Edgamer

Don’t be upset with the title Sid.  I don’t think Civ World was meant for gamers like me.  EdGamer 19 discusses Sid Meier’s new creation Civ World, which is hosted on Facebook.  Lucas Gillispie (guest appearance #3) and I discuss Civ World, ISTE, World of Warcraft, and current gaming news. What new Xbox Live Arcade game should I buy?  What upcoming MMO could replace WoW in the classroom?  EdGamer 19…listen you must!   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Subscribe to The EdReach Podcasts on iTunes Subscribe to the EdReach Podcast Feed The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki.… Read the rest

Welcome to EdGamer Episode 18! As we creep closer and closer to our 20th episode we dive deeper into the world of mass gaming. Our topics of interest this week include a look at just how fast gaming is growing through social media, the way social media is corrupting the image of gaming, and how businesses are using gaming as educational tools. We also check out a great site for students where they can keep themselves busy and refresh some skills during the summer months.… Read the rest

Welcome to EdGamer episode 17! This week we get judicial as we discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the California law that banned sales of violent video games to children. We also touch on another board game and discuss teen virtual worlds. This episode is chock full of random video game and education talk as we discuss all the topics that have been nagging on our brains lately. Tune in and don’t miss a minute of another great episode of EdGamer!… Read the rest

EdGamer will not be heard in its entirety.  Half of EdGamer 16 has disapparated (Harry Potter terminology) into the unknown.  The show will end a little after the 35 minute mark.  Gerry and I had a few issues with Skype and all seemed well with our recording until I went to edit the show.  Our last Skype hiccup stopped my recording even though the recording program still showed that all operations were normal.  I will call this  lesson learned.  … Read the rest

What does “Will U Wii U” mean? Check out EdGamer Episode 14 for some serious game talk and some seriously goofy phrases. This week we look at Wii U and dual screen gaming on the iPad as new gaming platforms that blur the lines between home and mobile entertainment. Then we spend some time discussing the iOS Game Center and finish up with a killer review of the E3 conference held in Vegas this week. Will U Wii U?… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer Episode 14, we discuss the potential uses of Facebook in the classroom. From utilizing the gaming features the addictive communicative qualities; the possibilities of using Facebook in the educational setting are as endless as one’s creativity. However, every great idea comes with its fair share of pitfalls. In this podcast, we talk about the positives (i.e. mobile education) and the negatives (i.e. inappropriate use) of introducing Facebook in your classroom. Join us for this interesting look at educational uses for the most popular social networking site in history.… Read the rest

Do you have trouble getting access to technology, within your school, for gaming? Board games offer a simple and nice alternative for gaming in the classroom. Gerry and I discuss our childhood board gaming experiences, which includes Candy Land and Axis and Allies. We explain why board games should be part of your classroom resources and how they can lead to learning. Listen to the Boardwalk of educational gaming podcasts! Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributors: Gerry James Subscribe to The EdReach Podcasts on iTunes Subscribe to the EdReach Podcast Feed The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki.… Read the rest

We brought back episode 7 guest Lucas Gillispie.  He is our resident expert on the use of World of Warcraft within the classroom.  Lucas discusses his curriculum and the use of machinima.  Machinima is the use of real-time video graphics (from games) and creating a cinematic production.  Lucas is finalizing a full year curriculum based on WoW and he has connected these lessons to the common core standards.  We also discussed 3D GameLab, new games, and upcoming games, which should be helpful for those who are searching for some fun.… Read the rest

  This week I interviewed Chris Haskell from Boise State University. They not only have a great football team, with a colorful field, but they have an excellent Educational Technology program. Chris Haskell and Lisa Dawley have designed an online educational software platform that could transform content and delivery for years to come. Learn about 3D GameLab, from EdGamer, before you hear it from your peers.   About Chris: With experience as a Music Educator and an M.S.… Read the rest

  To show my authentic excitement for this interview, I have left an error in the audio concerning the numbering of this podcast.  This is Episode 10 and not 11 as stated in the beginning of the recording. Enjoy!   We have a very special interview this week on EdGamer to celebrate our 10th episode together! And what better way to celebrate than with a GEEnius? That’s right, the guru of gaming and learning, James Paul Gee of Arizona State University joins us to give us his take on gaming, learning, and education as a whole!… Read the rest

