Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Warren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/warren-spector-blizzard-coo-to-lead-university-of-texas-game-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/warren-spector-blizzard-coo-to-lead-university-of-texas-game-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/warren-spector-blizzard-coo-to-lead-university-of-texas-game-pr/#commentsWarren Spector, Blizzard COO lead University of Texas game program Developer Warren Spector and Blizzard Entertainment COO Paul Sams will help oversee a new gaming academy being put into place at the University of Texas at Austin. The Denius-Sams Gaming Academy, named after co-founders Wofford Denius, Sams and his wife, will begin in 2014 with only 20 spots for students, and will award a postbaccalaureate certificate rather than a graduate degree, which the school says will help it remain industry-focused.

Spector, the creator of Deus Ex and the Disney Epic Mickey series, will put together the curriculum, which will include a 12-month intensive program where students will make a game themselves. Students selected for admission will also get a tuition waiver and a $10,000 stipend for fees and housing expenses. The program will begin next fall.

Continue reading Warren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program

JoystiqWarren Spector, Blizzard COO to lead University of Texas game program originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 May 2013 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>degreedenius-sams-gaming-academyeducationgraduatemobilepaul-samspcschooltraininguniversity-of-texasuniversity-of-texas-at-austinwarren-spectorMon, 13 May 2013 23:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Crowdfunded 'My Carnival' is a video game designed to help children with cystic fibrosis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/crowdfunded-my-carnival-is-a-video-game-designed-to-help-child/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/crowdfunded-my-carnival-is-a-video-game-designed-to-help-child/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/08/crowdfunded-my-carnival-is-a-video-game-designed-to-help-child/#commentsMy Carnival is a game for children with Cystic Fibrosis, seeking funding AccessAble Games has announced a new campaign to raise funds for a free video game designed to help children with cystic fibrosis learn how to perform their breathing exercises correctly. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that requires daily physiotherapy training, and while experts say there are some tools out there to teach affected children already, they're not as helpful and entertaining as they could be.

Enter My Carnival, which will use a standard PC mic to track a child's breathing in and out, and can be adjusted depending on the child's ability. Once the breathing is tracked, My Carnival then translates that into playing games at an busy carnival, having the player do things like fill a balloon with a water stream.

You can contribute to the project right now. AccessAble's "tipping point" budget of $29,000 would cover just four minigames, but the full budget of $40,000, if raised, would provide for eight minigames total. Currently, the team has only raised just over $1,000 with 23 days left in the effort.

JoystiqCrowdfunded 'My Carnival' is a video game designed to help children with cystic fibrosis originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 May 2013 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accessable-gameschildrencrowdfundingcystic-fibrosisdiseaseeducationgamehealingmy-carnivalpcstart-some-goodWed, 08 May 2013 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SimCityEDU announced, bringing learning tools to classrooms in March]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/simcityedu-announced-bringing-learning-tools-to-classrooms-in-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/simcityedu-announced-bringing-learning-tools-to-classrooms-in-m/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/20/simcityedu-announced-bringing-learning-tools-to-classrooms-in-m/#comments SimCityEDU announced, bringing virtual learning tools to classrooms in MarchEA recently announced SimCityEDU, an online community that allows educators to create and share lesson plans based on the upcoming SimCity game. The community will include a curriculum and suite of tools that fall in line with the US Common Core State Standards Initiative, with the goal of stimulating student interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

In development by GlassLab, a non-profit that creates educational environments for existing games, SimCityEDU is launching in March, around the time SimCity will arrive. In other words, just in time for spring break. Teachers that are looking to check out the program can head to the official sign-up page for the SimCityEDU beta.

JoystiqSimCityEDU announced, bringing learning tools to classrooms in March originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>common-coreEAeducationglasslabsimcity-2013simcity-5simcityeduSTEMSun, 20 Jan 2013 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Every state in the US now has a school for game development]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/26/every-state-in-the-u-s-now-has-a-school-for-game-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/26/every-state-in-the-u-s-now-has-a-school-for-game-development/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/26/every-state-in-the-u-s-now-has-a-school-for-game-development/#comments For first time ever, all 50 states have colleges with game dev programsThose living in the United States and seeking a career in the games industry have more avenues to take that first step than ever before. According to a news release from the Entertainment Software Association, there are now colleges with video game development, programming and design programs in all 50 states.

Of the 381 schools in the country, 70 are located in California, which leads the rest of the US by a sizable margin. Texas is second with 24 programs devoted to game development. A full list of every school can be found on the ESA's site.

Continue reading Every state in the US now has a school for game development

JoystiqEvery state in the US now has a school for game development originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Aug 2012 13:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-jokesc++designeducationesagame-developmentprogrammingschoolSun, 26 Aug 2012 13:10:00 EST<![CDATA[NIS will teach you how to read Japanese with iOS 'Character Chowdown' app]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/nis-will-teach-you-how-to-read-japanese-with-ios-character-chow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/nis-will-teach-you-how-to-read-japanese-with-ios-character-chow/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/12/nis-will-teach-you-how-to-read-japanese-with-ios-character-chow/#comments NIS will teach you how to read Japanese with iOS 'Character Chowdown' appNIS America and developer Yummy Yummy Tummy have partnered for an educational game that seems particularly well-suited for NISA fans: Character Chowdown, designed to teach the Japanese kana and kanji writing systems.

Naturally, as you and the "Nommon" monsters learn Japanese characters (with the game automatically learning and focusing on ones you're having trouble with), you'll see cameos from the Disgaea series, including some heroes available as eventual DLC.

Character Chowdown's developer Yummy Yummy Tummy is run by Spencer, editor of Siliconera. Siliconera has experimented with Japanese learning games before, with the Flash games Dinosaurs and Hiragana and Dinosaurs and Katakana.

