Here are resources from the presentation:
The Presentation:
(note: I just realized that SlideShare didn’t properly convert these slides, so some information is missing, or simply, messed up. If you want a copy of the presentation, contact me.)
Books to Read:
Here are the authors/books I’ve read recently that influence me (these links take you to Amazon and no, I don’t get a kickback):
What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy – by James Gee – this is foundational, academic work, but an easy read.
Don’t Bother Me Mom — I’m Learning by Marc Prensky – this is the book I’d give to parents, administrators, and fellow educators as a starting point.
Reality is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World – by Jane McGonigal – explores taking the passion that gamers bring and applying it to solve real-world problems.
Got Game: How the Gamer Generation Is Reshaping Business Forever – by John C. Beck and Mitchell Wade – in-depth discussion of how gamers will change corporate America.
Fun, Inc.: Why Gaming Will Dominate the 21st-Century – by Tom Chatfield – explores the components that make video games compelling as models for business and education.
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule The Future by Daniel Pink – this book really hits at the heart of what needs to change in our education system.
Tribes by Seth Godin – a very interesting (and short) read about how the connectedness of the ‘Net has allowed people with similar interested to form community. I’ve seen so much of this in the gaming community. Your students are part of these “Tribes.”
Everything Bad Is Good for You by Steven Johnson – a very interesting look at how media consumption has likely altered how we think and work. Maybe playing video games and watching LOST isn’t so bad after all.
Sites to Visit:
Sources to Explore:
Game industry statistics – http://www.theesa.com/
Publishing industry statistics – http://www.publishers.org/press/
Movie industry statistics – http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/
Videos to Watch:
Jane McGonigal – Video Games Can Make A Better World
Stuart Brown – Why Play Is Valuable, No Matter Your Age
Tom Chatfield – 7 Ways Video Games Engage the Brain
From The Kids:
Those are the adults, but you also need to hear it from the kids! Here’s what they have to say!
TES Students Share Their Work in Minecraft
No Future Left Behind
Games to Play and Build
Here are some of the games we discussed during question/answer discussions: Minecraft – an amazing, independently-developed game out of Sweden. Imagine a virtual world made of individual building blocks (LEGOs) that multiple students can explore and create in together. Costs about $20. Lord of the Rings Online – free-to-play (basic) – online roleplay game set in Tolkien’s fantasy world. Dimension-U – The first “educational” game that I’ve seen that actually begins to bridge that gap between “educational” and “real” games. Have students build and develop their own games: Scratch andSqueak – visual programming environments – great for all ages. Gamestar Mechanic – awesome game design system that allows kids to build and share their own Flash-based games. Kodu – a simplified version of Microsoft’s XNA programming environment used to make XBox and Windows Mobile.
Game Reviews for Parents
Common Sense Media’s Game Reviews
Contact Me
And, of course, I’m more than willing to network! Contact me: Via Email – lucas AT edurealms.com On Twitter – @PCSTechOn Skype – lucas.gillispie
[…] Game On: Games and Learning – Presented to Topsail Elementary PTA […]
[…] This evening, I have the wonderful honor of presenting some of my resources on video games and learning to the Topsail Elementary PTA. The presentation, links, book suggestions, and more can be found here. […]
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