Games+Learning+Society Educator Symposium

The symposium was very interesting and I enjoyed sharing the experience with Joan Brooke (LMC specialist at my school) and Catherine Yoho (fellow EMDT alumni).
The afternoon session of learning to design a game in SCRATCH was amazing! As is typical for me, I didn't just want to play with it, I wanted to create a game that I can use with students in my content area! I asked questions until I knew how to do what it was that I envisioned... and even was accused of being an "Over Achiever"! :) Instructional design is definitely an area I am wanting to grow in, so finding a new avenue to create engaging content delivery was exciting and energizing to me!

Big Confessions

Hi my name is Kathy Kellen, and I am a GAMER...
who knew??!! I guess it sort of makes sense to me as I remember playing Sim City and the Sims for HOURS, but I was able to break the habit back then and move on to other things.
Then there was Farmville...and Treasure Island...and now, World of Warcraft...

Seriously, I didn't think I would even like World of Warcraft, but I didn't dare admit that during GSM, because that would have meant an epic fail! I really didn't intend to play past the free 10 day trial...but have upgraded to the full version.

So what have I learned?
I've learned to keep an open mind and give everything I try my very best effort. I've learned that I am very competitive, but also really love to work on quests with my friends and help them succeed. I've learned that I can use WoW as a reward after my less exciting tasks are finished.

I've learned that the very best kind of teacher is one who encourages continually, reminds you to have fun, engages and immerses you in the material, tells you to get to work (when needed), and gives extra challenges to help you stretch and grow.

Here is the result of one of those challenges:

My Quest poem....Quest Atlantis

Since I couldn't submit my quest poem....
here it is! The first line is Emily Dickinson's (the quest said to choose one and then write a poem)

"I can't tell you, but you feel it" (Emily Dickinson)
this anticipation, this sense of loss...
even in the midst of great achievement...
it's bittersweet.

Having FUN in Game Strategies Month

"Have Fun!" That is the recurring theme throughout this month, whether it is working on a "Farmville" farm, exploring Quest Atlantis, making videos, reading about how games can and should be incorporated in education, creating a SPORE creature, or becoming addicted to World of Warcraft!

Since I already utilize games in my music classes, I totally see the value. It has been fun to be given permission and encouragement to follow my dream of making "Silly Staff" into an interactive game idea! I learned last month to "never say never" and as this journey of EMDT continues to fly, I'm just holding on tight and making the most of the ride!


The QUEST and the DREAM
Click on the above link to view my assessment video for this month!