2012 Ohio eTech Conference session presentation

1. @SSullivanLHS teachingtolead.blogspot.com
Teaching Video Games in
the English/Language Arts
Classroom

2.  English Teacher/Dept. Chairman at Lakewood
High School in Lakewood, Ohio
 B.A. from Baldwin-Wallace College in English
 M.A. from New York University in English
Education
 Administration and Leadership license from
Cleveland State Universtity

4. Gently discuss research and data that supports
using video games in the classroom
Tell about the creation of the Great
Literature/Great Games course at Lakewood
High School
Provide useful teaching strategies and lesson
ideas to implement immediately in your
classrooms

5. ―…the theory of learning in video games fits
better with the modern, high-tech, global world
today’s children and teenagers live in than do
the theories (and practices) of learning that
they see in school.‖
James Paul Gee
What Video Games Have
To Teach Us About
Learning and Literacy

6. ―Today’s kids want to be engaged, and [video]
games not only engage them, but teach them
valuable lessons in the process—lessons that
we want them to learn.‖
Marc Prensky
“Don’t Bother Me Mom-
I’m Learning”

7. Data says:
63% of Millennials (18-34) own a game console
(Pew Research Center 2011)
63% of Gen X (35-46) own a game console (Pew
Research Center 2011)
97% of teens play computer, console, mobile or
portable games (Pew Internet 2008)

8. Games are fun! (Entertainment)
Games are engaging! (Interaction)
Games are difficult to ignore! (mobile v.
console)
Games are accessible! (Easy to learn)

9. Conversations in my classroom about video
games became more engaging than the
conversations about books! (Student driven)
Students are willing to fail at games and try
again (no matter how long it takes) until they
learn how to reach the end. (Resilience)

10.  Video Game Culture and Vocabulary
 Genre
 Character Analysis
 Storytelling
 Adaptations
In this class, we read video games like any other
literary text the students may encounter.

11. Bioshock (Xbox 360/PS3)
Skyrim (Xbox 360/PS3)
Call of Duty: World at War (Xbox 360/PS3)
Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360/PS3)
Heavy Rain (PS3)
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360/PS3)
Fallout 3 (Xbox 360/PS3)
Lost in Shadows (Wii)
Journey (PS3)
Flower (PS3)
Limbo (PS3/Xbox 360)
The Unfinished Swan (PS3/Xbox 360)

12. The Metagame is a
card game where you
argue and debate
about video games
and culture.
www.metaga.me

13. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1 Write arguments to
support claims in an analysis of substantive topics
or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and
sufficient evidence.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate
effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
(one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with
diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and
issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing
their own clearly and persuasively.

14. Task:
Watch the game play video for stage 1 of
Journey. As you watch, write a narrative that
establishes a clear setting, conflict, and uses
direct characterization.
Journey Game Play Video

15. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3 Write narratives to develop
real or imagined experiences or events using effective
technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured
event sequences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.3b Use narrative techniques,
such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and
multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events,
and/or characters.

16. Task:
Can video games be art? After playing Flower,
create an argument to answer the question.
Use specific examples from the game to
support you claims.
Flower Game Play Video

17. CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.9-10.1 Write arguments to
support claims in an analysis of substantive
topics or texts, using valid reasoning and
relevant and sufficient evidence.
If our students are engaged, teaching the
common core standards will be easy!

18. Video Games are the new literature!
Video Games are a part of the culture of this
generation and can't be ignored
Students can do the work we think they can't if
they are engaged
Video Games must be viewed as serious
educational tools

19.  Go play some video games!
 Respect the ESRB ratings
 Talk to your students about the games they
already play (Why are they engaging?)
 Listen to the conversations your students have
about games
 Research gaming websites, books, magazines,
researchers, etc. to better understand the gaming
world
 Plan, Plan, Plan

20. For more information about teaching video games
in the classroom, go to my blog
www.teachingtolead.blogspot.com.
Available there are resources, sample lesson ideas,
and other interesting articles about teaching and
learning.
Shane A. Sullivan
Lakewood City Schools – English Dept. Chair
@SSullivanLHS