JoystiqNIS will teach you how to read Japanese with iOS 'Character Chowdown' app originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 12 Jul 2012 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>character-chowdowneducationiosiphonejapaneselanguagemobilenis-americayummy-yummy-tummyThu, 12 Jul 2012 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Designing edutainment, the Valve way: make a good game first]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/designing-edutainment-the-valve-way-make-a-good-game-first/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/designing-edutainment-the-valve-way-make-a-good-game-first/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/21/designing-edutainment-the-valve-way-make-a-good-game-first/#comments "People don't sit around at Valve and say 'We're educating.' They are educating the player. But it's just good game design," Valve Software's director of education programs Leslie Redd told me in an interview yesterday afternoon. She and her coworker, Valve's Yasser Malaika, were on stage earlier in the day during New York City's annual Games for Change Festival presenting Valve's latest and boldest education initiative: Steam for Schools.

The program offers educators a modified version of Steam that puts control in the hands of teachers - and offers students a chance to snag a free, unmodified version of Portal 2 and its puzzle maker. Teachers are able to add "lessons" as they see fit, created in Portal 2's puzzle maker - several of which are already available.

It's a first for Valve, and really for any game developer operating today. Thankfully for those of us who love Valve for its video games, not much (if anything) is changing in Valve's approach to game design. "Having a fun game is so connected to learning and mastery and agency and social dynamics. You can't really design a good game without really considering all those things and putting in the effort to understand how your customers respond to those things. And it feels like that process has a lot of value, more than the product," Malaika said.

Continue reading Designing edutainment, the Valve way: make a good game first

JoystiqDesigning edutainment, the Valve way: make a good game first originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 21 Jun 2012 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationgames-for-changegames-for-change-2012leslie-reddmacpcsteamsteam-for-schoolsvalvevalve-softwareyasser-malaikaThu, 21 Jun 2012 16:45:00 EST<![CDATA['Steam for Schools' is a free version of Steam for students, facilitates Portal 2-based lessons]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/steam-for-schools-is-a-free-version-of-steam-for-students-fac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/steam-for-schools-is-a-free-version-of-steam-for-students-fac/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/20/steam-for-schools-is-a-free-version-of-steam-for-students-fac/#comments 'Steam for Schools' is a free version of Steam for students, facilitates Portal 2based lessons"Steam for Schools" is Valve's next push into edutainment. This summer, educators can apply for beta inclusion in the program, which includes a "limited version of Steam" featuring Portal 2, the game's level editor, and its workshop for hosting and organizing user-created levels. This new version of Steam will be free for educators (in and out of beta), and will give educators administrator access - meaning that kids cannot share levels.

"We have a limited version of Steam, which is called 'Steam for Schools.' And what we're doing is asking for teachers, after school programs, organizations - anywhere where there's a student relationship, which includes homeschooling - for them to submit a form to be part of it. It's still in beta," Valve's Leslie Redd told attendees of today's Games for Change festival in New York City. The initiative is a continuation of what Valve head Gabe Newell spoke about during his keynote at last year's Games for Change event, where he professed 'no difference' between education and entertainment approaches.

The Washington-based company intends on opening up that level of access in the future, but Redd said that "children need that walled garden." In the future, Valve intends to allow more openness.

Valve isn't receiving any outside funding or grants for the program. "Valve is a commercially successful company," Redd explained with a smile. Of course, facilitating a massive education program for free is pretty great public relations. Other publishers aren't involved just yet, but Redd said there've been some initial talks.

For more information, Valve's "Teach with Portals" website is now open and will expand in the coming months as the beta extends across the summer (hey, that starts today!).

Joystiq'Steam for Schools' is a free version of Steam for students, facilitates Portal 2-based lessons originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationgames-for-changegames-for-change-2012leslie-reddmacpcsteamsteam-for-schoolsteach-with-portalsvalvevalve-softwareWed, 20 Jun 2012 11:16:00 EST<![CDATA[NASA totally makes iOS and Facebook games now]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/nasa-totally-makes-ios-and-facebook-games-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/nasa-totally-makes-ios-and-facebook-games-now/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/nasa-totally-makes-ios-and-facebook-games-now/#comments NASA is exploring the strange new world of social and mobile gaming, with two new game apps designed to educate about math, flight, and the history of space exploration.

Sector 33 for iOS is an air traffic control simulator, in which players manage the speed and route of up to five planes coming into San Francisco from the east. Instead of the breezy gameplay of Flight Control, you have to deal with actual wind and other real-life complications.

Space Race Blast Off is a virtual game show on Facebook in which players compete to answer space-related trivia for points, in categories including "technology," "astronauts," and "math." Go learn something!

JoystiqNASA totally makes iOS and Facebook games now originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationfacebookiosiphonemobilenasapcsector-33space-race-blast-offThu, 02 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[48-player DDR coming to classrooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/48-player-ddr-coming-to-classrooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/48-player-ddr-coming-to-classrooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/48-player-ddr-coming-to-classrooms/#comments Konami is making it easier for schools to use Dance Dance Revolution for fitness programs, with a new version designed specifically for schools. Dance Dance Revolution Classroom Edition, being unveiled Feb. 24 at the CAHPERD Conference, is a PC game that allows up to 48 mats to be connected to a single game.

We can only hope that the following presentation at that conference will be about reinforcing classroom floors.

Continue reading 48-player DDR coming to classrooms

Joystiq48-player DDR coming to classrooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classroomdance-dance-revolutiondance-dance-revolution-classroom-editioneducationexercisekonamischoolWed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo testing classroom text-to-speech tech with DSis]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/nintendo-testing-classroom-text-to-speech-tech-with-dsis/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/nintendo-testing-classroom-text-to-speech-tech-with-dsis/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/30/nintendo-testing-classroom-text-to-speech-tech-with-dsis/#comments Nintendo and Japanese telecom company NTT are working together on a voice recognition project, aimed at making it easier for students with hearing or other disabilities to keep up in classrooms.

