Engaging game-based digital learning platform that fosters student creativity.

Submitted 8 years ago

Community Review for Gamestar Mechanic

Darren D.
Darren D.
Cottonwood Creek Elementary School
Englewood CO, US
My Rating
Pedagogy
Supports

My Take

Overall, Gamestar was an engaging program that is difficult to place in a general curriculum. It seems to find a home as an extension activity or for a before/after school program. Gamestar offers some basic ideas about programming which could easily be reinforced by programs like Scratch.

How I Use It

I stumbled across Gamestar Mechanic and was intrigued by the game-based digital learning platform designed to teach basic game design principles. My initial thought was to incorporate the program into my S.T.E.M. club that meets weekly. Considering the program fosters 21st Century skills such as system thinking, problem solving, creativity, collaboration, and digital media literacies it seemed a perfect fit. Students were quickly engaged in the program wanting to complete the quest and solve the different puzzles. Afterwards, students began developing their own games to share with others.

More community reviews for Gamestar Mechanic

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Susan E.
Susan E. Eleanor Roosevelt High School New York, NY
November 2, 2016

Great tool for getting started and engaging some learners who might not have been engaged before.

This software forced students in an engaging way to work through game design principles in order to win the sprites needed to make games. One student realized that he needed additional parts for the game he wanted to make and asked if he could go back to the tutorials to earn more "raw materials" for his own game making. Too often, these types of programs let students play without ever learning. Gamestar Mechanic is good at not doing this - especially in conjunction with the Mouse Create program.
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Audra B.
Audra B. Educational Technology Integration Specialist Wheatley School Old Westbury, NY
July 14, 2015

Cool Interactive Learning and Coding

I think that this is a beautifully rendered and thought out piece of software. I love that my students like it and WANT to use it. I also love that it helps them with critical thinking skills and it helps them adjust their thinking about other types of Coding.
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Dianna S.
Dianna S. Academically Gifted Coordinator Creech Road Elementary School Garner, NC
March 4, 2015

Versatile gaming program that helps build design and writing skills.

The tool meets many 21st Century skills. It can assist students with engagement. The program does require the teacher to be familiar with basic design techniques, but there are several lesson plans already developed that can assist some that may be hesitant.
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See 26 reviews