ADA Transcript
Tech Chat!
Gamification for Learning
January 18, 2017

Welcome to Tech Chat!

Today’s topic is Gamification for Learning. Our presenters are Shawn Young from ClassCraft and Bradley Smrstick from Hillsborough County Schools. Before we begin with the presentations, let’s review our schedule for today along with a few instructions for participating in today’s webinar.

Review of Today’s Agenda

2:00-2:05 – Opening Remarks
2:05-2:25 – Presentation from Shawn Young
2:25-2:35 – Q & A with Shawn Young
2:35-2:45 – Presentation from Bradley Smrstick
2:45-2:55 – Q & A with Bradley Smrstick
2:55-3:00 – Closing Announcements

Poll Questions for the Audience:
 1. What is your experience level with gamification for learning?
	-  I know very little, but I want to know more.
	-  I (or my teachers) have used games on a limited basis.
	-  I (or my teachers) use games quite frequently.
	-  I am a total gamification guru!

Result: Many people want to know more about gamification.

2. What purpose do you or your teachers use games for the most?
	-  none – don’t use them
	-  review concepts from classroom instruction
	-  formative and/or summative assessment
	-  project-based learning
	- free time or open center time

Result: Most replied that games are used most to review concepts from classroom instruction.

Introduction of Shawn Young from Classcraft.

Our first presenter is Shawn Young, CEO and co-founder of Classcraft, a platform that helps teachers manage, motivate and engage their students by transforming their classroom into a role-playing game. The platform has been used in over 20,000 schools in the U.S. alone. Shawn is interested in how we can create community in the classroom and how games can make learning fun and interactive. Shaun has a unique perspective on this topic. Not only did he teach physics for 9 years, but he also has a background in web-development. Without further delay, I introduce Shawn Young.

Presenter #1 – Shawn Young
•	I was a physics teacher and I developed Classcraft as a classroom management tool.
•	We all can use games to redefine the learning experience.
•	The Classcraft platform re-imagines learning as a collaborative game. It has been used by over 2 million teachers, students, and parents in 20,000 plus classes.
•	Most problems in school exist because students are unhappy:
-  bullying and violence
-  disengagement
-  poor academic performance
-  low attendance
•	Games can fundamentally transform the school experience. Educators typically act on external motivation; however, internal motivation is much more powerful. Games act as powerful internalizes of motivation.
•	Good gaming experiences in general are made up of certain building blocks:
-  autonomy
-  competency
-  discovery
-  storytelling
-  feedback
-  surprise
-  social relationships
•	The needs fulfilled by these games are also key motivators in education:
-  autonomy/controllability
-  competency/competency
-  relationships/meaning
•	With Classcraft, students are motivated by the same factors as when they are playing games on their own. 

Q & A with Shawn Young

Question #1: There is often a generational clash concerning the role that games should play in education. Some of the “old guard” say that the games are a distraction, and the kids don’t pay attention. Others welcome them and see their value in instruction. How do you respond to those who aren’t on board with using gaming in the classroom?

Response #1: There is compelling research that shows gaming to be effective in the classroom. Motivation and engagement are extremely important. When I first started this project, I had to explain to people that video games are cool and that they should use them. That’s not happening anymore. When you look at the demographics, 60% of Americans are playing videogames several times a week. Parents are also playing games with their kids multiple times a week. The average age of a video gamer is actually 35 years old. The landscape of gaming has changed. People are not just playing XBOX anymore. 

Question #2 (from Amber Jones): Is your product something you would use every day or as needed?

Response #2: The reality is once you start it, you don’t really have a choice not to use it every day because the kids want points. They’re really willing to do anything for points. They want to level up their character. They want to get points for helping each other out. It helps a lot with rigor. Because consequences are pre-set in the game, they are the same each time which allows it to be fairer.

Introduction of Bradley Smrstick

Now we will hear from Bradley Smrstick. Bradley is the Senior Analyst for Information & Technology/Infrastructure and Architecture for Hillsborough County Schools. Today, he is going to tell us more about the Microsoft Certified Educator Program, Computer Coding with Games and Apps and the Minecraft Education Edition.

Presenter #2 – Bradley Smrstick

•	Today’s topics:
-  CCGA Content: OneNote Notebook
-  Touchdevelop website
-  Touchdevelop Sway
-  Tour of the MIE site

•	Today will be talking about the other side of gaming…giving students the opportunity to create their own games using apps. 
•	I will be using the Touch Develop website to demonstrate the process of coding. Touch Develop is a free, web-based program that allows users to learn to code and track their progress. It can be used in any environment and on any device.
•	Students work through different levels of coding as they progress through the units.
•	Teachers who need support can take the CCGA training. As a part of this training, they will receive access to the OneNote CCGA Educator notebook containing a wealth of resources about teaching coding. The notebook is divided into units which can be freely arranged to meet the needs of the class.
•	Teachers who want to know how to do this in their classrooms can join the Microsoft Educator Network for free and choose courses to take. Those who want to go even further can go to the Microsoft Virtual Academy and take online coursework.

Q & A with Bradley Smrstick

Question #1: In Hillsborough County, how are you using coding to address the academic standards?

Response #1: We don’t have specific plans because it’s too soon. We are big proponents of using coding to meet the standards. But there are many ways to apply coding. One example might be a geometry teacher who is teaching students about the different types of triangles. Students can modify the turtle program to draw the appropriate triangles using code to demonstrate their knowledge. Language arts teachers can identify the terms in coding such as objects, operators, and variables and relate them to elements of language such as nouns. They can connect the language of coding with written and spoken language.

Question #2 (from Katie Schunk): Do you recommend these resources to be used to teach the core curriculum or for a separate subject?

Response #2: Either is a good solution. I encourage teachers to try to do as much as they are comfortable with. Teachers with more experience will find it easier to incorporate coding into other content. Less experienced teachers might use the lessons as extra activities. 

Thanks to Shawn and Bradley for your presentations.

Closing Announcements

•	We will send out a recording of this webinar ASAP.
•	You will receive a link to a short survey about today’s webinar. We want your feedback!
•	Come visit us at FETC on Thursday, January 26th, from 10:00-11:00 for our Meet and Greet in Room N321.

Thank you for joining us!!!!