the corresponding slides from our ISTE 2015

Breaking Down the Classroom Walls:
Creating Space for Student Learning
Who we are:
Lisa Castaneda
Mark Suter
Co-Founder and CEO of foundry10
Seattle, WA
lisa@foundry10.org
www.foundry10.org
Director of Rockettech.org,
Teacher: HS Computer Tech
Pandora-Gilboa HS, Pandora, OH
markasuter@gmail.com | @garlicsuter
Rockettech.org
Steven Isaacs
Marianne Malmstrom -aka- Knowclue
Teacher, Video Game Design and Development
William Annin Middle School,
Basking Ridge, NJ
stevei2071@gmail.com | @mr_isaacs
gamesandlearning1.blogspot.com
Cognitive Architect
TBD
Formerly: The Elisabeth Morrow School
Knowclue@mac.com | @knowclue
FollowTheLearning.com
Question 1
Fundamental shifts in thinking:
“What event/experience/insight got you
thinking in the first place?”
How do kids really learn?
Encourage Passion Through Choice in Learning Path
High school student using motion capture technology at Valve
A win-win-win situation for students, school, and businesses
Watching students redesign their game WHILE giving a tour.
Question 2
“What does a typical day look like in
your space?”
A group of underwater ROV students working on electronics
We are big proponents of low-tech whiteboards
Roundtable/Campfire: updates, week plan, needs
Meeting with clients on web and video projects
The “KIDS ROOM”
The “KIDS ROOM”
Question 3
We talk a lot about learning from our
students…
“What were some of the ah-ha’s you
gleaned from your students?”
To let them struggle a bit longer
than I thought I should. There is
great satisfaction that comes
from fixing broken things on
one’s own.
Mr. Suter = terrible programmer
My pace <= Student pace
Meta teaching:
openly discussing my
shortcomings in a content area,
how it’s ok to admit you don’t
know.
“Are you sure you guys wanna
try this? I won’t have all the
answers...”
“YES! Suter, get outta the way.”
“Don’t worry if you aren’t a good
leader. You will get better. It
takes practice.” ~Snowkit
Question 4
“What are some stumbling points you
have hit and how did you overcome
them?”
Not all problems are inherently worth solving. Just like in our jobs, things get
delayed for annoying reasons. Making sure the students’ time is worthwhile.
1) Even high-performing straight-A students need scaffolding.
2) There is nothing as rigorous as reality...stop simulating.
Parent buy in - “Invite Your Parent to Game Day”
Question 5
“What does structure look like in your
program?”
Structure is more fluid: My
workflow may look very different
than yours.
Go
BIG...
Rockettech Structure (Think “startup business”)
● Open yet accountable
● Student-owned learning
● Fail often, you’re backed up.
Clear space for learning.
Question 6
“Can you talk about any unexpected
outcomes from your students?”
●
How their paths diverge as they
move along
●
The depth in the questions they
ask the experts
●
How the focal point shifts from
product to process in an
exploratory setting
Using tools to create
games that vary greatly
from the original game
type.
Example here of a
maze/adventure game
created with the Portal 2
Puzzle Maker
Authentic Affinity Space
Creating a space for students to
convene and interact during lunch
with others based on shared
interest.
Identity
Passion
Question 7
“How do learning outcomes fit within
what you do?”
We are constantly revisiting and discussing
with students what they are learning, what
they set out to learn and to describe and
demonstrate that learning.
Are they gaining what they hoped to gain?
Iterative Design
Develop
Design
Play Test
Refine
Publish
Construct. (dated milestone plan, mats)
Create.
(w/ scaffolded
assistance)
Evaluate.
(via ID of pro
elements)
(adjust & repeat)
Lines blur between learning in
school and learning at home.
Question 8
“How could elements from your
approach transfer to other areas?”
Community experts are often willing to come in to give advice.
Industry experts are often willing to join a class virtually.
Self assessment
CHOICE in terms of
method of presentation
Who we are:
Lisa Castaneda
Mark Suter
Co-Founder and CEO of foundry10
Seattle, WA
lisa@foundry10.org
www.foundry10.org
Director of Rockettech.org,
Teacher: HS Computer Tech
Pandora-Gilboa HS, Pandora, OH
markasuter@gmail.com | @garlicsuter
Rockettech.org
Steven Isaacs
Marianne Malmstrom -aka- Knowclue
Teacher, Video Game Design and Development
William Annin Middle School,
Basking Ridge, NJ
stevei2071@gmail.com | @mr_isaacs
gamesandlearning1.blogspot.com
Cognitive Architect
TBD
Formerly: The Elisabeth Morrow School
Knowclue@mac.com | @knowclue
FollowTheLearning.com
Questions?