Gamestar Mechanic
Subject: Technologies
Year Level: 3-7
Strand: Digital Technologies
Sub Strands:
- Digital Systems
- Representations of Data
Content Descriptors:
- Digital systems and peripheral devices are used for different purposes (ACTDIK007)
- Different types of data can be represented in different ways (ACTDIK008)
- Digital systems have components with basic functions that may connect together to form networks which transmit data (ACTDIK014)
- Data is represented using codes (ACTDIK015)
Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities:
- Critical and Creative Thinking
- Personal and Social Capability
- Information and Communication Technology
- Literacy
- Numeracy
Links To Other Learning Areas:
- Mathematics
- Science
- The Arts (Media Art)
Click here to visit the Gamestar Mechanic Website.
Platform: Web
Cost: $2 per student
Gamestar Mechanic in the Classroom:
Gamestar Mechanic is a game based digital learning resource designed to teach the guiding principles of game design and systems thinking in a highly engaging and creative environment. Gamestar teaches students to design their own games by completing different self-paced quests while learning to build game levels. Gamestar Mechanics perfect for educators seeking to introduce designing or programming to students and there is no requirements for previous study in this area. Gamestar Mechanics was designed with the understanding that game design is an activity that allows learners to build technical, technological, artistic, cognitive, social, and linguistic skills suitable for the current and future world. Another benefit of using Gamestar Mechanics as a resource in the classroom, teachers do not need to be experts in game design. The resource comes with a curriculum that can be used to scaffold a class, with the teachers taking a role of guide and mentor. The lessons are designed to spur a range of interactions between students and the game, and students and each other. teachers serve as a facilitator for student discussion, reflection and ideation.
It has been designed to work in both formal and informal learning environments.
Click here to access the Gamestar Mechanic Teacher Pack.
Hi KJHUBBAR,
I have read through your blog and I love the idea you have got. This activity would be great fro students who love gaming especially but also will interact those who have minimal interest in gaming. I like that this sort of app helps encourage many developmental skills for students. A big factor for me is where you have said ‘teachers do not need to be experts in game design’. This is perfect ! I would love to use this idea in my future classroom 🙂
Regards
This looks like a great resource for students beginning to learn about digital technologies. I like how students can answer self paced questions helping them to learn each of the steps in creating a video game. I would like to learn more about this resource myself as you have made it seem very intriguing. Thank you for sharing this resource.