create

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Creating Your Own Game – An Inside Look at Gamestar Mechanic – JOSH GARDINER

Subject: Design and Technology

Year Level: 6

Strand: Processes and Production Skills

Sub Strand: Creating Solutions By: Designing

Content Descriptor: Design, modify, follow and represent both diagrammatically, and in written text, alternative solutions using a range of techniques, appropriate technical terms and technology.

Link to the Resource:

http://gamestarmechanic.com/

Cross Curriculum Priorities and General Capabilities:

  • Numeracy
  • Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
  • Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)
  • Personal and Social Capability (PSC)

Links to Other Learning Areas:

  • Mathematics
  • Science

A Classroom Activity Using this Resource:

The students can be in charge of designing and then constructing their own video game. Every child’s fantasy right?

Or I am the only one who wondered how some of the best video game titles came into existence?

You have simple games like the infamous Flappy Bird that was hated so much that it became a classic and even though it is no longer available. The creator still made enough money to stop supporting the game. The concept that you can be the creator of the next big idea in the gaming world is exciting. Now I know you cannot wait to get started on this. Enjoy this tool as a class and publish your games that you create for other students to play.

Happy Gaming!

How to Use this Resource:

  • The designer is really simple to use.
  • Just create an account.
  • Using secure usernames and passwords for each student (something that can be easily remembered).
  • Once you have logged in; you can either take lessons on how to begin/improve your design skills or you can get straight into designing your own game.
  • It is a good idea however, to start with a couple introduction lessons/courses just to get an understanding for the basics.
  • From there you can construct a plan for what style of game you are to create.

 

By Josh Gardiner

Pre-service Teacher

Edith Cowan University

Perth, Western Australia.

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Collaborative learning using QR codes

qrcode.27283626
Year level: 3 – 4
Strand: Digital Technologies knowledge and understanding.
Sub strand: Representation of data.

  • 4.2 Recognise different types of data and explore how the same data can be represented in different ways

Strand: Digital technologies processes and production skills.
Sub strand: Collecting, managing and analysing data.

  • 4.3 Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems.

Link to resource: http://www.qrstuff.com

Cross-Curriculum Priorities and General capabilities
Numeracy, Literacy, Information and communication technology (ITC) capability, Critical and Creative thinking.

Links to: Maths, literacy and ITC.

Classroom activity: 

  • Install QR code decoding software  onto individual iPad or device prior to lesson commencing. (available free from download store)
  • Group students in groups of three or depending on the amount of iPads available per class.
  • Students are set a challenge to to convert QR codes on the iPad and solve the equations.
  • The students have to agree on the answer before they can move onto the next QR code.
  • All group members are responsible to help solve the equations but one group member must be nominated to write the answer for  evidence.
  • The teams can race each other or time themselves and try to beat individual best times.

The teacher can formatively assess students comprehension and understanding of specific learning areas with a fun experience. The QR codes need to be printed and cut out, then placed in rows with enough room to separate the groups, so they can work independently. The teacher has the opportunity to colour code the QR codes to cater for diversity within the classroom.  Students can work collaboratively within same ability or mixed ability groups to practice their mental maths skills.

There are alternative ways to use the QR codes such as writing questions for interviews, biographies etc in literacy.  Students can also be taught how to program the information into the QR codes and make their own for peers to solve.

How to use the resource
Its free and easy to use. Start on QR generator home page  http://www.qrstuff.com/qr_codes.html

Step 1: Data type – choose plain text.

Step 2.0: Content – type in mathematical equation (times table, addition algebra etc)

Step 2.1: Encoding options – choose static – Embed text into code as-is

Step 3.0: Foreground colour – change colour to suit individual requirements.

Step 3.1: Download QR code to test sample.

Step 4: Output type: Choose to download, print or e-mail QR code.

qrcode.27283626