A crash course in changing the world.
March 3, 2020
Today is one of my in-school days. I volunteer a couple days a week in local schools, playing games with the kids and helping the teachers plan lessons using all kinds of games. I love it. The kids in these classrooms are so excited, so interested. Today I'm working with a group of kids and teachers who are creating a school-wide alternate reality game that ties into this month's learning theme.
During a break, one of the older kids asks how I got into this line of work. I think back to the day I first stumbled on EVOKE, back when no one was sure if it was a game or if it was real. I don't tell her that, of course. We don't talk about EVOKE. We just do it. But I know that's how this all started.
I do tell her about shadowing my hero and learning more about game design. I tell her that I started out as a teacher, but spent a while learning about how technology is used in teaching and learning, before I really got into creating games. I tell her about believing in the power of play, how we should never stop playing because that's how we learn best. She tells me that her favorite thing about school is working on the ARG and that she's done more research just to make this game than she ever did in a class before.
She goes back to her group, and I can see that she's still thinking about what we said. I wonder where she'll be in ten years, or twenty.
My handheld buzzes. I glance down at it. The caller ID says...
EVOKE.
I answer.
During a break, one of the older kids asks how I got into this line of work. I think back to the day I first stumbled on EVOKE, back when no one was sure if it was a game or if it was real. I don't tell her that, of course. We don't talk about EVOKE. We just do it. But I know that's how this all started.
I do tell her about shadowing my hero and learning more about game design. I tell her that I started out as a teacher, but spent a while learning about how technology is used in teaching and learning, before I really got into creating games. I tell her about believing in the power of play, how we should never stop playing because that's how we learn best. She tells me that her favorite thing about school is working on the ARG and that she's done more research just to make this game than she ever did in a class before.
She goes back to her group, and I can see that she's still thinking about what we said. I wonder where she'll be in ten years, or twenty.
My handheld buzzes. I glance down at it. The caller ID says...
EVOKE.
I answer.
Views: 1
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Comment by Chelsea Howe on March 4, 2010 at 12:44am -
Excellent, Agent Ninmah! As a game designer myself, and one who uses them to teach, I am 100% on board with your vision. Play is absolutely a cultural necessity, the most thriving and productive times of our life, a safe place where we can learn, imagine, and grow as individuals and communities. I wish you the best of luck getting to this 2020, and with an attitude like yours have no doubt you will arrive there!
Can't wait to see more from you :)
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Comment by Amanda Jeffrey on March 4, 2010 at 2:29am -
Another game designer poking her head out of the woodwork here! I've not used games to teach so far, though I have done some minor teaching about my very particular specialty in game making. I believe that games change the world, embody our cultures, hopes and dreams, and will only get bigger and more recognizably important as time goes on.
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Comment by Wasserperson on March 18, 2010 at 5:31am -
Here's hoping we don't have to wait 10 years for ARG development to be as common as research paper writing in school standards...
I know of one person who's developing a negotiation scenario as a Master's thesis... Do you know of anything becoming standard with younger students right now?
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Comment by ninmah on March 18, 2010 at 3:09pm -
Hi, Wasserperson, and thanks for taking the time to comment. I also hope we don't have to wait that long for serious games in schools! Have you looked at the challenge-based learning stuff that Apple has been doing? They've been working with their Distinguished Educators to pilot (and evaluate) challenge-based programs in schools. I worked on the first pilot with them; we prepared a white paper, and Apple also has a website about challenge-based learning. It looks very promising, and it works a lot like EVOKE does.
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Comment by Wasserperson on March 18, 2010 at 7:03pm
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Again, thanks for the links--lots to follow up on!
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