Groups

"A new report by tween gaming platform GirlsgoGames.com's 7.6 million U.S. site visitors found nearly 50 percent of girls between the ages of 8 and 12 are turning to the Internet for entertainment and social gaming." LINK: http://www.mobiledia.com/news/...

Failure is a big part of mastering video games, and fundamental when it comes to learning, too. When we fail, we adjust, try again, and hopefully succeed (whether it be in capturing the castle or mastering a math problem). Dr. David Dockterman, Harvard's educational game development expert, reflects on what we learn when we lose. LINK: http://oomscholasticblog.com/2...

Video: http://vimeo.com/30566074 -- "Real life isn't always satisfying, but games almost always are. So how can we take the principles that make Angry Birds so addictive and apply them to work? Games researcher and author Aaron Dignan schools us at the 99% Conference."

In an exciting collaboration between the University of Utah’s Entertainment Arts and Engineering (EAE) program,, a team of professors and graduate students have created a game that is expected to increase patients’ physical strength and give them a sense of empowerment to help their mental state while fighting their disease. On Friday, Sept. 23, the game was unveiled for use at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Here's the link to the article! http://unews.utah.edu/news_rel...

Have you used any apps to help your students? What are your favorite educational computer games? This article reviews some math-specific apps for your tablet or smartphone: http://tinyurl.com/3juul5b

This article about "flipped" instruction (using technology to have students watch lectures at home, and then discussing questions in class) opens an interesting question. Could integrating game design into this style help eliminate "lecture download" from this model and make it fully interactive? LINK: http://usat.ly/ooRQUG

Did you participate in the Level Up! Teacher Workshops? If so, we would love it if you'd share the lesson plans you developed with you everyone in this group!

"The [discovery was] published on Sunday in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, where -- exceptionally in scientific publishing -- both gamers and researchers are honoured as co-authors." LINK: http://tinyurl.com/65z5zgn

"Valve always keeps abreast of where its games are being played, and how the associated editing tools are being used. Recently it has been hearing how schools and education establishments have been using Portal as a learning tool. The game is being incorporated into teaching such things as physics and critical thinking, as well as spacial awareness, math, logic, probability, problem solving, and how to create using a computer. It may seem obvious, but making such skill learning cool and fun opens kid’s minds to actually taking it on board and understanding the different concepts more easily." Check out the link to the entire story at (and how to get a copy of Portal FREE!) at: http://www.geek.com/articles/g...

Never designed a video game before? Have no fear! There are many easy-to-use tools that guide you and your students through your game project. Check out www.gamestarmechanic.com or www.activategames.org for walk-throughs and tips. Please share your own tools here.

Want to know about the research behind using video games as teaching tools? Click on these links for more information and share some of your own! • AMD Changing the Game Foundation: http://www.amd.com/us/aboutamd... • Gamestar Mechanic: https://sites.google.com/a/eli... • Institute of Play: http://www.instituteofplay.org... • Level Up!: http://www.scholastic.com/levelup

Did you know that your students can enter their original video games in the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards? It’s open to students in grades 7–12 and the entry deadline in January 8, 2012. Go to www.artandwriting.org to learn more. Have questions - ask the Art & Writing Awards experts here!

Do you have a great idea? Please share it with all of us!

We can help! You have questions and we have answers from experienced educators. Ask away!