EdGamer

Jamie Brooker is Co-founder & Chief Creative Officer at Kahoot!, one of the world’s fastest growing learning brands. Used by millions each day in over 180 countries, Kahoot!’s free game-based platform makes it easy to create, play and share fun learning games for any subject, in any language, on any device, for all ages! On a mission to make learning something everyone wants to connect with, Jamie leads Kahoot!’s product team in creating meaningful experiences which capture the hearts and minds of learners and educators around the world. … Read the rest

EdGamer is back, on a new site, and hosted IlliniCloud! We have a ton to share, but will hold most of this news back so we can talk with our three guests from Playful Learning and GLS. Our guests are Remi Holden, Beth King, and Conor O’Malley. They will share why this conference is the best Games and Learning conference in the world! Tune-in and level-up! Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Guest: Beth King Show Guest: Remi Holden Show Guest: Conor O’Malley Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Show Links Current News The new website – https://edgamer.net///… Read the rest

Dr. Seann Dikkers is an assistant professor in the Educational Technology division of the Patton College of Education at Ohio University. Formerly Dr. Dikkers served fourteen years as a middle school teacher, high school principal, and education consultant. Now he researches, writes, and shares the usefulness of digital media for teaching and learning as the founder and director of Gaming Matter. His newly released book TeacherCraft: How Teachers Learn to Use Minecraft in their Classroom will be an essential guide to educators who want to integrate Minecraft.… Read the rest

The current education policies and expectations are overwhelming teachers. Innovative instruction, including Games and Learning, could be left behind. Gerry and Zack will discuss this topic and the current educational games news on this week’s EdGamer. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- zack@edgamer.net EdGamer artwork by Tricia Fuglestad … Read the rest

“Gamify Your Classroom: A Field Guide to Game-Based Learning” by Matthew Farber is now available. It is a practical textbook about how to implement game-based learning and gamification techniques to everyday teaching. It is a survey of best practices aggregated from interviews with experts-in-the-field. Each chapter concludes with practical lesson plan ideas, games to play (both digital and tabletop), and links to research further.  The book also draws on Matt’s experiences implementing games with my middle school students.… Read the rest

In EdGamer 148 we are joined by Bob De Schutter (MA, PhD). Bob is a C. Michael Armstrong Professor at the College of Education, Health & Society and the Armstrong Institute for Interactive Media Studies of Miami University (Oxford, OH). His interdisciplinary research and teaching interests include game design, the older audience of digital games, and the use of digital games for non-entertainment purposes. Bob has also created his own software to study the effectiveness of the gameful classrooms.… Read the rest

In EdGamer 147 we are joined by two amazing educators, Katya Hott and Kathy Yu Burek. Katya is a User Testing Lead, Project Manager at BrainPOP. Kathy manages and designs key aspects of Classroom, Inc.’s learning games and programs to provide engaging learning experiences. They are going to share their expertise of going from the classroom to the edtech/edgame industry. They believe that teachers are an integral part of edtech development. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

Barry Joseph is the Associate Director For Digital Learning, Youth Initiatives, at the American Museum of Natural History. Located within the Education Department, Youth Initiatives, Barry brings a dozen years working in youth development and nearly twenty years working in new media to support the AMNH to advance its mission. And what is the Museum’s mission? “To discover, interpret, and disseminate information about human cultures, the natural world, and the universe through a wide-ranging program of scientific research, education, and exhibition.”… Read the rest

Kristin Brynteson is the Assistant Director of the P-20 Center at Northern Illinois University. The Center for P-20 Engagement collaborates with internal and external partners to provide leadership and promote innovation by fostering interdisciplinary learning communities and initiatives which increase educational success. One of their projects is STEM Read, Coordinated by Gillian King-Cargile. Gillian King-Cargile has a bachelor’s degree in film production and an MFA in creative writing. She is a writer, a book lover, and a professional science appreciator.… Read the rest

Dan Magaha, Director of Operations at GameSalad, is joining us for EdGamer 144. GameSalad’s Creator platform allows game developers to rapidly design, publish, and distribute sophisticated games for iOS, Android, and HTML5, while eliminating the need to code. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Guest: Dan Magaha Show Guest/Producer: Steve Isaacs Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- zack@edgamer.net… Read the rest

Community Manager of Pursuitery, Evan Jones, will join us for EdGamer 143. Pursuitery is building a friendly and supportive online space for people to connect with others who share their interests and want to level up their expertise together. It’s a place where people can hang out, mess around, and geek out. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Guest: Evan Jones Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- zack@edgamer.net… Read the rest

