Hi Theresa, After visiting and reading your blog on gaming and gamification, I am really fascinated in the topic. It is on the best way to keep students focused and engaged. Educational games motivate and help students think creatively and productively because of the competitive aspects students always want to succeed when playing games. Games can be used to promote learning and benefit students from any background.
Hi Phil, I completely agree. I hadn't really known anything concrete about the topic prior to this project. It has really grabbed my attention. Thanks for posting! Terrie
Terrie, your blog was very informative about how gaming can be used in education. I appreciate that you gave actual games that can be used for math or science and social studies. Of course students would love to play games at school! I haven't used many games in my classroom but when I do, the students are always engaged and motivated. I remember the days of Oregon Trail in fourth grade. Even though the computers were slow and huge, and the gaming screen was black with orange writing (much less attractive than today's games) we were completely absorbed in it. I don't remember the academic connection to the game, but I remember loving school because of Oregon Trail. Bringing games into my classroom might the spark that some of my unmotivated students need to get them more involved in learning. Your blog provided great insight into how gaming can be used in the classroom and the research to support using games in education.
Hi Kara I am glad you found the blog informative! My kids loved the Oregon Trail too! As for games in the classroom, I have had colleagues give out prizes for students reaching and meeting objectives. It is interesting to see how students are motivated in the learning process. Some students need that extra something to get them going. Let's face it, the students today have higher expectations on what will impress them, this can be challenging for us as teachers. I have to laugh when I think back to my elementary days, a filmstrip was a big deal. The teachers would threaten if we weren't good, we wouldn't be able to watch it. Oh how times have changed!
Terrie, that is so true that it takes more to impress kids these days. I wonder what kind of app based reward systems are out there... I have pocket chart where students can earn different color cards for different behaviors throughout the school year. Everyone's goal is to get to "Superstar". Of course it was a big deal at the beginning of the year and now they don't really care. Now I'm sure they would be much more motivated if I were using some type of technology based reward system.
Terrie, I'm glad you gave some suggestions for games that can be played in different classrooms. Right now, I use a program called Duolingo, for Spanish. It is a great program for language-learning that uses a lot of the gameification factors like leveling up and earning "power-ups."
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Theresa,
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting and reading your blog on gaming and gamification, I am really fascinated in the topic. It is on the best way to keep students focused and engaged. Educational games motivate and help students think creatively and productively because of the competitive aspects students always want to succeed when playing games. Games can be used to promote learning and benefit students from any background.
Phil
Hi Phil,
DeleteI completely agree. I hadn't really known anything concrete about the topic prior to this project. It has really grabbed my attention. Thanks for posting!
Terrie
Terrie, your blog was very informative about how gaming can be used in education. I appreciate that you gave actual games that can be used for math or science and social studies. Of course students would love to play games at school! I haven't used many games in my classroom but when I do, the students are always engaged and motivated. I remember the days of Oregon Trail in fourth grade. Even though the computers were slow and huge, and the gaming screen was black with orange writing (much less attractive than today's games) we were completely absorbed in it. I don't remember the academic connection to the game, but I remember loving school because of Oregon Trail. Bringing games into my classroom might the spark that some of my unmotivated students need to get them more involved in learning. Your blog provided great insight into how gaming can be used in the classroom and the research to support using games in education.
ReplyDeleteHi Kara
ReplyDeleteI am glad you found the blog informative! My kids loved the Oregon Trail too! As for games in the classroom, I have had colleagues give out prizes for students reaching and meeting objectives. It is interesting to see how students are motivated in the learning process. Some students need that extra something to get them going. Let's face it, the students today have higher expectations on what will impress them, this can be challenging for us as teachers. I have to laugh when I think back to my elementary days, a filmstrip was a big deal. The teachers would threaten if we weren't good, we wouldn't be able to watch it. Oh how times have changed!
Terrie
Terrie, that is so true that it takes more to impress kids these days. I wonder what kind of app based reward systems are out there... I have pocket chart where students can earn different color cards for different behaviors throughout the school year. Everyone's goal is to get to "Superstar". Of course it was a big deal at the beginning of the year and now they don't really care. Now I'm sure they would be much more motivated if I were using some type of technology based reward system.
ReplyDeleteTerrie,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you gave some suggestions for games that can be played in different classrooms. Right now, I use a program called Duolingo, for Spanish. It is a great program for language-learning that uses a lot of the gameification factors like leveling up and earning "power-ups."
Hi Phillip
DeleteThanks! Duolingo is a cool program! I keep saying I am going to go on it everyday to practice Spanish. One of these days, hopefully!
Terrie