Getting I.T. Right @ CeVMS!: Gaming in 7th grade ELA

Ms. Dugan's and Ms. Costa's 7th Grade ELA classes visited the computer labs to complete their how-to assignments. While here, students were instructed to create an educational game for one of their core subject areas. They had to research to find questions that were appropriate to the subject area, different game techniques, and board designs. Then, as a team, they had to design an electronic instruction sheet for their newly created game using Prezi, PowerPoint, ReadWriteThink's Printing Press, or Smore. The real test of their skills as game designers and technical writers came as the groups rotated through the each others' games and used the electronic versions of the instruction sheet to learn how to play the game. If the instructions for the game were well-written, the teams then had time to learn a little in each of the content areas.

Insider's tip: The teachers had students turn in their electronic products using a digital drop box like the one seen here. This makes it really easy for the teacher to capture all of the project URLs in one location--it's even sort-able!

Check out their process below:

Researching the time period to create the game in a subject area

Designing the Instructions using Prezi

Designing the online instructions with Smore

Finalizing the instructions for the game Waropoly

Playing the game using the provided instructions

Playing the game in class--Look at those props for the game Word Nerds!

A finished instructions product using ReadWriteThink's Printing Press

Referencing the printed version of the instructions to play the game during class.