The focus of classroom two was virtual worlds. Topics included what a game is, how to assess student artifacts when they are creating their own worlds, the effectiveness of using game-based learning, and how games are connected to the common core.
Key points from the articles, podcasts, and studies include: student engagement is important. Virtual worlds offer exciting ways for students to create their own identity, while seeing where they fit in the greater scheme of things. It is important to find ways to assess student work (mainly because that is how our education system is designed). Alignment with the Common Core makes game-based learning more appealing to many educators.
After reading about the many ways in which game-based learning can impact children's learning I feel like it ought to be a part of any school. In the classes I took to get my Bachelors in Elementary Education, we were told over and over again that keeping kids engaged is half the battle. If you can make them want to do the work then they are more likely to learn. Game-based learning is essentially the 21st century engagement strategy to beat all engagement strategies!
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