Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Building Online Games as an Educational Tool

More and more people are exploring the idea of making games within an educational setting. The design, construction and planning of the outcomes is an excellent problem solving exercise. It makes for a fantastic collaborative project as well.

I had a student approach me today with a game that he has based around the unit of work that we are studying. Each of the students negotiate their own research based on their understanding of the concepts covered by the unit.

He has used Game Salad as a way of building a game where the player must safely transport a 19th poster to the print factory. The concept of the game is that the player must learn about the effect of technology on late 19th century art movements and how it changed artistic practice.

When I mentioned this to a couple of teachers over lunch they related that a couple of kids from the same cohort had created a synopsis of scenes from Othello using different gaming platforms for each new scene. Apparently it went down very well with their peers in the English class.

So what are some of the Web Tools your students could use to construct their own online games:


Stencyl.com:


StencylWorks isn't your average game creation software; it's a gorgeous, intuitive toolset that integrates seamlessly with the Stencyl ecosystem. Exclusive collaboration and sharing features will have you making Flash games in a flash. For free. iOS support is on its way, too.


Game Salad.com:


GameSalad aims to open the doors of game design to anyone who wants to create. With GameSalad's complete set of tools and editors, bring your game to market faster and easier than with any other development platform; and without coding a single line. That's development in days and weeks - not months. That's the democratization of game creation.

http://gamesalad.com/

Thinking Worlds:


Thinking Worlds is a 3D sims & games engine and authoring tool. It enables novice and advanced developers alike to create and publish highly immersive simulations – rapidly. It has been designed from the start around the needs of designers and enables quick development of 3D sims & games. When you’re finished creating and building your sims, Thinking Worlds enables you to publish your project as either a standalone sim. Web-delivered sim or a mobile sim for iPad and iPhone requires a product purchase.



Scratch:


Scratch is a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share your creations on the web. As young people create and share Scratch projects, they learn important mathematical and computational ideas, while also learning to think creatively, reason systematically, and work collaboratively.



Want to make your own online games for free? Sploder makes it super easy for you to make your own free games online and share them with your friends. Make your own platformer games, spaceship shooters, space adventure games, and now, our fantastic new physics game maker has been launched for creating original minigames!


ChallengeYou.com:




ChallengeYou.com is a fun and safe online community of really creative kids. We give you the tools you need to quickly create fun, online, multiplayer games that you can play with your friends, family, and other ChallengeYou members.



There are many many websites, blogs and wikis that explore this educational concept. I was lucky enough to participate in a workshop last year at Ulearn 2010 where Adrian Camm had put together a fantastic resource.

61 comments:

  1. Hi Greg,

    you can see some of the results of the Universe Quest project run by the National Science Foundation - girls making games to learn about science http://bit.ly/kV4QaC & http://bit.ly/kKX0Ik

    The students used the Thinking Worlds authoring tool to create their learning games. Great news. The Thinking Worlds authoring tool is now free for educators and students.

    www.thinkingworlds.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have a very good blog that the main thing a lot of interesting and useful!
    Buy Anti-Depressants Drugs

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a good common sense Blog. Very helpful to one who is just finding the resources about this part. It will certainly help educate me.
    free mmorpg games

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is the interesting post.In this post people gain more and more idea of making games within an educational setting.Your design, construction and planning of the outcomes is an excellent problem solving exercise.Thanks for sharing the helpful information.


    student portal

    ReplyDelete
  5. Online educational games for children have proven to be very beneficial learning tools. These games help them learn many of the skills needed throughout their early childhood education.

    online bingo games

    ReplyDelete
  6. Yes, it is possible to create an online games which is educational and this type of game is suitable even in kids and in schools.

    Multiplayer zombie games

    ReplyDelete
  7. This application allows you to write fighting fantasy like game books and has lots of neat features. super mario games

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice and informative Blog regarding chemical engineering tutor online this is really helpful for people who interested in Online Education. Thanks and Keep Continue to share useful information with us.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This application allows you to write fighting fantasy like game books and has lots of neat features. super mario games www.rgamers.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Coolest IQ games and scary games website thescarygames.org - play free now.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks, for all this cool websites where to make some games.If you know any unity games maker online will be just fain.

    ReplyDelete
  12. do you play online games when free? what game? wow, rs or d3? i'm a new player of D3,and want to buy d3 items, dou you have diablo iii accounts?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Cheap Guild Wars 2 Gold has now end up being the focus of intercontinental study along with guidance programs regarding the health insurance and socioeconomic issues of a new lustrous metropolitan inhabitants the location where the facilities and governments legislations have been inadequate within supplying Diablo 3 Gems to the wants and security of the individuals.

    ReplyDelete
  14. You have made some really good points there. sell runescape accounts I checked on the web for more info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Game makers should really find a way to cater kids best. It will be a smart move if game makers are going to turn online games into educational tools. As a subscriber of an Australian broadband service provider, my kids would benefit to that.

