Re: [G4C] Games for Change In Schools (grades 5-7)
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Winston Wolff
Apr 12, 2013, 2:26:36 PM4/12/13
to Jose Rodriguez, gamesfo...@googlegroups.com
Hi Jose-
Is the school every day or once a week for 6 weeks?. If it's once a week, that is not much time. Do you know what language you will teach? I've had great success with http://scratch.mit.edu for your age group. They get a lot more done because they don't have to worry about syntax.
As far as the topic of Games for Change, I used that in one of my courses and many of the kids really enjoyed the idea that their game was for a greater social purpose. Although some didn't care at all.
-Winston
On Apr 12, 2013, at 10:52 AM, Jose Rodriguez <jrvisu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I’m a long time advergame developer who has been interested in games a social outreach, commentary, and education for some time. I am also a student of Shambhala Buddhism and a meditation guide.
>
> Recently I was invited by a local technology and science magnate school to teach a 6 week after school program to their middle school students (grades 5-7). They know I make games and that this is something kids are interested in.
>
> Rather than teaching kids how to make advergames… my thinking was to have the kids develop a game which brings up a social or environmental issue that is meaningful to them. The game will be very simple in it’s execution… but my hope is to help the kids think of games in a different light… and maybe spark some future goodness.
>
> My question to you is whether you have any materials that might be helpful or supportive to me as I put together a lesson plan. Anything would be helpful.
>
> I look forward to your response.
>
> Cheerfully,
>
> - JR
>
>
>
> PS. Below is the slightly overzealous description that I'm working on. Any feedback is appreciated.
>
>
> Games for Change : An Afterschool Game Design Studio — Do you think that games can change the world? This program will engage students in the game design and development process of a "game for change." Using critical thinking and their artistic talents students will create an online game that will inspire and educate their peers about a social issue that is important to them. Professional game designer Jose R. Rodriguez will work with students to create a fully functional game that can be shared with friends and family.
>
> Students will work with the following skills:
>
> · Art and Design
>
> · Writing and Storytelling
>
> · Programming Games
>
> · Time and Project management
>
> · Teamwork
>
> Students will explore the following topics:
>
> · What is an important social issue that you think other kids your age should know about?
>
> · What kinds of creative things do you like to do or have interested in learning about? Graphics? Storytelling? Writing code?
>
> · What are some aspects of games that you enjoy? What makes a good game?
>
> · Do you think games are art?
>
> · How can games help people?
>
>
>
> The final product will be:
>
> · A working game that can be presented to friends and family.
>
> · A game that explores a social issue that students feel is important.
>
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Games for Change" group.
>
> To post to this group, send email to
> gamesfo...@googlegroups.com
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> gamesforchang...@googlegroups.com
>
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/gamesforchange?hl=en
>
> By opting into this Google Group, you are also opting into our bi-monthly newsletter which we will send to you via the e-mail address you are using for the Google Group.
>
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Games for Change" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to gamesforchang...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>
>
Is the school every day or once a week for 6 weeks?. If it's once a week, that is not much time. Do you know what language you will teach? I've had great success with http://scratch.mit.edu for your age group. They get a lot more done because they don't have to worry about syntax.
As far as the topic of Games for Change, I used that in one of my courses and many of the kids really enjoyed the idea that their game was for a greater social purpose. Although some didn't care at all.
-Winston
On Apr 12, 2013, at 10:52 AM, Jose Rodriguez <jrvisu...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> I’m a long time advergame developer who has been interested in games a social outreach, commentary, and education for some time. I am also a student of Shambhala Buddhism and a meditation guide.
>
> Recently I was invited by a local technology and science magnate school to teach a 6 week after school program to their middle school students (grades 5-7). They know I make games and that this is something kids are interested in.
>
> Rather than teaching kids how to make advergames… my thinking was to have the kids develop a game which brings up a social or environmental issue that is meaningful to them. The game will be very simple in it’s execution… but my hope is to help the kids think of games in a different light… and maybe spark some future goodness.
>
> My question to you is whether you have any materials that might be helpful or supportive to me as I put together a lesson plan. Anything would be helpful.
>
> I look forward to your response.
>
> Cheerfully,
>
> - JR
>
>
>
> PS. Below is the slightly overzealous description that I'm working on. Any feedback is appreciated.
>
>
> Games for Change : An Afterschool Game Design Studio — Do you think that games can change the world? This program will engage students in the game design and development process of a "game for change." Using critical thinking and their artistic talents students will create an online game that will inspire and educate their peers about a social issue that is important to them. Professional game designer Jose R. Rodriguez will work with students to create a fully functional game that can be shared with friends and family.
>
> Students will work with the following skills:
>
> · Art and Design
>
> · Writing and Storytelling
>
> · Programming Games
>
> · Time and Project management
>
> · Teamwork
>
> Students will explore the following topics:
>
> · What is an important social issue that you think other kids your age should know about?
>
> · What kinds of creative things do you like to do or have interested in learning about? Graphics? Storytelling? Writing code?
>
> · What are some aspects of games that you enjoy? What makes a good game?
>
> · Do you think games are art?
>
> · How can games help people?
>
>
>
> The final product will be:
>
> · A working game that can be presented to friends and family.
>
> · A game that explores a social issue that students feel is important.
>
>
>
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
> Groups "Games for Change" group.
>
> To post to this group, send email to
> gamesfo...@googlegroups.com
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> gamesforchang...@googlegroups.com
>
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/gamesforchange?hl=en
>
> By opting into this Google Group, you are also opting into our bi-monthly newsletter which we will send to you via the e-mail address you are using for the Google Group.
>
> ---
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Games for Change" group.
> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to gamesforchang...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>
>
Evonne Heyning
Apr 12, 2013, 2:35:51 PM4/12/13
to Jose Rodriguez, Games for Change
There are two decks of cards I would invest in to help your students prepare for paper prototyping and design:
Grow a Game: http://valuesatplay.org/game-tools
Art of Game Design: http://artofgamedesign.com/cards/
Along with this site:Grow a Game: http://valuesatplay.org/game-tools
Art of Game Design: http://artofgamedesign.com/cards/
http://www.gamesforchange.org/toolkitflash/
http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/25/scvngr-game-mechanics/
Evonne Heyning @amoration
Find me 
Insight * Learning * Collaboration * Facilitation * Production
Evonne Heyning
Apr 12, 2013, 2:51:29 PM4/12/13
to Winston Wolff, Jose Rodriguez, Games for Change
You may also enjoy some of the other links at www.nonprofitgames.org to get started -
The slideshare that Josephine Dorado and I developed for SXSW2011 on Causebuilding Games is a good introduction to the field and shares many types of games for change from popular titles to niche sites.Evonne Heyning @amoration
Find me
Insight * Learning * Collaboration * Facilitation * Production
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