The project, which NHK reports is undergoing trials in Okinawa and Tottori Prefecture, captures instructor speech, converts it to text, and saves it to the cloud while also sending it to devices -- like the DSi. That way, students can read along, and have an automatic record of lessons. See it in action in the video on NHK's site.

The downside to this plan, of course, is that it creates a situation in which a student is expected to be paying very close attention to his or her DS in the back of the classroom -- a situation ripe for abuse of the Retro Game Challenge variety.

JoystiqNintendo testing classroom text-to-speech tech with DSis originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classroomdseducationjapannintendontttext-to-speechMon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Grasshopper throwing a 'Game Campus Festa' for student Vita games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/grasshopper-throwing-a-game-campus-festa-for-student-vita-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/grasshopper-throwing-a-game-campus-festa-for-student-vita-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/16/grasshopper-throwing-a-game-campus-festa-for-student-vita-game/#comments Grasshopper Manufacture hasn't announced any PlayStation Vita games, but it will gladly help students make their own, in what seems to be an ongoing effort to personally rebuild the entire Japanese game industry. The developer has started a "Game Campus Festa" program, in which it will assist students at eight schools in Japan with the creation of Vita software.

In addition to providing guidance, Grasshopper also said that it will consider publishing some of the resulting games as downloads. We're interested in promoting student work as well, so here's a little advice to those taking part in the program. Put a lot of wrestling references in your game, and put the protagonist in a leather jacket if you want GHM to pick it up.

JoystiqGrasshopper throwing a 'Game Campus Festa' for student Vita games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationgame-campus-festagrasshopper-manufacturejapanplaystationplaystation-vitastudentsvitaWed, 16 Nov 2011 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Embrace your obsessive inner typefacer with 'KernType,' a game about kerning]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/embrace-your-obsessive-inner-typefacer-with-kerntype-a-game-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/embrace-your-obsessive-inner-typefacer-with-kerntype-a-game-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/12/embrace-your-obsessive-inner-typefacer-with-kerntype-a-game-a/#comments It's rare that we separate ourselves from our readers when choosing pieces to post on Joystiq, but with Method of Action's "KernType," we had to make an exception. You see, folks, our love for games is important, but our distinctly less relatable love/obsession with visual design is just as strong, which is why we immediately fell head over heels for KernType.

Oh, we should probably explain what "kerning" is, eh? It's the space between letters in words. Yup, thrilling stuff, we know. But it's important! And in KernType, you're tasked with fixing the kerning of various typefaces (represented by words such as "wave" and "type"), which then compares your own skill with that of proportional computations. Call of Duty deathmatch it is not, but if you're of the very particular niche that is both obsessed with games and the written word, KernType is right up your alley. Also, hey, it's free right here!

JoystiqEmbrace your obsessive inner typefacer with 'KernType,' a game about kerning originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 07:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crazy-peopleeducationfontskerningkerntypemacmethod-of-actiononlinepctypefaceWed, 12 Oct 2011 07:45:00 EST<![CDATA[How games can teach students 10 times faster, with more sweeping hand gestures]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/how-games-can-teach-students-10-times-faster-with-more-sweeping/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/how-games-can-teach-students-10-times-faster-with-more-sweeping/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/10/how-games-can-teach-students-10-times-faster-with-more-sweeping/#comments

In order to ensure mankind's future as the dominant super-race on this planet, we must activate our youth through education -- and video games.

Atari founder Nolan Bushnell has been testing education software for years and says he has created a method of teaching a full high school career in less than a year, using, in large part, cloud systems. "In cloud gaming you disconnect the system's administration from the computer to the cloud," Bushnell told GamesIndustry.biz. "It's going to be an important step for allowing technology into the classroom." Bushnell says his program teaches students 10 times faster than traditional methods, and his shortened high-school-span plan could be ready for implementation by the end of 2011.

Not to be outdone, the Kinect-based education-resource blog KinectEDucation advocates using Kinect to augment learning environments, and is currently holding its Kinect in Education Contest, challenging hackers to create Kinect apps for use in classrooms. Two $500 prizes will be awarded, one for the most innovative and adaptable classroom software, and one for the "best" in-class video showcasing a Kinect classroom experience. The contest runs now through November 30.

JoystiqHow games can teach students 10 times faster, with more sweeping hand gestures originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudeducationkinectkinect-hackskinecteducationmicrosoftNolan-BushnellpcxboxSat, 10 Sep 2011 21:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UK education boss Michael Gove wants games in the classroom]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/uk-education-boss-michael-gove-wants-games-in-the-classroom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/uk-education-boss-michael-gove-wants-games-in-the-classroom/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/05/uk-education-boss-michael-gove-wants-games-in-the-classroom/#comments Michael Gove has served as Brtitain's Secretary of State for Education since May of 2010. Since being appointed, Gove has called for a number of reforms for the British education system, including restructuring and intensifying language requirements both foreign and domestic, as well as strengthening standards in science and "maths." Now, Gove has set his sights on video games as a way of making the British education system more engaging for children.

"When children need to solve equations in order to get more ammo to shoot the aliens, it is amazing how quickly they can learn," said Gove, speaking to the Royal Society in London regarding Oxford professor Marcus du Sautoy's Manga High system. Manga High, which allows educators to schedule online assignments that automatically reward items in accompanying flash games, represents the future of early science and math education, according to Gove: "These developments are only the beginning."

In related news, we somehow managed to make it all the way through this post without making an "Eh, Gove?" joke.

JoystiqUK education boss Michael Gove wants games in the classroom originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 05:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainbritish-childreneducationeducationaleducational-gamesenglandgames-in-schoolsgames-in-the-classroommichael-goveschoolsTue, 05 Jul 2011 05:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Over 250 universities sign up for CryEngine 3 educational license]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/over-250-universities-sign-up-for-cryengine-3-educational-licens/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/over-250-universities-sign-up-for-cryengine-3-educational-licens/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/29/over-250-universities-sign-up-for-cryengine-3-educational-licens/#comments Back in November of 2009, Crytek detailed plans to offer free licenses to universities wishing to work with CryEngine 3. Apparently quite a few showed interest -- more than 250 different institutions over the last year, to be exact.

