Mobile Learning Experience 2013

Peggy Sheehy has been using virtual worlds and games in her teaching since 2006. Although education has finally noticed gaming and virtual worlds, this attention has divided into two very different perspectives. Some see engagement, concentration and collaboration, while others see isolation, social dysfunction and addiction. And most recently, the "Gamification Bandwagon" has come to town–layering another level of hype and confusion onto the topic that only serves to provide some interests with an easy sell- while marginalizing the powerful impact these tools have in the hands of skilled educators. Now more than ever, mobile technology has afforded possibilities for us to harness this powerful pedagogy and allow for authentic agency in learning! However, it's often the educators who have difficulty seeing the relevance of games to some portion of their curriculum. It's time to dispel the myths surrounding these concepts, and draw clear connections between games and learning. As the role of mobile devices continues to grow more and more pervasive in our everyday lives, we can support a return to "playfulness literacy." Education can’t afford to stand still but must continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of its learners. Games can help us to create a rich, dynamic and challenging learning environment, tapping into a resource that has cultural resonance for our students. Peggy Sheehy will discuss why games engage us, how we can harness that engagement for learning and provide examples of this solid pedagogical approach happening right now in schools all over the world, and give attendees practical examples and resources to begin using these powerful learning platforms.