1 reply to this topic

[TheMagician]

Hi everybody - let's fill these new forums with content.

First, I have to say that the following idea is not mine. It's something that I found on the homepage of a German university which offers game design classes for teenagers. However, the "Where to go from there" part is by me.

The idea:
go outside(!) with the kids and let them create a small game. For that you give them chalk and juggling utensils (or whatever things you see fit).
You can then set up some limitations if you like (e.g. you have to be able to win the game in about 5 minutes, space constraints,...).

Here's an image of a game which kids at the university course came up with:


Pros:

• children can get to know each other in a casual/relaxed atmosphere
• children have to work in a team and discuss different ideas/points of view
• easy to set up and carry out
• spend some quality time outside before the rest of class takes place in front of computers

Where to go from there:

You can ask the students to...

• ...write down a list of rules for their game.
• ...specify the requirements to win the game.
• ...create a list of objects needed in their game and sort them into categories (e.g. can be interacted with, can move, is necessary to win the game,...).
• ...discuss whether their game could be played on a computer or whether/why it would have to be modified.
• ...

These activities can serve as a transition from the practical construction of a game to getting the children to think logically about the working mechanisms behind the game. This is an important foundation for when the kids start to design and develop their own computer games.

Edited by TheMagician, 16 May 2012 - 08:36 PM.

[sub]

good information!
i wholeheartedly endorse this event and/or product

Edited by sub, 01 June 2012 - 01:40 PM.