A missive on Crytek's site reads: "Academic institutions in a wide variety of fields including physics, computer science, architecture, film-making, art and design use Crytek's all-in-one game development solution for their projects." This should ensure that not only will future video games feature gun-wielding super soldiers in billion-dollar nanosuits, but also movies, paintings, science projects, book reports, fashion magazines and all of the skyscrapers downtown.

[Thanks, Andreas]

JoystiqOver 250 universities sign up for CryEngine 3 educational license originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cryenginecryengine-3CryENGINE-3-Educational-SDKcryengine-3-sdkCrysis-2educationmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 29 Apr 2011 20:45:00 EST<![CDATA[PSP-based augmented reality turns school into an adventure worth writing about]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/psp-based-augmented-reality-turns-school-into-an-adventure-worth/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/psp-based-augmented-reality-turns-school-into-an-adventure-worth/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/20/psp-based-augmented-reality-turns-school-into-an-adventure-worth/#comments Kids at Mansel Primary school used PSPs to escape from the real world and go on fantasy adventures while at school -- as part of an assignment.

The "Imaginary Worlds" project used the system with AR software to allow kids to design fantasy landscapes (like the "Tower of Doom") at school by finding art online and matching it with scannable codes that were hidden around the school. The kids then took camera-equipped systems around the school and embarked on virtual "quests" in these self-made locales, finding items to defeat a monster, and writing about the experience afterward.

According to a subsequent evaluation, the experimental program was met with enthusiasm, and kids behaved well and cooperated while taking part. The evaluation notes that the kids played Invizimals first as an introduction to the AR tech, which proved to be a "useful hook-in to the project."

We think the project is onto something -- not just as a teaching tool, but as a game. We totally want to go have a quest and then chronicle the hardships of said quest.

JoystiqPSP-based augmented reality turns school into an adventure worth writing about originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 20 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented-realityeducationedugaminginvizimalsmansel-primaryplaystationpspschoolsonySun, 20 Mar 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LittleBigPlanet 2 teacher pack coming to UK PSN in May]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/littlebigplanet-2-teacher-pack-coming-to-uk-psn-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/littlebigplanet-2-teacher-pack-coming-to-uk-psn-in-may/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/17/littlebigplanet-2-teacher-pack-coming-to-uk-psn-in-may/#comments Sackboy is grabbing his trusty Trapper Keeper and heading to Avalon Elementary next semester. The LittleBigPlanet 2 "Teacher Pack" is currently being developed by Media Molecule and it's said to be packed with "demonstrations of National Curriculum, based in game levels that other teachers have made." The pack will feature PlayStation Move functionality, SCEE senior VP Ray Maguire told MCV.

"The pack will be a really useful way of starting to track and develop interest and involvement in games-based learning," Maguire noted. He also added that SCEE is aiming for a release "by the start of the summer term in May." In other news, schools in the UK have a summer term starting in May. We're so, so sorry, you guys.

JoystiqLittleBigPlanet 2 teacher pack coming to UK PSN in May originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcdownloadable-contenteducationLittleBigPlanet-2media-moleculenational-curriculumplaystationplaystation-networkps3psnray-maguiresceesony-computer-entertainment-europeteacher-packukThu, 17 Mar 2011 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Gabe Newell speaks to a high school marketing class]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/gabe-newell-speaks-to-a-high-school-marketing-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/gabe-newell-speaks-to-a-high-school-marketing-class/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/19/gabe-newell-speaks-to-a-high-school-marketing-class/#comments Valve co-founder Gabe Newell recently discovered another thing he could do instead of releasing Half-Life 2: Episode 3 -- speaking to a high school class about the business of interactive entertainment. Check out a lengthy video of the teleconference below -- you might just learn a little something.

Continue reading Gabe Newell speaks to a high school marketing class

JoystiqGabe Newell speaks to a high school marketing class originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesseducationgabe-newellHalf-Life-2high-schoolHL2pcvalveSat, 19 Feb 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision Blizzard contributing to Obama's STEM initiative]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/activision-blizzard-contributing-to-obamas-stem-initiative/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/activision-blizzard-contributing-to-obamas-stem-initiative/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/24/activision-blizzard-contributing-to-obamas-stem-initiative/#comments Through the corporate-backed "Change the Equation" program, Activision Blizzard is aiding the science, technology, engineering and math initiative enacted by the Obama administration. A press release this morning announced Activision's participation, with chief public policy officer George Rose adding, "STEM literacy is a business imperative for our nation's economic excellence, success and citizenship. Our collaboration will not only help students, but will revive our economy, fuel our competitiveness, and ultimately empower our nation."

Change the Equation (CTEq) plans on working with "top companies" across "multiple sectors" with the intention of stimulating STEM literacy among youth, countrywide. Activision specifically will be "using video games to promote student interest in science and technology," which we have to imagine doesn't mean sending out leftover copies of Guitar Hero: Van Halen to middle schools. At least, we seriously hope not.

JoystiqActivision Blizzard contributing to Obama's STEM initiative originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisionactivision-blizzardbarack-obamachange-the-equationcteqeducationgeorge-roseobama-administrationstemstem-initiativeFri, 24 Sep 2010 19:40:00 EST<![CDATA[StarCraft features in University of Florida's '21st Century Skills' course]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/starcraft-features-in-university-of-floridas-21st-century-skil/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/starcraft-features-in-university-of-floridas-21st-century-skil/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/24/starcraft-features-in-university-of-floridas-21st-century-skil/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It seems games are seeping even further into our education system. We've already reported the inclusion of Portal in the coursework at Wabash College, and now we learn that the University of Florida is offering a class in StarCraft -- 21st Century Skills in Starcraft (EME2040). The course, taught by doctoral student Nathaniel Poling, uses Blizzard's classic RTS to impart students with skills in the areas of "critical thinking, problem solving, resource management, and adaptive decision making."

