K-12 Online Conference

I chose to listen to the "Kicking it up a Notch: Games in Education" K-12 conference. You can click here to listen to it.

Games have been an important element throughout history in virtually every society. Games are not a new idea, they have been around forever, but it is how we use games to teach and to learn that is key. Students who are given the opportunity to reflect upon their game experience in interpersonal communication are more likely to be more engaged with the learning. "Edutainment games" like Reader Rabbit or Math Blaster are most prevalent in schools but are not nearly as effective as other types of game play. These games do not provide authentic learning experiences but are more focused on being fun. Serious games are designed to go deeper and have greater intrinsic value. One example of a serious game is Ayiti: The Cost of Life. This game requires important decision-making and leads players to consider the real world issues of poverty and the right to education. The conference presented two important elements to game play in education. First, it requires time to learn and experience the activity to it's fullest extent, and second, the teacher must act as a guide in the learning process. A game must be engaging, factually accurate, and combined with critical thinking. Teachers should consider how they will let everyone in the class have a turn, possible reflective activities they might use, and how to integrate game play into the curriculum content. I learned a lot about what is crucial when integrating game play into the classroom and how to make it an authentic learning experience. A game that will lend itself to learning will most likely involve one of the following skills:

• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Curriculum connections
• Logic
• Strategy

Other games that the conference mentions:
Line Rider
Light Bot
Physics Phun Sandbox (video)
Quest Atlantis
River City Ransom
Squeakland

Credit: "Kicking it up a Notch Games in Education"