Playing computer games designed to improve cognitive functions can increase students’ test performance more than traditional methods, such as one-on-one tutoring, according to a Yale study.
All About Escape Rooms
By on September 19, 2016
Can you find the missing scientist? Travel back in time to ancient Egypt? Escape room games use problem-solving skills to boost curriculum—and they’re fun. Play one here.
ICivics Upgrades “Win the White House” Game
By on April 5, 2016
A popular, interactive, and nonpartisan game that engages kids in the electoral process has been revamped.
Steampunk, SLIME, and Game Design: Lead the Change Fast-Learning Sessions
By on March 31, 2016
Three rapid-fire presentations on steampunk making, organizing a regional maker expo, and digital game design wrapped up our Lead the Change Maker Workshop.
Twenty-Five Vlogs for Teens (and Teen Librarians)
By on November 16, 2015
Librarian and blogger Molly Wetta presents 25 notable channels and vlog series—covering categories such as gaming, beauty, and science and technology, and more—that may be of interest to teens.
The Human Connection | The Digital Shift 2015
By on November 5, 2015
Libraries may be going digital, but librarians still bring—and need—that personal touch. On October 14, Library Journal and School Library Journal’s virtual conference, The Digital Shift, Libraries Connecting Communities, aptly demonstrated this in a wide range of offerings throughout the day-long event.
Game Design Proves Popular at Orange County Center
By on August 31, 2015
Since its grand opening in February 2014, the Orange County Library System’s (OCLS) Dorothy Lumley Melrose Center for Technology, Innovation, and Creativity has offered patrons access to high-tech tools ranging from 3-D printers to flight simulators. In the past year and a half, the center, located in the library’s central branch in Orlando, FL, has become a locus of creativity within the community, helping patrons connect and collaborate with others who share their interests. Ormilla Vengersammy, Melrose Center manager and Technology and Education Department Head for OCLS, described the center’s growing video game design program as one such example.
Biodiversity Heritage Library Launches Crowdsourcing Games
By on August 4, 2015
The Purposeful Gaming and BHL project recently launched its first two browser-based video games, Smorball and Beanstalk. Both are designed to offer players a fun online diversion while helping the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) enable full-text searching of digitized materials. Funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which was awarded in December 2013, the project is exploring how games might be used to entice people to participate in crowdsourcing efforts at libraries and museums.
Gaming the Common Core: Many board games align with the standards
By on June 13, 2014
When the library profession gathers in Las Vegas this month for ALA’s annual conference, how can we not consider gaming in libraries? Play-based learning is an effective way to address the learning style changes of the Common Core and other emerging standards.
Board Games to Support the Common Core
By on October 15, 2013
Christopher Harris believes that board gaming is a strong contender to become the “Next Big Thing” in schools. Yet no sector of education has laid claim to it. Could libraries be the place where gaming flourishes?
