TL-Jan-2012

Welcome to the January Technology Liaisons Meeting.
=Designing Games; Don't Play it, Make It.=

In this month's meeting we will not only explore educational games that work in the classroom, we will introduce you to the art of game design and creation.
@http://www.homeschool-curriculum-and-support.com/educational-games.html
 * Educational Games are one of the easiest ways to make sure that your children are grasping the concepts that you give them, and the knowledge that is being presented.** This allows anyone who is learning to look at the concepts and general ideas in a different way. Educational games work to stimulate the mind, provide insight into the topics at hand and to allow for learning to be progressive in a different way. Understanding how to use games as a part of a curriculum for any age is one that will provide a different angle to learning concepts.
 * One of the reasons why educational games work as a learning supplement in a positive way is because of the activity that is used for learning the topic.** By having an interactive way to learn general information, children are able to become involved with the topic that is being presented. This automatically stimulates other areas of learning and allows children to see the topic in a way that invites them into being a part of the game that is being learned.
 * Once the information begins to become interactive, there is then the ability to learn the materials in a different way.** Educational games work not only by inviting in new interactions, but also provides an environment for a casual dialogue about the importance of the topics and what the information relates to. For instance, if a child is playing a game that relates to history and does not get a specific answer right, it automatically opens up a conversation about what the correct answer is and why. This will allow the facts to be remembered and the interaction that takes place will be able to stimulate the concepts of learning.

**Agenda**

 * **Introductions and Round Table Discussions**
 * **Vendor Presentation**
 * **Steven Hoy from DimensionU.**
 * **The Five Elements of Game Design**
 * **Space**
 * **Components**
 * **Mechanics**
 * **Goals**
 * **Rules**
 * **NYC Survey-School Technology Strategy Group**
 * **Lunch**
 * **Game Builders Academy**
 * **New Home Learning Series: Video Game Development**
 * **Create an account and view demo**
 * **More Educational Games**
 * **Evaluation**

Contact:
=== School Technology & Strategy Group - email: [[mailto:ktsamas@schools.nyc.gov|ktsamas@schools.nyc.gov (718) 935-5113]]Katherine Tsamasiros, Ed.D | School Technology & Strategy Group - email:ktsamas@schools.nyc.gov (718) 935-5113 === === Nick Schepis, Director, School Technology & Standards Group - email: nschepi@schools.nyc.gov(631) 772-9390 ===

=== NYC Department of EducationDivision of Instructional and Information Technology | NYC Department of Education === === 718-935-5113 / 347-234-1129335 Adams Street, Brooklyn NY 11201 | 718-935-5113 / 347-234-1129 ===

== Building a Shared NYCDOE School Survey ==

Gamestar Mechanic
=What is Gamestar Mechanic?= Gamestar Mechanic is a game and online community that teaches kids how to design their own games. Designing games builds Systems Thinking, 21st Century Skills, Creative Problem Solving, Art and Aesthetics, Writing and Storytelling, and creates a motivation for STEM learning.

media type="youtube" key="ac_jfJzcb0U" height="315" width="560"

Game Builders Academy Announces Nationwide Release of New Home Learning Series: Video Game Development
Complete details of Game Builders Academy’s new Home Learning Series can be viewed at: www.gbalearning.com/homelearning.
 * Westbury, NY, December 19, 2011** – Game Builders Academy announced today its new Home Learning Series with the nationwide release of its Video Game Development instructional product. The online course provides a combination of curricula, tools and techniques that teaches kids and teens how to make their very own exciting video games.

is a 2D physics puzzle / sandbox game, in which you get to experience what it would be like if your drawings would be magically transformed into real physical objects. Solve puzzles with your artistic vision and creative use of physics.

media type="custom" key="11818928"

Mangahigh =A **FREE** games-based K-12 math teaching resource=

**Top 10 Sites for Educational Games**
 * 1) [|Funbrain] - One of the most popular educational gaming sites around. Not only does this site cover a variety of subjects, it caters to K-8th graders, and has nice teacher resources as well.
 * 2) [|Game Classroom] - Excellent, safe, teacher approved, state standard aligned games for grades K-6. Also, lots of teacher resources to find such as: videos, lesson plans, worksheets, etc.
 * 3) [|Gameaquarium] - A great site for games for kids K-6 in all types of subjects. Videos, eBooks, and teacher resources can be found on here as well.
 * 4) [|Braineos] - Is a nice site where games are based on flash cards. Also, a registered user can include their own study lists/flash cards in the games.
 * 5) [|Tucoola] - A wonderful site for skill building games for younger kids where parents can track their progress.
 * 6) [|Tutpup] - A cool site for math and spelling games where kids can compete w/ other kids online. Best of all this site is COPPA compliant.
 * 7) [|BrainNook] - Is an innovative site that allows kids to play educational games for math and english in safe virtual worlds. In these worlds kids will interact and compete w/ other kids. Also, a teacher portal is available to allow teachers to sign up their class.
 * 8) [|Clever Island] - Clever Island offers fun educational games for kids 3-8 in a variety of subjects such as: math, reading, spelling, etc.
 * 9) [|What2Learn] - An excellent site for educational games where a teacher can track students progress through a paid account. Also, users can create custom made games as well.
 * 10) [|Abcya] - A great site for elementary students that covers a wide variety of subjects. Also, has educational apps for mobile devices.