Seth Preibatsch begins by describing the last decade as being “social” in terms of technology with the ultimate social network – Facebook. He believes this decade will be that of the “Game Frame”. He lets the viewers in on 4 of his 7 dynamics. With all 7 dynamics one should be able to get everyone to do whatever it is you want to accomplish. When describing each dynamic Seth provided an example of how it has already been used, how it was/is used in conventional games and then how it can be used. (These are the bulleted items)
1)Appointment Dynamic –this dynamic includes predetermined timed events
· Finding out about happy hours around town
· Farmville have to return to water your crops etc
· Vitality lets you know when to take your medications (Should give points when you take medicine and deduct when you forget)
2)Influence Dynamic – this dynamic is about status
· “the black credit card” the card of cards
· Modern Warfare
· Schools report cards are A B C… valedictorians, etc. (Should have leveling up)
3) Progression Dynamic –how are you making progress
· linked in - progress bars
· World of wars
· Rewards – keeping going back to place to earn rewards/points to eventually unlock the rewards ie getting something free
4) Communal Discovery – everyone has to work together
· Digg (source of the best news)
· McDonald’s Monopoly looking for Boardwalk
· Pyramiding
I could see these strategies being used in education. First of all the whole “Game Frame” idea would be right up most students’ alley. Students are so in tuned to all those video games. If we could just make schools one big game. They could begin by earning points/credits for showing up on time (appointment dynamic). They would “level up” on their knowledge of skills based on Blooms taxonomy to eventually become THE BIG WHIZ (Influence dynamic) which would earn them special privileges. Students would move along a predetermined mastery of skills line to reach to ultimate reward – passing to the next grade/graduation (Progression Dynamic). Working together to accomplish a goal is already being performed in most classrooms (Communal dynamic)
I believe technology has totally changed the process of teaching. We have to be more creative, entertaining, energy packed, and reward given instruments. I have certainly stopped trying to be more computer savvy and tried to use it to my advantage.
Seth Priebatsch's talk on incorporating games into classrooms makes alot of sense. To incorporate technology, rewards, fun, and interaction is what students want in learning. Kids are so enthusiastic about learning on computers or using resources where they can connect with friends and learn at the same time. Why not get teachers to create their lessons with more of this. I know not every lesson lends itself to a "fun" activity but those will be the ones the students remember.
ReplyDeleteWe as teachers need to work together to find creative ways to teach instead of the same old boring lectures and assigning the same kind of homework. I'm most sure the students would be excited to come to class.
The hardest part of doing this for me, is to become more familiar with the technology and different programs out there to be able to feel comfortable incorporating this into my lessons. Students would definitely react in a positive way.
Amie