Pandemics, Interconnected Systems and Game-Based Learning

Matthew Farber

About Matthew FarberI teach social studies at Valleyview Middle School, in Denville, New Jersey. I hold a Master's Degree in Educational Technology from New Jersey City University, where I am a Doctoral Candidate in Educational Technology Leadership.

mattfarber1@gmail.com

@MatthewFarber

matthewfarber.com

Links: tinyurl.com/PandemicSPC

What Are Games?

Games Are SYSTEMS With Four Interconnected Components

1. Goal

2. Rules (Constraints)

3. Components

4. Core Mechanics

5. Space (“The Magic Circle”)

A Game’s Core Mechanics Set a System of Play in Motion

Core Mechanics are what you do over and over in a game.

Examples: Arguing Trading Voting Exploring Jumping Guessing Role-Playing Resource management (time is a resource) Press your luck

Systems in Science

Systems in ELA

Spread of the Black Death through Afro-Eurasia

Systems in History

The Challenge:How to Make This Interesting to a Kid?!

Using Pandemics to Teach the Columbian Exchange

Flip the Learning

Game Jam

Meso-American Trading Cards

Modeled AfterTrading Card Games

Student-Created Games

Student-Created Games

Student-Created Games

Student-Created Games

Student-Created Games

Next, Students Master SimCityEDU’s Systems

SimCityEDU

GlassLab Games’ Reports

Formative Assessment

Summative Assessment

Boss Level

Incas,Meet the Conquistadors

PBS Learning Multimedia

Pox: Save the People

Pox: Save the People

Pandemic: The Cooperative Board Game

Rules

Pandemic’s Cards

Pandemic’s RolesYou kind of turn everyone into superheroes. --Matt Leacock

Pandemic’s Roles

Pandemic’s Roles

Pandemic Parties

Plague, Inc.

Plague, Inc.’s Ebola Appeal

mattfarber1@gmail.com

@MatthewFarber

matthewfarber.com

Links: tinyurl.com/PandemicSPC

THANK YOU!