STUDENT INCURSION
Fun and Games- Game Making
Creating their own simple interactive computer game will lead students to exercise math’s, ICT , design and thinking skills as never before. Game Making trains programming protocols and is an excellent thinking tool.
The Game maker interface simplifies game coding. Students are able to design the graphics, plan the play, scoring and tactics. Game Maker focuses on two-dimensional games. It's not meant to create 3D worlds like Quake, even though there is some limited functionality for 3D graphics.Many great games, like Age of Empires, the Command & Conquer series, and Diablo use two-dimensional sprite technology, even though they look very 3-dimensional. And designing two-dimensional games is a lot easier and faster.
Consider your class designing their own "Brain Training" games like the Math's Maze or healthy eating games illustrated below , created using Game Maker. 
Math's Maze - makes learning tables fun
Use games to enforce key concepts and learning.
At Right is an example of a sustainability game complete with black carbon balloons, wind turbines, trees, polluting vehicle... imagine the possibilities to bring home a point!
Game maker creates simple “arcade style” (remember Super Mario Brothers?) games rather than “ Halo “ type games. Why not set students the task of creating games that use shapes, numbers, words, science concepts etc. to use on your interactive whiteboard?
My Software – Game maker
Links
Download Game maker for free at :
Tutorials, samples and information about Game Maker
Game Maker tools from Tasmania Education
YouTube - Game Maker Tutorial # 1
TEACHING RESOURCES & GAME SAMPLES
My Hardware-
- 15 Laptop Computers with all associated electrical leads and power-boards,
- Data Projector,
Suitable For years – 5 – 10
Session Length –Half day minimum per class
Student Skills Required – Competence on a computer.
Student Preparation – Nil.If you have a theme that you would like the games to be based on please advise me by e mail
Teacher's Professional Development.
Fun and Games - Using Game Making to Enhance Student Learning
These sessions are delivered by Sue Inness who has current, relevant experience teaching both students and teachers in this area
All sessions address the V.E.L.S. and the Standards For Professional Practice for Teachers using practical, understandable resources and teachers notes.
This session will demonstrate how game-making can be used to engage students, convey ideas, train thinking, mathematics and computer skills in a way that values students experiences and links students to everyday literacies (critical literacy, visual literacy, etc.) Participants will become confident programming and using Game Maker software. One of the most motivational aspects of Game Making is that games provide a way to incorporate popular culture into your teaching and students learning
In this workshop we will learn the basics of Game Maker and create our own unique “Brain Training” game and share it with the group. Game Maker is a free program that uses icons and/or code to create simple “Mario Brothers” style games that your students will enjoy making as well as playing. The programming protocols employed by Game Maker share a similarity with other programming environments and will deepen students understanding of this discipline. Game Maker can also be used for simple animations and modeling.
The extended 4 X 2 hour PD allows teachers to consolidate their skills with the Game Maker software and receive individual attention based on their computer skills level.
In addition we will design and write a game that conveys an idea or exercises a skill e.g. Global warming and sustainable practices, math's operations etc.
Teachers will utilise the more advanced options in Game Maker to design, share and play these games.
The role of planning game-play, charactersiation, story telling, environments and game making in the curriculum will also be explored in more depth.
Comprehensive teachers resources will be provided for all sessions
Game Making PD is offered in two formats -
2 hour stand-alone sessions is the minimum time requirement.
Game Making is suitable for –Teachers of years 6 - 10, Mathematics, I.C.T., Science, art, gifted and talented programs and boys education
My Software –Game Maker
My Hardware-
- Presenters computer and data projector
- 15 Laptop Computers plus all ancillary electrical leads and power boards
Teachers Equipment It Teachers may opt to work on their own lap-top computers, my 15 LapTop Computers are available if required. Teachers can pre load the Game maker software for free at the link above.