Incorporating Games into Core Curriculum

Marjee ChmielRon Harrison

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Top Concern: Student Motivation

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The JASON Project

Inspire and motivate more students to pursue STEM education and careers

Raise student achievement and re-energize teachers

Systemize the “October Sky phenomenon” in everyday education

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Great Explorers, Great Events

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Where Science Happens

…inspiring the next generation…

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What is JASON?

Rigorous standards-based curriculum – Free

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What is JASON?

Free, flexible materials – Print and Online

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What is JASON?

Planned events and explorers embedded throughout the school year

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What is JASON?

Pre and post assessment, digital library, classroom tools, lesson plans and alignment

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The Result

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JASON Traditional

Percentage of Students Rating Pedagogy Excellent

* 305 students** 81,499 students

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JASON Traditional

Percentage of Teachers Rating Curriculum Excellent

Empowered Educators

Engaged Students

* 507 teachers** 1,873 teachers

* *** **

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Curriculum Plan

Completed

2010

2011

Earth Science Completed

2012 2013 2014

Physical Science Completed

Life Science Completed

Updates to all curriculum, and integration into year-long textbooks

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Games/ Digital Labs

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Who is playing?

Fully 97% of teens ages 12-17 play computer, web, portable, or console games 50% of teens played games “yesterday.” 73% play games on a desktop or a laptop computer86% of teens play on a console like the Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii99% of boys and 94% of girls play video games

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Why games ?

Games are on-going assessments

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Why games?

Games are inherently motivatingStudents work at their own pace Games encourage learning through mistakes

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Why games

Visual components simplify otherwise complex topics

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How do I use them?

… you have the skills you need to implement games…Good games are basically digital labs—standards-based and critical to understanding the curriculumPlay through by yourself or with a student before the full class implementationImplement to the degree that works for you

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How do I use them?

Awareness:-links to games on your website-include in parent newsletter-recommend to school library

Optional:-assign as homework-assign as extra credit-recommend to special educators-use as transition activity for students who finish assignments early

Large Group Activity:-demonstration or full-class game on interactive

Small group-individual activity-laptops-computer labs-many come with worksheets (or worksheets are in development)

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Lets see it in action!

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“Mini”games

• Great for interactive boards

• Full class review• Study aids

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Digital Labs

• Full class period• Use with

worksheets• Group work • Individual work• Homework• Use instead of

bench labs

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Multiple Entry Points

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Modified Challenges

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Personal Goal Setting

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Conceptually Challenging

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Extras

Competitive leaderboards!Teacher resources

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Coming soon

Geology!Space!Forces and Motion!Climate!

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Awards

Best Science Instructional Solution

Best Education Solution and Best Online Instructional

Solution

Award of Excellence (Tech & Learning Magazine)

Distinguished Achievement Award (Association of Educational Publishers)

Award of Excellence (Tech & Learning Magazine)

Best Online Instructional Solution

Best Science Instructional Solution

“The best example I’ve seen of what convergent education can become is The JASON Project” -- ‘Convergent education’ comes together, Greg Downey Nov/Dec 2009

Best K-12 Instructional SolutionBest Online Instructional Solution

Best Education Game or Simulation