Teachers Teaching Teachers #244 Juan Rubio and David Gagnon on Geo-locative Gaming, the ARIS Project. Also: Why Games? 4.20.11

We talked about games and new literacies on this episode of Teachers Teaching Teachers.

Juan Rubio from Global Kids’ Online Leadership Program joined us to talk about a project he is doing with students after school in the NYC Public Libraries to develop "a geo location based game using mobile technology to explore local history and global issues with middle school students from the Bronx.”

Also David Gagnon, who had finished an ARIS Global Game Jam, joined us. David is an instructional designer with the ENGAGE program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison where he consults with faculty about innovative teaching practices that leverage emerging media and an active member of the Games, Learning and Society Research community where he directs the mobile learning team and ARIS Project

It was inspiring! We hope enjoy the conversation.

Click Read more to see a copy of the chat that was happening during the webcast.

20:27:06 Paul Allison: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioj and http://davidgagnon.wordpress.com/who-is-david-gagnon joining us in 30 min.
20:44:44 Paul Allison: http://paulallison.tumblr.com/post/4765033464/whats-new-with-gaming-wedn...
20:44:54 Paul Allison: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioj
20:45:05 Paul Allison: http://davidgagnon.wordpress.com/who-is-david-gagnon/
20:46:28 Paul Allison: http://arisgames.org/global-game-jam-2011
20:46:44 Paul Allison: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/video-games-learning-student-engagement-jud...
20:58:11 Paul Allison: Hi Nicole
20:58:32 SusanEttenheim: Hi Nicole welcome
20:58:40 Juan Rubio: hello
20:59:26 NicoleLaRochelle: Hello!  I'm just more or less here to observe as a part of a college class. :)
20:59:37 Juan Rubio: Welcome
20:59:44 SusanEttenheim: can you hear us?
20:59:53 Juan Rubio: What school are you from
21:00:08 NicoleLaRochelle: Can't hear.  I work for a K12 online school.
21:00:18 NicoleLaRochelle: I attend Wilkes University. :)
21:00:22 SusanEttenheim: ok let's fix that so you can hear!
21:00:35 SusanEttenheim: hi peggy welcome!
21:00:43 SusanEttenheim: nicole - click on edtechtalk A
21:00:54 SusanEttenheim: do you see it?
21:01:18 PeggyG: Hi there! audio is coming through great on itunes
21:01:29 NicoleLaRochelle: I see three links under it...
21:01:34 SusanEttenheim: great thanks peggy
21:01:58 SusanEttenheim: yes nicole click edtechtalk A
21:02:26 NicoleLaRochelle: I am all set now! Thanks. 
21:02:40 PeggyG: that was an interesting statement :-) ours is messier but tends to work...
21:02:52 SusanEttenheim: hi carol!
21:02:58 PeggyG: Hi Carolyn!
21:03:00 SusanEttenheim: Hi janelle welcome!
21:03:04 David J Gagnon: hello everyone!
21:03:20 PeggyG: great to be here with all of you tonight!
21:03:29 [email protected]: Hi, everybody!
21:03:32 PeggyG: drag URLs into the chat :-)
21:03:37 cstanley: Hey! I'm at a Residence Inn in MA-heading back to CT tomorrow.
21:03:41 SusanEttenheim: janelle can you hear ok?
21:03:41 PeggyG: you can't copy/paste things in the chat
21:03:54 PeggyG: what fun Carolyn!!
21:03:54 SusanEttenheim: ohh I hope you're there for fun!
21:04:09 PeggyG: float the dock :-) what power!!
21:04:09 [email protected]: nope sorry
21:04:40 PeggyG: http://64.34.251.15:8002/  try this link janelle and click on listen in the top menu
21:04:59 SusanEttenheim: thanks peggy!
21:05:08 SusanEttenheim: nicole can you hear ok?
21:05:20 cstanley: We were up to Maine to visit Adrian's aunt - who took care of his mom for all those years. Hubby wanted to stop at Mass State Archives, so we decided to stay over night. Great Apple store across street from hotel. What is topic tonight?
21:05:36 PeggyG: the two icons with blue borders--float and dock
21:05:54 SusanEttenheim: we're going to talk more about gaming tonight
21:05:59 PeggyG: that sounds exciting Carolyn!
21:06:10 SusanEttenheim: yes - fun trip!
21:06:13 PeggyG: did you buy anything at the Apple store or just drool???
21:06:15 SusanEttenheim: how was Maine?
