Learning

In this first of three sections, you will learn about preparing yourself (and your classroom) for gaming and how to choose a digital game.

Required Resources

• Read chapters 2 and 3 of KQED’s “The MindShift Guide to Digital Games and Learning.” Pay particular attention to:
  • What resources do you need to consider before implementing games in your classroom?
  • Are you willing to become one if you are not already a gamer?
  • What are the most important steps you need to consider to choose a digital game for your curriculum?

Additional Resources

• Popular Press
  • Getting Smart – 3 Steps for Choosing Learning Games for Children
  • LearningSim - Games vs. Simulations
  • Tim Laning - What is the difference between simulations and serious games?
• Research materials
  • Becker, K., Gopin, E., & Era, E. (2016). Selection criteria for using commercial off the shelf games (COTS) for learning. Learning, Education and Games, 2, 43-60.
  • Schrier, K. S. (2016). Learning and Education Games: Volume Two: Bringing Games into Educational Contexts (Vol. 2). ETC Press.
• Videos
  • Higher E-Learning – Elevate Your Distance Ed - How to Select and Evaluate Educational Computer Games from Research
  • Richard Byrne – A Great Place to Find Educational Games

Required Evidence

• Submit a 1-2 page reflection on what you learned from chapters 2 and 3 of the readings (and anything else you read for this microcredential). Specifically, consider two questions: First, how do teachers prepare to implement gaming in the classroom successfully? Second, what are important strategies teachers can and should use in selecting games for classroom use?
• Formatting – One to two pages maximum; double-spaced, no smaller than 11pt font.
• Use references to support your claims. References do not count towards the 1-2 page minimum/maximum. Any format for references is allowed, but APA is preferred.
  • APA Formatting and Style Guide
  • APA Citation Generator

Evidence Review Criteria

• Criterion 1: Educators will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the preparation required to be successful in implementing games.
• Criterion 2: Educators will be able to describe the process for choosing educational games.