Technology Integration Video: Video Game Design with Patterns and Tessellations

Listed above is a video that demonstrates how my students created video games utilizing the free web site Gamestar Mechanic.com

If you would like to read more detailed info such as learning outcomes, standards, summary of findings, you can CLICK HERE on a post for a student sample

 

Not to mention, you can view more in-depth resources by clicking my links to full length videos and posts that I made about my students' learning through this project:

 

Hooking them with Xbox Kinect

Teaching art with video games day 1

Teaching art with video games day 2

Teaching art with video games day 3

Student interviews while making video games

My Classroom Arcade (which already has links to the previous posts in it along with student samples)

You can also view my lesson plan that I used to teach the lesson:

http://prezi.com/8qdggog_t3aa/gamestar-mechanic-instructions/

 

Gamestar Mechanic Instructions on Prezi

@BlackWaterMS #artsed students give interviews using @GamestarMech as they make their own video game #gbl #edtech

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As the students go through the program, I asked them to reflect upon what they have learned or insights into using the site

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Check out some of the interviews, some of them will give you a basic overview of the site

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And others may tell you what they have been learning as they complete the various episodes

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How to teach #artsed w/ #videogames using @GamestarMech & @edmodo Day2 #macul12 #ncties12

Another fun day using the great web site Gamestar Mechanic where my students are learning about basic video game design concepts - such as rules and modifying the rules.

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The great thing about the site is as the games get a bit more complicated, they are introduced to levels where they need to "repair" a broken level

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As the students play through their levels, they are highly engaged and excited - not to mention extremely frustrated when they can't beat a level or they get that instant gratification for completing a level and earning "sprites" and awards for their own video game

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To help the students learn about modifying a game and learning how to create their own, the students helped me modify a game they are used to: Hopscotch. And a fun thing to do with the kids is when they complete a level, I reward them a badge on Edmodo

And if you would like to make your own video game with Gamestar Mechanic, check out my previous post with instructions, lesson plan and student samples

Teaching art & #videogames w/ @GamestarMech Day1 #artsed #gbl #lessonplan

Gamestar Mechanic is an excellent tool that allows students to play, learn and create video games. 

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One of the most important parts of game design is down to its basic concepts of RULES. On Day 1 of the lesson, we discuss why rules are so important. As they set up their accounts, we play a few familiar activites to get them used to rules: 

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Musical Chairs &

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Red Light, Green Light 1-2-3

 

If you want to start using Gamestar Mechanic in your classroom, you can view/modify my Prezi Lesson Plan below, or check out more stuff that I have created on a recent Gamestar Mechanic post including videos and student samples by clicking the link

 

Gamestar Mechanic Instructions on Prezi

Gamestar Mechanic Instructions on Prezi

Black Water Middle's Video Game Arcade commercial

This is a commercial that I made utilizing Imovie and Jaycut which promotes my website mrgsgames.blogspot.com

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The commercial is intended to promote the work of my students, and to let other people out there know how easy it is to create a video game utilizing the free site of gamestarmechanic.com. 

And in case you haven't realized it yet, the style of this video was really inspired by 1980's BMX commercials and old school wrestling promos. I hope you enjoy it, play my students' games and make your own using Gamestar Mechanic

I think you can easily see my inspiration from this vintage "Monsters of Rock N Roar" commercial. The theme song is STILL stuck in my head after 20 years!