Gamestar Mechanic: Gamification Made Easy Children in the 21st century experience media in ways that are vastly different from any previous generation. Social networking, user-created content and video games provide a level of interactivity that was unthinkable a generation ago. As a result, educators are rethinking educational practices that have long been taken for granted. Many have come to the conclusion that the answers they're looking for lie in making video game design a central part of the curriculum. Proponents of game design in the classroom say that it promotes students' systems thinking, problem solving and critical analysis skills. VIDEO: Learning STEM Skills by Designing Video Games (Time: 06:40) Immersive Teaching Gamestar Mechanic is a one-stop solution for teachers who see the potential of game design being included in their classroom, but may not know where to begin. Students' first experience upon signing up for an account is an interactive tutorial. Screenshot from Gamestar Tutorial Gamification
Minecraft Modding Classes - ThoughtSTEM Beneath the world of Minecraft is an equally fascinating world of hardware and software -- built upon 150 years of computer science history. This class introduces students to this new world by exploring client/server architectures, network security, operating systems, and computer programming. To explore this world, students will be guided in setting up Minecraft servers and building Minecraft mods – while also being taught key computer science principles. The class is taught in a project-based style – with minimal lectures – making it both fun and educational. A talk by ThoughtSTEM's CEO. Games to Teach Financial Literacy Financial Literacy Month is April -- just around the corner -- and it's never too early to prepare. Personally, I believe this is a great opportunity to use games in an intentional way to teach students financial literacy skills. Games can be used as a "hook" or anchor activity, as well an instructional activity that is revisited throughout a unit of instruction. A game can help scaffold the learning of important content as well as providing context for application of content. Fellow Edutopia member Brian Page (on Twitter @FinEdChat) has long been an advocate for financial literacy education and innovative ways for students to engage in it. Bite Club In Bite Club, players manage a "day club" for vampires. Save for retirementPay down debtManage current consumption Brian says, "I prefer Bite Club as a game-based learning day alternative, and as an anchor activity. Gen i Revolution "I believe Gen i Revolution is best for middle school students," Brian tells us. Financial Football
Gamestar Mechanic Ideas for Using Minecraft in the Classroom As is the nature of sandbox games, players can roam free, choosing objectives as they go. Because Minecraft has such open possibilities and potential, the teacher can choose how he or she wants to use it. Just as the student has the ability to be creative, the teacher has the same. That can be overwhelming, but luckily, there is a tool for using Minecraft created by teachers for teachers. MinecraftEdu provides a custom mod, basically a customized modification of the game, that helps facilitate organization and focus for teachers to use Minecraft effectively. In addition, Joel Levin, the founder of MinecraftEdu, provides ideas and updates at The Minecraft Teacher blog. For those noobs out there that need a push in the right direction, here are some introductory project or lesson ideas. 1) Explore Real Life Buildings There are many already-created structures that you can import into the game and have students explore. 2) Practice Ratio and Proportion 3) Learn About Survival
Collection of eLearning Tools | A&H: Technology Enhanced Learning Learning is becoming: dynamic, real-time, social, mobile, local, fluid, peer to peer, gamified. The future will require more resilience. “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” – Alvin Toffler. Teachers are filters for the current information tsunami. Tools like the ones below are redefining the relationships between us and data/information, teachers and learners, work and play and enabling the re-imagination of education as interactive / online / accessible / ubiquitous. Over 2,000 tools for learning and working in education and the workplace LINK20 Must-Have Educational Resources For All Teachers LINKScreenr web-based screen recorder LINKSculptris is a 3D sculpting software LINK12 Tech Tools That Will Transform The Way You Teach!
Game-Based Learning to Teach and Assess 21st Century Skills Game-Based Learning, and particularly serious games that teach content, are fast becoming utilized in the classroom. Frequent success stories are appearing, from Minecraft in the elementary classroom to games that teach civics. There is curriculum that pairs World of Warcraft with language arts standards, and many other variations where the gaming focus is on content. What about 21st-century skills? Collaboration MMOs are hugely popular. Communication All of the games above, which require collaboration, also require communication. Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving Well-designed games require players to solve a variety of complex problems, some of which require standards-aligned learning and some that simply require general critical thinking and problem-solving. We must find time for students to play these games in and out of the class to teach content and 21st-century skills. One of the biggest misunderstandings about games, and people who play them, is that games don't "teach" anything.
Life Vest Challenge | TryEngineering Lesson Focus Lesson explores the engineering behind life vests or personal flotation devices and the challenges met by these devices. Students work in teams to design and build a flotation device out of everyday materials that can keep an unopened can of soup or vegetables afloat in a bucket of water or sink for a minute. They design their life vest, build and test it, evaluate their designs and those of classmates, and share observations with their class. Age Levels: Objectives Learn about engineering design and redesign.Learn about personal floatation devices (PFDs).Learn how engineering can help solve society's challenges.Learn about teamwork and problem solving. Anticipated Learner Outcomes As a result of this activity, students should develop an understanding of: engineering designsafety and societyteamwork Lesson Activities Students explore how engineers have solved societal problems such as developing and improving equipment that helps save lives in water emergencies. Resources/Materials