Versatile gaming program that helps build design and writing skills.
Submitted 8 years ago
Community Review for Gamestar Mechanic
Dianna S.
Teacher
Creech Road Elementary School
Garner NC, US
My Take
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.
How I Use It
I use Game Star to promote the Engineer Design Process. Students develop an understanding of how developers use iteration to create games that engage the users. It was helpful to allow students to work as part of a team in order for all students to be successful. Students plan out on paper first, which allows them to focus on design elements and processing skills.
More community reviews for Gamestar Mechanic
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.
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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Julie Y.
Teacher
South Portland High School
South Portland, ME
December 1, 2014
A fun introduction to game design.
I wouldn't use this for long, but it's a fun option to get kids into thinking about the concepts of game design.
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