Using Games in Education

Now the Wait

2007-10-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Well, the programmers have our game! We're supposed to get a BETA version in November. We'll see how it looks.

Step Three

2006-06-08T07:01:00.000-07:00

We've selected our topic, set our scenario--now the work begins! We decided that our game would be three levels. The first level would be where the kids create their character. We plan to give them lots of choices. They also select their group name.
In the second level, the students get to select their supplies and personnel. They get more points for good choices and fewer or no points for bad choices. We have little helps on each item to help them make good choices.
The third level is actually selecting their route and journeying to Antarctica.

Our first meeting was on April 3, 2006. Today is June 8. I think we've accomplished a lot--(or is this just wishful thinking!). We've got a pretty good handle on levels one and two. We have three of our five routes mapped on level three. We're meeting with the people at the G.R.I.D institute at Ohio University on Thursday and hope to discover if our efforts have been in vain or if there is a reason to continue this odyssey.

Good or not good--this has been really fun so far!

2006-06-05T03:47:00.000-07:00

Picking a Topic and a Plan

Our first task was to pick a topic. After an hour of bandying about ideas, we selected Antarctica because we had created a multimedia package two years ago on this topic and had done considerable research.
Our next job was to determine the scenario. We couldn't come up with one and decided to adjourn and work on it independently. We met again about a week later and Cathy came up with a plausable game concept. We also decided what the levels of the game would be.

The Beginnings

2006-06-02T12:26:00.000-07:00

I do extensive reading on current trends in education and found educational gaming to be on the forefront. of much research. This research has found that engaging students in entertaining formats with standards based content really improved student achievement. I thought I 'd like to try that. I asked my colleague if she'd be willing to work with me on "something." and Antarctica: The Game was born--well, at least the idea was born.

I mentioned this to my boss who took the initiative and contacted Dr. Bill Sams who gave us the names of people who might help us. And so the saga begins.