Kelly East and Adam Hott, from HudsonAlpha, will join us to discuss the use of data within games to help developers and drive classroom instruction. HudsonAlpha’s free online educational activity, Touching Triton, provides an opportunity for teachers and students to have an engaging conversation about the complex nature of common disease in one class period. This Web-based activity builds understanding of common complex disease risk, influenced by factors from family history, environment and genomic data.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 141 we discuss the influence of Robin Williams. Gerry and Zack will look at how this amazing person made an impact on them as educators. We will look at Robin’s personal life and also the impact some of his movies had in the field of education. We will even discuss the connections to the Games and Learning field. Tune-in and level-up….nanoo nanoo! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 140 we are joined by a very special guest, Lindsey Tropf, founder/CEO of Immersed Games. Lindsey is currently working on Tyto Online, an educational MMORPG. Join us as we chat about her Kickstarter and this intriguing new game. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Guest: Lindsey Tropf Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- zack@edgamer.net… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 139 we were joined by Remi Holden, Rex Beaber, and Caro Williams (from GLS10) to discuss all the amazing events that took place this past June in Madison, Wisconsin. The GLS Conference, held annually in Madison, provides a forum for games researchers, game designers, and educators from around the world to share results from research and game design efforts. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 138 we are joined by Remi Holden and Rex Beaber, Co-Chairs for Playful Learning at GLS10. They will discuss all the activities for this year’s GLS10 Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. The GLS Conference, held annually in Madison, provides a forum for games researchers, game designers, and educators from around the world to share results from research and game design efforts. This year’s conference is June 11-13, 2014, and pre-conference activities centered around Playful Learning will be held on June 10th.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 137 we are joined by Lucien Vattel and Matt Clausen They are sharing some big news out of their company GameDesk. Lucien is the CEO and Matt is the Chief Creative Officer. Matt is the project lead on Marvel ‘s Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N., which is interactive education exhibit. Gerry and Zack discuss this project and many other projects that are happening at GameDesk. If you are into Games and Learning then you need to know about this innovative company.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 136 we are joined by John Keilman a reporter with the Chicago Tribune. John wrote a piece on Minecraft in our schools and this article appeared on the front page. It is nice to see a positive education article get some spotlight! He interviewed many important people (including Zack) about Minecraft’s use and potential. Join us for another insightful episode of EdGamer. Tune-in and level-up! John’s Minecraft article from the Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune – Video game ‘Minecraft’ finds a home in schools (registered account needed) Article from Newsela Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 135 we are joined by Steve Isaacs the brains behind EdTechBridge. Listen in as Steve walks us through some of the concepts of his gaming and learning community. Also, his blurby puts Zack’s blurby to shame…tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Guest: Steve Isaacs Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- zack@edgamer.net… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 134, Gerry is missing, but we have added Kate Reilly from E-Line Media and Historia. Kate is sharing information on the beta for Historia and what this interactive simulation can do for you in your classroom. We also discuss a great article on Minecraft integration and a new Kickstarter for creating digital story games. There is so much to learn in this episode of EdGamer. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 133 we celebrate International Tabletop Day! Join us as we take a look at events happening all over the globe in honor of this game based holiday. We also take a look at the new Amazon Fire TV and its gaming possibilities. As always, we bring you all the latest news and notes from the gaming and learning world. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 131.132 we catch up on a lot of Games and Learning news. If you are looking for EdGamer 131 it is out there, but according to Zack it will be referred to as a lost episode. In EdGamer 131.132 we discuss Zack’s visit to SXSWedu and a selfie with Nolan Bushnell who is working on a project called BrainRush. We also discuss Facebook’s purchase of Oculus Rift, a local Maker school, a Camelot Kickstarter, and a lot of Minecraft news.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 130, Gerry and Zack are interviewed by the Gamifi-ED gang of Verena Roberts and Colin Osterhout. Our new FOE’s (friends of EdGamer) are creating amazing resources through their website Gamifi-ED. Vicki Davis couldn’t join us but Lee Graham, who was fighting a cold and didn’t want to be on-air,  jumped into the conversation during the topic of Common Core. It seems that Lee has some problems with the Common Core initiative.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 129 we celebrate our 3 year manniversasy! Relive all the good times  from our past as we go through our favorite shows and guests. We have 128 shows and we have learned so much from our work, our guests, and our FOE’s (friends of EdGamer). Tune-in and level-up! Full list of Show Notes for EdGamer. Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 128 we have some catching up to do! After calling in sick last week, we come right back at you with a plethora of gaming and learning news. From game packs for under 10 bucks to conferences for kids run by kids.  This week’s EdGamer has everything you need to satisfy your edugaming needs. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