  In episode 9 of EdGamer we go in-depth on what we feel could be one of the most important game releases in a long time for video games and education…Portal 2! This game is being well received by the gaming community and takes a step up from its predecessor (Portal) by introducing coop gaming. Listen in as we discuss Portal 2’s possible impact in the classroom. Do not miss EdGamer Episode 9! Links: Plot information for Portal Portal as required reading at a college Funny article about Students that are Portal 2 Addicts Portal on Wikipedia Portal 2 on Wikipedia Youtube Game Reviews and Previews: Portal 2 Coop Trailer Portal 2 Video Preview E3 Portal 2 Hands On Demo   Co-host- Gerry James   … Read the rest

Guests, guests and more guests! Episode 8 finds EdGamer interviewing notable intellectual Sylvia Martinez about her her personal history with gaming and education. Sylvia is the President of Generation YES. GenYES is an innovative program that creates 21st century leaders and learners. GenYES students help teachers use technology in classrooms, supporting effective technology integration school-wide. (from genyes.org) We have had some fantastic guests so far, however Sylvia gives us a unique vantage point due to her extensive history with gaming in the private sector.… Read the rest

Alternate title that was not used- Kids Know What Real Games Are   We’ve done it again! For the second straight week we have a fascinating guest on EdGamer. This week’s episode (Episode 7) finds us chatting with Lucas Gillispie, an Instructional Technology Coordinator for Pender County Schools in southeastern North Carolina. Lucas has a history with gaming and education that eclipses 99 percent of the field. A little about Lucas (from his site http://edurealms.com/) – His current projects include the WoWinSchool Project, a collaborative effort to explore the impact of using World of Warcraft in both an after-school program and as part of the regular instructional program, Minecraft in School, which seeks to explore the use of Minecraft in with elementary learners, and iPod Games for Learning, a program that uses the iPad and iPod Touch as platforms for game-based learning.  … Read the rest

You wanted more…you got it! Last week we on EdGamer we discussed a teacher from NYC who was using the game Minecraft in his elementary school classes. In this episode of EdGamer we are happy to introduce our first guest…the “Minecraft Teachr” himself…Joel Levin from Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School in NYC. Listen in as Joel joins us and talks about his experiences with Minecraft, the benefits of gaming in education, and how to go about using Minecraft in YOUR classroom.… Read the rest

On Episode #5 of EdGamer we discuss three websites that caught our attention this week. We take a look at the new release of Sims Medieval from EA games and debate the possible educational uses for the program. Then we take some time to discuss a teacher from New York who is currently using the game Minecraft to help educate his elementary students. Finally we introduce and discuss an illustrated video to the sound clip of a presentation from Sir Ken Robinson.… Read the rest

On Episode #4 of EdGamer we discuss the games our students are playing outside of our classrooms. Few teachers, or parents for that matter, have a solid idea of the types of games their children are playing. We take some time to look at the different types of games students are playing as well as discuss some informal research we did with our students about their gaming habits. Listen to this episode to hear more about the diversity between male and female student gamers, the different platforms for games, as well as the possibility of integrating these games into our classrooms.… Read the rest

To Whom it May Concern: I am looking for an easy gaming platform to use in my classroom.  I would like it handle single, coop, and multiplayer versions of educational games.  I would like it to connect my classroom and other classrooms so interactions can take place between students.  As a Steam user, my thoughts came quickly to your platform and how easy it is to connect to other players.  I have been using games to educate for many years. … Read the rest

On the second episode of the Ed Gamer podcast, we take some time to review the ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) we recently attended in St. Charles, IL. A lot of ground has been made in the world of gaming and education, but there is still much to do. During this podcast we examine the difference between virtual learning environments (such as World of Warcraft and SecondLife) and simple outcome games (ie. Tetris…there has to be a better example).… Read the rest

“The Games That We Play” There are many games that Gerry and I use in the classroom.  We have picked six games that we currently use and we will explain why we use them. Zack’s Pick- BBC Interactive Games Mummy Maker Pyramid Challenge Gerry’s Pick- Classic classroom games: The Great Debate Involves Role Play Students can be forced to see multiple perspectives on one issue Includes current events Zack’s Pick- Word on the Street by Out of the Box Games On each turn, one team flips over a category card.… Read the rest