Listening to the Ed. Got Game Podcast was very informative. The assigned episode was about how gaming in the classroom can be aligned with the standardization of learning required by the Common Core. Clark Aldrich, the guest speaker, had much to say about the topic. Below is a (rough) outline of the topics covered/mentioned during
- Serious games in the classroom - the best:
- Simcity
- Minecraft
- DragonBox Plus - algebra
- Touch Algebra
- Gary’s Mod - marries simulation with sandbox
- Civilization
- Apps are also being developed that can be used in the classroom.
- Sandboxes will ultimately take over in place of games/simulations - students will be creating their own “games” - “screwing around in the environment” is where the learning happens. (MY QUESTION: how do we assess this "screwing around"?).
- The question is: how do we make history, science, writing, etc. something that you can “screw around” with it.
- BIG ISSUE: Messiness v. Standardization
- Directive Teaching Styles do not “fit” well with open exploration. We tend to “direct” students to through “micro processes”.
- Aldrich believes that Core Curriculum Standards DO FIT with gaming.
- Summative Assessments (standardized tests) will eventually become more gamified and engaging.
- Video game = gamified simulation??? No - most sims happen in a game environment. Really hard to differentiate between from a “player” point of view.
- For the “Average Teacher” - there are many games/sims that can be used in the classroom: Skyrim is sandbox game - simulation? Medieval life.
- Recommended: Armadillo Run - Physics Game.
- How to get teachers to build the comfort level with sims and games. List of options on Aldrich's blog:
- http://www.clarkaldrichdesigns.com/
- Gaming creates: Intrinsic Motivation
No comments:
Post a Comment