david w. deeds: it's not whether you win or lose: serious play conference 2017

It’s Not Whether You Win Or Lose:

Hits & Misses with GBL in K-12

David W. DeedsDavid W. Deeds

2017

Yantai, Shandong, China (Technology Integrator, Yew Wah

International Education School)

It’s Not Whether You Win Or Lose

Introduction

• I have almost 16 years in education: 50-50 split between higher ed and K-12

• Have successfully introduced GBL in six different countries…so far!

• Next job: Director of Information and Learning Technologies for Schutz American School in Alexandria, Egypt

• Today’s goals: GBL Basics, Introducing GBL Schoolwide, What Has Worked (& What Hasn’t) in Classrooms (Labs)

• Less text, more fun/graphics! ;)

GBL is fun and that’s OK! ;)


Games-Based Learning (GBL) – Goal is to teach something while the learner is playing a game.

Gamification – Implementing game mechanics (e.g., winning/losing) in a non-game context (e.g., classroom) to engage learners.

A classroom is a non-game context?? Hard for folks to separate these concepts at times.


OK, with Minecraft(Edu) or virtual worlds, they’re playing a game, no doubt.

But with Hour of Code or Kodu, they’re learning programming while playing or creating games, using a game-like interface…?

Oh, well. Let’s back up. How do you get your school to starting using GBL (or whatever you want to call it)?

You say toh-may-toh, I say…


First…stop worrying about research. Get a real job, move out of mom’s basement, find a girlfriend/boyfriend (maybe a virtual one?).

Those of us who actually set foot in a classroom on a regular basis know GBL is the best thing to happen to education since the invention of blackboards and chalk.

Got a problem with that? Show us YOUR research!


How to introduce GBL:

• Best to ask forgiveness vs. permission!

• Start with ICT or after-school activity

• Lead by example, word of mouth will sell it to everybody else

• Cross-curricular/interdisciplinary: Virtual Worlds, Minecraft(Edu)

• Also a sneaky way to get PBL started!

• Your students already know what to do, but the Digital Native stuff is BS


How to introduce GBL (cont.):

• You’re either a Teacher or Administrator…?

• Ideally you’re (or you have) a Technology Integrator or Coach

• Your school has computer labs and/or a 1:1/BYOD program

• Different scenarios/roles call for different strategies/approaches

• Keep in mind that after you get it started, (almost) everybody will see the benefits!


How NOT to introduce GBL:

• Start with administrators/proposals (worst mistake you can make)

• Tell the dinosaurs (well, anybody) that it’s FUN and kids will love it

• Choose a game that will cost big bucks

• Attempt to rewrite the curriculum in advance (make it a “free pilot” instead!)

• Argue about whether it’s Games-Based Learning or Gamification!

Fighting the dinosaurs for GBL!


GBL is geeky-cool because:

• Kids enjoy doing it (imagine that!)

• Enables learning from mistakes/failure in safe (simulated) environment

• Maintains motivation via challenges, incremental increases

• Puts into practice problem-solving techniques (strategic thinking)

• Facilitates project management and other real-life skills


GBL is geeky-cool because (cont.):

• Games are the ultimate equalizer, not just playing ability, but languages, etc.

• Feedback is immediate (& individualized?)

• Keeps everybody busy, self-paced activities, stragglers get special attention

• Tends to snowball with certain teachers and subjects, no need to dictate or babysit

• Gets everybody thinking about edtechexpansions (VR/AR, 3D/360, etc.)

If you can, just GO FOR IT!

Hour of Code and other sites

Virtual Worlds

Let’s get this party started…


What has worked:

• Match game type with lesson goals (no surprise, computers always best!)

• “Skeleton lesson plans” for project differentiation, autonomy, etc.

• Balance of collaborative and individualized projects, teamwork but independence

• Using native-language interface for ELLs

• Having older students tutor younger ones

• Relate project management to real life!


What has worked (cont.):

• Cycles, small/large, to reinforce new skills/knowledge

• What I Know, What I Don’t and How I’m Going to Get There charts

• Make it immersive whenever possible (why virtual worlds are so wonderful)

• Same game across grades, challenges differentiated (games communities)

• Projects, never tests!

It’s contagious!


Biggest software successes:

• Scratch from MIT (but students don’t think it’s a game!), try Game Guru (Steam)

• Virtual Worlds: OpenSimulator, Second Life (next: Sine Space!)

• Minecraft, esp. MinecraftEdu

• Code.org, CodeCombat, GamestarMechanic, Kodu, etc.

• “Simple games” like ABCya, typing tutors like Typing.com…lots to choose from!

Minecraft(Edu)

Kodu and other apps


What has not worked:

• Internet-required games when connections are dodgy

• Freebie games that only go up to a certain level and then stop

• English-only interfaces with ELLs, complicated interfaces in general

• Assessing without special rubrics, BUT obsessing over rubric-grade connection is a no-no (“Like you = good grade, don’t like you = bad grade!”)


What has not worked:

• Ignoring purpose and “shelf life,” playing for the sake of it or for too long

• Trying to fool kids by not designating learning games as such (vs. “pure fun”)

• Assuming, e.g., Creative mode best in Minecraft; turns out kids collaborate most when their motivation is FEAR OF DEATH!

• Insisting on due diligence re: design phase

• Separating by gender except for contests

• Driving kids crazy with documentation

Hour of Code and other sites


Coming up next:

• More Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), ideally via Chromebooks!

• Blending GBL with Makerspaces and STEAM Program

• House (?) system for computer game competitions (maybe real-world too!)

• Ideally, using Unity and/or other game engines to do some heavy-duty dev!

• Back to Game Guru, other Steam stuff!

Just more photos!

If you can’t beat (us), join (us)!

2017 NMC K-12 Horizon Report

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www.nmc.org/publication/nmccosn-horizon-report-2017-k-12-edition/

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Thank you! -- 谢谢! -- !شكر

David W. Deeds, Ph.D.

Director of Information and Learning Technologies

Schutz American School, Alexandria, Egypt

[email protected]

www.schutzschool.org.eg

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.schutzschool.org.eg/