Prompt: In Chapter 15, Novak and Nackerurd proposes an adoption model for educators: RCIPR model. If you are to use this adoption model to incorporate serious games into your classroom, please describe briefly what you will do for each aspect: Research, Choose, Investigate, Pilot, and Reflect. In your log, please identify grade level and subject area.
RCIPR MODEL
Grade Level: Third Grade Subject: Math
Research: When brainstorming what game of choice should be added into our curriculum we first need to be sure that it aligns appropriately with our content and South Carolina standards. These games need to focus on the skill and objective that we are wanting students to feel confident in when moving throughout third grade.
Choose: While accessing and determining which games would be best to choose for your students you would need to focus in on a few factors. The first factor that would need to be considered is how are you wanting to apply your game. Is this going to be used as a pretest or a posttest? I believe that games are engaging but one must consider how to use the assessment piece to the best of its nature. I believe that setting appropriate time limits is essential when allowing students to emerge themselves into digital online gaming. This is when content should be precise and focused on the goals and objectives as mentioned earlier. Lastly, many games give options of being used in team mode or individually self paced mode. This also plays a huge factor when choosing how to best access your students when setting and determining new goals.
Investigate: When you investigate a game you need to have an understanding of what device will support this program. Some games are best used on iPads while others on a large screen as a whole group using a smartboard. Horry County Schools has a great self service app that allows school approved games to be downloaded. If the teacher finds a game that she feels would best fit her class it is best that it is school approved and that students can easily download this app for play at home as well. Contacting your technical support staff is also important if any questions or concerns arise.
Pilot: When piloting a game teachers need to consider how long they would like students to play the game and the best subject to include the game based learning into. Students are graded at the effort that they give while in participation of the game and also their attitude. If this game has been played multiple times and is being used for a study guide or posttest review then data with assessments could be taken up as a grade. The program or game assigned in class can also be used as extra practice while students are home.
Reflect: As I reflect on the game of choose I will see how my students compared to the average of other grade levels across the district in which have also played this game. It is important to reflect and review your data and level of interest between students as they are in contact with the game. As teachers we may want to try a new tool that best serves our students or find a more challenging game to meet the needs of where are students are at. Practicing strong reflections is important when moving to the next steps of planning!