Gaming

The // **BIG QUESTIONS** // to answer:
 * 1) What are the "affordances" and "constraints" of the technology? In other words, what does the technology allow us to do or prevent us from doing? The answers to this question might be "messy." This fundamental understanding is important to answer the next questions...
 * 2) What new skills do we need to teach students?
 * 3) What will I need to do differently in terms of how I teach in the classroom? How will teaching and learning look different?
 * 4) How does the technology help me to foster creativity, innovation and some of the other 21st century skills?
 * 5) What are some ways I can use this technology in my classroom?


 * Gaming**
 * Human Body Detectives
 * Best Online Learning Games
 * Game Star Mechanic
 * Jane McGonigal: Game Can Make A Better World
 * iCivics
 * 6 Sites for Educational Games
 * Game-based Learning
 * Learning by Playing - Games in the Classroom
 * Ayiti: The Cost of Life — learn and experience what living in poverty can be like
 * Darfur is Dying – Understanding the genocide in Darfur
 * Redistricting Game – learning about how congressional redistricting affects elections
 * Windfall – Learn about building clean energy effectively through a Sim-City type game
 * Action All Stars – This is a great game for all sports fanatics. You can create your very own athlete in this sports-based virtual world. From there, you can play a variety of sports games, go on missions, and participate in other fun activities. You can also find real-time sports information and other pro sports items that are used in real all star leagues!
 * Bin Weevils – Students can enter Tycoon Island where they will meet some crazy characters. In this virtual world, they will get a chance to have fun and play entertaining and engaging games that use real social and educational values. The avatars, or “weevils” are unique to each student. They can use them to socialize and interact with other weevils, build businesses and more. There is even a unique online safety system, which monitors kids’ online behavior, educates them on avoiding bad language, and taking precautions on the Internet.
 * Dino Kids – This flash based virtual playground stems around a fun dinosaur theme. Kids will love the fun characters and games and adults will love the safe and reliable website. Making friends and exploring has never been more fun. This cool site will ensure that online safety is taken into account along with fun.
 * DizzyWood – In this virtual world, kids can create their own characters and play free games, explore exciting areas and make new friends. Themed environments and challenging adventures allow children to help others and have fun while they are learning. By gaining super powers and exploring different areas, students will use their skills along with their imagination to have fun!
 * Death in Rome
 * [|"Going Deep"] an interview with Kurt Squire, Director of Games, Learning & Society Initiative @ Univ of WN about the role games play in education.
 * Thinking out of the (x)Box: Gaming to expand horizons in creative writing
 * 7 Ways Video Games Reward the Brain
 * Blog Posts on Gaming
 * Bookmarks on Game-based Learning
 * 7 Ways to Build Your Own Digital Games
 * Digital Play
 * [|Elementary Collection of Games] Livebinder collection of elementary games - sorted by discipline, created by Tracy Sevin
 * [|Evergreen Schools] thorough collection of curriculum materials for elementary and gaming list about halfway down the page
 * Getty Games - Art Games
 * Going On Safari - Games Based Learning in Action
 * Zondle