    ReplyDelete
  17. The time parents spend playing together gives your child lots of different ways and times to learn.
    Children dvds

    ReplyDelete
  18. All the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information

    The best online masters degree programs

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is a very relevant post. Thanks for such nice sharing. Nowadays games are becoming educational as well as also help players to enjoy their free time as well by playing online games. Baby Games

    ReplyDelete
  20. This can enhance the cognitive development they are undergoing as they grow.

    http://kidslearninghub.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. yes i agree with you. The games play a great rule in the boosting and improving in the educational activities. the Dress up games improve the communication skill which is essential in the education.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is a nice and an excellent way of giving and sharing knowledge. Thanks for sharing such nice and great way of thinking. Baby Games

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hello,

    It's a good an idea to spend or utilize time at the home, without going outside. Use The Online Game review here to help you do just that. It's designed to help you learn about the Internet Attraction System. Are you searching for the Free Online Makeover Games on online then, please explore our website for the details.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The information given in this post are really amazing and full of knowledge. Thanks for such adorable psot. for Games for Girls

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yes this is a right post. Nowadays there are many games that we can use as a best tool for learning online and also enjoy the games like online puzzle games, math games and also many other like these. Regards: Games for Girls

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi,

    If you are looking for some girls Free Online Decorating Games on the internet, you will not be disappointed. There are millions of free online flash games which you can choose from and you can easily find a few games meant specially for girls which you will like.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Regarding all aspects the blog was perfectly nice. Accelerate Eben Pagan

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you for the information.
    Here is a promotion information.
    Play Kuchvi is one of the prime free online game provviders in odisha, India. It has all the games that you
    search for. Its prime focus is to provide games in ranges from a child to a old age man, from a boy to a girl.
    The free games here include kids games india, online puzzles india, online games for girls india,
    free action games india, free Adventure games india, free Fighting games india, free Driving games india,
    free Casino games india, free Arcade games india, free Shooting games india etc. Here you can play free games
    if you just have the internet.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hello,
    Thanks a lot for a awesome presentation on game! Yes i am agree with your content.
    Some days ago i gotten a amazing sites with a lot of interesting free game. There was also many online It Support and also have gift for winner
    social gaming network

    ReplyDelete
  30. Waooow!!! Magnificent blogs, this is what I wanted to search. Thanks buddy candy crush it

    ReplyDelete
  31. . These games help them learn many of the skills needed throughout their early childhood education.

    Tank addicting games

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yeah it is very useful and of course the best way to share the knowledge.The best sourse where you can learn and enjoy is http://www.dressupgames.pk/

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks Greg! Very nice effort as Baby Games 2014 play an important role in enhancing the cognitive skills of children.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Yes games can be used as a educational tool. Nowadays one can learn a lot of thing by playing games. I would like to recommend a game Pirate king International, its an online game which has become very popular nowadays.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Online education games for Kids accommodate to kids of all ages. Kids can play games on reading, vocabulary, spelling, math and science. Online education games for kids are a source of fun

    ReplyDelete
  36. his is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the leisure here! Keep up the excellent work.
    truck games

    ReplyDelete
  37. Awesome Game! I want to share one more game i.e, Panic Tap, Panic Tap is a simple tap game with plenty of entertainment for all. There are five mini games in Panic Tap that you need to master!

    ReplyDelete
  38. ABC a Go Go-This educational program for children showcases New York and its landmarks, as well as utilizing everyday English native speakers use in their daily lives

    ReplyDelete
  39. ABC a Go Go-Read reviews, get customer ratings, see screenshots, and learn more about ABC a Go-Go on the App Store. Download ABC a Go-Go and enjoy it on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

    ReplyDelete
  40. This was really so very interesting and fun for me to play. I have enjoyed playing this game much. This was great.

    Online gaming websites in India | Play Online Games in India

    ReplyDelete
  41. Contents of this website are good and appreciative.

    Business Exercises & Business Games

    ReplyDelete
  42. i just wanna thank you for sharing your information and your site or blog this is simple but nice article I've ever seen i like it i learn something today...

    Video Games Reviews & 3ds Spiele Tests

    ReplyDelete
  43. thank you very good...http://www.hdbilisimteknolojileri.com/

    ReplyDelete
  44. A single platform were you can entertain by playing various game belonging to distinct categories like Action Game, Adventure game,Contra game,Super Mario etc...

    ReplyDelete
  45. The first several months of my site there were no comments; just give it time; now they come in like crazy every day! Thanks.
    Elo boost

    ReplyDelete
  46. "Play free online games including Action games SKEWER IN THE SEWER, THE FINAL SLICE and more featuring your favorite characters only on Sonicgang.com

    Sonic Games

    ReplyDelete
  47. Busy life circumstances than the current world history.
    Mario Friv Yoob Juegos
    Doraemon Games Kizi

    ReplyDelete
  48. You have a very good blog interesting and useful! Thank you for the shearing Free Online Games

    ReplyDelete
  49. Thank you for your so cool post,it is useful,i love it very much.please share with us more good articles.
    free online games

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is a very relevant post. Thanks for such nice sharing. Online Game Tournaments

    ReplyDelete
  51. Howdy to every one, the substance present at this site page are truly dazzling for people data, well, continue doing magnificent.
    Roulette Betting to Win

    ReplyDelete
  52. This was a really great contest and hopefully I can attend the next one. It was alot of fun and I really enjoyed myself.
    Subway surfer hacks

    ReplyDelete
  53. it is useful,i love it very much.please share with us more good articles.

    thanks for sharing...
    www.golden-slot.com
    gclub

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.