Katie Salen on the Power of Game-Based Learning: Big Thinkers

TL;DR

Quest to Learn is a school that leverages digital media and game-like learning to engage and educate students.

Transcript

It's really cool school. I've never gone to a school quite like it. >>Well, we get to design games and play each other's games, so instead of just doing work, work, work all day. >>Well, we have the basic classes of a school, but we gave them different names, like math is called Code World. Science is the Way Things Work. >>We learn everything th... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Quest to Learn is a school that understands the importance of learning beyond traditional classrooms and embraces digital media and game-like learning systems.
• 👨‍🏫 The school's curriculum encourages problem-solving, collaboration, and multi-modal learning experiences.
• 🤔 Game design is seen as a valuable mode of discourse for this generation, promoting abstract thinking and socialization.
• 👪 Parents' concerns about competition and motivation are addressed by promoting healthy incentives and emphasizing progress and growth.
• 🎨 The curriculum is designed to help students become design thinkers, regardless of their chosen career paths.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Quest to Learn leverage digital media and games for learning?

Quest to Learn believes that children can learn in different ways outside of traditional classrooms through their use of digital media and online communities. They integrate game-like learning systems and leverage the engagement and problem-solving skills that games provide.

Q: Does game design help with deeper and abstract thinking?

Yes, the school believes that game design helps students think more abstractly about other subjects. Game design is considered a form of discourse for this generation, much like cinema was for the previous generation. It allows students to socialize and develop problem-solving abilities.

Q: Are there concerns about competition and motivation in game-based learning?

Some parents are concerned that games can lead to addiction or excessive competitiveness. However, the school believes that game-based learning can actually motivate students to improve. Games are designed to incentivize players to strive for progress, and Quest to Learn strikes a balance to ensure a healthy learning environment.

Q: How does the school structure its curriculum?

The curriculum is designed using a mission and quest-based framework, similar to online gaming. Quests become progressively more challenging as students develop tools, knowledge, and experiences. Completion of one quest is a prerequisite for moving on to the next, providing motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Quest to Learn is a unique public school in New York City that embraces digital media and games as tools for learning.

• The school uses a mission-based approach, where complex challenges are broken down into smaller tasks to encourage problem-solving skills.

• Students learn traditional subjects like math and science but with game-inspired names and engage in collaborative and multi-modal learning experiences.