Videogamessessions

Rocketship education

The school I am interning at (The Carroll School) is using this in their middle school math classes. Small class sizes typically (4-8 kids /  class), and it's a 1:1 school where every child has a laptop. But - it's working well for designated independent work time in the math classes I've observed- where each kid is asked to play the game for 15 minutes on their own. Kids have their own profiles- and there are several different math mini games they can play, each game focusing on different math skills. Each mini game involves different game mechanics and art styles. But all games involve using arithmetic skills and math concepts to solve problems that progress them in the game. Good performance gives the kids in-game credits/money that they can use to customize their in-gam avatar. 

I posted this on the TIE Facebook group too, but it definitely belongs here. EdWeb's Game-Based Learning Community is vibrant, active, and populated by some really great names in serious game development and education. You should all sign up!

We should definitely scan this list in one of our sessions!

Yes! I hadn't realized you had joined EdWeb, Pradeep--we should connect on there (if there's a "friend," etc. option). It's such a great resource, and many of their webinars are relevant to our interests. I remember when they suggested putting this list together; I'm so happy it's grown this extensive!

An interesting take on how FarmVille became so popular.

I never thought about it that way but it makes a lot of sense !

I thought you all might enjoy this in-depth look at a game that didn't live up to expectations.

Kasthuri shared this. We should trial it next week.

This is the TED Talk Dede showed in the shopping class. Not everything Tom Chatfield says is correct. It's useful to keep this in mind, though.

This intriguing title game was an intro to halo 2. Take a look at the web site, there's also youtube video you can find

Anyone can master the fundamentals of game design - no technological expertise is necessary. The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses shows that the same basic principles of psychology that work for board games, card games and athletic games also are the keys to making top-quality videogames.

The Cambridge Science Festival is coming up. Kick it off with a free visit to the MIT Museum near Central Square on April 20 to play test the MIT GAMBIT Lab's newest games. This should be one fun learning experience.

This may be of more relevance to me, since I'll be living in France soon, but I thought you all might find this bit about a serious game school interesting.

For any of you still in the Boston area, this looks like a fun chance to check out the GAMBIT lab and test some games.

This should be an interesting online presentation and discussion about how serious games may improve higher education. It's free! May 11, 2012.

Here's a good tutorial if you're interested in Unity.

This is great, I am going to come back to this site after course work !

Seems exciting ! Never played simcity :( do it as soon as i have time :)

This is an interesting chat transcript from a discussion that touched on violence in games and various benefits of gaming. Some studies were referenced.

A new serious games organization that might be worth checking out.

Some interesting suggestions from a creator of serious games.

This article talks about the need for a "language" that signals a plot twist or intended setback in a game versus a failure caused by player inadequacies (the latter loses the player).