Yes, I too, am a teacher-in-tttrrraaiining with the MacICT Game Design Project.
As a teacher of too many years to tell (started full-time 1982-you do the maths) I have jumped in at the deep end with the gaming project. However, I am happily on board having been thrown a liferaft by my wonderful and clever colleague, Cathie Howe. Her skill, enthusiasm, dedication and patience 'buoying' me, what ho. Having not 'grown up with' computers as it were, and not having technical inclinations (you get my drift) I have indeed been on a huge learning curve (and sometimes on a slippery slide!).
As a GaTs teacher for many years, learning to let go, that it's OK not to know or understand at first and that even as the teacher, I don't have to be good at everything, have been worthwhile albeit humbling lessons!
I am fortunate that I have a class of children who want to learn. The class consists of 24 girls and 6 boys. Within the class there is a small cluster of GaTs students whilst the remaining students have been placed in the class based on English results. Only a handful of my students have identified themselves as 'gamers' although not in the sense of game design, merely 'playing games' they tell me. However, most are fairly skilled in the area of ICT.
The class has eagerly participated in the Kahootz training, their eager eyes glued to the screen. It has been a delight to see their free spirits openly diving into the tasks. I feel there is the sense of a learning community with the children supporting each other along the way. I like the creativity, solution-finding and the persistence involved as well.
Interestingly enough, on questioning my class for the first time about the Kahootz training, in general, they have felt that it's been a bit rushed without enough time to consolidate their skills before moving on to the next thing. This surprised me as I felt that myself when I was 'in training',but assumed it was due to a lack of technical know-how and experience on my part. They said that they would have liked a whole day to 'sink their teeth' into the training in order to suitably acquire the knowledge and skills and really understand the process. Food for thought.
It will be interesting to see how they tackle the process of game design itself.
I will endeavour to post some written responses from them tracing their journey in future.
Once again,Cathie,thanks for the liferaft-I'm looking forward to climbing aboard the ocean liner 'real soon'!
I loved your post Paula, it is refreshingly honest and you have provided some valuable feedback on our project. I look forward to reading your future posts. It is just great to have you on board!
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