EdGamer 127 brings you the latest in gaming and education news featuring discussion about the Oculus Rift, Chromebooks in the classroom, MinecraftEdu, science games, and Apple TV as a gaming device. Plus, an entire hour of our witty banter…for that we apologize. We also have an update on Zack’s student Eric and his battle with leukemia.  A dodgeball tournament will be played to support Eric and his family. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

Zack joined a friend from across the pond and near the North Pole. Niilo Alhovaara is the host of ‘Be Smart on Air.’  Niilo resides in the northern part of Sweden, but he is in the center of educational technology in Europe.  There were four other guests for this Hangout about educational acronyms and their meanings.  The guests were Kim Nilsson (Sweden), Tiina Sarisalmi (Finland), Kurt Schlegel (Germany), and Marilina Lanigro (Italy).  Please join us for an insightful look at education in Europe. … Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 126 we bring back one of our favorite features of the show: new guests! Vicki Davis, Lee Graham and Colin Osterhout of the thriving new gaming and learning initiative Gamifi-ED. (We will be bringing Verena Roberts of Gamifi-ED on EdGamer in the near future) Listen in as we pick their brains about their wiki, personal views on education and some of their favorite games. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

Its time to wrap up the holiday season with EdGamer 125. Put away the decorations and get out the games! This week on EdGamer we let you in on some great post holiday specials that are available in the world of video games. We also go on a long, exhaustive rant about education in general…who saw that one coming? Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 124 we gift wrap a holiday themed show for you with some serious but important news. We also check in with longtime friend (FOE) John Carpenter (via an article written about him…) and run through his favorite games of 2013. You will have to listen in for the rest of the show as Zack tells us about a tragic situation and a resulting great cause for fundraising efforts. Put on your holiday bells and join us for another great EdGamer show.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 123 its holiday madness! We started with a schedule for the show but had a tough time keeping ourselves on task…you can tell break has started. Join us for some game club chat as well as news from Amazon and BigHistoryProject.com. Ho, ho, hold up, you don’t want to miss this episode. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 122, we meet up with Dr. Seann Dikkers is an assistant professor in the Educational Technology division of the Patton College of Education at Ohio University. Formerly Dr. Dikkers served fourteen years as a middle school teacher, high school principal, and education consultant. Now he researches, writes, and shares the usefulness of digital media for teaching and learning as the founder and director of Gaming Matter. His books, Real-Time Research,Mobile Media Learning, and the forthcoming TeacherCraft: Using Minecraft in the Classroom are helping teachers integrate innovative technology into classroom learning.  … Read the rest

The title says it all! This week on EdGamer 121 we discuss the Playful Learning Summit in Whitewater, SimCity is trying to get into the classroom,  Mathbreakers looks like a promising math game, and a little side of pension theft just for holiday spirit! Its another can’t miss episode of EdGamer. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 120 we have two fantastic guests from the new gaming initiative ‘Historia.’ New FOEs Jason Darnell and Rick Brennan to tell us how ‘Historia’ harnesses the power of history and games to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. You are going to want this in your classroom! But don’t take our word for it, tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Show Guest: Rick Brennan Show Guest: Jason Darnell Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 119 we give you a quick run through on all the latest gaming and learning news across many platforms. A sweet new Lego release, multi-platform gaming coming from Microsoft, and De-Mystifying Minecraft for educators. It’s another can’t miss episode from the bearded gaming guys. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 118 instead of looking at the history of gaming, we take a look at how gaming can help teach history! We give you a plethora of resources for you to use in your classroom to help kids understand the workings of our past. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 117 we are joined by one of our favorite F.O.E.’s (Friend of EdGamer) Lucas Gillispie.  Our discussion revolves around classroom setup and the technology we would like to have now and in the future.  Lucas has experience with changing classroom environments and this led to a great conversation.  Do you want some great ideas on how to overhaul your room?  This episode of EdGamer will get you started. Tune-in and level-up!… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 116 we are joined by the dynamic duo behind the ‘For Youth Inquiry,’ Jacob Watson and Nikki Zaleski. They help us sort through a myriad of news about education and gaming including iOS board games, the BotLogic Kickstarter and the UWW Playful Learning Summit. The main event has us talking with Nikki and Jacob about the ‘For Youth Inquiry’ and their mission to “engage youth in safe, accessible conversations about sexual health and sexual violence through participatory theater” (and games!).… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 115 we get caught up on all the info we missed getting out to you last week, including Zack’s beard turning grey (or gray)! We have two books to share, an infographic on gamers, a Minecraft contest, a Thunderclap for BotlLogic, and a blog post criticizing Sir Ken Robinson. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 114 we ‘roll’ back into the world of board games! From digital versions to updates of some classics, we fill you in on all the latest news. Plus we react to an announcement from Valve concerning a new gaming platform. This is another great episode of EdGamer, don’t let it pass you by. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

