#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?
Jumping on to #games4ed chat for the time I have. Jared here from NYC, Teacher for the Deaf. Hit me up with a good @breakoutEDU or @classcraftgame. And, of course, trying some #DND this year. :)
Mike Fauteux from Oakland, CA. Innovator in Residence @leadps and middle & high sch math T of 12 yrs. I’m a big fan of @gooru for how it supports blended & personalized learning #games4ed
Gearing up here. Been working on setting all of my stuff up in @Schoology Resources. Got a Carmen Sandiego kind of game inspired by the incredible work of @irvspanish#games4ed
In reply to
@mpilakow, @breakoutEDU, @classcraftgame, @Schoology, @irvspanish
A1: One thing that's important to me is versatility. Like Google Slides. So usable in so many ways. Have fallen back in love with @Sutori too for the same reason. #games4ed
A1: Budget is actually 1 big constraint. Trying to get the best bang for my buck. I also look for how easy it will integrate into what we are doing in class. Ease of use is another. I like Ss to be able to pick up quick with new tools #games4ed
A1: If it doesn’t need a sign in OR can integrate with a sign in we already have (Microsoft or Schoology). Having ANOTHER account to set up and manage is a pain with middle school #games4ed
A1) Sometimes I think I DON'T actually narrow anything down. I love so so many. Usually I just test drive them for a bit and see how they go. Good ones stay and I spread the love, not so great ones fall away. #games4ed
Totally agree. The Google sign in is a huge benefit. I've gotten to the point if students have to setup an account from scratch that I likely won't use it #games4ed
A1: I look for something that does multiple things or has lots of features, eliminating duplication or having to incorporate too much. Variety is good but constantly introducing new tech can be overwhelming to kids #games4ed
Great point! I get my recommendations from my virtual PLN, but my colleagues often adapt tools I've learned to love after they see the success my class and I have had with it. #games4ed
Ease of use is a big one for me, too. It's so much better if it's intuitive and doesn't take a lot of onboarding. Seems like developers are getting better at this, though! #games4ed
Amen! Signins are a pain in high school, and I would guess it gets worse as they get younger! The "I forgot my password" or "I don't remember what email I used" questions drive me nuts! #games4ed
Hey all. Steve from NJ checking in from Atlanta. Just landed. Training a group of tech specialists tomorrow in #MINECRAFTEDU@PlayCraftLearn How’s everyone? #games4ed
I think that's a great idea, having students test some out. I'm wanting to do a filming unit for my new theater class this year...I might have students do this with some video apps #games4ed
I find myself doing this when certain tools need to add a charge for use. So sad I've had to do this with tools like @edpuzzle and @padlet. I understand why they do it, just a bummer for me!
#games4ed
In reply to
@nathan_stevens, @mpilakow, @edpuzzle, @padlet
A2: Google forms are versatile and fantastic ways to capture evidence of learning / do formative assessment. Also enjoy the real-time assessment view for just in time intervention & the supporting learning resources in @Gooru. #games4ed
Hello! My name is Mike Neumire and I am an instructional technology specialist in Rochester, NY. I can’t live without @nearpod and @MetaverseApp#games4ed
A2: one of my fav formative assessments is @quizizz because it has a fun competitive aspect but also lets kids work at their own pace (stopping them from random button smashing or embarrassment) because they don’t know how fast others are going #games4ed
I definitely had this problem when I first started 1:1. Some tools are really attractive, but then I realize that it just doesn't work for me and my style... #games4ed
A2: the messaging and feedback that I give my students via @classcraftgame qualified as formative assessment and it’s naturally integrated in the system #games4ed
I switched schools, so they did not transfer. This is super sad for me. I would definitely *consider* paying for @Padlet. I actually applied for a grant hoping they would pay for the tool for my classroom. #games4ed
(Retweeted bc reply on Tweetdeck was being funky..)
A2: my current go-to edtech tools for formative assessment include @nearpod because of the culture it creates among participants (safe place to share, be celebrated, receive feedback without a spotlight) and @MetaverseApp because you can embed so much gamification #games4ed
A3: make sure the technology is worth the effort...am I spending 15 mins getting kids set up for a 5 minute activity that is never do again? Or is that set up worth it for something I’ll use daily? #games4ed
Bam. Leave it to Carrie to put this. Another reason I love the basic--Google, Microsoft, video creators--they extend so well outside the classroom #games4ed
A3: I think teachers should look to the ISTE standards- clear standards for success in the 21st century learning environment. They are a great place to start challenging yourself! #games4ed
A3 many new edtech tools come out that have very little substance or may just be repackaging things you are trying to get away from , try things out and feel free to not buy into a tech that you don’t feel will bring value to the learning experience you are building #games4ed
A2: My boring answer (ELA teacher, though) is Google Docs as a form of formative assessment. Quick and easy to pop in and out. Looking into a couple of new annotation Addons, though, to make commenting even faster #games4ed
A3) I think the biggest caution I can suggest is to not try too many at once. I do that to myself sometimes and I am tech savvy. Pick one or two to try at a time and master them before you move on to more. #games4ed
A3: I think it’s about practice 1st & tech 2nd. I look to make sure the practices are sound & that the tech isn’t just something shiny. I also look to privacy. And if it’s design authentically w/ Ss & Ts, even better. #games4ed
Our art teach thought about leaving @seesaw for Classroom or something else. I talked her out of it. I think Seesaw fits perfectly for her art classroom! #games4ed
In reply to
@mr_middle_2, @nathan_stevens, @Seesaw, @instructables, @Seesaw
A3. Reminds me that I just listened to great @EdTechBites podcast with @mospillman.
