Goals for the Future

I thought about writing a year in review, but truly I don't need it.  Everything that we have done has been documented here.  There are, however, two things I want to share.

1. I am now, more than ever, convinced that using gaming to learn has such an untapped potential.   We need to explore this opportunity and use it to help students.

2. The kids love it!  They want more.  I have a large number of students who want to be involved in the design club next year and that is so exciting.

That said, I am proud to share that lbpclassroom will continue next school year.  Here are some of the goals I have moving forward as we head into year 2.

Making More Levels To Teach With: The excitement around having a game console out could not be denied.  The students this year were so excited to be playing in math, science, and reading.  This summer and into the fall I have three levels I want to get up and running.  One is based on using context clues to choose a correct vocabulary word.  The context is created by playing short platform sections in different environments. Another is a fun idea with branching paths.  Where students go is based on how quickly they can find a missing number in a given equation.  The last idea I will be working on is a race against the clock using LBPKarting, to sort different concepts.  Think matching ideas and Crazy Taxi (one of my personal favorite games of all time).  More on these later this summer.

Expand the Design Club: There are two things I really want to do.  One, I really want to push the creation of music in the game using the music sequencer.  I just know I have a few budding composers ready to shock the world.   The second thing is adding another system.  Not a PlayStation 3 though.  No, no.  One of these…

The addition of a Vita would provide students an opportunity to make touch based games.  It also saves me the trouble of finding another television to work on.  I think at this point it is safe to say we will use it...a lot.   If you would consider helping get a Vita for the club please click the link below, or the DonorsChoose.org link in the right hand corner of the site.

Help Us Get a Vita

Overhaul the Site: I would say that this experience has been amazing.  Going forward I will probably be shifting the format a bit to help find information even more easily.  I want to provide a road map for using LBP in the classroom so that other teachers and districts can see the benefits of this amazing tool.

I have other ideas, but for now I must keep them to myself.  Thank you all for your continued support.