I'm Ann, Director of Digital Learning at @breakoutEDU and tonight's #MTEdChat moderator... but most of all, I'm a super-lucky Billings girl who's just happy to be here learning with all of you!
Our conversation will be in Q1/I1 format because I stands for information, ideas, and iteration. Be sure to include #MTEdChat and @breakoutEDU in your answers so we can all see your words of wisdom. Q1 coming up in 2 minutes!
I'm Jen, a teacher librarian at Ponderosa High School in Single Springs CA. II also design BreakoutEDU games, which is one of my favorite things. #mtedchat
If you are a Twitter Chat newbie or just love cool things, try playing #MTEdChat via https://t.co/UP3M1hp68o - easy peasy! I say Q1, you say I1... ready?
Q1 How/where/when did you first learn about @breakoutEDU? What was your initial experience? If you're new to it, what do you THINK you know? #MTEdChat
*Don't forget to add I1 with #MTedchat and @breakoutedu to your posts.
I'm Jen, a teacher librarian at Ponderosa High School in Single Springs CA. II also design BreakoutEDU games, which is one of my favorite things. #mtedchat
I1 I got curious about the big, yellow @breakoutEDU bus parked outside the building at #ISTE2016. It was the talk of the conference (I never could get on that bus) and I just HAD to know more! I ordered a kit as soon as I got home. 🔐 #MTedchat
Katie here! I'm a first year high school librarian hoping to utilize @breakoutEDU in Arizona! Thought this would be the perfect place to learn more. #mtedchat
I1: It was at the Fall CUE conference where I first learned about it and it's been true love ever since. I got 5 kits for my library and use them all over our school! #mtedchat
Q1 How/where/when did you first learn about @breakoutEDU? What was your initial experience? If you're new to it, what do you THINK you know? #MTEdChat
*Don't forget to add I1 with #MTedchat and @breakoutedu to your posts.
Q1 How/where/when did you first learn about @breakoutEDU? What was your initial experience? If you're new to it, what do you THINK you know? #MTEdChat
*Don't forget to add I1 with #MTedchat and @breakoutedu to your posts.
A1: I was introduced to @breakoutEDU at @edcampBigSky Someone brought a box and we tried it out. I decided I needed some, so I found funds to purchase a box. #mtedchat#hsd1chat
Fantastic - I just got home from AZ to MT this morning! So great to have you here! 😊 Be sure to ask if there is something @breakoutEDU we don't get to! #MTedchat
In reply to
@KaitlinRose93, @breakoutEDU, @breakoutEDU
I1: I 1st learned about @breakoutEDU about 2 years ago after doing many escape rooms. I fell in love with doing them for fun & was looking for a way to do them in my classroom. I got my first kit through @DonorsChoose! #MTEdChat
I1: I actually had the pleasure of playing along the VERY FIRST time @AnnBruckerEDU tried @breakoutEDU 🤗 I thought it was challenging and fun and was excited to see how we could use it in classrooms. #MTedchat
Q1 How/where/when did you first learn about @breakoutEDU? What was your initial experience? If you're new to it, what do you THINK you know? #MTEdChat
*Don't forget to add I1 with #MTedchat and @breakoutedu to your posts.
