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The WW HistoryQuest Fellowship: Game-Based Learning in US History

In recent surveys, middle and high school students have consistently ranked U.S. history as their most boring subject. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship brings to bear games, play, and digital tools to transform standards-based teacher practice to increase student engagement. Developed by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and the Institute of Play, HistoryQuest turns public school teachers and their students into game designers. This session looks at what works/what doesn’t in bringing game-based learning to U.S. history classrooms.

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The WW HistoryQuest Fellowship: Game-Based Learning in US History

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  1. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Program: Games-Based Learning for U.S. History July 2018

  2. History PD: Urgently Needed Public • Demands greater awareness/ understanding of U.S. history Students • Rate history as “most boring subject” Educators • Move beyond “anyone can teach it” approach • Seek high-quality professional development (PD) opportunities for current history teachers

  3. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship Overview Marshals WW expertise in learning design, OST, professional development/ mentoring • Addresses critical national need— U.S. history •

  4. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship Principles • Game-based/game-like learning for U.S. history teachers, grades 6–12 (CT, MA, NJ, PA, NYC) • Focus on tying games to curriculum, integrating into classroom, creating games, teaching history through game design, and assessing learning outcomes

  5. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship Format/Timeline Summer institute (one week, Princeton NJ) • in-school follow-up • supplemental workshops • access to TeacherQuest database • Pilot in July 2015; now in third round •

  6. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship Participants (2017) 48 middle and high school teachers • 37 schools • 29 districts • 31 cities • Range of experience: 1–27 years (average 5) •

  7. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship Impact From pre- to post-survey, teachers gained confidence in ability to • enact game-based learning • assess student learning using games • design game-based learning experiences • Over 97% saw themselves as designers by the end of the institute •

  8. The Woodrow Wilson HistoryQuest Fellowship Partners Institute of Play—selected competitively by WW Mentors: Fellows from prior years NYU assessment Privately funded by two WW Trustees • • • •

  9. WW HistoryQuest as PD “[HistoryQuest] has encouraged and motivated me to remain in the teaching profession longer. Through this experience I regained my passion for and love of teaching! Thank you!”

  10. WW HistoryQuest as PD “This was definitely the best professional development I’ve ever been to, and it was genuinely fun and helpful, with plenty of support.” “This was one of the most meaningful and helpful experiences I have participated in. I am so grateful that I had the chance to be a part of it!”

  11. The Institute pioneers new models of learning and engagement. Weare a non-profit design studio,founded in 2007 by a group of game designers in New York City. Weare nowhome to an interdisciplinary team of designers, strategists and learning practitioners.

  12. Our purpose is to transform education through play.

  13. What We Do TEACHER TRAINING+ RESEARCH SCHOOL BASED SUPPORT PRODUCTS / CURRICULUM CORPORATE TRAINING Lead research- based,designand play-focused teachereducation and professional development programs. Support the developmentofnew schools aligned with our vision as well as helping existing schools launch innovativeprograms. Developgame-like learningresources and tools to supporteducators and curriculum designers. Facilitatehands-on trainings to help organizations leverage thepower ofplayanddesign. © InstituteofPlay2017

  14. GAME GAME- -LIKE LIKE LEARNING LEARNING PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES Everyone is a Participant Learning Feels Like Play Everything is Interconnected Learning Happens By Doing Failureis Reframed as Iteration Feedback is Immediate and Ongoing Challenge isConstant

  15. HistoryQuest Program Goals The program • Explores game-based learning for U.S. history contexts • Leverages best practices that connect to design, games, play Educators • Develop expertise in using game design processes to design and facilitate game-based US history learning. • Are empowered to bring processes and actual designed products/curriculum back to their classrooms. • Create curriculum that places students in assessable design spaces that emerge from educator-designed game-like contexts

  16. Summer Program Overview Introduction to Games & Learning (1.5 days) Educators focus on game-like learning, the design process, and how to bring games into the classroom in meaningful ways. History Game Design (1.5 days) Educators work in teams designing, playtesting (on each other and real live students), and sharing U.S. history learning games that they’ve created. Student-Centered Design Challenge (2 days) Educators experience and create their own student-centered design challenges to bring back to their schools.

  17. EMPATHIZE REFLECT DEFINE The Design Process BRAINSTORM APPLY PLAYTEST PROTOTYPE

  18. Deliverables Game or Game-Like Activity Educators collaborated in teams to create and playtest a game the focuses on a major concept or skill in teaching U.S. history. History Game Design Educators collaborated in teams to create a hands-on design project for students that relates to U.S. history curriculum. Student-Centered Design Challenge At the end of each day, teachers reflected on their work as a group in our online platform, TeacherQuest Online.

  19. WHY DO WE TEACH U.S. HISTORY?

  20. Attributes Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume 77.8% 77.8% 73.4% 70.9% 70.4% 68.0% 67.5% 67.0% 66.5% 62.6% 62.1% Leadership Ability to work in a team Communication skills (written) Problem solving skills Strong work ethic Analytical/quantitative skills Technical skills Communication skills (verbal) Initiative Computer skills Flexibility/adaptability Source: Job Outlook 2015, National Association of Colleges and Employers

  21. Attributes Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume 60.6% 57.6% 42.4% 35.0% 29.1% 25.1% 23.2% 18.2% Interpersonal skills (relates well to others) Detail-oriented Organizational ability Strategic planning skills Friendly/outgoing personality Entrepreneurial skills/risk taker Tactfulness Creativity Source: Job Outlook 2015, National Association of Colleges and Employers

  22. Beyond WW HistoryQuest New WW initiative • Meets national call for U.S. history • Responds to interest in open- source/online games and simulations • Requires developers who are serious about history content and K–12 needs • Features larger role for game design in pedagogy

  23. Questions/Comments Stephanie Hull, Executive Vice President/COO The Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation Rebecca Rufo-Tepper, Co-Executive Director Institute of Play

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