21:06:18 NicoleLaRochelle: I can hear fine. :)
21:06:23 SusanEttenheim: good nicole!
21:06:37 SusanEttenheim: please feel free to jump in with comments and questions!
21:06:49 cstanley: My school provided me with an iPad2 -first perk in years-but oh, so cool!
21:06:49 NicoleLaRochelle: will do
21:07:00 PeggyG: http://paulallison.tumblr.com/
21:07:12 SusanEttenheim: wow an iPad 2!!! how did you manage that?
21:07:15 PeggyG: oh how wonderful!!! I would love an iPad2!!!
21:07:47 cstanley: Peggy - it's not really gaming, in the conventional sense, but those guests you had talking about the PBS American Revolution game experience sounds exciting - a game I could actually get into.
21:07:52 PeggyG: http://davidgagnon.wordpress.com/who-is-david-gagnon/
21:08:12 Paul Allison: http://davidgagnon.wordpress.com/who-is-david-gagnon/
21:08:29 [email protected]: ok still didn't work boo
21:08:33 PeggyG: http://arisgames.org/global-game-jam-2011/
21:08:43 SusanEttenheim: don't worry janelle - we'll get it working!
21:08:48 SusanEttenheim: click on edtechtalk A
21:09:02 PeggyG: can you check your sound preferences on your computer and make sure the volume isn't turned down or muted?
21:09:07 SusanEttenheim: peggy - could you pop that url in again please?
21:09:19 PeggyG: http://arisgames.org/global-game-jam-2011/
21:09:31 SusanEttenheim: welcome back janelle
21:09:43 cstanley: I got started in all this online PD when listening to Bob Sprankle's podcasts with his elementary school kids- he's gone so far beyond that, too.
21:10:12 PeggyG: Bob's heart is always with his kids :-) they were some of my first podcasts too!
21:10:18 SusanEttenheim: mine too!
21:10:32 SusanEttenheim: carolyn what did they give it to you "for" ?
21:10:55 PeggyG: http://olpglobalkids.org/  Global Kids' Online Leadership Program
21:11:54 SusanEttenheim: hi lmoorman - welcome!
21:11:56 Paul Allison: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioj
21:12:00 PeggyG: http://olpglobalkids.org/
21:12:19 SusanEttenheim: wow peggy - you're hired! :)
21:12:58 PeggyG: http://www.olpglobalkids.org/gaming/
21:13:11 PeggyG: I'm retired :-)
21:13:21 cstanley: Several of us teaches are a test group to see if we think it's worth investing in more for our students - really just exploring. We will have 30 available for students, but it won't be like a COW (computers on wheels). Students will be selected and have ownership - probably a select group of special needs students to start.
21:14:10 PeggyG: that's a great plan Carolyn!! Everyone I have talked to about mobile devices say that the kids must have ownership for their tools--no classroom sets that belong to everyone
21:14:46 SusanEttenheim: how interesting Carolyn - we have 80 but for now we're using them like COWS and laptops
21:14:48 PeggyG: I want to be a fly on the wall for their meeting!!! :-)
21:15:11 cstanley: @Susan - you did the Scratch conference - have you continued to explore and create with it? I have made a few projects, but when I leave it for awhile, I forget what I learned.
21:15:11 SusanEttenheim: But carolyn - what about the students who don't have them?
21:15:25 SusanEttenheim: hi sroseman - welcome!
21:15:40 sroseman: thanks for the welcome
21:15:48 SusanEttenheim: yes - very involved with Scratch now
21:15:49 PeggyG: Hi Sue
21:16:00 SusanEttenheim: Juan, who is talking is working with my class too
21:16:26 PeggyG: There is a great Scratch webinar coming up soon with Mike Gorman--he announced it this afternoon on the ISTE webinar about STEM/STEAM
21:16:33 SusanEttenheim: could everyone do a quick introduction again - where and what do you teach?
21:16:50 SusanEttenheim: ahh great peggy! we're using it for animation
21:17:06 cstanley: @Susan - I would love to know what benefits you've found in using them that way. A teacher in our other middle school who goes by iPodsibilities really feels that there has to be individual ownership and responsibility for them to really work to full potential for the students.
21:17:09 NicoleLaRochelle: K12 Online School in Arizona - Administrator
21:17:48 SusanEttenheim: nicole - that's so interesting! Are you associated with an in place school?
21:17:49 PeggyG: yes!!! Meg Wilson from iPodsibilities is one of the people I heard at the Mobile Learning Conference who strongly recommended individual student ownership of the devices
21:18:17 SusanEttenheim: I sooo  agree - but what do you do about the other students.. in a high school?
