Dr. Cynthia V. Marcello, associate professor of computer science, information systems and technology at SUNY Sullivan in NY

Kae Novak, Chair for ISTE SIG Virtual Environments and project lead and designer for the Games MOOC, and Instructional Designer for Student Engagement and Assessment at Front Range Community College

Chris Luchs, Associate Dean for Career Technical Education in the Colorado Community College System

Marianne Malmstrom (aka Knowclue), Cognitive Architect at The Elisabeth Morrow School in NJ 

This free online collaborative community provides a forum where educators, publishers, and game developers can come together to discuss guidelines and current practices, and most importantly, to share ideas to advance this emerging field.

In our series of free webinars, live chats, and online discussions, you'll hear from experts and leaders in the field to find out what they are discovering and creating. Our presenters are among the leading innovators, game designers, and researchers working in the field.

As a member of the community, you'll receive...

• Invitations to free webinars and live chats.
• A CE certificate for attending/viewing our webinars.
• Access to all of the recorded webinars, presentations, resources, and online discussions.
• Access to the edWeb Learning Games Database, a collaborative compilation of gaming resources and reviews.

JOIN the Community

Quest-based learning uses game mechanics and a game-based learning portal as a "stage" for active learning both in and out of the classroom.  The presentation of course material is accomplished through an engaging series of challenges (quests) that are carefully planned to take place over a designated time frame. This planning phase involves the creation of both linear and concurrent progression paths that all align to the learning outcomes set for the course. The goal of this new approach is to improve student engagement though increased active learning, collaborative effort, and learning outcomes overall.  

In this webinar, Dr. Cynthia V. Marcello will discuss the challenges faced and observations made during her experience in switching her Simulation and Game Development Programming I class in the Fall 2013 semester to quest-based learning. Feedback from her students will also be a key focal area of discussion as well as the presentation of changes planned for future implementations of quest-based learning.  

Join Cynthia on February 4th to learn more about using quest-based learning in group projects.

REGISTER HERE

Presented by Kae Novak and Chris Luchs

Do you play games? Maybe Bejeweled, Candy Crush, or even Fruit Ninja? Is it your guilty little pleasure? It doesn't have to be - play and games can be an integral part of your professional development. 

In this webinar, Kae Novak and Chris Luchs will tell us about an online community of global educators who game and network across multiple platforms. They will illustrate several projects and collaborations the educators have engaged in, as well as upcoming opportunities for collaboration, professional development, and events. Kae and Chris also will share about "Inevitable Instructors," weekly webinars in World of Warcraft, Minecraft, and other MMORPGs. 

We'll also hear about the concept of the metagame, online spaces where learning happens outside the game. Gamers worldwide participate in metagames where tacit knowledge is converted into explicit knowledge through live-streaming gameplay, videos, discussion boards, elaborate tutorials, and probability simulations known as theorycraft. Join Kae and Chris on March 25th to learn about play as professional development.

REGISTER HERE

Presented by Marianne Malmstrom

Minecraft is a little indie game that has taken the world by storm and has many wondering why children seem to be "obsessed" with this game. Given the enthusiasm surrounding this game, it is no surprise that educators are exploring ways to bring Minecraft into the classroom.

Join us for this webinar to learn what happens when students are given the opportunity to design within a platform they love. Marianne Malmstrom, Cognitive Architect at The Elisabeth Morrow School in NJ, will share how play, agency, and autonomy can be leveraged with Minecraft to create learning spaces that are dynamic and relevant. She will show us how learning is naturally embedded in Minecraft game play and how children playing in this space are engaged in a highly sophisticated mode of learning that taps into creativity, collaboration, design thinking, and problem solving. Hear about the series of Minecraft challenges that were created for the students at Marianne's school - including "Escape To Morrow," an original Minecraft game which took the collaborative effort of students spanning grades 3-6 over one year to create.

Join Marianne on April 24th to learn how to start using Minecraft as a game design engine with your students.