Artifact
For your artifact for this lab, you will submit a paragraph reflection about the general possibilities for playful learning in your target lesson plan, building from your lab experiences, with specific directions in the HuskyCT Assignment. Some teachers start with simple ideas like playing a Jeopardy version of a fact-based lesson. If you have not done this, you could try it by creating a simple online Jeopardy board on your lesson plan topic. This is not high up on the SAMR framework (likely in that Augmentation area), but it might change the playfulness of a small part of a lesson. Through this module think about deeper connections and possibilities for infusing playful learning into your teaching and learning where appropriate.
Lab Activities
- Connection of Computational Thinking to Playful Learning through Minecraft
- For more information on Minecraft as an educational game, check out the Minecraft Educational Edition! As a UConn student you can download and test this version, for free! As well, you can search lessons by grade and subject, as well as Connecticut Core Standards across grades, subject areas, and specific standards.
- Sample of students building in Minecraft to understand natural vs artificial light (YouTube video)
- For more information on Minecraft as an educational game, check out the Minecraft Educational Edition! As a UConn student you can download and test this version, for free! As well, you can search lessons by grade and subject, as well as Connecticut Core Standards across grades, subject areas, and specific standards.
- Breakout Group Time
- Group Play of EOS-503 Demo – Educational Game for Teacher Prep we are Developing.
- Play iCivics games and particularly Do I have a Right
- Discuss Concerns, Potential Connections, and Implementation of Playful Learning for your Lesson Plan.
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Minecraft Education Edition (free to educators with school email) produced an educational version of the game. Explore different interactive worlds including an element scavenger hunt, a lab on biodiversity, and even a variety of lessons set aboard the International Space Station.
- Whole Class Discussion of Lesson Plans and Games Designed with Learning Objectives and Non-Educational Games in the Classroom
- Esports, Streaming, and STEM Connections
- Conclusion with Exit Ticket on New Literacies then Released to Complete Artifact
Cross-Module Stretch Goal Questions:
- What ethical concerns arise with using games in class?
- How can you ensure all students access to the games you use in class (UDL)?
- What new reading and writing literacies are associated with using games to learn?
For next lab…
Take this Exit Ticket Quick Quiz on New Literacies for transmedia reading and writing.
