I love making video game references to help people make connections to things in education. However, this blog is truly a way for me to share how I am leveling up my life and the lives of my students. Don't get me wrong, there will be plenty of video game references to leveling up in one way or another, but this blog post is about another type of leveling up; how I am gaining XP as a teacher. XP, you know experience points. In games when a player reaches a new level, finds a special item, or defeats a brutal enemy they often gain XP. This XP can be used to do many things such as buy abilities or unlock secrets. Essentially XP helps a player to reach another level in their gameplay. As a teacher my next level is one that allows me to inspire and challenge students in a different way. In order to reach that level, I need XP too. One way that I am pushing myself to earn these points is by reading professional literature. So, I want to talk about how the book Explore Like a Pirate by Michael Matera has helped me to gain XP, and bring me closer to my next level as a teacher.
I am starting a new game this year. I am beginning at level 1 of being a gifted teacher. I won't lie, I am intimidated by this new challenge, these unknown levels and hidden rooms, but I am rejuvenated in my love of learning. This new experience has given me a new path. A path that is pushing me out of comfort zone and into a place where I can grow. Reading is one of my great passions in life. However, I have never been motivated to read professional literature, until now! This new challenge of leveling up in the new game of gifted teaching has inspired me to explore new avenues in hopes of gaining the XP necessary to change education for these kiddos. When I picked up Explore Like a Pirate I was excited to hear how gamification had changed the author's classroom in a positive way. What I got, was an immersive, in-depth, and life changing experience. Games are fun! I don't think that many students today would tell you that they don't enjoy good game. What I found out while reading Explore Like a Pirate is that you can't just play games in classrooms and call it gamification. You can certainly just play games, but without thoughtful consideration for student buy in and agency, it will just be another game. They won't learn the material any deeper unless your game requires them to. Students need to feel that the game is necessary to their learning and in order to do this, each aspect of your game needs to have purpose. Items or badges for the sake of having items or badges won't work. Levels or leaderboards that leave students behind with no motivation won't work. Each part of your game, no matter how in-depth or simple, needs to have a purpose. Each badge you hand out or level a student gains needs to affect something else. This is what I found most powerful when reading this book. Student agency is the key factor in making gamification successful. So how can this help me in a gifted classroom? Yes, the vast amount of specific ideas I gained from reading this book will be inspiration for gamified lessons in my classroom. Yes, I want to have a badge system that motivates kids to work for something. However, what I really gained was a better understanding of student empowerment. Kids needs to feel like they are the guides of their own learning. If done properly, gamification can do that! In reading Explore Like a Pirate, I gained my own XP. I earned my own badge, so to speak. What I learned while reading this book will help me level up my classroom in more ways than 1. Student empowerment and agency is something that I can use in all facets of my gifted classroom. I have a new found mission of ensuring that my students feel like they have POWER. I am so excited to continue traversing the levels of this journey towards leveling up and allowing my students to dictate their education. I have gained invaluable XP to carry me towards higher levels. Cheat Codes: SECSL-Student Empowerment Creates Student Learning RELAP-Read Explore Like A Pirate LUYLWXP-Level Up Your Life With XP LSBTB-Let Students Be The Boss Happy Leveling! Taylor
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AuthorGreetings Readers! My name is Taylor Arehart and I am a 6th year Educator in Excelsior Springs, MO. I have taught 3rd, 4th and gifted and talented, but now I am beginning a new adventure as an Instructional Coach. I have a huge passion for transforming education and giving students the 21st century skills they need to rock the world. I am writing about my journey of leveling up! Leveling up means to constantly look for ways to improve in teaching, learning and living. This means in the classroom with my students as well as in other areas of my life. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey (and my students' journeys) to reach our highest levels and rattle the stars! Archives
October 2017
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