Teachers need to remember the WHY BEFORE using a tech tool.
Also, teachers should remember they are not reinventing the wheel. Tech should amplify already good practices. #games4ed
A4 I can put Ss cell phones to use for impromptu research and debate that is whole class, or we can fall back to our one minuet speech challenges, sometimes just swap into a different delivery system #games4ed
A3) I think the biggest caution I can suggest is to not try too many at once. I do that to myself sometimes and I am tech savvy. Pick one or two to try at a time and master them before you move on to more. #games4ed
A4: edtech has provided so many cool ways to be creative that it’s easy to forget all the ways creativity was fostered before. Excited to try @TheTechRabbi ‘s 30 circle challenge! #Games4ed
Do tell more about your one minute speech challenges...something like this came up when Ss and I were planning our speech/drama curriculum today.... #Games4Ed
Ditto! Anxious to dive into this next week. I think I need another day or two of watching my classes before I start forming teams and getting them on! #Games4Ed
I am going to start with a page from @mrmatera and have my returning Ss chose teams from the new Ss - applications listing skills but no names #games4ed
A5: @MetaverseApp is great for gamification. Students and / or teachers have access to conditional formatting, leaderboards, “xp”, items and so much more #games4ed
A5 honestly I have my kids build ours out via google, art apps and plain old paper. I want them figuring out details and drafting as much as possible. I know there are some great digital platforms out there for game/map creation though #games4ed
ooooh, love the idea of letting them "pick their own groups" but only by seeing a list of skills others have to offer. That's awesome (and how I pick my characters in RPGs!) #games4ed
In reply to
@MrBaskwill, @mpilakow, @classcraftgame, @mrmatera
there is also The Game Crafter website for cards...or Staples. I made mine on Google Drawings and printed them off at staples on sports card paper #games4ed
A5: I've been using @GooseChase this week for a back to school activity. A lot of them have been working on it outside of school, too. Definitely gives me an insight on personalities! #Games4Ed
A6 pay attention to your social media feeds to see how educators are using your tools. New ideas will always pop up. Also look at how you can team up with other tools to create new opportunities #Games4Ed
Cool! I'm thinking about doing something like this on Fridays, maybe adding in some debate topics, too. I want them to be more comfortable thinking on their feet #Games4Ed
A6. Developers need to get in the classroom. Ask for feedback from teachers and then adjust. @legendlearning is great at listening to teacher feedback. #games4ed
A6: don’t lock us in! Specific pre-built games are great but platforms that support the creative efforts of teachers and more importantly students with lots of options are empowering #games4ed
A6) Definitely being able to use their Google Sign on & being able to integrate with multiple LMSs. I need more of my fave tools in @Schoology#games4ed
A6: My sch @leadps actually builds tools w/ Ss&Ts. #games4ed@givethxapp is newest. Helps Ss dev the skill of gratitude. Nurtures S peer & T relationships & healthy self-perception to increase belonging, kindness, & wellbeing. Seeking Ts for fall pilot —> https://t.co/7Ymro7tprz
A6: My sch @leadps actually builds tools w/ Ss&Ts. #games4ed@givethxapp is newest. Helps Ss dev the skill of gratitude. Nurtures S peer & T relationships & healthy self-perception to increase belonging, kindness, & wellbeing. Seeking Ts for fall pilot —> https://t.co/7Ymro7tprz
A7) I only discovered @Wakelet at the end of last year. I only really got into it this summer. I am hoping to use it a lot more this upcoming year. #games4ed
I love the ability to have cells change color if filled with the right information. This is especially useful when connected with google forms #games4ed
A7: #games4ed@givethxapphttps://t.co/TtKrT2WQLK It’s also my favorite new tool :) Really excited to take it out of our sch and pilot w/ pioneer Ts to refine if you know anyone who’s interested.
My idea of getting into #edtech from being a teacher was to move away from #badscreentime as much by which I mean just looking the the screen and absorbing content. #goodscreentime, active learning and peer sharing are my goto in #edtech#Games4ed
A7: I'm excited to try the @sowntogrow site this year. Allows not only Ss to reflect but also they can see their progress over time. I think it will work well with standards based learning #Games4Ed
I'm using it for 11-12 grades this year. I've talked to a few Ts who have used it with upper grades and said it's made a huge difference in student-directed learning #Games4Ed
A7: a new-to-me program that I’m super jazzed about is @BadgeList. Specifically for gamification, it is great because you can customize the URL of each badge, so they can become like hidden easter eggs! The possibilities are actually a bit mind numbing.. #games4ed
What a great hour! Thank you all for sharing #games4ed folks! Love chatting with you all every week!!
By the way, the great folks at @classcraftgame will be hosting in TWO WEEKS!! Whoohoo!
I believe it's free until December? By then I figure I"ll know whether it's worth the investment or to go back to Google Slides for student reflections #Games4Ed
