Susan Stansberry of Oklahoma State University (a former Dillon, Montana resident) and Elizabeth Simpson from the University of Wyoming presented on using off the shelf entertainment games in the classroom and connecting them to state and national standards. We played Content Standards Bingo while watching a volunteer play Zoo Tycoon In building a zoo, we learn life sciences, math, language arts, earth science, by using the game as a jumping off point for lessons. $ 9.99 at Hastings. Full version has sea and dinosaurs. We got to see a bengal tiger eat a couple of camels, which turned out not to be a good decision on the part of the zoo manager.
Oregon Trail was mentioned as an educational game often used as reward rather than as the lesson.
Recommendation: Assign team roles. Mouse driver, note taker, researcher with scheduled circulation of positions. Similarly with game specific roles. zoo keeper, specialists in animals, habitat, economics, public relations, etc. in Zoo Tycoon.
Civilization, High School AP History class.
Lemonade Stand available online early economics.
Darfur is Dying mentioned.
Real Lives - Windows only - extremely realistic - girl not allowed to continue in school - raped - has an online demo.
Fun is essential emphasized by a participant. Much agreement here.
Some public libraries have games waiting to be played. Happy to work with you.
River City - Science - social game under development. I have heard a lot about this one and really need to see it.
Favorite game source like a favorite author - get kids into a good series. And games with similar structures cut down time wasted learning game interface.
Digital natives have to find information on their own in the game.
If you use Grand Theft Auto to discuss the cultural and social aspects, great. If you use it for another purpose, those aspects could be a problem.
Goals on the box may differ greatly from teacher and/or user goals.
Restaurant Empire - Authentic evaluation she has her Junior High students interview local restauranteurs about businesses. Actual Restaurant Association rubric used for evaluation.
Accuracy of games. Money in a game was off. Got into long classroom discussion of net vs gross.
Triangulation of information. Distrust. Compare sources. Have students check the game against other sources.
She asks the kids to find games that have educational relevance.
Brain Meld is a source of lesson plans using existing games.
Peace Maker - Very detailed game in which you are Israeli or Palestinian leader. Demo available online.
Introduce the game at parent night before the kids see it. Get the parents in first. Let them know they need to support the educational function of the game(s).
Serious Games Initiative recommended as source for health related game info.
Jing is free Windows or Macintosh video capture software connected to free screencast web service. Yow!
Joan Cook, lots here we need to look at.
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Thanks for checking these educational applications of games- very much worth exploring! Have a mai tai in the Rainforest!
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