21:18:20 PeggyG: I'm a retired elementary principal and university pre-service instructor in AZ
21:18:24 NicoleLaRochelle: susan - meaning like a traditional "physical" school?
21:18:29 SusanEttenheim: yes
21:18:33 NicoleLaRochelle: Not at all. 
21:18:42 NicoleLaRochelle: We are part of www.k12.com
21:18:55 cstanley: @Peggy - she's a mover and a shaker; I doubt I'd have my iPad without her advocacy. And now - I'd better tune into the conversation at hand.
21:18:57 sroseman: substitute teacher ..mainly K to 5, some French and esl as well in Ontario, Canada
21:19:02 PeggyG: http://arisgames.org/
21:19:29 PeggyG: that's so funny Carolyn!!
21:19:48 SusanEttenheim: Nicole and everyone else... are you using gaming in your classes?
21:19:51 PeggyG: http://arisgames.org/global-game-jam-2011/
21:19:53 SusanEttenheim: Have you seen ARIS?
21:20:16 SusanEttenheim: oh and I think it's already posted, but globalkids.org
21:20:19 NicoleLaRochelle: We use Study Island and there are game features... but I wouldn't call it "gaming"
21:20:29 PeggyG: I've been learning that there are differences in the kinds of games for learning
21:20:55 cstanley: Our math CMT tutor uses Study Island with his kids who need extra help, and they really like it.
21:20:57 PeggyG: we featured Mission U.S. from PBS on our Classroom 2.0 LIVE show last Sat. and they consider it an Adventure Game
21:21:16 PeggyG: I love the idea of modifying games :-) what fun!
21:21:34 cstanley: @Peggy -yes - Mission U.S. - that's what I was trying to remember. I intend to try that.
21:21:54 PeggyG: Urgent Evoke is a kind of game--what kind?
21:21:55 NicoleLaRochelle: It's a standards based test prep site.
21:21:55 cstanley: It's math skills but in a gaming interface.
21:22:09 PeggyG: augmented reality games...
21:22:13 NicoleLaRochelle: with test mode, printable materials and a game feature.
21:22:14 PeggyG: simulations...
21:23:20 SusanEttenheim: hi drthomasho welcome
21:23:28 SusanEttenheim: where and what do you teach?
21:23:52 PeggyG: this is a great Livebinder for Games in Education http://livebinders.com/play/play/5696
21:24:05 DrThomasHo: I'll be helping with http://s.hofamily.me/iconnectma
21:24:19 SusanEttenheim: welcome
21:24:42 NicoleLaRochelle: This has been interesting...and I'll bookmark it and check out another chat.  I have to run. Thanks.
21:24:50 PeggyG: http://www.adventureclassicgaming.com/index.php/site/features/588/ This was an interesting research study about adventures in games
21:24:57 PeggyG: Bye Nicole
21:25:20 PeggyG: that looks like an awesome project DrThomasHo :-)
21:25:37 cstanley: Discovery Education has lots of modules in their science curriculum which feature simulations.
21:27:24 SusanEttenheim: welcome janelle
21:27:29 SusanEttenheim: can you hear ok?
21:27:59 [email protected]: nope...just got a new mac, and I'm having some issues. I'm certain it's user error
21:28:23 SusanEttenheim: janelle - just click on edtechtalk A and it should open in iTunes probably
21:28:24 PeggyG: interesting term--designed experiences. I like that
21:29:32 David J Gagnon: thx
21:29:48 Paul Allison: Place-based education: http://edtechtalk.com/content/teachers-teaching-teachers-236-how-place-c...
21:30:02 PeggyG: that is such an important point!! we need to think about ways these new tools can make learning different and not just use them to do things the way we always have
21:30:16 SusanEttenheim: so true peggy!
21:30:18 David J Gagnon: if you like designed ex, check out "kurt squire"
21:30:59 PeggyG: http://website.education.wisc.edu/kdsquire/research.html I'm on it!  :-) Kurt Squire
21:31:27 PeggyG: thank you so much for that suggestion!
21:31:47 cstanley: That is where I see the real value of the iPad - a camera, a video camera, collaborative documents, email, - all tools available for collecting information in the community -with ease. Then students can take all the data back - share it-and put it together in some project (game) whatever form.
21:32:04 David J Gagnon: Specifically, "From Content to Context: Video Games as Designed Experiance"
21:32:10 SusanEttenheim: definitely carolyn!
