Implementing Game Design in School: A Working Example | Mise en œuvre de la conception de jeu à l’école : un exemple pratique

Abstract

This case uses a worked or 'working example' model (Gee, 2010), documenting the implementation of a novel game design curriculum in the United States. Created by an Instructional Technology Administrator (ITA) and two classroom teachers, it was subsequently offered to high school students. With an aim of providing in-depth understanding of conditions necessary to bring game design experiences to classrooms, the research describes the context while revealing processes and instructor perceptions of the experience. Data collection and analysis in this working example include observation, teacher interviews, student surveys, and artifacts intended to make thinking and practices overt while inviting scholarly conversation around the curriculum's successes and failures. Drawing on a previous case focused on initial course planning and early implementation (Herro, 2013), this paper advances insight regarding the process of moving game design into schooling and concludes with a discussion of educational implications.

Developing a Conceptual Model of STEAM Teaching Practices

“…This relies on a teacher's ability to offer concepts, tools, and experiences in open‐ended problem‐solving scenarios. The broad fields of art and technology recognize that creativity is embedded in the aesthetic, designed, and technological world students live in; they often suggest teachers should capitalize on multimodal learning through art and technology (Herro, ), and this may provide rich opportunities to hone creativity.…”

DigiPen: Secondary School Project-Based Learning in Game Design, Digital Arts and Life Skills

“…Indeed, examples of effective integration of game design in school are rare (Gee, 2010). Nevertheless, a noteworthy exception and working example of game design within a classroom setting was recently reported (Herro, 2015). DigiPen is another exceptional example (there are only two schools offering this course in BC).…”