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. The second Game Based Learning post can be seen here.
Post 3 Games/Educational Experiences
1. Amnesia (Evidence Based Writing with Horror Fiction)
2. The Talos Principle (Drain the Brain-Brain Empowering Activities)
3. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (The Forgotten One-Designed for Breakout EDU)
4. Firewatch (Without a Trace - Gone Boy Gone Breakout EDU Edition)
5. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter (I'm a Detective!)
Video Game: Amnesia
Learning Experience: Evidence Based Writing with Horror Fiction
First and foremost, this writing guide is not for young students. It's creepy, scary and very Lovecraftian. When I use this in my class, I send home a permission slip, as I would for showing a PG-13 movie in class. As always, it's up to each educator to choose what works best for them.
This educational journey focuses on evidence based writing, inspired by the very freaky video game Amnesia, created by the phenomenal game developers, Frictional Games.
Below is an example of one of the lessons the students take part in.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: The Talos Principle
Learning Experience: Drain the Brain-Brain Empowering Activities
Research has demonstrated that the human brain does much better in the long term if it is exposed to activities such as brain teasers and logic puzzles. In fact, research has shown some of the benefits regarding such activities:
• Boosts brain activity
• Provides emotional satisfaction and sense of accomplishment
• Enhances memory and processing speed
• Helps slow the decline and reduce the risk for dementia
• Improves concentration
The human brain is no different than any other muscle in the human body. If an individual wants developed bicep muscles, they need to do arm curls with weights (i.e. an arm workout). Henceforth, if one wants to develop and maintain a healthy brain, it too must be allowed to exercise, which is the foundation of this guide.
These activities are inspired from the phenomenal video game, The Talos Principle, by Croteam. They were kind enough to email me and give me permission to pursue this project. Another facet that works so well with this guide is that it "quietly" nudges a student's thinking process towards the STEM fields. In particular, with these activities, students must analyze, reason, solve, and interpret solutions to the puzzles they encounter.
Below is an example of one of the lessons the students take part in.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Learning Experience: The Forgotten One - Designed for Breakout EDU
This Breakout EDU lesson teaches critical thinking, teamwork, complex problem solving, and most importantly, is just plain fun!
The Forgotten One stems from the background story of the game, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, by The Astronauts. Young Ethan is the youngest in his family, in rural Bayfield County. He is a very imaginative boy, who creates fictional stories in his head, to avoid the harsh realities of his home life. Unfortunately, young Ethan disappears, which is the basis for the Breakout mystery!
Below is an example of one of the lessons the students take part in.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: Firewatch
Learning Experience: Without a Trace (Gone Boy Gone) - Designed for Breakout EDU
This Breakout EDU lesson teaches critical thinking, teamwork, complex problem solving, and most importantly, is just plain fun!
Without a Trace stems from the background story of the game, Firewatch, by Campo Santo. Having a difficult time coming to grips with his wife’s demise, Henry takes a job as a fire lookout at the Two Forks lookout at the Shoshone National Park, in Wyoming. His boss or supervisor is named Delilah, whom Henry can communicate with via handheld radios. In one of their conversations, Henry learns of the disappearance of a young boy a few years back, in the same national park, which is the basis for the Breakout mystery!
Below is an example of one of the lessons the students take part in.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.
Video Game: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
Learning Experience: I'm a Detective! Solving the Vanishing of Ethan Carter
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a phenomenal video game by The Astronauts. The premise begins as paranormal investigator, Paul Prospero, receives a fan letter from 16-year old Ethan Carter, inspiring him to journey to Ethan's hometown of Red Creek Valley, Wisconsin. When he arrives, Paul begins encountering strange phenomena, as well as evidence of recent violence in the tiny mining village; and here begins the mystery surrounding the vanishing of young Ethan.
Below is an example of one of the lessons the students take part in.
If interested in the entire learning guide, feel free to visit my teaching store.