A1 I heard people talking about @breakoutedu for a while. I purchased two boxes and then attended a breakout session at FETC and I was hooked #mtedchat
Q2 Do you remember the first @breakoutEDU game you ever played as a participant or witnessed as an observer? What was it, and describe the feels using as many powerful adjectives as you can think of. #MTEdChat
I1 It's funny to me that I even asked this question 😂I WISH I remembered what my first game was! I DO remember being blown away, thinking how I'd been teaching all wrong for the last 17 years. Dear self: LET KIDS THINK! #MTedchat@breakoutEDU#MLmagical@tishrich
#MTedchat The first ever @breakoutEDU I did was at #DENSI15 and my second was at #DENSI16. I still remember "Stoneage Tutorial Services" and the overhead projector with Porter Palmer looking disenchanted and flipping the slides as @shareski read them WORD for WORD. #epic
A2 I participated with @adambellow at FETC this year. I was engaged and excited; challenged and inspired. I couldn’t wait to share with my faculty. @breakoutEDU#mtedchat
I2: The first @breakoutEDU game I did was Dr.Johnson's zombie apocalypse, and I remember thinking the last map lock was SO CLEVER. I wanted to design games with that element of wow and surprise. #mtedchat
Q2 Do you remember the first @breakoutEDU game you ever played as a participant or witnessed as an observer? What was it, and describe the feels using as many powerful adjectives as you can think of. #MTEdChat
Q2 Do you remember the first @breakoutEDU game you ever played as a participant or witnessed as an observer? What was it, and describe the feels using as many powerful adjectives as you can think of. #MTEdChat
I2: Exciting, overwhelming, challenging, frustrating, super fun! We played w our curriculum team & it was a great team building activity - saw some different personalities came out and noticed things about how I contribute to a group. Very interesting! #MTedchat
Q2 Do you remember the first @breakoutEDU game you ever played as a participant or witnessed as an observer? What was it, and describe the feels using as many powerful adjectives as you can think of. #MTEdChat
A2 I did breakout with my students before I played a game myself. My first time was with 1st graders and I was blown away by how well they did. #mtedchat
Q2 Do you remember the first @breakoutEDU game you ever played as a participant or witnessed as an observer? What was it, and describe the feels using as many powerful adjectives as you can think of. #MTEdChat
I remember being frustrated with it but it also reminded me that this is how our Ss feel when we try tot each them something new. You have to allow for mistakes and learning opportunities #hsd1chat#MTedchat
I2: I dove right in by buying a kit & just trying it with Ss. The 1st @breakoutEDU game Ss played was Turkey Trouble. They were fascinated as they worked collaboratively. Their minds were blown when they got a lock open! It encouraged me to write a grant to get 30 kits #MTEdChat
The most interesting thing about @breakoutEDU is watching the way the kids interact and some of the things you notice about their personality that you wouldn’t otherwise. #mtedchat
Q3 Thinking back to that first @breakoutEDU game, what made it good or what was your favorite part about it? If it wasn't a smashing success, what could have made it better? #MTEdChat
#MTedchat I love the digital games, but my heart belongs to the box. As I say in my staff trainings, "We use @breakoutEDU boxes because the Fire Marshal frowns on us locking children in a room for an hour and encouraging them to escape. He's okay with breaking in though!"
In reply to
@AnnBruckerEDU, @breakoutEDU, @breakoutEDU
I3 Whatever made my first @breakoutEDU experience good or bad could probably be applied to ANY lesson; I realized I have a "thought robbery" problem! It was SO HARD not too give hints that weren't requested! How many times did I do that in my classroom?! 🤔#MTedchat@TraciPiltz
A2 the first one I did was at the first Apple ConnectEd Leadership& Learning Institute in Dallas in 2016 - super challenging fun with @r_genereux@kelseyemiller and we bought two kits for our school to bring the fun back to MT! #MTedchat
Q3 Thinking back to that first @breakoutEDU game, what made it good or what was your favorite part about it? If it wasn't a smashing success, what could have made it better? #MTEdChat
This is an excellent observation. I don't think we get to put ourselves in the "learner" seat often enough and @breakoutEDU really stretches US, too! #MTedchat
I remember being frustrated with it but it also reminded me that this is how our Ss feel when we try tot each them something new. You have to allow for mistakes and learning opportunities #hsd1chat#MTedchat
I3: With my first one I ran with students I learned how to set up expectations for their experience better. For example, telling them that they will get frustrated during this game was key for me. And then encouraging them not to give up. #mtedchat
Q3 Thinking back to that first @breakoutEDU game, what made it good or what was your favorite part about it? If it wasn't a smashing success, what could have made it better? #MTEdChat
A1: first time seeing/experiencing it was at the Apple Leadership & Learning Academy in 2016 - need to try more with the two kits we have at our school! #MTedchat
A3 we did the faculty workroom game. I felt like I was missing obvious things when I was really overthinking. I also see my teachers and students to the same thing. @breakoutEDU#mtedchat
Yes! Agreed! As a kindergarten T, I know I am guilty of spoon feeding the kiddos too much. I love that @breakoutEDU gives them a chance to problem solve & think critically & creatively on their own (even when it’s hard)! #MTedchat
In reply to
@AnnBruckerEDU, @breakoutEDU, @breakoutEDU
#mtedchat A3: OMG - There was a pictogram of different types of tea and seating. We were supposed to say TEA + CHAIR = Teacher but I think EVERYONE struggled with that. And there were VHS videos that had yellow labels that spelled a word but someone touched the "clues"...
