Unit 2: Identify Video Games in the Math Classroom
Click here to return to Unit 1: Justify the Use of Video Games in the Math Classroom
Learning Objectives
Unit 2 Overall Objectives:
· The participant will be able to identify video games used for math instruction.
Unit 2 Objectives:
· The participant will explore ways to use video games in the math classroom.
· The participant will explore video games that can be used for math instruction.
· The participant will be able to identify a way to use a video game in the math classroom.
Your Task
You have convinced your principal that a math course using video games should be considered. Your principal would like you to explore video games and brainstorm ideas for using video games in the new math course.
Learning Activities
Tip: The links will redirect you from this website. I suggest right clicking and opening the links in a new tab.
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/0B2DHsGC6sUHnaGNCU0hRLWZ4NnM/view?usp=sharing
As you begin your exploration of video games used for math instruction, you will find video games that are created for math classes as well as popular video games that are used for teaching. The following videos will give examples of using video games in math.
This first video is from DimensionU and is an example of a game that is designed for education.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyXUuARKj6U
The next video is an example of using a popular video game, Minecraft, to teach math.
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEK2_1pqvzk
If you are interested in ways to use Minecraft, the following blog is one teacher’s journey with using Minecraft. http://minecrafteduelfie.blogspot.com/
Explore at least two video games that you could use for math instruction. I am providing you with a few links to get you started. Some video games have trial memberships and videos of game play. I have also provided you with a link to a game that I created for teaching polynomials, Alien Hijacking. Do a web search and find games that are not on the list. Play the games and have fun!
Dimension U: http://www.dimensionu.com/
DragonBox: http://dragonbox.com/
Minecraft: https://minecraftedu.com/
Alien Hijacking: https://www.dropbox.com/s/xi05wsfenxadksb/Alien%20Hijacking.exe?dl=0
Please answer the following discussion question:
Your principal is interested in your video game brainstorming. Identify a way that you could use one of the video games that you explored in a math course.
Go to the discussion area (https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/using-video-games-in-the-math-classroom) and create a reply to the Unit 2 Discussion topic.
Read the other participant’s discussions and reply to at least one other participant.
Conclusion
Can you identify video games and ways to use video games in the math classroom?
To check, open up your self-assessment that you completed at the beginning of Unit 2. 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 2 Self-Assessment in the subject of the email.
You are ready to begin Unit 3!
Proceed to Unit 3: Use Video Games in the Math Classrooom
Click here to return to Unit 1: Justify the Use of Video Games in the Math Classroom
Click here to return to Using Video Games in the Math Classroom.
Extended Resources
DimensionU. (2013, July 10). Get to know DimensionU [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyXUuARKj6U
Gallagher, C. (2013, August 10). Minecraft minechat episode 15: Stephen Elford maths project [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEK2_1pqvzk