Poling told Technology Review that StarCraft requires players to manage "a lot of different units and groups of different capacities," a skill that translates in real world business. The course -- the university's first fully online class -- requires students to play the game, watch recorded matches, and write papers "which emphasize analysis and synthesis of real/game-world concepts." Oh, the class also has no final exam and does count toward a student's GPA. In other words: enroll in this class now.

[Thanks, Kai]

JoystiqStarCraft features in University of Florida's '21st Century Skills' course originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ActivisionBlizzardcultureeducationmacpcstarcraftUniversity-of-FloridaTue, 24 Aug 2010 12:01:00 EST<![CDATA[ESA reports 300 institutions offering game design classes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/esa-reports-300-institutions-offering-game-design-classes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/esa-reports-300-institutions-offering-game-design-classes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/esa-reports-300-institutions-offering-game-design-classes/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Once again, the number of institutions offering gaming industry-centric courses has seen a significant year-over-year increase. According to a study from the Entertainment Software Association, game design, art and programming courses will be taught in 300 of America's colleges, universities and trade schools during this academic year.

Unsurprisingly, California plays host to a majority of these institutions with 40 in-state schools offering game programs, with New York and Texas trailing behind with 26 and 21 schools, respectively. We guess that's why most games take place in cities like Los Angeles, New York City and Fort Worth. (Wait, you've never played a video game set in Fort Worth? Dude, you need to get with the program.)

JoystiqESA reports 300 institutions offering game design classes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 03:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collegeeducationesaschooluniversityTue, 17 Aug 2010 03:30:00 EST<![CDATA[University of Central Florida's abstinence edu-game is just the best thing ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/28/university-of-central-floridas-abstinence-edu-game-is-just-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/28/university-of-central-floridas-abstinence-edu-game-is-just-the/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/28/university-of-central-floridas-abstinence-edu-game-is-just-the/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Look, we really wanted to write a harsh diatribe about the University of Central Florida's federally-funded game development project: An Avatar-esque edu-game that teaches young girls to ignore the sexual advances of their contemporaries. We wanted to talk about all the things that $434,000 of taxpayer's money could have been spent on, or how silly of a concept a motion-controlled abstinence game really is. Unfortunately, our spite turned to pure, unbridled glee after watching this Fox News Report on the project.

Between the news-friendly gaming lingo ("digital puppetry," "jumping into the skin," "interactors," etc.) and the contorted, soulless husks that comprise the game's cast of sexually aware characters, the video -- posted just after the jump -- is a comedy goldmine. Dig in, gang.

Continue reading University of Central Florida's abstinence edu-game is just the best thing ever

JoystiqUniversity of Central Florida's abstinence edu-game is just the best thing ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abstinenceeducationedugamingpcsexuniversity-of-central-floridaWed, 28 Jul 2010 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[How to get to Sesame Street: through your Wii, DS or PC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/how-to-get-to-sesame-street-through-your-wii-ds-or-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/how-to-get-to-sesame-street-through-your-wii-ds-or-pc/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/08/how-to-get-to-sesame-street-through-your-wii-ds-or-pc/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Warner Bros. Interactive has announced two new games (Two games! Ah, ah!) based on the evergreen Sesame Street franchise. Sesame Street: Elmo's A-to-Zoo Adventure and Sesame Street: Cookie's Counting Carnival will help preschoolers learn the alphabet and math this fall on the Wii, DS and PC.

The Wii and DS games will use what WB is calling "gameplay helpers." On the Wii, that means fuzzy Cookie Monster or Elmo slipcovers that cover up unused buttons on the Wiimote. For the DS version, it's a big, clicking stylus for small, uncoordinated hands. Parents and kids alike would do well to resist the urge to jam cookies into the Cookie Monster Wiimote.

JoystiqHow to get to Sesame Street: through your Wii, DS or PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsEducationnintendopcSesame-StreetSesame-Street-Cookies-Counting-CarnivalSesame-Street-Elmos-A-to-Zoo-AdventureWarner-Bros-InteractivewiiTue, 08 Jun 2010 00:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Namco Bandai helping to create textbooks with RPG elements]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/23/namco-bandai-helping-to-create-textbooks-with-rpg-elements/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/23/namco-bandai-helping-to-create-textbooks-with-rpg-elements/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/23/namco-bandai-helping-to-create-textbooks-with-rpg-elements/#comments We spent a remarkable amount of our formative years doodling video game characters into the margins of our textbooks, so we appreciate Namco Bandai's initiative to cut out the middle man. According to Andriasang, the developer recently partnered with publisher Gakko Tosho to create elementary school textbooks which feature persistent storylines and other RPG elements. For instance, a "Math Adventure" book has student solving arithmetic puzzles to gain keys, which can be used to earn some form of treasure.

It's certainly an interesting take on the concept of educational gaming -- and, based on our elementary school Writing class journal, which is literally filled, cover to cover, with Pokémon illustrations and fan fiction, we imagine it'll gain some traction with Japan's young people.

JoystiqNamco Bandai helping to create textbooks with RPG elements originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 23 May 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationedugaminggakko-toshomathnamco-bandairpgschooltexbookSun, 23 May 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Texas schools receive funding for two Wii-based initiatives]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/texas-schools-receive-funding-for-two-wii-based-initiatives/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/texas-schools-receive-funding-for-two-wii-based-initiatives/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/texas-schools-receive-funding-for-two-wii-based-initiatives/#commentsTwo Wii-based educational projects have received grants in the small east Texas town of Lindale. The Lindale Independent School District Education Foundation has awarded $1,021.40 to Early Childhood Center teachers Cookie Hartley and June Wright, whose "Wii Can Do It!" project aims to use Wii games to teach as "therapy and instructional tools" to "accelerate learning" for preschoolers with disabilities, and Lindale Primary School's Cynthia Peters and Bobbie Williams for "Wii Fit, Wii Moving, and Wii Happy," a more general program about using the Wii to introduce students to technology and build teamwork skills.

