{KS} Games and Learning and ... you guessed it... Peggle

{KS} Games thus far...can I be done yet?

There is some pressure to play games when you are playing for a purpose and that purpose is your Master's degree in Learning Technologies.

I play "video" games in real life.
Solitare, Poker Pals (with my cousin Luke. We are going on 5 years now of phone poker),7 Words and Whirly Word when I can't sleep at night.
I even will play games when I'm watching my friends kids. I am after working to forever be the "cool aunt."

That is pretty much it.

Until I discovered Peggle. And, as I wrote about earlier, I became an addict and basically forgot about real life for a full 2 days.

Until Peggle comes out with another challenge, I should be in the clear.

For CogTools, I've played Halo 4, Monaco, ThirdEyeCrime, another one that I forget because I didn't like it much and deleted it from my phone.

I'd rather read. I'd rather watch a movie.

I know it sounds a little crazy, but I'm ready to be done with the game playing. I absolutely feel like I have learned from the game playing. And I am confident that it has and will make me a better teacher. I have enjoyed learning about game and learning theory but I'm ready to be done playing games.

I keep trying to analyze why this is but I am not quite sure.

Why don't I connect?

I can recognize why people love gaming and the various aspects of applying gaming to learning and education.

So I will take what I have and am learning and seek to apply to my classroom and teaching.

But, I'll probably come home and watch some TV instead of picking up the controller or opening my computer up to World of Warcraft.

Progressive learning

*Note to reader... forgive the jumping around of ideas and thoughts...it might come together at the end...no promises*

It is a term that comes up multiple times in Gamify, by Brian Burke and one that should be applied in classrooms on a daily basis. It should be applied in all learning environments. The idea of learning in incremental steps is centric to gaming, small steps first, building on those skills over time. I've referred to this concept in previous posts and have been pondering it as I explore various video games. It doesn't seem to matter which game I play. This incremental or progressive learning approach applies to all. Some games have little challenge and therefore the increments are limited, but others are quite complex and therefore the incremental/progressive learning is necessary and layered.

The truth remains that I am not one to sit down and play games on my computer for hours upon hours. It's not that I necessarily do not spend hours in front of my computer or TV. It's just that, for the most part, games don't interest me. There are the few that are the exception or that suck me in (Peggle, Tiny Wings and 7 Words have entertained me plenty). But I rarely come back. It's more of a binge mentality. Until I am sitting in the dentist office waiting for my cleaning appointment. But even then, I'll open up a book app and read, before playing one of the few games on my phone.

Why is this?

In Gamify, Burke states that "gamification does not just mean make a game." It refers to the incremental, progressive game mechanics of gaming. As I stated above, this is an idea that should be present in every learning environment. Burke also goes on to explore when and why gamification is successful. Turns out, it is not always successful, be it poor implementation, lack of buy in, failure to provide "meaningful" and "engaging" experiences.

That got me thinking, if one were to gamify professional development at my school, would I buy in? I looked into this concept of professional development gamification and sure enough there are examples all over the World Wide Web.

I think I'd be there person in the corner, trying to get work that "really matters" done. I'd be that pain in the butt adult.

On the other hand, I can see how the mechanics of gaming are applicable to professional development. Clearly, it has been somewhat successful.

I still don't think I'd respond well.

The only way I think I would buy in is if it was collaborative. Even then...I'm not sure.

I'm still pondering.

Started playing Peggle...so long life.

It is not a joke. I started playing Peggle. 2 days later I stopped. Because I had finished the entire game. Then I thought I had better play Peggle Night. After all, I was suffering from withdrawals. I could have more will power this time around. So I started playing Peggle Night. 2 days later I stopped. Because I had finished the entire game. (For the record, I am a teacher on summer vacation and clearly, I used my time wisely)

I dream Peggle. When I close my eyes I am plotting points and angles to shoot the ball in order to hit the orange pegs. Peggle took over my life for a time. I am not proud of it but I enjoyed every fun and frustrating moment and felt a strong satisfaction when this happened.

The question as to why I was obsessed entertained with Peggle and therefore addicted willing to spending so much time playing a game on my phone. Let me explain how it works.

*     *     *     *    *

Peggle is the perfect balance between challenge and fun. They start you out with a small challenge. Shoot the ball and hit the orange pegs. Once you do that, you win. And so you channel the days of Frogger and Pinball and you blast the pegs. Satisfaction.

Next level, you do more of the same. Only this time, there are obstacles in the way. This process continues and with each level, a new character with a special power is introduced. Their special power enables you to overcome the obstacles. But each level also brings a new obstacle or challenge to overcome. This one harder than last. You may not succeed the first time. But you go back. You will win this time. Sometimes you do. Sometimes it means 8 attempts. Either way, you WILL win. Finally you make it to the ultimate challenge. And you get to choose the strange character with their magical power that you believe will help you win this great contest. You may not succeed the first time. But you go back. You will win this time. Sometimes you do. Sometimes it means 8, 9, 10, 15 attempts. Either way, you WILL win.

Breaks are taken. After all, you are an adult with responsibilities and the dog needs to go outside to take care of business.

But Peggle calls you back. You're sooooooo close. You'll get it. 5 more minutes. Maybe 5 more. Dang. I almost had it. One more time.

And so it goes.

Somehow, you have become so wrapped up in a game that you downloaded earlier that morning just to "check it out" because a Cadremate happened to have mentioned it at the last Hangout. Something that you once had no investment in, you are committed and determined to beat. Well done Peggle. Well done.

Landon and Jon...I blame you.

Oh Peggle (insert smiley face, heart eyes emoticon here).