A3: The unique challenge and the way we had to collaborate & communicate in order to get out (or in, I guess) - connecting actual content through creative challenges didn’t hurt either! #MTedchat
#MTedchat Although I argue that @GerryBrooks has it right with his video where they "breakout the principal". I don't know of ANY admin or teacher who wouldn't volunteer for an hour of solitude! https://t.co/dXEzGt8lwx
In reply to
@AnnBruckerEDU, @breakoutEDU, @GerryBrooks
A3: it was a learning curve for my Ss and myself. I would t say it was a complete failure because I learned a lot. My Ss were super frustrated. It was better the second time. #hsd1chat#MTedchat
Isn't it funny to think that you have to say those words?! Maybe it's because in traditional lessons, we don't offer ENOUGH experiences where we need to forewarn our Ss that they will struggle! #MTedchat@breakoutEDU
Q4 We hear it all the time: in @breakoutedu experiences, players always seem to surprise games facilitators. In what ways have you been surprised by your students or peers? #MTEdChat
I3: I’ve learned so much about setting up @breakoutEDU games for my Ss since my first game. Like how to organize clues for various grade levels to scaffold the learning, how to help Ss collaborate effectively, & trying to cut down on setup time - that’s the hardest. #MTEdChat
A3: I had VERY little direction prior to participating my first time and none of us really knew what we were doing, so my first experience wasn't great. We needed a little more direction. #MTedchat#hsd1chat
I4 It's not always the kids we expect who are the most successful in @breakoutedu. I adore how the Ss who "do school well" get to struggle, and how the quiet ones get to shine. EVERYONE has the opportunity experience that sense of cognitive dissonance (aka LEARNING)! #MTedchat
I love how @breakoutEDU makes me open my eyes and look around to see things that are hiding in plain sight! I mean this literally AND figuratively because it applies to so many life situations! #MTedchat
I4: I’m constantly surprised at how Ss approach clues and talk through them, especially on the digital @breakoutEDU games! I love the physical games but the digital games have a special place in my heart too! #mtedchat
Q4 We hear it all the time: in @breakoutedu experiences, players always seem to surprise games facilitators. In what ways have you been surprised by your students or peers? #MTEdChat
A4: Ss actually read more into the clues than you would think. They can come up with some really interesting ways to look at things. #mtedchat#hsd1chat
#mtedchat A4: My favorite - when Ts tell me that Ss are "lazy" and doesn't work and won't participate, but we can try this "Breakout thing." I predict those Ss will be THE most engaged kid... almost 100% of the time. Also love to hear the pleasure/joy of Ts recog engagement.
I4: I’ve been surprised by how competitive my colleagues can be. 😂 We recently used the SAMR @breakoutEDU w some different #BPSTILT groups & it was surprising to see how the different group dynamics affect the game. #mtedchat
Q4 We hear it all the time: in @breakoutedu experiences, players always seem to surprise games facilitators. In what ways have you been surprised by your students or peers? #MTEdChat
A4: I was surprised how well my Ss worked together this year. I try to mix them up pretty well and some of my Ss always surprise me with their thinking #hsd1chat#MTedchat
A4. Again, haven’t tried games but I’d love to see peers interact more and I’d love to see students have another opportunity to be kids and let loose for a moment during these games. #hsd1chat#MTEdChat
I1 It's funny to me that I even asked this question 😂I WISH I remembered what my first game was! I DO remember being blown away, thinking how I'd been teaching all wrong for the last 17 years. Dear self: LET KIDS THINK! #MTedchat@breakoutEDU#MLmagical@tishrich
#MTedchat My experience is that G/T students run into a challenge for the first time in @breakoutEDU They don't know how to handle or deal with failure.
