Workshop Overview

Creative Technology: Game Design for Educators was a 4-week virtual workshop designed in collaboration with the Director of Innovation at Atlanta International School and a design expert. This program aimed to equip educators from two Filipino secondary schools with 3D modeling, game design, and design thinking skills to foster innovative teaching practices that enhance student engagement and learning.

Objectives

The workshop aimed to showcase the educational advantages of game-based learning by providing participants with practical experience in 3D modeling and digital game design using the Design Thinking framework. Participants learned to apply this framework to design educational games that enhance student engagement and comprehension in their classrooms.

Participant Analysis

The workshop addressed challenges faced by the participants such as limited internet bandwidth and low technology specifications. We selected accessible tools like TinkerCAD for 3D modeling and GameMaker Studio for game development to ensure participants could learn and practice new skills despite technical constraints.

Instructional Strategies and Activities

Utilizing a flipped classroom model, participants received instructional materials prior to each session. Collaborative activities included Zoom breakout sessions for practicing the first three phases of the Design Thinking process: empathize, define, and ideate. The workshop culminated in participants designing and presenting their educational games, allowing them to apply their new skills and receive feedback on their engagement strategies.

For participants unfamiliar with game design, the instructional method of activating prior knowledge was employed by comparing the Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics (MDA) framework to the familiar Filipino game, Patintero. By breaking down the MDA elements of Patintero, participants were able to connect a known game to a new design methodology, facilitating a clearer understanding of the concepts.