Using video games in creative ways for learning

[Heather Dowd]

Hi All,

I am working on a wiki project to collect links to video games along with ideas on how it can be used in a traditional classroom setting. I'm not looking for simulations, but actual games that teach some concept. I'm more interested in using games in creative ways rather than the typical drill and practice type games. I have not started the wiki yet, but I will post it when I do. I'd love to know any ideas of games you've used in your classrooms and more importantly, HOW you used them.

Thanks!
Heather

[Max Lieberman]

Hi Heather,

I'm starting a website in the spring of 2010 that will include a wiki with (hopefully) the same type of information, as well as other resources. Can you provide me with a link to your wiki so that I can see what you've done so far?

My plan for the site is to offer a database of resources that include information about specific games, which is searchable by all kinds of criteria. You could search by "1st grade," "math," "rated E" (ESRB rating), for example, and pull up a list of games that have been tagged with those characteristics. I'm hoping to build an open community that contributes content alongside me—I'm knowledgeable about games and I'm learning about pedagogy, but the scope of the project is well beyond my ability to complete alone.

In addition to the very practical goals of that database (which will probably be a "wiki" site, user-editable and operating on the same technology as Wikipedia), my ultimate aim is to improve gaming literacy among teachers who recognize that games have great potential for use in education, but who may not have the time to move from a novice or intermediate level of familiarity to an expert level in other ways. In other words, my expectation is that integrating games into a curriculum in a meaningful way requires a level of expertise with the conventions, terminology and technology of video games. Resources that will help ease this learning process for teachers will include a glossary of games-related terms; explanations of common game genres and mechanics; assessment tools to direct site visitors to specific articles on site that are appropriate for their level of interest and understanding; and forums where teachers can ask specific questions of myself and other site volunteers.

I'd love to talk about your experience on your wiki project, if you've got time. I'm definitely looking for feedback on my plan from classroom teachers—and for people to help contribute content and pedagogical expertise starting in the spring. More details are available from my blog at http://boomculture.blogspot.com if you're interested.

Best,
Max

[Brock Dubbels]

Good resources Heather!

I have some that I have put up for a class I offered

videogamesaslearningtools.wikispaces.com

vgAlt.com

[Beth Kappus]

I have actually been using a few games in learning. visit my wiki http://gamingteachers.wikispaces.com