PowerPoint Games Introduction

Important updates:
1. The WebQuest project due date has been changed to Tuesday, March 28 at the beginning of class.
2. 9:30 class - The QuestGarden site is still being moved to a new server - it should be up and running by this evening. I will keep an eye on the site and will adjust the due date accordingly if the site remains unavailable for several more days.
3. Final Reflection for WebQuests - due Tuesday, March 28 (bring a printed copy to class).Part of your WebQuest assignment is to complete two reflections and a peer review. These questions comprise the 2nd required reflection. Please open the attached Word document and respond to the questions.
4. Class will not meet on Thursday, March 23.

PowerPoint Games

Addressing learning styles is important when designing activities to teach content standards. Inspiration and Kidspiration software allow an educator to do just that -- by addressing needs of visual learners. Technology also allows educators to respond to various learning theories - from behaviorism to constructionism. With WebQuests, we looked at an example of constructivism. Today we'll talk about PowerPoint games: what they are and how they help students construct their own knowledge -- constructionism.

What were your favorite games? What characteristics made them your favorite? What experience do you have with instructional games? Are the characteristics of your favorite games found in most instructional games? How can PowerPoint be used to create an instructional game for your subject area?

It's important to know a little bit of background on the PowerPoint games project before we begin. Dr. Lloyd Rieber - a professor in my department - wrote a paper on this very topic that is an interesting read. Many EDIT 2000 students have created their own games and more and more K-12 classrooms are using PowerPoint games as a way to address content standards through constructionism. I'll share some stories from these projects in class. You'll want to view some sample games from the Homemade PowerPoint Games website and from student portfolios from previous semesters.

After viewing several, you'll want to get started on your game. You'll need to look over the project assignment and and complete the game outline sheet distributed during today's class - this is due at the beginning of class on Tuesday.