Science teacher Brandon Watters is a gamer. He particularly enjoys playing The Room on his iPad. The Room transports gamers “into a unique space that blends spellbinding visuals with intriguing problems to solve,” according to its website. If you played Myst on your PC back in the 1990s like my brother and I did, The Room is a lot like that, Brandon says—super fun and filled with mystery. I don’t know about you, but I’m checking it out over spring break … You heard it from Bill Daggett during our February Institute Day: Games help students learn more and learn faster. Why? Because like The Room and Myst, they immerse gamers into a fictional world where they rely on critical thinking and problem solving skills to compete against themselves. Also, because they are fun. Daggett’s talk prompted social studies teacher Morgan O’Connor to invite Brandon, Antioch ILC director Barb Mason, and me to a meeting to discuss the possibilities surrounding gaming in District 117. We didn’t get far, but at least we got the conversation started. Here are a few takeaways:
As I finish this blog post, a sophomore named Jennifer asks me, “Ms. Doyle, what goes around your neck?” I said, “Huh?” She said, “I’m playing a game and I need to know things that go around your neck. I’ve already said necklace and scarf.” “Ok. Ummm… a tie?” “Tie! Good, that’s a new one.” A student sitting next to us named Megan chimes in: “I have that game, too. The next one you need to know is ‘collar.’” “Ohhh, collar…,” Jennifer says. “Thanks.” See? Gaming is everywhere.
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