Join us for EdGamer 113 as we welcome new FOE’s (Friends of EdGamer) to the show. Laila Shabir and Ish Syed are the creators of the Kickstarter “PENGUEMIC-Word Domination.” Join us to get the inside scoop on this great new game and how it can be used in the classroom! Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Show Guest: Laila Shabir Show Guest: Ish Syed Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 112 Zack and Gerry are stuck together…alone! Our guest for this show, “A Gamer’s Education’s” Craig Girard sent us a list of great questions to ponder. Listen in as EdGamer attempts to define itself and give a ‘state of the field address’ on games and learning. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 111 we chat with one of our favorite FOEs (Friend of EdGamer) Ben Rimes! Join us for captivating talk on gaming and learning as well as topics such as Diablo 3, Minecraft, and Firefly. Plus, you can’t miss some important breaking news from the…Normal Cornbelters? What has Zack gotten us into now? Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 110 we hang out with two new guests: Rob Steller and Josiah Hills!  The guys walk us through their Kickstarter campaign for their upcoming educational platform ClassXP. We discuss the implications this program can have for teachers and assessment as well as how it differs from the gamification trends in the field. Don’t miss this episode. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 109 we have two guests, Heather Robertson and Wade Berger. Heather is a recent guest and Wade is a first timer to EdGamer from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and GLS. Our topic is the direction and future of Games and Learning. Our discussion includes mobile platforms, investment, creation, and tools to help teachers implement games in their classroom. It is a can’t miss show with great guests and content. Tune-in and level-up!… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 108 we are thrilled to have one of our favorite F.O.E.s (Friend of EdGamer): Lucas Gillispie. We ‘look’ ahead to the future of 3D gaming with a preview of Oculus Rift. Lucas helps us speculate on the possibility of using a technology like this in the classroom. Finally, we take a trip through the world of learning and gaming to touch on a myriad of subjects from games for the blind to Xbox self-publishing to Schoology badges.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 107 we chat with F.O.E (Friend Of EdGamer) Heather Robertson about her latest projects involving the integration of technology in bilingual language classes. Heather also shares with us some of her favorite games as well as some great insight into the future of education. Don’t miss this episode! Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Contributor/Producer: Gerry James Show Guest: Heather Robertson Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 106 we take off the training wheels and use Google Hangouts On Air without any assistance. Scary…but not as scary as the return of Death in Sakkara. This is the great 1920’s Egyptian murder mystery game created by Preloaded.  This was one of Zack’s favorite classroom games that was removed by the BBC because of website upgrades.  It is back from the dead!  We also discuss Playful Learning, Valve’s new education tool for game creation, and Google came out with some magical device called the Chromecast.… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer Episode 105 we dig back into the violence in video games debate. Can violent video games be a therapeutic release for some children? We take a look at a parallel endeavor by some military veterans using MMA (mixed martial arts) to release tension. Plus, we have the latest news on the Civilization series and some other great tidbits along the way. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest

Even though EdGamer couldn’t make it to ISTE 2013, we could connect with BrainPOP, a major player in Games and Learning. Annie Choi and Scott Price had some BrainPOP news to share and they gave us some insight to the great content for students and amazing tools for educators.  Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links. Here’s our Show Notes   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show Guest: Annie Choi Show Guest: Scott Price Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us… Read the rest

We’re back from the Games & Learning Society Conference and we have a ton to share! In EdGamer 103 we take you through all the highlights of the conference from great sessions to keynote addresses. We take this chance to look back at the great time we spent with old friends and look forward to the great conversations we are going to have with new friends. Tune-in and level-up! Please go to the Show Notes for all of our links.… Read the rest