[Yr7-10it] Re: GameMaker Experience at Cleeland SC

[mbitzios at optusnet.com.au]

Hi Everyone,
I was introduced to Gamemaker during my last year of my teaching degree by a fellow 
student teacher. I thought this may be an interesting tool for helping students to 
understand the programming concepts of Object Orientated Languages (OO)

I was using Gamemaker to introduce Programming Languages - specifically concepts 
of OO. To begin with students were asked to evaluate the product (ie Gamemake) to 
do this they were given the ability to install the product, see how it runs and work out 
how well it is to create games by reading up on the help - in other words very little 
direction from me. Evaluation included a set of questions on how easy it was to install, 
understandability of the help, usefulness of the product and where it might be used.

My students were then asked to create a Game for Primary school students with one 
of the following topics "Stanger Danger", Using a Fire Escape Plan, Learning Numbers 
or Colours. It was there choice as to whether they would use Gamemaker or another 
product. Some used Powerpoint to achieve this but most were intrested and succeded 
to use gamemaker to varying levels.
Some took existing games and converted backgrounds, sprites etc to match the 
product criteria,others started from scratch and others simply enjoyed playing the 
games so much that they forgot to get their assignments in on time.

I enjoyed using Gamemaker and these tasks were set over 4 x 72min lessons. This 
was the first time for me and I plan to use the same lesson plans for next semester 
with my next group of Yr 10s.
> Tony Forster <forster at ozonline.com.au> wrote:
> 
> Maria
> 
> I asked for expressions of interest in attending a Gamemaker session, 
> early
> this year, before I had set a date. I have 15 EOI's who have not yet
> confirmed from that (probably having a holiday and not reading their 
> mail).
> I have 12 firm registrations as well. I have 28 spaces so I'll have to 
> start
> wait listing people soon. Given the level of interest, another session 
> is
> likely but nothing is definite.
> 
> Like Keith I am interested in what school you are at. Also I would like 
> to
> hear of your experiences with Gamemaker. How did it go? Was it 
> worthwhile?
> Was it highly motivating for your students? (thats what we've all 
> found) Do
> you think it resulted in "transferable" learning?
> 
> More details and registration:
> http://www.freewebs.com/schoolgamemaker/beginners.htm
> 
> Tony Forster.
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <mbitzios at optusnet.com.au>
> To: "Year 7 - 10 Information Technology Teachers' Mailing List"
> <yr7-10it at edulists.com.au>
> Sent: Saturday, April 09, 2005 4:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [Yr7-10it] Gamemaker PD
> 
> 
> > Tony,
> >  I would be interested as I have used Gamemake with my year 10s this 
> term.
> However,
> > because of school holidays and considering that this PD is the first 
> day
> back for term
> > two I might find it hard to get approval to attend. You could please
> advise if places have
> > been filled for this PD? If so will you be running it a again a later
> stage?
> >
> > Thanks in advance
> > Maria Bitzios
> >
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Yr7-10it mailing list
> Yr7-10it at edulists.com.au
> http://www.edulists.com.au/mailman/listinfo/yr7-10it