View source for Unit 1: Justify the Use of Video Games in the Math Classroom

[[File:Video_game_class_heatherleo.jpg|thumbnail|300px|right|source:http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/east_syracuse-minoa_students_d.html]]
==[[image:Purplearrowbullet.gif]]Learning Objectives==

'''Unit 1 Overall Objective:'''

·         Given a task and research articles, the participant will be able to justify the use of video games in the math classroom.

''Unit 1 Objectives:''

·         In a discussion post, the participant will be able to give reasons for using video games in the math classroom.

·         In a discussion post, the participant will be able to explain how video games can address 21st century learning skills.

==[[image:bluearrowbullet.gif]]Your Task==

There are students in your school that are not proficient in the end of the year state math exam.  In addition, your principal is concerned about incorporating 21st century learning skills at the secondary level.  You have been asked to decide if a math course that uses video games could address these problems.

Looks like you need to start researching!

==[[image:greenarrowbullet.gif]]Learning Activities==

''Tip: The links will redirect you from this website.  I suggest right clicking and opening the links in a new tab.''

[[image:arrowbullet.png]]The first activity for you to do is to fill out a self-assessment.

Please download the document to your computer and fill in Questions 1 and 2.  Save the document to your computer to use at the end of the unit.
Here is the link to the file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2DHsGC6sUHna3F6RGgwT2NyZkU/view?usp=sharing 


[[File:Video_game_comic_heatherleo.jpg|thumbnail|300px|right]]
[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Video games can spark student interest in learning math!

Watch this video (if you did not watch it during the introduction): https://www.ted.com/talks/gabe_zichermann_how_games_make_kids_smarter

Read this blog and watch the video: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/james-gee-video-game-project-based-learning


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Video games can be used to teach, practice, and encourage interest in STEM subjects (Bertozzi, 2014, p. 23).

Read Chapter 1 in [http://press.etc.cmu.edu/files/Learning-Education-Games_Schreier-etal-web.pdf Learning, Education and Games: Volume one]


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]21st century skills consist of learning and innovation skills, life and career skills, and digital literacy skills (Kulman, Slobuski, & Seitsinger, 2014, p. 161). "By using video games to teach skills such as collaboration and creativity teachers are able to provide students an opportunity not only to develop those skills, but also to increase their digital literacy skills" (Kulman, Slobuski, & Seitsinger, 2014, p. 162). Video games not only use technology, but they teach 21st century skills.

Read Chapter 9 in [http://press.etc.cmu.edu/files/Learning-Education-Games_Schreier-etal-web.pdf Learning, Education and Games: Volume one]


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]"Video game-based learning seems to have positive effect on students' mathematical skills as well on students' cognitive and mental skills. At the same time, educational math video games could motivate students' towards the course of mathematics" (Drigas & Pappas, 2015, p. 66).

Read the article [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280727581_On_Line_and_Other_Game-Based_Learning_for_Mathematics On Line and Other Game-based Learning for Mathematics].


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Now that you have more information about the reasons to use video games in the math classroom, let’s consider the Common Core Math Standards.

Read through these standards: http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Please answer the following discussion question:
Justify to your principal the creation of a math course using video games.  Explain how video games can be used to address the Common Core Math Standards.

The discussion area for this course is https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/using-video-games-in-the-math-classroom

Open the Unit 1 Discussion topic and create a reply with your discussion.


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Read the other participant’s discussions and reply to at least one other participant.

==[[image:yellowarrowbullet.gif]]Conclusion== 

'''Did you learn any ways to justify using video games in the math classroom?'''

To check, open up your self-assessment that you completed at the beginning of Unit 1.  Now, answer questions 1a, 1b, 2a, and 2b.

When you have completed your self-assessment, please email the document to hleo@albany.edu and include Unit 1 Self-Assessment in the subject of the email.


<big>'''You are ready to begin Unit 2!'''</big>


[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Proceed to [[Unit 2: Identify Video Games in the Math Classroom]] 

[[image:arrowbullet.png]]Click here to return to [[Using Video Games in the Math Classroom]].

==Extended Resources==

Bertozzi, E. (2014). Using games to teach, practice, and encourage interest in STEM subjects. In K. Schrier (Ed.), Learning, education and games (pp. 23-36). Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.

Drigas, A. S., & Pappas, M. A. (2015). Online and other game-based learning for mathematics. International Journal of Online Engineering, 11(4). Retrieved from http://www.researchgate.net/publication/280727581_On_Line_and_Other_Game-Based_Learning_for_Mathematics

Kulman, R., Slobuski, T., & Seitsinger, R. (2014). Teaching 21st century, executive-functioning, and creativity skills with popular video games and apps. In K. Schrier (Ed.), Learning, education and games (pp. 23-36). Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press.

Larmer, J. (2012, March 21). James Gee: What do video games have to do with project-based learning? [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/james-gee-video-game-project-based-learning

National Governors Association Center for Best Practice, Council of Chief State School Officers. (2010). Common core state mathematics standards. Washington, DC: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers.  Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/

Zichermann, G. (2011, June). How games make kids smarter [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/gabe_zichermann_how_games_make_kids_smarter