Post on 10-Jul-2015
“Defeat the Book Thief!”: Designing a Library Instruction
Video Game.Sue Raybould – School Librarian, The
Long Eaton School.Carl Cross – Children’s Librarian
Derbyshire Libraries.
What we were trying to achieve:
• A product that taught basic library skills through gameplay.
• Peer designed with minimal design input from adults.
What we were NOT trying to achieve:
• A game that would be played purely for entertainment.
• A game that could compete with big budget blockebusters.
Underlying Assumptions
• Can Learning happen through videogames?
Underlying Assumptions
• Can Learning happen through videogames?
Underlying Assumptions
• Can Learning happen through videogames?
Recruitment
• Adverts around school• Target specific individuals via ICT
teachers
Recruitment
•Anyone who was interested could attend
•Mostly boys – I girl!
•2 groups: one of 6 members, another of 5
•Information sheets/ Consent forms
How you could do it:
• Use software• Design a tabletop game
Tips
• No paperwork!• Designing board games, away from the
PCs worked well
Tips
• Liked ‘doing’• Have a specific aim each session • Plenary/Summing up at end• Enjoyed seeing results of their work
Evolution of a Library Game
Evolution of a Library Game
Evolution of a Library Game
What the students thought
“ I have learned new skills”“I liked working with different people
as part of a team”“I enjoyed talking about games”“I learned how to make a floor
pattern”“I would have liked to create my own
game”“It would have been better based on
actual programming rather than done on paper”
For one boy, coming to the Game Design Group was
the only thing he enjoyed in school!
Sue Raybould – School Librarian, The Long Eaton School.
sraybould@longeaton.derbyshire.sch.uk
Carl Cross – Children’s Librarian Derbyshire Libraries.
carl.cross@derbyshire.gov.uk