game jams as a classroom model
TRANSCRIPT
CLASS PERIOD GAME JAMS + HACKATHONS AS A CLASSROOM MODEL
Jeff Thompson www.jeffreythompson.org @jeffthompson_ Assistant Professor + Program Director, Visual Arts & Technology, Stevens Institute of Technology
THE 12-HOUR
THE DREADED “I-WORD” We can bravely change education models without adopting
the language and business-model of Silicon Valley
WHAT IF… Class met for 12 hours at a time?
Only meet 1-2 times per semester?
Students were mixed in with professionals from the field and younger students?
Games++ An event where participants build games from
scratch over 10 hours, then put down their mice and pencils so the public can play their creations.
KEY ELEMENTS + Open to participants of any experience level and from
outside the institution + No formal tutorials or critique during the event + Rapid pace with milestones throughout the day + Show-and-tell period at the end + Peer-voted awards
WHAT HAPPENS? Tons of hard work, many without a break for 10 hours
Formal and informal collaboration
WHAT WOULD IT TAKE? + Lots of organization ahead of time and help day-of + Mechanisms for self- and remote-learning outside of class + More open administration + Accreditation allowing fewer contact hours
THANK YOU Jeff Thompson ++ www.jeffreythompson.org ++ @jeffthompson_