Chapter 7 – Knowing, Making, and Playing
Quote: “Much of what makes play powerful as a tool for learning in our ability to engage in experimentation.”
Question: What would playful lessons look like in a math class across various topics?
Connection: I recently implemented the Marshmallow Challenge in my math class. The kids amazed me in the structures they were able to build within their groups. They had failures and then they persevered. This lesson incorporated aspects of making and playing. I had 100 percent engagement.
Epiphany/Aha: Play provides the opportunity to leap, experiment, fail and continue to play with different outcomes. It teaches perseverance through experimentation and activates learning through imagination.
Quote: “Much of what makes play powerful as a tool for learning in our ability to engage in experimentation.”
Question: What would playful lessons look like in a math class across various topics?
Connection: I recently implemented the Marshmallow Challenge in my math class. The kids amazed me in the structures they were able to build within their groups. They had failures and then they persevered. This lesson incorporated aspects of making and playing. I had 100 percent engagement.
Epiphany/Aha: Play provides the opportunity to leap, experiment, fail and continue to play with different outcomes. It teaches perseverance through experimentation and activates learning through imagination.
Chapter 8 – Hanging out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out
Quote: “The ability to engage with media and technology in an intense, autonomous, and interest-driven way is a unique feature of today’s media environment.”
Question: How can I help students to utilize the available resources, both social and technological, for deep exploration? How can I bring today’s media environment into our classrooms on a regular basis?
Connection: Badges! I am about to finish my Messing Around Badge, oh yeah! I like the idea of incorporating badges in to the classroom. I think kids will love this. I also like the idea of using badges as an alternative motivator to grades. Not every assignment that needs assessment and feedback needs a grade. Using badges could help students to strive toward mastery without having to grade every item.
Epiphany/Aha: I’ve noticed myself moving through these three phases throughout this program. I see great value in learning to collaborate and create digitally, using multiple media platforms to pursue an interest-driven passion.
Quote: “The ability to engage with media and technology in an intense, autonomous, and interest-driven way is a unique feature of today’s media environment.”
Question: How can I help students to utilize the available resources, both social and technological, for deep exploration? How can I bring today’s media environment into our classrooms on a regular basis?
Connection: Badges! I am about to finish my Messing Around Badge, oh yeah! I like the idea of incorporating badges in to the classroom. I think kids will love this. I also like the idea of using badges as an alternative motivator to grades. Not every assignment that needs assessment and feedback needs a grade. Using badges could help students to strive toward mastery without having to grade every item.
Epiphany/Aha: I’ve noticed myself moving through these three phases throughout this program. I see great value in learning to collaborate and create digitally, using multiple media platforms to pursue an interest-driven passion.
Chapter 9 – The New Culture of Learning for a World of Constant Change
Quote: “Very few challenges in World of Warcraft can be solved alone, and none of them occur at advanced levels of the game. A guild’s success depends on how well its members can synchronize their efforts to solve problems.”
Question: I’ve heard a lot of positives to gamifying the classroom. I’m curious what that looks like outside of simply using something like Mindcraft in class. What are other ways of gamifying lessons? What types of gamification has been used in secondary math classrooms?
Connection – I am excited to try out World of Warcraft. I have a recruited a few friends that have never tried it and are on board. I have read so much about the positives and the research behind the learning that transpires via questioning, imagination and play. I also like that families (across three generations) are using this as a way to connection with one another even though they may live in different parts of the country.
Epiphany/Aha: The more I can create lessons that incorporate play and imagination; the more engaged my students will be; the more learning will occur.
Quote: “Very few challenges in World of Warcraft can be solved alone, and none of them occur at advanced levels of the game. A guild’s success depends on how well its members can synchronize their efforts to solve problems.”
Question: I’ve heard a lot of positives to gamifying the classroom. I’m curious what that looks like outside of simply using something like Mindcraft in class. What are other ways of gamifying lessons? What types of gamification has been used in secondary math classrooms?
Connection – I am excited to try out World of Warcraft. I have a recruited a few friends that have never tried it and are on board. I have read so much about the positives and the research behind the learning that transpires via questioning, imagination and play. I also like that families (across three generations) are using this as a way to connection with one another even though they may live in different parts of the country.
Epiphany/Aha: The more I can create lessons that incorporate play and imagination; the more engaged my students will be; the more learning will occur.