21:32:11 PeggyG: to me learning through these kinds of gaming experiences is so much more engaging and interactive than something like a webquest
21:34:02 cstanley: I was just at the Massachusetts State Archives today - They have put together a wonderful museum with interactive resources
21:34:13 PeggyG: http://www.aera.net/publications/Default.aspx?menu_id=38&id=1992 His article is in this journal issue--Educational Researcher
21:34:19 SusanEttenheim: sarahjgagnon welcome
21:34:48 cstanley: Whw! That zoo game sounds interesting. Is it just in a physical space? or online?
21:34:51 PeggyG: no let us hear this conversation!!
21:34:57 PeggyG: don't talk offline :-)
21:35:29 SusanEttenheim: that's what we're all about - a public conversation :)
21:35:38 SusanEttenheim: hi msestep - welcome!
21:35:50 MsEstep: Hi :)
21:36:08 PeggyG: that's what I love about Urgent Evoke--students are real-world problem solvers
21:36:37 David J Gagnon: see "the greenbush game" from the local games lab
21:36:55 cstanley: I remember playing an old MAC game called Museum Madness - lots of scenarios where students had to solve problems in order to put the museum back to rights. It was terrific = learned about Egypt and scroll and writing in one module and the Wright Brothers and flight in another. It was really fun and educational.
21:37:34 PeggyG: competition and personal challenge???
21:39:05 PeggyG: http://www.regardingjohn.com/blog/ar-game-for-greenbush/
21:39:08 cstanley: I think I need to play some of these games to really understand what you are talking about. I am not a gamer - so I can't even envision creating one.
21:40:27 PeggyG: I agree with you cstanley! but I definitely see the power and potential of games in education!! we don't have to know how to create them to use them with students
21:40:47 PeggyG: what thought provoking questions!!
21:41:30 cstanley: @Peggy - I agree! However, I feel it's time I finally engage in some to understand the kids fascination.
21:41:39 PeggyG: they did something like that with a virtual scavenger hunt using QR codes at the Mobile Learning Conference
21:42:15 PeggyG: aha!! QR code in the library :-)
21:42:28 PeggyG: how exciting!!
21:42:42 David J Gagnon: cstanley: Check out arisgames.org/demo
21:42:48 [email protected]: really neat...way to get people back into libraries
21:43:14 SusanEttenheim: or teach Dewey Decimal system!
21:43:15 PeggyG: thanks for that link-I'll check it after the show
21:43:32 PeggyG: dewey decimal seems to be out of date now
21:44:18 SusanEttenheim: or just how to find something..
21:44:20 PeggyG: that's a great question about placing QR codes in books in the library
21:45:01 PeggyG: that's interesting! I haven't had any problems with the codes I have tried to scan
21:46:02 PeggyG: i-nigma is the app I'm using on my iphone and it works great!
21:46:08 cstanley: @David - thanks, just bookmarked it in my Google Doc
21:46:31 PeggyG: http://www.i-nigma.com/i-nigmahp.html
21:47:57 cstanley: @Susan - Evoke - yes -that is what I was going to ask - and Paul answered it.
21:48:03 PeggyG: JHane McGonigal's TED Talk video is on the Livebinder link I shared earlier
21:48:29 PeggyG: http://livebinders.com/play/play/5696
21:48:49 PeggyG: Games in Education resources in that Livebinder
21:49:20 PeggyG: http://www.urgentevoke.com/
21:49:31 PeggyG: http://blog.urgentevoke.net/
21:50:08 PeggyG: very good point about the purpose of the games
21:50:37 PeggyG: more than just getting to the finish line :-)
21:51:05 PeggyG: that sounds really interesting Paul
21:51:17 PeggyG: does your student have any of those videos online-would be fun to see
21:51:17 [email protected]: yes...there doesn't always have to be a winner
21:51:50 David J Gagnon: see constance steinkuehler re: fanstastic preactices that "surround" games that include scientific inquiry and identity change
21:51:52 cstanley: There is something about games - however don't totally dismiss games that help students with lower-level skills such as vocabulary - kids still like them, and they do help.
21:52:19 Paul Allison: @peggyg Youthvoices.net go to the gaming and social media channel
21:52:22 PeggyG: are your students in second life in HS?
21:52:23 David J Gagnon: cstanley: I agree
21:52:31 PeggyG: thanks Paul--I will
21:53:05 SusanEttenheim: we did a little but we didn't have the bandwidth for second life
21:53:17 PeggyG: found it Paul-will enjoy browsing through that!!
