5389: Alternate PL- Call to Action

Game Design Innovation Project: Blended Learning through Neurogaming

The Why - Backstory and Relevance 

As a game design teacher, I'm always looking for ways to make learning more engaging and relevant for my students. Traditional instructional methods often struggle to capture their attention and passion. That's why I've developed an innovative plan to blend game design with biology and English through a "neurogaming" project.

My inspiration came from research showing the powerful impact of games on neuroplasticity and developing a growth mindset. By having students create educational games about these concepts, they'll not only learn the material deeply but also experience firsthand how games can shape our brains and beliefs.

The prevalence of digital technologies makes this project highly relevant to students' lives. They'll gain vital 21st century skills like collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and technological literacy. And by making learning active and social through game development, we tap into the very neural processes that enhance learning itself.

The What - The Neurogaming Project 

In this blended learning experience, students from game design, biology, and English classes will form interdisciplinary teams. Their mission is to develop an educational game that teaches players about neuroplasticity (how our brain rewires itself based on experiences) and the growth mindset (the belief that abilities can be developed through effort).

The biology students will provide expertise on brain anatomy, function, and neurological processes. The English students will craft an engaging narrative and ensure clear communication of key concepts. And the game designers will bring it all together through imaginative gameplay mechanics, level design, art, and programming.

Throughout the process, the groups will playtest their games repeatedly, applying an iterative design cycle based on user feedback. The culminating games will be shared with the entire school community during a neurogaming exhibition and could potentially be made available more broadly online.

The How - Professional Learning through Passion Projects

To prepare for this ambitious undertaking, the three teaching teams will undergo comprehensive professional development following the "Professional Learning that Works" model. We'll kick off with a three-day summer intensive, immersing ourselves in project-based learning, design thinking, game pedagogy, and the relevant science content.

Following that, we'll continue meeting biweekly throughout the year, using structured accountability practices to track our progress. Within each discipline, teachers will lead workshops sharing their expertise, whether it's on storytelling, coding, biology topics, or innovative game design techniques.

We'll actively explore tools and technologies through hands-on creation, frequently playtesting games from past students and indie developers. By taking an experiential, passion-driven approach to our professional learning, we'll not only build essential skills but also experience the kind of engaged, meaningful instruction we aim to provide our students.

Most crucially, our collaboration will be truly interdisciplinary. We'll co-design curriculum integrating our subjects' core concepts, standards, and practices. We'll peer-observe each other's classes, reflecting on how to make connections across domains. And we'll support each other in this uncharted territory through constant feedback, brainstorming, and creative crosspollination.

In the end, we won't just be teaching in parallel but blending our disciplines into a rich tapestry. Our students will experience the kind of holistic, passion-driven education that truly empowers them as learners and creators in the 21st century. And by cultivating skills like growth mindset, maybe they'll keep rewiring their own brains for a lifetime of possibility.