Week 6 (1213)

Game design isn’t just a technological craft. It’s a twenty-first-century way of thinking and leading. And gameplay isn’t just a pastime. It’s a twenty-first-century way of working together to accomplish real change.
— Jane McGonigal / Reality is Broken

My goal is to declare independence from the tyranny of 20th century educational models by teaching students to be self-motivated and self-reliant.
— from Feedback Loops in February of 2010

I wrote that little declaration of independence about fifteen months before the idea of gamifying the classroom would rock my world. A couple of months later, as a small group of students helped shape our earliest plans, a professor suggested I read Jane’s incredible book.

Gamification isn’t a passing fad or a short-lived trend. Our civilization has been playing games for centuries. It’s only now that the idea of turning everyday activities into games has begun to take hold.

It’s kind of crazy when you think about it. Why not make life a little more fun?

In 10 or 12 years, I’ll be moving on to a new adventure. The gamification system we’ll be leaving behind then will be as amazing as it is unimaginable from this point in time. But I’ll always remember the 2012/13 school year, when we began to level up together for the first time.

…When we began to make the world a little better place in a classroom called the Mac Lab.

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Strategy: Visitor, we’re entering a phase of the game where there are more Quests than you can possibly complete, much less Master during class. Don’t become overwhelmed. The Boss doesn’t expect you to complete everything. He wants to provide you with choices.

Epic Quest Central: EQC is the staging area for new Epic Quests. You can find existing and upcoming EQs there. You’ll have to decide what you want to learn. Pick from the existing Quests or Epic Quests. But don’t work on projects not connected to Quests unless: (a) you have permission, or (b) you want to battle the Boss.

Level Locking: You’ll now find some Quests have minimum level requirements. Level up if you’re not able to access the Quest.

More Strategy: It’s your call, Visitor, but the Boss thinks you’d be smart to hit four out of the six Quests (below). Three are quick and easy loot and the last is self-defense. After all, if you don’t protect yourself from Bounty Hunters, who will?

Quests

• Time Tracking
• Browser Buff
• XP and/or Gold Buff
• Bounty Hunter Primer
• Logo Workshop 101 (70/25)
• Brush & Pencil Tools (70/25)

Epic Quests

• Winter Dance Concert (245/50)
• Pen Tool Mastery (170/75)

Reminder: The Fall Concert Poster (245/50) is due this Friday.

Kudos: We have our first featured student art. Gratz (and thanks) to Mark L for allowing me to share the WIP (work in progress—it’s not finished). An Achievement will be heading your way along with Gold and XP as soon as I make the page where you can claim your loot.

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1009: Another day, another amazing story. (Other teachers sure are excited about what we’re doing.)

Quests

• Blog Links
• Gallery Quests

MLSS: Mac Lab Saturday School™ is this weekend from 6:00 to 12:00.

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1010: Do you hear the sound off in the distance? The hunters are coming!

IMPORTANT: Visitor, you really want to complete the Quest (below) before doing anything else today. (Don’t say I didn’t warn you.)

Quest

• Bounty Hunter Code of Honor

MLSS: Mac Lab Saturday School™ is this weekend from 6:00 to 12:00.

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1011: Bounty Hunting begins at the bell. Play with honor.

MLSS: Mac Lab Saturday School™ is this weekend from 6:00 to 12:00.

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1012: Bounty Hunting continues at the bell. Play with honor.

MLSS: Mac Lab Saturday School™ is tomorrow from 6:00 to 12:00.

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1013: If you didn’t show today, you missed a rocking MLSS. And what no one knows but the few who are reading this right now is that three lucky players won 100 Gold for guessing the correct date we’d surpass 200,000 page views. Take a look at this then check to see if you won. (Guesses for 200k after this update are null and void.)

Bonus: If you read this before Monday, October 15, 2012, leave a comment below and you can claim 40 Gold just for paying attention.

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