Kahoot

Though Kahoot isn't necessarily a "new" platform, it is one that improves all the time. Not only can we use it to quiz students, but now there are features like inserting slides and assigning challenges. This is a great replacement for PowerPoint! Here is one Kahoot challenge I use in COMP I when teaching students how to use quotes in their essays. Feel free to complete the challenge and leave feedback!

The Creative Remix Board Game

Writing essays, reports, and exams are good, but turning that essay/report/exam into a tangible, playable board game is GREAT! Back when I first started teaching I asked my students to creatively "remix" their social issue argumentative essays into a children's book. From there, students asked if they could do other things like making videos, writing/performing songs, and my favorite, creating board games! Their innovation did not disappoint! By my second semester, when everyone shared their chosen mode, we got to watch videos, hear songs, read books, AND test out the board games.

This idea isn't just about playing, but encourages students to critically think about the topic, then work out all the details for a successful game. Making a board game takes A LOT of work (I once did one after reading Joyce's Ulysses!) but in the end the students feel accomplished.

This same thing can be done with Minecraft...

Minecraft

One day my daughter came home and told me, "Mommy, I need to go on Minecraft to write my essay." My first response was, "Say what now!?" being quite certain she just wanted to play her favorite game. Sure enough, the assignment sheet required each student to log in, write parts of their essay on these "signposts" and then creatively display them in order around their map.

While that is one option, and I am certain there are several ways to use this game in learning, there is more! One of the possible ways to use Minecraft (for the comp teachers or teachers w/writing assignments), is to have them recreate the story IN the game.

College Scavenger Hunt

Another common "game" is the scavenger hunt. Many use this for the syllabus or getting to know a specific space on campus. I think it's great for learning the entire campus. I've also seen this done with a zombie apocalypse theme!

BINGO

One game I've incorporated into the classroom is BINGO! Because of the possibilities, creating BINGO is an option for lots of topics and subjects. In my class we play "Logical Fallacies Bingo" and it is ALWAYS a great time. You can generate a card at Logical-Fallacy-Bingo, then print it. In this game, you would have a decent set of examples for as many logical fallacies as possible. The students must respond by sharing which fallacy is being provided. If correct, whoever has that fallacy marks the spot. As the rules go, you decide what pattern decides a BINGO!

Escape Room

Escape Rooms seem to be all the rage these days?! I have yet to participate in one, but I've heard about them and have also seen teachers implement the game into their classes. This is something I hope to plan and try this year!