EdGamer 100: Finding the Next Steve Jobs with Nolan Bushnell

Celebrate EdGamer’s 100th Episode with our Special Guest, Atari Co-founder, gaming pioneer, and edtech entrepreneur, Nolan Bushnell. We’ll discuss Nolan’s new book, as well as his exciting new ed company, Brainrush.com! Tune -in and level-up!

EdGamer 99: Maria Cipollone and Her Minecraft Quest

Maria Cipollone (pronounced: chip-alone) is a born-and-raised Philadelphian who is also a PhD student in Media and Communication at Temple University. She studies how “new” media technologies (e.g. video games, virtual/augmented reality experiences, mobile technologies) shape our thinking, working, and especially learning. In her dissertation, she wants to answer the following questions: what happens to the motivation to play Minecraft when we take Minecraft to school? What psychological factors (for example ‘tele’presence) contribute to motivation to ‘mine’? And the big one: does Minecraft help students learn? Maria has a wealth of knowledge and you will not want to miss this conversation. Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 98: John Hunter and His Book on World Peace

He’s back and he’s bringing us World Peace…the board game and the book! EdGamer 98 features the return of one of our favorites guests, John Hunter. Listen in as we discuss John’s new book, World Peace and Other 4th Grade Achievements, and attempt to solve the world’s problems in a half hour. It’s another can’t miss episode of EdGamer. Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 97: Medieval Games and Girl Scout Badges

This week on EdGamer 97 we try to decipher the connection between the Girls Scouts of America and Vikings…who could pass that up? Let us enlighten your half hour with knowledge about #EdWin, great history games, and Zack’s old age. It’s an episode you can’t miss. Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 96: Rush and a Revolution Through Games

EdGamer episode 96 covers a lot of ground. This was an eventful week that saw tragedies in Texas, Boston, and major flooding in parts of the Midwest The week ended well with Zack and his game club (games we played- No Thanks! – Cartegena – Botswana) and Rush’s induction (Zack is a big Rush fan!) into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. We also discuss a video by Constance Steinkuhler and interest driven learning. Tune in and level-up!

EdGamer 95: A Common Thread Between Tiger Woods, Education, Games, and Assessments

As we creep closer to the century mark, episode 95 of EdGamer takes a deeper look at video games and assessment. This detailed conversation offers critical reviews of our current evaluation techniques of student learning and teacher effectiveness. On a positive note, we look to video games to help remedy this situation! Join us for this important topic and more news and notes from the field of gaming and learning. Tune in and level-up!

Other gaming news – There is a discussion of the rules of golf and what is transpiring at this year’s Masters Golf Tournament. All discussion of what is happening to Tiger Woods, happened as events were unfolding this morning. More information has been released since this recording, so please remember this as you listen. Yes, we connect the rules of golf to Games and Learning. We know you are impressed!

EdGamer Special: Minecraft Minechat Interviews Zack

This week Zack is interviewed in Minecraft Minechat 10. Colin Gallagher and Rob Newberry are the hosts of Minecraft Minechat and they are two teachers that live in Singapore. Colin is an Irishman and Rob is from Toronto. We had a wonderful conversation within a Game Of Thrones build called Westeroscraft. This recording you are hearing has many of the highlights from this interview. Go to the EdGamer page on EdReach to enjoy the full show with video.

EdGamer 94: Kahoot!

Jamie Brooker joins us this week for EdGamer 94. Jamie is Co-Founder & Lead Designer of Kahoot! Crafted using a design-led approach, Kahoot! is a web-based mobile and tablet friendly platform. With a simple user experience, it creates a social, fun and game-like environment in the classroom. Do you want to try this interactive game in your classroom? Use “edgamer” as the priority code for the beta access. EdGamer is in Kahoots with some serious games, so tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 93: Great Gaming Resources and a New Tool Called Kahoot!

This week on EdGamer episode 93 we run through some new great resources. Zack posted a Minecraft guide for teachers, we discuss a new interactive tool called Kahoot!, and GeekDad has a wonderful two part article on finding new board games. EdGamer is jam packed, so tune-in and level-up!

6 Steps to Successfully Integrate Minecraft in Your Classroom

I have been asked many times about how to use Minecraft in the classroom. Educator, Wes Fryer is my latest convert and not only for Minecraft’s use in schools, but Minecraft can also be a way to connect with your children. He explains this in a wonderful blog post. Yes, Minecraft is one of the latest fads in education, but I firmly believe that this one will last for a long time. The open-ended game play of Minecraft allows for infinite uses with every experience being different. Are Legos still popular today? When explaining Minecraft, I explain that this game/environment is the “modern-day Legos.” In fact Lego makes a Minecraft microbuild.

EdGamer 92: Pete Figtree Discusses Role-Playing Games in Literature

Pete Figtree of Ruthless Diastema is our guest this week on EdGamer 92. Pete has a great Games and Learning blog and podcast. We have a lot in common, but Pete has focused on a specific gaming genre for his high school English and Language Arts classroom….role-playing games. He loves using non-digital Indie games to assess his students’ learning in literature. Tabletop games, cards, and dice are commonly seen in Pete’s classroom and his students enjoy. Get some great gaming tips from this episode of EdGamer! Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 91: Gerry at NAEA (National Art Education Association) 2013

Gerry is calling in from Texas for EdGamer 91. He is attending the NAEA (National Art Education Association) 2013 Conference in Austin. He left the snow of Chicago for the warm weather of the south and he is filling his brain with new ideas about Games and Learning. Zack gives us an update about his game club, we discuss SXSWedu, and Zack has been asked to join the Playful Learning Advisory Board. Don’t miss this great discussion! Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 90: ICE Conference Review

This week on episode 90 of EdGamer we review two of the best conferences of the year for technology and education. In the last two weeks EdGamer has attended the ICE and SIT conferences and we have a plethora of new things to share with you! Plus, you get to hear all of the wonderful antics as a result of Zack spending a few days at Gerry’s house. This you can’t miss! Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer Edvisor: Top 5 (ish) Digital Creation Tools

EdGamer Edvisor is a compacted but highly focused version of EdGamer that gives the listener a quick list of tools or reviews to aid learning in the classroom. This episode highlights our top 5(ish) digital creation tools for the classroom. Enjoy!

EdGamer 89: The Gates Foundation Confuses Educators

This week on the 89th installment of EdGamer, we try to figure out why Bill Gates “confuzzles” us (Zack is extremely proud of his new word…). The discussion quickly turns to frustration as we banter about topics such as standardized testing, individuality in students and common standards. We end the show with some lighter gaming news about some great new products. Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer Edvisor: Top 5 Social Studies Games

EdGamer Edvisor is a compacted but highly focused version of EdGamer that gives the listener a quick list of tools or reviews to aid learning in the classroom. This episode highlights our top 5 Social Studies games for the classroom. Enjoy!

EdGamer 88: I’m Snorta Ingenious With My Minecraft Dominion

This short and powerful episode of EdGamer, our 88th installation of the series, brings to light some new games we experienced in game club this week. If our sporadic title isn’t enough to interest you, check out another great preview of the SIT Conference in this podcast. Tune-in and level-up!

EdGamer 87: Dave McCool of Muzzy Lane Software

This week on EdGamer Episode 87 we are joined by the president of one of the ‘coolest’ educational gaming companies around…Dave McCool of Muzzy Lane (sorry for the pun Dave). Listen in as Dave gives us a detailed tour of all the amazing stuff Muzzy Lane has going on. From elementary to adult, there is a little something for everyone in this episode. Tune-in and level-up!