The Fund consists of donations from local citizens and businesses. These two grants are part of a total of $13,802.36 awarded in the district, all handed to teachers with surprise novelty checks, Publishers Clearinghouse-style. The only downside is that Wii systems are going to be a bit harder to find in Lindale this week for everyone else.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqTexas schools receive funding for two Wii-based initiatives originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationlindaletexasWed, 31 Mar 2010 18:12:00 EST<![CDATA['Second Sight' turns PSP camera into an augmented reality learning tool [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/second-sight-turns-psp-camera-into-an-augmented-reality-learni/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/second-sight-turns-psp-camera-into-an-augmented-reality-learni/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/20/second-sight-turns-psp-camera-into-an-augmented-reality-learni/#comments We've recently seen augmented reality used in some pretty clever ways in the gaming space, but Sony subsidiary ConnectED has come up with a way to turn real-time graphical overlays into an educational tool. Using a PSP equipped with a camera, the "Second Sight" technology allows tags embedded in textbooks or magazines to cue relevant audio or video clips directly on the PSP.

The program can also create interactive 3D models which the user can examine by changing the orientation of the PSP. Check out the video after the jump to see a video demonstration of what we're talking about, and then imagine how awesome school is going to be in like, fifteen years.

Update: We recently heard from Matthew Prodger, studio director at Black Ridge Technologies, who explained that his company was the actual developer and owner of the technology, while ConnectED is simply the distributor of the tech on the PSP. He also said the technology would appear on mobile phones for use in "museums, books, magazines and newspapers over the coming year."

[Via Siliconera]

Continue reading 'Second Sight' turns PSP camera into an augmented reality learning tool [update]

Joystiq'Second Sight' turns PSP camera into an augmented reality learning tool [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>augmented-realityblack-ridgecameraconnectedededucationlearningschoolsecond-sightsonySat, 20 Mar 2010 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDC: Making games to prevent violence against children]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc-2010-making-games-to-prevent-violence-against-children/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc-2010-making-games-to-prevent-violence-against-children/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/gdc-2010-making-games-to-prevent-violence-against-children/#comments The highlight of yesterday's GDC Serious Game Summit panels focused on an appropriately consequential topic: How games can help protect children from the commonplace dangers they face from predators, both online and off. The panel was led by Child Safety Research and Innovation Center president Allan McCullough -- a man who's strived to develop games which teach young people how to identify and avoid dangerous situations.

The two Flash-based games which represent the fruits of McCullough's two decades of labor look deceptively simple on the surface. They are, after all, hand-illustrated, poorly animated educational games geared towards children, with budgets too small to allow the hiring of professional voice actors and experienced gaming professionals. However, beneath the crude surface of these games lie clever methods of imparting crucial information to their young players which could ostensibly help them avoid encounters with people who mean them harm.

Continue reading GDC: Making games to prevent violence against children

JoystiqGDC: Making games to prevent violence against children originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>allan-mcculloughchild-safetychild-safety-research-and-innovation-centerchildreneducationeducationalflashgdc-2010panelpredatorviolenceThu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Yale gets $4 million grant for HIV avoidance game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/yale-gets-4-million-grant-for-hiv-avoidance-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/yale-gets-4-million-grant-for-hiv-avoidance-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/yale-gets-4-million-grant-for-hiv-avoidance-game/#comments A group of pupils at Yale University recently received a grant from the (deep breath) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, which will help fund development of a video game which teaches youngsters how to avoid contracting HIV. The game, Retro-Warriors, will be designed with a multicultural focus, so that it can be used to teach young people across the globe how to identify and eschew risky behaviors.

It's not the first time someone's proposed such a project -- however, considering the aforementioned grant was for $3.9 million, it might be the most well-funded educational game of all time. We're fully expecting top-of-the-line graphics, a score by Hans Zimmer and some measure of involvement from Nolan North. For more information on what the game will actually be like, check out this CNS News article.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqYale gets $4 million grant for HIV avoidance game originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aidseducationgranthivyaleyale-school-of-medicineTue, 09 Feb 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Austin Independent School District makes deal to buy more video games for classrooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/austin-independent-school-district-makes-deal-to-buy-more-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/austin-independent-school-district-makes-deal-to-buy-more-video/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/austin-independent-school-district-makes-deal-to-buy-more-video/#comments
We've seen educational video games show up in the classroom before, and it looks like one school district is coming back for more. The Austin Independent School District has ordered up another set of edu-games from a company called Tabula Digita that provides 3D, first-person action-based games to teach students how to do basic math and algebra. One sample scenario in the games has students calculating the location of an in-game weather station on a graph, and then using the data found there to make charts and track down alien creatures.

The press release doesn't mention costs, but according to its website, 15 single-user licenses to the games cost the school $1049.25 each, making up a cost of just over $24,000 for the entire 350 student program. The students, who were part of a 10-day JumpStart program and had previously failed a math retest, were allowed to play the games for 30 minutes a day, and, afterwards, 82% of the kids said they had improved their understanding of the concepts. No word on how their k/d ratio came out.

JoystiqAustin Independent School District makes deal to buy more video games for classrooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 03:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dalgebraaustinchartclassroomclassroom-gamesdimension-meducationfirst-persongames-in-the-classroomgaminggaming-in-the-classroomgraphindependentkd-ratiolearningmathschool-districtschoolsThu, 07 Jan 2010 03:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Royal Navy sailors given PSPs to 'encourage studying']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/royal-navy-sailors-given-psps-to-encourage-studying/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/royal-navy-sailors-given-psps-to-encourage-studying/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/29/royal-navy-sailors-given-psps-to-encourage-studying/#comments So, umm, this is kind of awkward. We're sorry to tell you, British Royal Navy, but it would appear that you've been duped. We know that the electric engineer everyone trusts so much - Reginald, that con artist! - has spent hours convincing everyone at HMS Collingwood in Hampshire how important it is for him to have a Sony PSP for "studying," but we have to tell you: It's a gaming system! He's just using it to play games!

