Games+as+a+catalyst+for+Learning

We need to know about the kids that we teach - engagement is essential!

Serious Games: http://www.seriousgames.org/

Computer Games, text, narratives and play. Not everyone is convinced that it works. Classification bylines are important as there is a lot of rubbish out there. For people that aren't engaging find a way and sometimes it's through people starting to play and get into different avenues. This medium provides an opportunity for those who engae in this media outside of school.

__Oddworld Games Series - Forum (can check on wikipedia)__ - Narrative background. Endangered species. Enviromental issuses covered. Economics. Teamwork. Native inspiration: [|http://www.bioneers.org] Responsive to emotions and disabilitie. Pro-social - co-operation. Communication - gamespeak and non verbal Player Agency within a closed-system The game can be played and put on the shelf, but the ideas are continued in everyday life. The game is a mystery. Secrets won't all be revealed, something left for the players to produce" comment by fan __What are they doing in this game:__ Archive & Encyclopedia Fan Art Episodic (series writers, different authors writing elements) & short stories Interactive Games Literacies & skills
 * Abe's oddysee
 * Abe's Exoddus
 * Munch's Oddysee
 * Oddworld: Strangers Wrath
 * __Social Learning Theory__**
 * Personal Agency (Individual playing and viewing)
 * Proxy Agency (media literacy and collective IQ)
 * Collective Agency (community of practice)

[|www.gamics.com] or [|www.gamics.co.nz] ? These can help develop understanding of narrative and visual elements of games. Don't have to create from scratch, can use template eg for graphic novels.

Machinima - animated flim malking within a real-time virtual 3D environment.. (Paul Marino 2001). [|www.machinama.com] You can make the film in this template, design the set, capture material and so on. International game making competitions.

Possibly too advanced for our level of learners.