What a concept: Engage players in a "real world" quest that brings them together at a famous institution to kick off an online game for social change – not just game-changing but aiming to be world-changing (or to help players be change agents). Quest #1: If you're 18+ and want to be one of the first 500 people to play Find the Future, go on the "overnight adventure of a lifetime," and write a … [Read more...] about McGonigal’s latest game for social change
School & Tech
Playing & learning with our kids easier than ever
Mobile gaming (on cellphones, iPads, etc.) is doing a lot more than entertaining kids. Yes, it's bringing out their inner scientist (with Project Noah) or cartoonist (via Toontastic) and fueling their outdoor adventures (see HiddenPark.com), and yes it's occasionally a digital babysitter. But it also offers lovely, gentle changes in family dynamics. Mobile gaming can add to the household scene … [Read more...] about Playing & learning with our kids easier than ever
Why videogames are good for learners
As a gamer – to some extent, not entirely, but enough – you're master of your own fate, and when you're not, you can find help. You're not only in an environment, you're in an experience too – one that changes as you work and conquer problems and keep getting better. So it's progressive but self-paced – but also social, so less boring than purely self-paced. There are rules, but they're like … [Read more...] about Why videogames are good for learners
Toward social media tools in school
You all may have noticed I'm a strong proponent of educational social media in school – in the core curriculum, pre-K-12. Why? So students can not only collaborate in basic civic engagement (the class being a tiny community in which they're engaging) and maybe broader participation beyond the classroom, but also practice media, tech, and social literacy (citizenship) while they're in core classes. … [Read more...] about Toward social media tools in school
‘The No-Blame Approach’ to defusing bullying
Dateline NBC hit some key points about bullies and bystanders while skimming along the surface in "My Kid Would Never Bully." The show set up two pretty stereotypical scenarios (one involving boys in a gym and the other girls discussing fashion), hired two actors for each (one playing the bully and the other the victim), brought in 3-4 "real kids" who were the bystanders, and had parents and … [Read more...] about ‘The No-Blame Approach’ to defusing bullying