21:53:30 cstanley: The kids have to have some "knowledge" before they can progress to incorporating that knowledge intothe higher-level thinking such as creating games.
21:53:36 PeggyG: that is a huge problem Susan!! bandwidth! even when you're doing it alone at home
21:54:56 cstanley: @Susan - I never really had the time to find my way around in Second Life - I would have loved to have found my way to the art in the Sistine (sp?) Chapel.
21:55:45 cstanley: It's probably better to give that challenge to the kids - have them make the games. You provide the scaffolding.
21:55:45 David J Gagnon: for a lot of this, check out vimeo.com/nli/video
21:56:07 David J Gagnon: cstanley: yes!
21:56:29 PeggyG: I have an account on youthvoices but it isn't accepting my user name and password. Do I have to create a new account? The site has changed a lot since I signed up
21:57:08 SusanEttenheim: It is just in the process of being relaunched now! :)
21:57:22 PeggyG: do I have to create a new account?
21:57:31 cstanley: The question is - is the garden game really compelling?
21:57:40 PeggyG: great question cstanley!
21:57:46 cstanley: Does it really lend itself to a game? or not/
21:57:52 sarahjgagnon: gardens in schools are super hip right now
21:58:53 sarahjgagnon: garden game context: post apocalyptic... always works.
21:59:02 cstanley: Maybe - the whole garden idea would lend itself much better to the kids creating a compelling documentary on how the garden is making a difference in people's lives and in the life of the community. (Seedfolks novel was really good )
21:59:29 Paul Allison: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/video-games-learning-student-engagement-jud...
21:59:31 PeggyG: yes!! super idea!!! the stories around the people's lives bring the game to life
22:00:49 cstanley: @Peggy - yes - nice twist - not the garden but the characters and how they interact and affect on another's lives.
22:00:51 David J Gagnon: everyone should check out glsconference.org if you are into games and learning!
22:02:35 cstanley: The iPad without wireless - really not alive.
22:02:43 SusanEttenheim: yup
22:02:45 PeggyG: you are such a bundle of information David!! Thank you!
22:02:47 SusanEttenheim: agreed
22:03:25 cstanley: It's that ability to have the world literally at your fingertips that make engagement with learning via the iPad so amazing.
22:04:29 PeggyG: that's what I was hearing on the Global Education webinar today with iEARN
22:04:33 cstanley: I am out in the lobby at the hotel because I could not get the wireless to work in my room - very frustrating.
22:04:43 PeggyG: there were people in the session from around the world--about 100+ participants
22:04:43 [email protected]: yes, broadband for everyone...just heard about this on npr and how this is what is driving the economy and boosting companies like intel
22:05:04 cstanley: @Peggy - I am so upset I missed that - we were on the road.
22:05:06 PeggyG: that's being resourceful cstanley!!
22:05:21 PeggyG: it was recorded and may already be posted on LearnCentral
22:05:40 cstanley: Yes, I got an email from Steve that it is.
22:06:25 PeggyG: I love this point!!! why are we so afraid of students using mobile devices to learn!!! before long it may be the main way they choose to learn :-)
22:07:04 cstanley: @Peggy - I have downloaded a number of Classroom 2.0 webinar recordings of shows I missed, and at least I can access them when I cannot connect to a network on my iPad. I'm on my laptop right now with my iPad right beside me. My hubby is across the table on his netbook. So funny!
22:07:24 PeggyG: http://virtality.net/
22:07:36 PeggyG: love it!!!
22:07:39 cstanley: @David - thank for the link. I'll check it out soon.
22:07:40 PeggyG: hahahaha
22:08:12 PeggyG: what a lot of links I have to explore!!! thank you all!!
22:08:22 PeggyG: thanks for this excellent conversation!
22:08:23 cstanley: Ed Tech Talk live -how wonderful -so glad someone thought of it.
22:08:29 SusanEttenheim: goodnight all!
22:08:36 cstanley: Thanks for another good conversation.
22:08:56 David J Gagnon: I have to say that edtechtalk was one of the things that got me into instructional design 5 or so years ago. I listened on my original ipod. It was sooooo awseome to BE on the show tonight!
22:09:39 sarahjgagnon: I still think that kids will be more interested in the context of a garden solving post apocalypic problems is more interesting. Maybe not as educationally sound, but it seems more like an actual GAME to me.
22:10:03 David J Gagnon: you rock sarahjgagnon.