Ever wonder what makes an educational game an effective learning tool? Curious about how developers integrate learning and gameplay? Want to know what teachers should look for when evaluating games?
This webinar will describe the process of creating Coaster Crafter: Build. Ride. Scream!, an interactive online game that teaches science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts by tasking the user to design a roller coaster. The presenters will give a behind-the-scenes look at how a game captures the player’s attention by creating progressively challenging but achievable goals and will give insights on how educational concepts are woven within the game’s storyline. Participants will learn how education is balanced with entertainment, how activities are structured to ensure learning takes place and how the educational content for the game narrative as well as educator classroom materials is created, vetted for accuracy and aligned to state/national standards to make using the game in the classroom as turnkey as possible. The presentation will also include an overview of current research studies supporting the use of online games for learning. Participants will also receive tips on what features to lo ok for in effective educational games and how to best use them in the classroom.
[Note - the time is listed in EST]