And so even though Reginald said it would be a "smashing idea" for you to buy 230 consoles and spend £50k in the process, we're not so sure this is the best way to educate British sailors. The pre-loaded engineering software may help, but who's to stop users from spending hours with Patapon 2 instead? And no matter how much they claim to be learning about naval combat from SOCOM: Tactical Strike, we're pretty sure that's a lie as well. We hope you've learned from this, and will think twice next time that dastardly Reginald proposes a gaming system as education.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

JoystiqRoyal Navy sailors given PSPs to 'encourage studying' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british-royal-navyeducationhms-collingwoodpatapon-2royal-navysonystudyingukSun, 29 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony & Microsoft offer software for UK university education program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/sony-and-microsoft-offer-software-for-uk-university-education-prog/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/sony-and-microsoft-offer-software-for-uk-university-education-prog/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/25/sony-and-microsoft-offer-software-for-uk-university-education-prog/#commentsKeeping in line with recent contributions to President Obama's STEM education initative, both Microsoft and Sony have signed on for development software support to UK school Kingston University. A recent press release from the school boasts a "state-of-the-art laboratory aimed at providing the next generation of game developers with the skills needed to take computer gaming into the future," even employing "Xbox and handheld PSP game consoles" at each workstation.

According to Darrel Greenhill, games technology program head at KU, students are "working to industry standards even before they've left the classroom" with the donated software. Currently the university offers games programming and games technology degrees for undergrads, but will also begin offering post-graduate game development degrees in 2010. Unfortunately, no official date has been set for when computer gaming will reach "the future."

[Via Develop]

JoystiqSony & Microsoft offer software for UK university education program originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>donationeducationgame-developersgame-developmentkingston-universitymicrosoftsonyukXbox-360Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rockstar's Beaterator subbing for music teachers in some NYC public schools]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/rockstars-beaterator-subbing-for-music-teachers-in-some-nyc-pub/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/rockstars-beaterator-subbing-for-music-teachers-in-some-nyc-pub/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/22/rockstars-beaterator-subbing-for-music-teachers-in-some-nyc-pub/#comments Despite a relatively low-key launch on the PSP this past Fall, Rockstar Games' Beaterator is showing back up in the news this week for reasons that we couldn't have seen coming from a mile away. It turns out that kids in some NYC public schools are getting their music education by means of the beat making application and PSPs, with a custom workshop being taught by Dubspot.

CBS2 News reports that students from the East Side High School in Manhattan are being instructed on not just using Beaterator's tools, but also creating fully fleshed out tracks. "They're able to learn music theory in a different format ... it's the same information, just a different way of presenting it," the class' teacher says. Copies of Beaterator and PSPs are being provided for free, as is the classroom. We've contacted Rockstar to see if it plans on expanding the program into other cities.

[Via Rockstar Games]

JoystiqRockstar's Beaterator subbing for music teachers in some NYC public schools originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Applebeateratordubspoteast-side-high-schooleducationiPodmusicnew-york-citynycnyc-public-schoolsrockstarrockstar-gamesRockstar-LeedsschoolSun, 22 Nov 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Activision promotes ratings, educational properties of games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/activision-promotes-ratings-educational-properties-of-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/activision-promotes-ratings-educational-properties-of-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/activision-promotes-ratings-educational-properties-of-games/#commentsWhile the overwhelming majority of Activision's marketing force is being put to use selling Modern Warfare 2, one component of the company is hard at work not selling it -- to kids. Activision is working with Dr. Cheryl Olson, co-director for the Center for Mental Health and Media at Massachusetts General Hospital (and co-author of Grand Theft Childhood), on a campaign to help parents understand ESRB ratings, called "Ratings are not a Game." The first video deals with the obvious topic of "How Can I Tell If A Game Is Appropriate For My Child And How Do I Set Play Limits."

In the second video, Olson discusses the skills and information learned from games, even those of the non-educational variety. Even if the video is sponsored content produced by Activision (and therefore isn't exactly unbiased), it's still novel to hear a reasonably positive message about games' effects on kids.

JoystiqActivision promotes ratings, educational properties of games originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>activisioncheryl-olsoneducationesrbratings-are-not-a-gameTue, 03 Nov 2009 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC's public gaming school enters first semester, teaching with 'Troggles']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/nycs-public-gaming-school-enters-first-semester-teaching-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/nycs-public-gaming-school-enters-first-semester-teaching-with/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/nycs-public-gaming-school-enters-first-semester-teaching-with/#comments The first semester of New York City's Quest to Learn began last week on the 9th, with an inaugural class of around 75 sixth graders in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood taking classes that employ games (of all types) in learning. "One thing I want to emphasize: this is not a school about just playing video games ... this is a school that uses the system of games to deliver rich discussion," the school's principal, Aaron Schwartz, told Joystiq over the phone this morning. "We use games as a medium here." Education at Quest to Learn is delivered through a variety of means other than games, though game systems are a focus for teaching the specific subset of student that Q2L targets: "digital kids."

We pressed him on exactly how the students will be using games like LittleBigPlanet to assist with education. "Right now, one of our classes called 'The Way Things Work' [math/science] is using clips from LittleBigPlanet to introduce this race called the 'Troggles' who are having problems with how things work," he said. " Our kids are studying simple machines, so the Troggles have reached out to our children for help building their machines." As the semester progresses, students will build on their knowledge by creating something a bit more complex -- a Rube Goldberg machine. "Some of them will be doing it in actuality, some may be doing it virtually, and from there they'll use LBP to understand other concepts."

Quest to Learn plans on adding one new grade annually (up to 12) and is currently hiring teachers for next year.

