin in my district had been complaining about me having a couch in my room! Thank goodness he doesn't know what else we do! #games4ed
A4: I discuss how games are relevant to our kids and when we allow them to bring their expertise into the classroom and create learning experiences as a result we save valuable teaching time #games4ed
A4: Not to mention the systems thinking that goes with playing--and creating--games. Want higher level thinking? The best games have just that! #games4ed
A4b - Have them try it. Many adults don't realize just how challenging many of these games are. They get an instant appreciation when they realize even just moving a character around can be difficult. #games4ed
I have prep during the lunch period...the couch is tempting! Every once in a while I'll grade papers on it. In fact...I'm sitting on it right now :) (Waiting for my kid at wrestling practice...) #games4ed
Totally. I am incredibly fortunate to have a supportive admin that rolls with my crazy. But then again, when they visit they see how my kids work and engage. #games4ed
Q5: Video games often require more resources than what's available for each student--computers, controllers, VR headsets, etc.
What suggestions or work-arounds are there for these problems?
#games4ed
Could you lose the parents though from their lack of connection to the medium? I think of my parents when I would game as a kid. I couldn't get them to watch let alone pick up a controller. #games4ed
The problem with some adults is that I have to do a lot of talking/convincing before they’re willing to play. The kids are usually much easier and willing to experiment #Games4Ed
Had this similar convo about cell phones and their use as a tool. "But it is a distraction! Well so is a book to a reader and colored pencils to an artist, and you would not take those away, now would you?" #games4ed
A5 - I usually use games that I can play with groups, so I only need one device. Multi device programs are also a work around. I love games that can use any device, like Jack Box. #games4ed
Q5: Video games often require more resources than what's available for each student--computers, controllers, VR headsets, etc.
What suggestions or work-arounds are there for these problems?
#games4ed
Still looking for my FF lesson plan, but I found this awesome resource with lessons from elementary through high school! https://t.co/L0hnZMCenC#games4ed
A5: Loaners, donations, using used old consoles, have the kids build their own PCs - recreate the elements of a video game in a live-action format. #games4ed
A5: I used the "hot seat" method - 1 laptop playing game with group input for my unreliable narrator unit with @HerStoryGame. It was well received by the students. Helped comprehension, engagement...maybe even ideal format. Details on my blog: https://t.co/8lDmRwog58#games4ed
Yeah, we seem to lose that willingness to *just try* as we age. :( It's too bad. But, if you can get another adult around willing to jump in, it can be the catalyst needed. #games4ed
Absolutely right. If it's not cell phones, it's something else. Humans (both teens and adults) who want to be distracted will find something distracting to do. #games4ed
Right, but that's a good place to start for the explanation as to why they should. Remind them that they don't have to love it, the same way their parents didn't love all of their interests. But they should be willing to at least learn a little. #games4ed
Truth is not all Ss are gamers and some could care less about a game. A have a few that prefer to read to playing video games. I have to tell them to put down the book and play. #games4ed
In reply to
@mpilakow, @MarianaGSerrato, @johnCfallon
I like that way of doing it. You could throw this into a station rotation and have a small group doing that while others are doing something else. This could be a way to pull it off in my classroom since we have Chromebooks #games4ed
A5: There are many games (web-based ones) that don’t require that if you can’t make the investment. If you want that though there are grants and @TeachersChoice - I’ve had to get head-tracking and other hard to get #accessibility controllers #Games4Edhttps://t.co/zJFuw6ixIR
Great project from @tha_rami , A Year Spent Gaming with Mom https://t.co/t9akRxED4D See also tweet threads #games4ed My first controller was Pong and I never got fluent in current ones but do own a PS4.
In reply to
@tech_adell, @MusingsOnEdTech, @tha_rami
I would never add the "it's fun." Because that statement (when combined) usually always leads to awkwardness and pain and humiliation. But, there are usually small steps forward everyone can take. #games4ed
A5: Stations, donations, playing as a group. Even in single player games, you can make up "rules" about controllers and decisions. I've had things like the controller person can only move to where the director tells him/her, based on what the thinkers say... #games4ed
Also, if they (and the adults) are going to use them outside of school, shouldn’t we be training them-otherwise they’ll be as bad as the teachers texting in their laps during PDs-France was banning phones #Games4Ed
If anyone can make it to #minefaireSF we have an indie game zone with twelve independent game developers showcasing their games. Trying to build this at all our @minefaire events #games4ed
A5: Our office was debating what to do with all the confiscated electronic devices that no one picked up at the end of the year. I solved that problem! #games4ed
A6: Game use in the classroom can be very rewarding. You don't need to limit yourself to educational themed games, and keeping Admin and Parents in the loop is important. Get out and play! #games4ed
A6: Game use in the classroom can be very rewarding. You don't need to limit yourself to educational themed games, and keeping Admin and Parents in the loop is important. Get out and play! #games4ed
A5: it all comes down to classroom culture. Students can take turns, co-play, play different games with same ultimate learning objectives, etc. When we provide rich array of resources we create a variety of learning opportunities #games4ed
Q5: Video games often require more resources than what's available for each student--computers, controllers, VR headsets, etc.
What suggestions or work-arounds are there for these problems?
#games4ed
Have you submitted your idea to the 2018 Games for Change Festival yet? Deadline for games, talks, ideas and proposals is February 7th! More info here: https://t.co/AZ9D1m5Rkj#games4ed
An interesting trend to me is away from shooters and toward "tend and befriend" games that emphasize relationships & characters. Very appealing to a literature type like me. Thx @briecode#games4ed
In reply to
@WiseDad_Games, @pentaclethra, @mpilakow, @MarianaGSerrato, @johnCfallon, @briecode
Loved our chat tonight, and more than that, just loved chatting with all of you pushing for what will work for our students! Thanks for coming you absolutely amazing folks, every last one! #games4ed
The metaphor I use with my Ss for laptops (I teach in a 1:1 school) is power tools. If you know what you're doing, you can build a house. If you're reckless and distracted you can cut your hand off. It's all in how you use it. #games4ed
