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

  • The use of educational gaming has risen significantly in past years. This use, however, for the most part, has been concentrated on game consumption. This is the idea that students play existing commercial or educational games. While this use is important, educational gaming also includes opportunities for game design, gamification, game modding, and the purpose of this microcredential, game production.  To begin this microcredential, you will read about various studies that have shown the potential of game design by students.
  • You may or may not be familiar with reading academic articles. If reading academic research is new to you, be patient as you read through. In this case, mostly pay careful attention to the section that is titled “Benefits of Constructionist Gaming.” Look for the personal, social, and cultural benefits of teaching children to design and develop games. Read the article and look for:
    • What are some positive outcomes of using game development or production in the classroom?
    • What are some best practices mentioned to address some of the challenges?
    • As you think about implementing game production in your classroom, what are some things that you will have to pay attention to?

Resources

Required Evidence

  • Submit a 1-2 page reflection on what you learned from Kafai & Burke (2015). Specifically, consider two questions: First, what are the benefits of using game development and programming (as constructionist gaming) for students?  Second, are there any strategies you learned in thinking about those benefits?
  • 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.

Evidence Review Criteria

  • Criterion 1: Educators will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the benefits of game production (constructionist gaming).
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