In reply to
@jzimnycricket, @breakoutEDU, @breakoutEDU
A4: (not so) surprised by the way Type A students get frustrated with those not so “Type A” and learn (or struggle) to work with them. That’s a challenge I didn’t see coming, but a worthy one to take on. #MTedchat
For me, the hardest part of @breakoutEDU is NOT to "help!" I wonder how often I did that when teaching topics like multiplication or geography or... ! #MTedchat
#MTedchat I have literally watched people pass a clue for 20 minutes... even with me shifting my body position and pointing to it. I love to hear the discussions and listen to someone dismiss the obvious.
#MTedchat I warn participants that my "clues" are just like their teaching (I frequently train the Ts on how to use the box) and that it will often be a riddle. I will help to LEAD them to the answer but will not GIVE the answer. They usually curse me. LOL
In reply to
@AnnBruckerEDU, @youtheduteach, @breakoutEDU
YES! And it's SOOO hard not to just jump in there and point them in the right direction (aka steal their opportunity to figure it out for themselves!). #MTedchat
I5 I LOVE this puzzle from the Zombie Outbreak @breakoutEDU Digital game! It requires research and/or background knowledge, calculation, AND elimination. So simple yet so clever! #MTedchat
Great question! I’d love to hear the answers. For me it’s definitely been trial and error and managing set up is tricky. @AnnBruckerEDU developed a lock tracker system that I use w k-2 Ss. They record answers as they solve puzzles & we open box all together at the end. #mtedchat
In reply to
@St006C, @ImagineerSTEAM, @breakoutEDU, @AnnBruckerEDU
#MTedchat But I have to say that our G/T department has EMBRACED this and they purchased each G/T teacher her/his own box to use with students. They check out our 30 boxes a lot.
A3: First #breakoutEDU experience I loved! I remember it being super challenging, but I was so intrigued and knew it would be amazing to do with my students. #Mtedchat
#MTedchat I can't play (since I write and facilitate) so MY play is watching THEIR struggle and process to succeed - although SOME folks say I'm like an entomologist who pins butterflies to a board. LOL
I5: I love any clue that involves a Google Voice number with a message for students. Students always need a hint on that one! "Did you try calling it?" "WHAT?! NO WAY!" 😂😂😂 #mtedchat
I think about my shy son and how he ROCKS @breakoutEDU games (and escape rooms). It takes so many different kinds of thinkers and learners to be successful - so awesome! #MTedchat
A5: I really enjoyed the Olympics Breaktout I did last year. And a friend of mine came and did a campfire story game, and that was AMAZING!! #mtedchat#hsd1chat
I5: We played Happy Hearts💕(free digital @breakoutEDU game) w @proud_panthers staff & I’m always blown away by how clever the clues & puzzles are. The game intended for elementary kiddos kept Ts engaged & thinking 🤔! Loved the excited shouts as they solved a puzzle. #mtedchat
I5: oh man. Too many @breakoutEDU games to pick from! But I did love It’s Alive from their Halloween games last fall! And any digital game, especially the holiday ones! #mtedchat
I6 The best @breakoutEDU puzzles I have seen are NOT worksheets. They require thinking, investigation, discussion, creativity, and just enough frustration to blossom from and re-seed curiosity. If a combo or answer is too obvious, it's not fun OR challenging! #MTedchat
This is true... hands-down, almost ALL of the time! Kids are so much more open-minded and flexible in their thinking that I often see adults struggle with "primary" @breakoutedu games! #MTEdChat
I5: We played Happy Hearts💕(free digital @breakoutEDU game) w @proud_panthers staff & I’m always blown away by how clever the clues & puzzles are. The game intended for elementary kiddos kept Ts engaged & thinking 🤔! Loved the excited shouts as they solved a puzzle. #mtedchat
I5: oh man. Too many @breakoutEDU games to pick from! But I did love It’s Alive from their Halloween games last fall! And any digital game, especially the holiday ones! #mtedchat
