Michelle Guidry responding to Seth Priebatsch: The game layer on top of the world

At first I was not sure where this video was going.  I am not a big electronic gamer and not active on facebook, words with friends, etc.  I just do not have the time.  I think I would enjoy catching up with old friends or being challenged by group gaming, but my schedule is so hectic that when I do not have a free moment, I value face time and relationships in person.  However, as the video progressed, I realized that when I use gaming methods in my classroom, is when my student's learning seems to be maximized.  My most difficult students to keep on task are more attentive and the students retain what I am teaching them.  He explained how gaming can be used for good, bad, and in between.  He shared that the last decade was dedicated to  the social layer, facebook, etc.  He feels the next decade will be concentrating on the game layer.  He shared how he felt school is a game.  We use gaming strategies to earn good grades or bad.  We should always try to move a level up if our grades are not as good as we would like them to be similiar to the way a gamer tries to move up to the top levels in a game.  We are competing with so many outside variables in today's world.  Teachers more than ever have to look at how to keep students engaged and interested in what is being taught.  Technology and games are methods that teachers are having to incorporate into their teacher's bags of tricks to challenge and keep students learning in ways that are familiar to their learning styles.  I am interested to see what the next decade brings.   I think Seth is on the right track about what's to come in regard to gaming being on the top layer of the world.