Bright Ideas #4: Gamification…Here We Go!

A strong behavior modification system with consistent structure and positive reinforcement is just as important as the academics I teach in my class.  After 15 years of teaching I bring with me each year a seasoned behavior system that will meet all students learning and behavioral needs.  As the school year goes on I tweek, modify and add to the basic system to ensure that all my students individual needs are met and the very best is brought out of each of them.  This year in addition to my basic behavior system I brought back my token ecomony Baughcum Bucks.  Initially students were motivated by the positive reinforcement that receiving the bucks gave them.  They loved earning the bucks, counting them up, depositing them and using them to purchase prefered incentives.  By the beginning of the second quarter the fun, the motivation, the reinforcement behind the system began to fade. The connection between the bucks and the incentives were fading…even lost for some. The bucks simply were not working the way I needed them to any more.

It was time for a change.  

I began to think back to 5….10 years ago when I used to use whole class, team based behavior systems…the memory of paper die cuts covering my classroom wall made me smile.

Suddenly I was filled with inspiration…finally after so many forced attempts at trying to come up with just the right idea to gamify my classroom.  The reminder of a system I had used years and years ago made it all come together.

Starting Monday my students will enter the world of Mario (you have to say it with the accent) and Luigi.

 

Gamification: Super Mario Brothers | Heck Awesome Learning
Each of my periods has been assigned a character of the game to represent their team

Gamification: Super Mario Brothers WallGamification: Super Mario Brothers Rules | Heck Awesome Learning

Gamification: Super Mario Brothers Homework Dice | Heck Awesome Learning

Gamification: Super Mario Brothers Game Key | Heck Awesome Learning

Gamification: Super Mario Brothers Power Up | Heck Awesome Learning
Challenges are posted are at the beginning of each week
Gamification: Super Mario Brothers 1pt Slips | Heck Awesome Learning
1pt can be earned by students, individually, by using great student skills during class. 100pts earned= 1 star for the class

I am so excited to start it with them I could bust.  I can not wait for them to play and see it all come together!

In the words of Mario,

“Here we go!”

Be sure to check my  Twitter and Instagram accounts for updates on how they are doing!

BrightIdeas: Gamification Using  Super Mario Brothers

My Tech Ninjas

Language Arts class began just like any other class.  Students had their preferred technology open to type in or write on (giggle… I said preferred technology…they know the exact technology tools that work for them). We were  in a good flow.  I was giving instructions and students were giving me great responses. We were all smiles at the fantastic job everyone was doing and all the learning that was going on.  It was one of those periods when things were just coming all together and really clicking!  As the class continued in its rhythm I sat on a desk next to one of my student and continued to give direct instruction. I turned to my left and looked down to smile at one of my students.  His hand was raised. I called on him.

“Mrs. B I have a problem.  I can’t get this to do what I need it to do.  I try to do this and I just can’t get it to work”

I paused quickly to think of a solution and started back up giving out an additional instruction. As I continued to teach I looked down at the laptop and started to…

‘Click’

‘Click’

“All fixed,” I say to the student.

His head does a double take looking from me talking to his computer and back to me, “Wait what did you do?” Continue reading “My Tech Ninjas”