Game-On Lesson Plans

By Jason MarconiBoise State University Spring 2014

Concept History

• “With effort it is possible to find examples of computer

and video games that embody every single worthwhile

learning theory in existence. Whether the instructional

design was intentional or not game designers have

had to figure out how to keep their audiences

interested while they learn the games, and judging by

the number of people who willingly pay money for the

experience, they appear to have been far more

successful than formal education has” Katrin Becker; Pedagogy in Commercial Video Games, 2006

Concept History Part 2

• “Many Critics of television, to this day, argue that

what’s dangerous about TV is that it is addictive,

that children and even adults watch it like

zombies. According to this view, it is the formal

features of television-violence, bright lights, loud

and funny noises, quick editing cuts, zooming in

and out, exaggerated action, and all the other

things we associate with commercial TV--- that

hold our attention. In other words we don’t have

to understand what we are looking at, or absorb

what we are seeing, in order to keep watching.”

(Gladwell, 2005)

Concept History Part 3

• This seemed cut and dry for most in the beginning of television programming.

 What many did agree on was television is a great way to reach masses of

people, entertain, and dazzle them.  But why not educate them?

• That is the exact question Joan Ganz Cooney asked herself and others in the late

1960s when she had a vision for television programming to be aimed at the

education medium. Her idea was to target literacy in three, four and five year

olds. ?  She wanted to fight the challenges of literacy so many children from

disadvantaged homes face in their first years of schooling Can you think of what

Cooney was on the verge of starting?

*My Point is that TV is now a major tool used in the classroom,

And it faced a similar struggle gaming in classrooms may now

be facing.

Talk Gaming to me!• My hidden hobby:Mr. Marconi, What do you do for fun?

Professional Answer: Old and Slow ice hockey league, kayak, read and teach martial arts ::insert ::anything else that sounds impressively “adult” Actual Answer: All of the above plus about 200 turns in Civilization V with some Skyrim or online FIFA mixed in for good measure.

Crowd Sourced Lesson Plans

• Likeminded professionals• Shared passion• Endless supply of lesson plans• Endless supply of ideas• Growing personal learning network• Growing learning community• Untapped potential

Game-On Lesson Plans

• Maybe not every student will “get” what you’re trying to create with using a game as a tool (MAYBE), but what if that ONE student who wouldn’t have a light bulb moment any other way does?

• Game on Lessons wants to give educators a new tool for light bulb moments

Game-On Spot Light

Mobile-Tablet-Table Top

Console Games

Lesson Plan Structure

PC Games

Play a Game or Forum?

Level one: Tour• https://sites.google.com/site/gameonl

essonplans/

• Please understand that I tried to get the “shell” of my idea out on the site but it is not representative of my idea for a finished product, for no other reason than simply needing more time.

Conclusion

“Do not confine your children to your own learning, for they were born in another time.” – Chinese Proverb