Planning the use of digital games in your classroom

The objective of this course activity is to map the use of digital games in your classroom.

This activity recognizes that classrooms are complex places and that introducing a new technology such as digital games can be difficult. During this activity you will begin to create a map (or planning sheet) of how digital games can be used in your classroom. This task is designed to support you in thinking about how using a game fits with your personal, classroom and school-wide objectives. [ For those interested in understanding this approach further, it builds on a ‘Layers of Influence’ model which can be found on page 16 of Futurelab’s Barriers to Innovation report.]

You need to complete the linked mapping sheet [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .

When you have completed this task, save your sheet and share a link with others in your group. This information will enable your tutor to match appropriate digital games to your learning aims.

The objectives of this course activity are:

• to discuss your aims with the course tutor
• to be introduced to a number of digital games and practices relevant to your plan.

Once you have completed the mapping sheet you should discuss it with your facilitator and others. This will be done in a tutorial using Elluminate. The tutorial will be supported by discussion in the forum. When you attend the tutorial, online, you should be prepared to discuss your project plans.

Go to the course forum and to the thread ‘Tutorial: Confirming plans’. Upload your plan and comment on others’ plans that are there. The thread will also contain guidance on how the tutorial to discuss plans will be conducted. By sharing your map and aims with the facilitator and others, you have the opportunity to look at digital games resources related to your plans and be given some focused feedback based on aims that you have identified.