Game Designing as a Way of Learning

 [Best practice]

This workshop is designed for teachers to acquire knowledge and experience on how to create informal pupil-to-pupil learning environment for various topics for students from the age of 12 (in e.g. Math, English and Science) and how to incorporate analytical thinking and problem solving using simple game designing. At this workshop we use the design program “Scratch”. The workshop is a practical workshop based on the main thoughts from Wenger’s and Lave’s theory about situated learning and informal learning environment. The workshop will start with a short introduction on the didactic thoughts behind this form of education, followed by practical game design in “Scratch”.

Place: Session B – 15:30 at INCUBA 129. Participants should bring their own computer and headset. Participants will need to access Scratch (it will not run on iPads).

Introduction and Background
The expectations to students of today, to be able to solve problems analytically are rapidly increasing. The teachers have to be able to use IT as a tool in their teaching. This workshop will include basic didactic information on how to create an informal learning environment using IT. Many teachers feel overwhelmed by the seeming complexity in simple game programming. This workshop is designed for teachers to acquire concrete tools for teaching students to become game designers, while using analytical problem solving in an informal learning environment.

Experiences so Far
Using software design as a learning tool establishes a learning environment that supports pupil-to-pupil learning. We have learned that they slowly develop an analytical approach to problem solving which they can use in other topics. Not only are the children learning about coding, but also how to approach complex problems, among other school related skills.

About the Workshop
This workshop invites teachers who wants to incorporate analytical thinking and problem solving in their daily practice using software development as a platform for informal learning environments in Maths and Science.

Topics covered will include the didactic thoughts behind this form of education:

  • Informal learning environment
  • Situated learning
  • Simple game design in Scratch
  • Simple programming

At the end of the workshop participants can expect to have knowledge about how to use simple game design programs for educational purposes.

About the Workshop Facilitators
Eva Rex Penthien Bæhrenz is a science teacher at the Public School in Kjellerup. She is currently working on a Master’s degree at Aarhus University in “Information Technology and Learning environments” (In Danish: Cand. Pæd. i IT didaktisk design). Eva holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and has a technical practical background from working with computers in the ‘90’s

Pia Winter is a science teacher at the Public School in Kjellerup. Pia holds a bachelor’s degree in teaching and has 12 years of practical experience teaching IT at The IT-School (EDB-Højskolen) in Hjørring. She was CEO and owner of HH-Setup for 10 years (working with AD (Art Directing)). Since 2001 she has worked with science, math, biology, physics and chemistry at Kjellerup School.

Eva and Pia are working on establishing a Science and IT based learning environment that supports pupil-to-pupil learning – at the present for pupils at 6. and 7. grade.

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