Game-Based Learning in Action by Matthew Farber

Written during the pandemic, the book begins by exploring the many ways games were of great support to humanity during the stay-at-home orders and beyond. In this useful tome, Karen (Kat) Schrier explores the use of games in multiple contexts, from teaching ethics and civics, to creating connection and community, as well as for knowledge and action, and for critical thinking and inquiry.

Karen Schrier, We The Gamers: How Games Teach Ethics and Civics Recently we have enjoyed the contributions of authors Matthew Farber, Karen Schrier, and David Seelow, who have written books adding to the body of knowledge related to game-based learning. From impactful play and deep learning to personal transformation and social and emotional skill-building, the reasons to thoughtfully include games in educating young people continue to grow. Featuring a foreword from James Paul Gee (Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies, and Regents' Professor), this book comments on promises and challenges of game-based learning in twenty-first century classrooms.Game-based learning is part of iThrive's DNA as we support educators in bringing the power of play into the classroom. Games are often the focal point of instruction. These teachers use games to provide a shared meaningful experience for students. There are plenty of lessons to be learned from the best practices of expert educators. Game-Based Learning in Action details how the classrooms of expert game-based learning teachers function, from how they rollout games to how they assess learning outcomes. Farber shares his findings about the social practices of these educators. Teachers in 'The Tribe' do not teach in isolation-they share, support, and mentor each other in a community of practice. They mentor and lead newcomers to game-based learning, as well as advise game developers, academics, and policymakers. They are transformational leaders outside the classroom, in communities of practice. How are expert educators using games in their classrooms to give students agency, while also teaching twenty-first century skills, like empathy, systems thinking, and design thinking? This question has motivated Matthew Farber's Game-Based Learning in Action: How an Expert Affinity Group Teaches With Games showcasing how one affinity group of K12 educators-known as 'The Tribe'-teaches with games.

Game-Based Learning in Action by Matthew Farber