I'm sure it's bad form to retweet one's self, but I want to reiterate the point that great @breakoutEDU games aren't WORKSHEETS! So many of my early games were just digital worksheets; the more I've played and written, the more I've learned to how make complex puzzles! #MTEdChat
I6 The best @breakoutEDU puzzles I have seen are NOT worksheets. They require thinking, investigation, discussion, creativity, and just enough frustration to blossom from and re-seed curiosity. If a combo or answer is too obvious, it's not fun OR challenging! #MTedchat
A6: Love puzzles that are creative, challenging, fun, and require critical thinking and collab....which are all of them that I’ve experienced! Loved the Lost Plot that I facilitated in an ELA class at #SMedfordHS today! Loved making the plot spaghetti! #MTedchat#breakoutedu
Q7 How has @breakoutEDU changed your thinking about teaching and learning? How have the concepts of games changed the way you think about other school tasks, activities, or projects? #MTEdChat
I7 I used to live for that A-HA moment... but @breakoutEDU made me realize that I was missing the best part of the journey: the struggle! We only redo or try something again when we are LEARNING, which only happens from our mistakes (and *results* in A-HA)! #MTedchat
Hmmm... some take longer than others, but the more you create, the more creative you become. We're offering a free @breakoutedu game design course - you should apply!!! https://t.co/rHDaUGoC9c#MTEdChat
In reply to
@ImagineerSTEAM, @adambellow, @breakoutEDU, @breakoutEDU
A7: I don’t give my Ss enough credit. They are capable of so much more than people think. It reminds me to challenge myself and my Ss - build those critical thinking skills and develop lifelong real world skills #hsd1chat#mtedchat
A7: I don’t give my Ss enough credit. They are capable of so much more than people think. It reminds me to challenge myself and my Ss - build those critical thinking skills and develop lifelong real world skills #hsd1chat#mtedchat
A7: The "out of the box" way of thinking added a whole new dimention of conversation to my classroom after I started doing @breakoutEDU. It was classroom changing for sure! #hsd1chat#MTedchat
A7. I’m hoping it’s a break from curriculum and behaviors and is a chance for everyone to have fun, be excited about school, enjoy our “teams”#MTEdChat#hsd1chat
A7: connecting content through hooks such as a clue-filled challenge engages kids in memorable learning experiences. Teaching kids collaboration skills is just as, if not more important than many content standards. #MTEdChat
I7 @breakoutEDU has completely changed my way of lesson planning! I love how students critically think consistently while applying math concepts learned. I am consistently trying to find more creative ways to get the students to discover our Algebra I topics. #MTedchat
A7: It reinforced everything that I believe about play and games! They immerse students in meaningful and memorable learning and amplifies the 4 C's in incredible ways! ...and it's not only challenging, but fun!!! #mtedchat#breakoutEDU
A7 @breakoutEDU has completely changed my way of lesson planning! I love how students critically think consistently while applying math concepts learned. I am consistently trying to find more creative ways to get the students to discover our Algebra I topics. #MTedchat
Thanks for staying up to chat with your friends out west here! ;-) I look forward to seeing many of your magnificent, creative additions to the @breakoutEDU collection! #MTEdChat
In reply to
@ImagineerSTEAM, @adambellow, @breakoutEDU, @breakoutEDU
A8 How can I get better and/or create my own breakout activity. I teach Algebra I and there aren't a ton on @breakoutEDU. I've looked on teacherpayteacher, but feel some are just like a worksheet - which is the exact opposite that I'm thinking of #MTedchat
Thank you all for participating in tonight's chat! Please continue the conversation throughout the week by tagging #MTEdChat and/or @breakoutEDU in your pictures, questions, ideas, and success stories. All the love, friends! 🔓💙
