WoW - We're Reading, Reflecting and Working as a Team!

Your Name and Title:

Jennifer Garcia

Learning Resources Centre Coordinator and KS3 ICT  Teacher

School, Library, or Organization Name:

 Academia Britanica Cuscatleca

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Sebastian Duran (12th grade student leader)

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:

 El Salvador

Language in Which You Will Present:

English

Target Audience(s):

 Middle School Teachers

Short Session Description (one line):

Teaching Teamwork, Reading, and Reflection through World of Warcraft and and Blogs.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

This session will be based on our Extra Curricular World of Warcraft Project.

There is a lot learning that goes on in an online game. Most games involve elements of reading, following instructions and may even include their own special lore. Many online games involve challenges and quests involving obstacles,skills and levels, solution seeking and trial and error. They may also involve the development of building and transportation strategies. Communication and collaboration skills are central to success in many online games and WoW provides an excellent venue for teamwork in groups, dungeons, battlegrounds and quests.  Gaming provides an excellent platform for teaching and learning skills in Mapping, Maths, Literacy, Science as well as other subjects. With a bit of creativity, online games can become the hub of a diverse array of learning experiences. 

Our kids have grown up with video games that are far more complex than those we were familiar with as children. They love games and understand online gaming environments. It makes sense to get creative and use games to help students build important skills.

This session will focus on sharing ways in which gaming can be used to encourage teamwork and communication skills. Participants will be shown ways in which novel study, in this case a graphic novel, can be central to a gaming project, thereby supporting and extending literature related experiences in the gaming environment. Examples will be given of how students can compare and contrast and draw parallels between their readings and experiences in world, through the novel and in real life. Building writing and reflection skills is central to this project and ways in which to foster these skills through a simple blogging platform will be shared.  Examples of how WoW can be used for learning in other subjects such as Geography and Math will also be provided. In addition, mention will be made of Minecraft,  as another powerful game that could be used in teaching and learning.

The challenges and successes in implementing such a project will be dealt with,  various strategies for success discussed and helpful online resources provided. This session should leave attendees feeling motivated to use online games in their own teaching practice, and eliminate the doubts and worries of those who  are new to these experiences.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

Our Project Blog: ABC El Salvador WoW

Student Individual Learning Plan Framework

WoW in Schools (A great place for inspiration and guidance.)

WoW Download Site (The free version is available. It's what we us for the project)\

WoW Wiki(A fantastic site which our kids uses frequently)

Minecraft in Schools Wiki (Look here for ideas and guidance in using Minecraft in school.)

MInecraft Edu(A great site for those thinking of or using Minecraft in school.)