JoystiqNYC's public gaming school enters first semester, teaching with 'Troggles' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-schwartzeducationlittlebigplanetnew-york-cityquest-to-learnrube-goldbergschoolThu, 17 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo's DS Classroom now DSi-only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/nintendos-ds-classroom-now-dsi-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/nintendos-ds-classroom-now-dsi-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/05/nintendos-ds-classroom-now-dsi-only/#comments
Using the DS as an educational tool is nothing new in Japan. It's been a tour guide, an English teacher and even a boozing instructor. Lately the focus has been on DS Classroom, a program from Nintendo and Sharp System Products announced back in June that aims to let Japanese teachers dish out lessons and the like to students' DSes. Initially, it was planned to work with the original DS, the Lite and DSi, but, according to Andriasang, that's no longer the case.

The new educational aid will only work with the DSi now, as Nintendo has announced it's doing away with support for the older Nintendo handhelds. We would be worried for the students over there that don't have a DSi, but, then again, we're pretty sure those kids are few and far between.

JoystiqNintendo's DS Classroom now DSi-only originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ds-classroomdsieducationjapannintendo-dsiWed, 05 Aug 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Liverpool wants to build 'games academy']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/liverpool-wants-to-build-games-academy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/liverpool-wants-to-build-games-academy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/10/liverpool-wants-to-build-games-academy/#comments
City councilors in Liverpool (England, UK, EU ... sorta) are planning on creating a "computer games academy" in the city. The Liverpool Daily Post reports the £5m facility would train students in art, coding and tech. As Develop notes, the area is home to SCEE Liverpool and Bizarre Creations, with 1,500 developers employed in the area.

The city's enterprise leader, Councilor Gary Millar, hopes the academy will become a hub for well-trained potential employees and inspire people to "up-skill and get involved." It's a good thing for the UK, as the region continues to fight for tax breaks and develop more skilled labor for the industry.

[Via Develop]
[Image]

JoystiqLiverpool wants to build 'games academy' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscomputer-games-academyeducationenglandlaborlabourliverpoolskilled-laborukFri, 10 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo reveals specialized DS software for classrooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/nintendo-reveals-specialized-ds-software-for-classrooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/nintendo-reveals-specialized-ds-software-for-classrooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/nintendo-reveals-specialized-ds-software-for-classrooms/#commentsJapanese schools have integrated the Nintendo DS into their curricula before, but now there is a program specifically designed for that use. Demonstrating its commitment to make the DS a multifunctional lifestyle device, Nintendo announced a new educational program being made in collaboration with Sharp System Products. The DS Kyoushitsu ("DS Classroom") program allows a teacher to use a PC to interface over local wireless with up to 50 DS systems in a classroom.

The system can be used for problem sets, with the answers checked automatically and sent to the teacher's PC, surveys, tests, and other multiple-choice activities. In addition, non-multiple-choice questions can be answered by writing or drawing on the DS's touch screen, with screen images sent to the teacher.

The program can be used with any DS, so presumably it's up to schools whether or not they need to provide hardware. We're pretty sure Japanese school kids have easy access to DS systems already.

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqNintendo reveals specialized DS software for classrooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ds-classroomeducationedugamingjapansharp-system-productsWed, 10 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[AMD doles out grants for educational game push]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/amd-doles-out-grants-for-educational-game-push/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/amd-doles-out-grants-for-educational-game-push/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/29/amd-doles-out-grants-for-educational-game-push/#commentsPerhaps as penance for all the brains it's helped to rot with WoW, Counter-Strike and Dolphin Olympics over the years, AMD has announced that it has awarded three grants for the creation of educational or "serious" games to build skills in science, technology and math.

There are, of course, no specific games being talked about, but we've got some killer ideas if anyone wants to break us off a piece of that sweet, sweet grant money. (Oh, a sneak preview? How about a fully 3D version of Mathman? Yeah, we thought so.)

JoystiqAMD doles out grants for educational game push originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 29 May 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amdcharityeducationeducational-gamesgrantsserious-gamesFri, 29 May 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[NYC schools testing Wii Fit for Phys Ed.]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/nyc-schools-testing-wii-fit-for-phys-ed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/nyc-schools-testing-wii-fit-for-phys-ed/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/04/07/nyc-schools-testing-wii-fit-for-phys-ed/#comments
Some New York city schools are testing a new program for physical education, one that utilizes Nintendo's popular Wii Fit package. Trading in dodge balls for Balance Boards, several different schools received free bundles from Nintendo, but Lori Rose Benson, head of the Department of Education's Office of Fitness and Health Education, admits she wasn't on board at first. It didn't take her long to get with the program, however, as she realized that "students learn in lots of different ways and that we can engage students in physical activity through gaming and through interactive techniques," which is really what's important. Well, that and making sure you block all of those soccer balls.

JoystiqNYC schools testing Wii Fit for Phys Ed. originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationexergamingfitnessgymnew-york-citynycphysical-educationwii-fitTue, 07 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo offers free DS, Personal Trainer: Math to math-loving kids]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/nintendo-offers-free-ds-personal-trainer-math-to-math-loving-k/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/nintendo-offers-free-ds-personal-trainer-math-to-math-loving-k/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/nintendo-offers-free-ds-personal-trainer-math-to-math-loving-k/#commentsWhat's the best way to entice middle-schoolers into their schools' math clubs? How about the promise of a free Nintendo DS -- and a math game? Personally, we think the best way would be to move the meetings to Steak 'n Shake and replace the "math" part with "vanilla malts." But, while delicious, it's not exactly educational, and wouldn't really make for a good PR opportunity for Nintendo.

Instead, the company has partnered with MATHCOUNTS, a "national enrichment, coaching and competition program" for middle school math, to bribe four middle school math clubs across the US with free DS systems -- and, of course, Personal Trainer: Math. They could hand out Fire Emblem or something -- but again, not so much of a PR opportunity.

JoystiqNintendo offers free DS, Personal Trainer: Math to math-loving kids originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>educationmathcountspersonal-trainer-mathtrainingWed, 25 Feb 2009 11:30:00 EST