What do you think about incorporating more games into education? Do you think it will increase critical thinking or do the opposite causing us to think less? How excited would you be if you knew all day you could play games to learn content in school? Would you want to come to school? These are a few of the thoughts that have been rolling around in my head about "gamification" of learning. This page is dedicated to some of my thoughts as I explore the more about Gamification and its impact on education.

Ever wondered what all the fuss is about around serious games? Take a look at the infographic below for an overview of why games are good for learning.

Your brain on games...

Serious Play Conference at Chapel Hill http://seriousplayconf.com/

How Game-based Learning Can Support Strong Mathematical Practices Infographic

MIND Research Institute, a social benefit organization, looks at why games are so popular and what kids are already learning through games. How can schools leverage students’ love of digital games? If designed well, game-based learning can harness students’ intrinsic motivation and love for play and lead them toward complex problem solving.

It is not enough for today’s students to memorize math facts and formulas. The Standards for Mathematical Practice raise expectations for our students, asking them to understand concepts, make connections, communicate their reasoning and more. We need to get students engaged in math and go deeper in their mathematical thinking. Teachers need help finding curriculum-aligned games that lend themselves to deep exploration and complex problem solving. What kind of games can help students develop the skills they need to meet today’s standards for mathematical practice?

Click here to view image: blog.mindresearch.org

Excellent Research on Gamification: The effect on student motivation and performance at the post‐secondary level

https://journals.uair.arizona.edu/index.php/itet/article/view/18661/18410

Exploring this resource called Class Compete:

http://www.classcompete.com/

How to Turn Digital Games Into a Fun Physical Learning Experience at School (incorporating Kinesthetic learning into gamification)

https://ww2.kqed.org/mindshift/2015/06/16/how-to-turn-digital-games-into-a-fun-physical-learning-experience-at-school/

Gaming to learn Social Skills? Is it possible?

We often think of gaming as an anti-social event, however, new games are being developed that teaches students social skills. Mr. Dudick from Fair Haven is developing a game style program that will help students work through different social settings and role play social skills. He calls the game SiLAS which stands for Socially Interactive Learning Avatar Software.

Link to video and more information on SiLAS here: http://www.techedupteacher.com/silas/