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One of my primary activities outside of work is to play computer games. I have played World of Warcraft for many years, and I also enjoy various Facebook games, such as Farmville 2 and Candy Crush. Most of these games are mindless activities that allow me to unwind for an hour or so after I get home. It is essential for me, and I'm sure for many of you. I do not have children, and I have no desire to have them. Kudos to those of you who do and go from working all day to caring for them in your "off" time. So back on topic, how many of you are gamers? What games to you play and/or would you recommend as a great way to relax and unwind?
I'm an occasional gamer ("scalesian" on www.kingdomofloathing.com , for example), but I'm Game Master in my classroom. I turned my middle school ELA class into an RPG 2 years ago, and was blown away with the response! Went from an average of 8 failing students per trimester to 1, and in the first trimester alone, students wrote more than they had the entire previous year. I'd highly recommend Lee Sheldon's book "The Multiplayer Classroom" as a first step if you're interested. (Warning: It is definitely a LOT of work...but it's also rewarding!) You can also check out the website I created to share assignments and news with my students: www.diddorol.org -- there are links on the "Outside of the Kingdom" tab to other info and resources.
I intend to celebrate the uniqueness of each child...not to standardize them.
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NH - ELA (writing & public speaking) - Grades 7 & 8 (multiage) - 13th year
I'm an occasional gamer ("scalesian" on www.kingdomofloathing.com , for example), but I'm Game Master in my classroom. I turned my middle school ELA class into an RPG 2 years ago, and was blown away with the response! Went from an average of 8 failing students per trimester to 1, and in the first trimester alone, students wrote more than they had the entire previous year. I'd highly recommend Lee Sheldon's book "The Multiplayer Classroom" as a first step if you're interested. (Warning: It is definitely a LOT of work...but it's also rewarding!) You can also check out the website I created to share assignments and news with my students: www.diddorol.org -- there are links on the "Outside of the Kingdom" tab to other info and resources.
Gamer here. WoW, anything on PS3, and a lot of other PC games. I'm a nerd, and my students love it when I start talking about Skyrim, haha.
My students are always so surprised to find out I play video games. This year, one even blurted out "But your a girl?!" HAHA! I haven't tried Skyrim yet but I know some people who love it so I may have to check it out.
I'm an occasional gamer ("scalesian" on www.kingdomofloathing.com , for example), but I'm Game Master in my classroom. I turned my middle school ELA class into an RPG 2 years ago, and was blown away with the response! Went from an average of 8 failing students per trimester to 1, and in the first trimester alone, students wrote more than they had the entire previous year. I'd highly recommend Lee Sheldon's book "The Multiplayer Classroom" as a first step if you're interested. (Warning: It is definitely a LOT of work...but it's also rewarding!) You can also check out the website I created to share assignments and news with my students: www.diddorol.org -- there are links on the "Outside of the Kingdom" tab to other info and resources.
That looks pretty interesting, but it's very different. Sheldon promotes (and I use) gaming strategies and techniques in the classroom itself, independent of any existing game. For example, in my classroom, there are six tables, symbolic of the 6 Traits of Writing, and they are considered to be different provinces in the fictional kingdom. The storyline in the game is scripted to provide a context for the assignments, lessons, quizzes, etc. There is no online game involved; it all happens in the classroom. I only have the site in order to share info with students; it's not essential to the game at all.
I intend to celebrate the uniqueness of each child...not to standardize them.
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NH - ELA (writing & public speaking) - Grades 7 & 8 (multiage) - 13th year
That looks pretty interesting, but it's very different. Sheldon promotes (and I use) gaming strategies and techniques in the classroom itself, independent of any existing game. For example, in my classroom, there are six tables, symbolic of the 6 Traits of Writing, and they are considered to be different provinces in the fictional kingdom. The storyline in the game is scripted to provide a context for the assignments, lessons, quizzes, etc. There is no online game involved; it all happens in the classroom. I only have the site in order to share info with students; it's not essential to the game at all.
Oh OK, I'm sorry I misunderstood. Either way, you are making learning memorable and valuable for your students, so congrats!
Hi, my name is Brenda and I play computer games ... well ... mostly mindless stuff .. I do play Words with Friends (if you want to play, I am plays to win (yes, with the spaces and no, I'm not competitive .. not in the least!). I also play mindless stuff so I can just 'not think' ... like Jewel Quest and Zuma ...
Elem spec ed, 29th year (also gen ed, g/t, college experience) Indiana & Texas
For those with a lot of technology available, check out 3D Game Lab. It's basically Edmodo, but has a bunch of bonus features that make class feel like "completing quests".
One of the teachers on my campus did it last year.
Learning is like rowing upstream; not to advance is to drop back.
~ Chinese Proverb
FOR THE HORDE!!! My forum name here is actually the original name of my troll mage. "Ja mon!" I play WoW, Terraria, and some of the mindless crap on Facebook like Words of Wonder.
I teach chemistry, have the Horde symbol a student made for me laminated on my wall, and have used the LFG wowspeak as an anecdote to show them how learning the language of any subject, no matter what it is, is ESSENTIAL to understanding and true learning of that subject.
Jaman
AKA: BATSHIT CRAZY
(Bad Ass Teacher Seeking Help In Texas Certified Remarkably As Zany, Yanno!)
I'm a gamer! It's nice to meet other teacher gamers.
I don't play WOW or any of the online multi player games. I do play some PC games though (Farmville 2, Candy Crush, Running with Friends, Words with Friends)
I also play retro video games, mostly RPG (Legend of Zelda series, Final Fantasy series, Tales of Symphonia) and other non RPG (Tetris, Millipede, Super Mario Bros.)
BTW, I am a Pre-K / K teacher. This will be my ninth year of teaching...and I LOVE it! ♥
I also play games. Words with friends on my mobile device. Currently Old Republic on my PC as far as MMO's go (though I'm eyeing some others). Also really enjoy strategy games when given the chance (RUSE, Civilization, etc.).
FOR THE HORDE!!! My forum name here is actually the original name of my troll mage. "Ja mon!" I play WoW, Terraria, and some of the mindless crap on Facebook like Words of Wonder.
I teach chemistry, have the Horde symbol a student made for me laminated on my wall, and have used the LFG wowspeak as an anecdote to show them how learning the language of any subject, no matter what it is, is ESSENTIAL to understanding and true learning of that subject.
I LOVE this! However, I am alliance, so we are enemies... LOL! Just kidding. My name tag here is also my gamer name. Too funny!