For the past 6 years, I have implemented game based learning with video games, in correlation with my English/Language Arts class. The process does require a decent amount of preparation and work, but the results are well worth the effort.
In essence, game based learning is an educational approach, where my students explore
relevant aspects of games in a learning context along with our English/Language Arts learning strands. This blog post will share/showcase some of these creations along with some of the work students have produced throughout the process. Keep in mind that this is the second Game Based Learning post only, so be on the lookout for future posts! The first Game Based Learning post can be found here.
Post 2 Games/Educational Experiences
1. Little Inferno (Flaming the Inferno)
2. Adrift (Adrift with Java: Learning Java Coding Basics in Space!)
3. Adrift (Adrift with Ruby: Learning Ruby Coding Basics in Space!)
4. Dear Esther (An Island of Despair: Analyzing Video Game Narrative)
5. Dead Secret (Can You Unearth the Dead Secret? Improve Analytical & Writing Skills)
Video Game: Little Inferno
Learning Experience Creation: Flaming the Inferno
Oh, where do I begin with this labor of love? This learning adventure is unique, zany, out there and educational! Flaming the Inferno is inspired by the video game, Little Inferno, by Tomorrow Corporation. I actually teach this learning experience early in the year to get my students refreshed on . . .
-parts of speech
-sentence types
-text structures
-interactive critical thinking
Think of this unit guide as the kitchen sink. It covers a great deal of Language Arts concepts.
Below, you can see a few examples of a portion of what is covered within this beast of a learning guide.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: Adrift
Learning Experience Creation: Adrift with Java: Learning Java Coding Basics in Space!
One may find it odd that I teach small coding lessons in my Language Arts classes. However, I look at these activities, in the same manner I do with any form of writing or communication. When I teach my students to write, I don't do it, because I expect them to all become published authors. I teach them to write, because it's an integral form of communication. I look at coding in the same manner. The children today really should have some experience with coding. It's a form of communication that is more prevalent in society each and every day.
Therefore, Adrift with Java: Learning Java Coding Basics in Space was born. Here my students are presented the very basics of Java coding language. They then watch various video clips of my play through of the phenomenal video game, Adrift, by 505 Games to conduct their activities.
Below, you can see an example of how this learning experience takes shape.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: Adrift
Learning Experience Creation: Adrift with Ruby: Learning Ruby Coding Basics in Space
Just as its predecessor (see above), Adrift with Ruby: Learning Ruby Coding Basics in Space builds on the basics of coding communication with my classes. Here my students are presented the very basics of Ruby coding language. They then watch various video clips of my play through of the phenomenal video game, Adrift, by 505 Games to conduct their activities.
Below, you can see an example of how this learning experience takes shape.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: Dear Esther
Learning Experience Creation: An Island of Despair: Analyzing Video Game Narrative
"Hey, are you okay? Better luck on another day. This path some weren't meant to follow."
The Right Side of My Mind - Queensryche
The narrator (Paul) comes to Hebridean Island (main setting), to die after losing someone close to him in some form of accident. As it’s very ambiguous, it is never clear how often the narrator has visited the island, nor why he has chosen the island as his final place of rest. From here, my students are off on a journey to explore the mind of a man wallowing in his self-imposed isolation.
Below, you can see an example of how this learning experience takes shape.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: Dead Secret
Learning Experience Creation: Can You Unearth the Dead Secret? Improve Analytical & Writing Skills
As a game, Dead Secret is a first-person horror mystery taking place within rural Kansas, in 1965. Throughout the lesson guide, students will investigate, analyze, and write about the murder of Harris Bullard, while trying to decide on the likely culprit.
The activities are inspired by the game, Dead Secret, by Robot Invader. Throughout their journey, students will also get many opportunities to improve their analytical and evidence based writing skills.
Below, you can see an example of how this learning experience takes shape.
If interested in the entire learning guide,
feel free to visit my teaching store.