Institute of Play

Math Teachers: GlassLab Needs You!

Amna Siddiqui — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:44:43 +0000

GlassLab is looking for feedback from middle school math teachers to help us design digital games and formative assessments that delight your students while meeting the demands of the Common Core. Please contact liz@instituteofplay.org to learn more about how you can help!

Quest to Learn Leader Addresses Bank Street Grads

Ilena Parker — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:21:01 +0000

This Thursday, Quest to Learn's Co-Director of School, Arana Shapiro, will address her graduating class at Bank Street College of Education. A founding member of the Quest to Learn design team, Arana will represent Bank Street's Leadership for Educational Change program as a student representative, speaking to the way the guiding principles at Bank Street have helped her establish a vision for leadership for Quest to Learn.

Connected Learning in Action: Quest to Learn Student Charles Raben

Ilena Parker — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:32:32 +0000

Charles Raben is a 14-year-old aspiring photographer from a public school in New York City, Quest to Learn, that is using connected learning principles. Charles' story illustrates what is possible when a young person is able to openly pursue a personal interest with the collective support of friends and compassionate adults.

Game Projects Sweep Department of Education Grants Competition

Ilena Parker — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:40:11 +0000

Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Education announced the winners of this year's Small Business Innovation Research awards, and twelve of the twenty winning contracts went to companies building learning games.

Preview the Upcoming PBS Series ‘Is School Enough?’

Ilena Parker — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:38:18 +0000

Is School Enough? — a one-hour documentary film that will air on PBS this fall — examines how young people are using everyday tools, including digital ones, to explore interests, express themselves, connect with others, solve problems, and change the world around them.

Learn to Design Field Games at the Come Out & Play Game Jam

Harrison Tan — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:36:16 +0000

With summer just around the corner, it's nearly time to Come Out & Play! The annual Come Out & Play festival transforms New York City into a giant playground with a showcase of street and field games. This year, the Come Out & Play team (in collaboration with Hive, ESI Design and the YMCA) is kicking things off with a free all-day game jam for youth.

Seven Things To Appreciate About Teachers

Ilena Parker — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:07:42 +0000

Teaching isn't just something you do, it's a way of being that encompasses a whole bundle of knowledge and skills developed over time. Designing, assessing, planning, practicing, experimenting, integrating, reflecting, leading, managing, supporting, growing... the list goes on! So in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Day (May 7th!), here are seven things we appreciate when we appreciate teachers...

GlassLab Gathers Leaders in Washington to Re-imagine Assessment

Ilena Parker — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:15:56 +0000

Last Thursday, GlassLab invited eighty policymakers, business leaders, academics and researchers to Microsoft’s Innovation and Policy Center in Washington, D.C. for a conversation about the future of assessment, including a panel discussion and demo of GlassLab’s SimCity-based game prototype.

What’s Next: Playtime Online May Hangouts

Amna Siddiqui — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 17:36:36 +0000

Check out this month’s Google Hangout happenings! Can play-based learning help cultural institutions get visitors in the door? What about businesses that are struggling to attract, cultivate, and retain the talent they need to stay competitive?

Gamekit Rolls in to Kansas City

Criswell Lappin — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:21:54 +0000

Gamekit was put to a playtest by a group of design students in Kansas City this week at a workshop in collaboration with the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). We were in Missouri to speak in AIGA's Design Spectrum series at The Nelson-Atkins Museum, and stuck around to facilitate the workshop.