Edgamer

Check out EdGamer 39 for another witty episode of Zack and Gerry running through your favorite gaming and education topics. This week we decipher the cryptic (or just incredibly cool) inner circle of gaming and learning that stretches from MIT to Wisconsin to Arizona. We also track down some of Bill Gates’ money and find out how it is being used to support gaming and education. Finally, we give a brief preview of the conference season coming up.… Read the rest

Level up everybody, EdGamer 38 is here! In this weeks episode we discuss Edmodo, Zack’s new XP point system and his unhealthy obsession with Excel. Later we take a trip to the greatest kingdom ever created called “Gerrytopia” and briefly discuss some new uses for the Khan Academy. Check it out! Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James   Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us     … Read the rest

This week’s episode of EdGamer is POPPIN’! Sorry…that was terrible…but the show this week is great! Tune in to EdGamer 37 for an in-depth review/preview of BrainPop and game creator GameSalad. We also give a shoutout to our new friend (and hopefully future guest) Pete and his endeavors with the Games and Learning Dream Tank on G+. Finally we weigh in the topic everyone is talking about: the new Apple textbooks and the impact they may have on gaming and learning.… Read the rest

Gerry was unavailable this week, for legitimate reasons, and I had to search for a guest. I not only found one guest, but I found two! You might know Scott Weidig from the EdReach Show and he is also one of Gerry’s bosses. My other guest is Justin Roth, who is my best friend and a serious gaming guru. We discussed 1:1 and how that can impact gaming, iPads placement within 1:1, and Apple’s announcement for Thursday, January 19th.… Read the rest

WE’RE BACK! EdGamer welcomes you into 2012 with a show chock full of educational gaming information. In this episode we recap the holidays, visit a few new articles and look forward to the possible future of gaming and education. EdGamer 35 will give you everything you need to start your edugaming year off right! Tune in. Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us … Read the rest

Episode 34, of EdGamer, takes us to classrooms of Gerry and Zack. Gerry’s HIVE (Highly Interactive Virtual Environments) project is progressing well and they have created a video to show off their avatars. This class is not only “highly interactive” it is engaging and these students are talented. We also discuss the game creation engine, HeroEngine, that is responsible for the new game Repopulation (which looks fantastic) and the implications it could have for the classroom.… Read the rest

On Episode 33 of EdGamer we take on the daunting task of updating the American educational system. The two amazing articles from this week’s show give great recommendations on what needs to be done. We are determined to fit the two together for one great and most importantly, effective answer. Tune in for some great banter on how we can include games in the future of education.   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us       … Read the rest

Hey EdGamers, Episode 32 is packed with tons of great new links! Tune-in to hear us discuss an upcoming Canadian documentary on video game creators. Also, we cover the  U.S. Government’s opinion on video game usefulness as well as a recent study on violent video games and their impact on the brain. Finally we chat about STEM’s move to STEAM and Zack fills us in on latest Ender’s Game casting news! It’s another great episode of EdGamer you don’t want to miss!… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer Episode 31 we have a special guest who will give us some proof that games and learning can be combined to equal some serious fun. Dan Rezac shares his perspective on the introduction of Civilization IV within his middle school. We also discuss a new app for the Field Museum in Chicago and how Zack is addicted to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us … Read the rest

Hey EdGamers, its guest time again! In this week’s episode we are rollin’ with Roland…Roland Aichele that is (sorry Roland). Our guest on EdGamer 30 joins us from beautiful West Sacramento, CA and tells us all about his students’ work on the website PixelLicks. Join us to hear all about this site, his students and his thoughts on gaming and learning. Check it out!   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Contact us with any questions or comments- edgamer@edreach.us … Read the rest

This week on EdGamer Episode 29 we introduce to you…our 6TH LISTENER! Our rapidly expanding audience also gets treated to a show full of links about the many types of gamers and some info on the downfall of Flash, including the implications that might have on gaming. Also included is a hop, skip and a jump down memory lane as we go through a list of the twenty best games of all time. You cannot afford to miss this week’s EdGamer.… Read the rest

  We’re back! The 28th installment of EdGamer takes off with a discussion about video games and creativity and then sinks into one of the best and deepest articles we have found about gaming. You do not want to miss this episode as it is jam packed with some useful info, some hilarious info, and some true ‘what am I listening to’ moments! Also, sorry for the downgrade in Zack’s microphone. Listen and find out what happened to his favorite listening/recording device.  … Read the rest

This week I was joined by a FOE (Friend of EdGamer) Lucas Gillispie. Lucas filled in for the voiceless Gerry and he updated us on 3D GameLab and other projects on his plate.  We also discussed my article concerning the removal of one of my favorite (or favourite if you are British) games from the BBC website, Death in Sakkara. You get all of this and a little more from this week’s EdGamer podcast.  Enjoy!… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer 26 we analyze the results of a telling new study. According to the study, 91% of children today are…PLAYING VIDEO GAMES (cue dramatic music)!!! We brace ourselves as we dissect this ridiculously obvious study. Why are children playing video games…um…because they are fun? Duh. Tune in for some more heavy sarcasm as well as some criticism of violence in video games and some support of games and storytelling in the classroom. Another great EdGamer is on the way!… Read the rest

This week on EdGamer we pay our respects to Steve Jobs with gaming flare! Although Apple was well known for its role in educational establishments, we take some time to analyze how it also impacted the game market. Tune in for some great banter on Apples impact on the origins of gaming. ‘Jobs’ well done!   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Contact us with any questions or comments- Zack Gilbert- zgilbert@edreach.us Gerry James- gjames@edreach.us   … Read the rest

RPG’s (role-playing games) are becoming more popular and don’t need to be played in your mother’s basement.  EdGamer found a free RPG on GeekDad and it got us to think about ways these games could be used in schools.  There are so many useful skills within a role-playing game.  We also have an update on Civilization IV and a chart that describes How Video Games are Changing Education.  Enjoy!   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Call us on our comment line!… Read the rest

Think you can design a game that could last for a thousand years? On this episode of EdGamer find an online contest that asks you to do just that! Plus we revisit our Portal fascination with a new short film by Dan Trachtenberg. You can find information about these plus a solid half hour of our natural humor and wit…who could want more? Check out EdGamer Episode 23!   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Call us on our comment line!… Read the rest

This week’s episode of EdGamer is truly unique…Zack is cursing with tools and Gerry has HIVEs!!! Tune in for some smack talk about GameStop, Zack’s plans to buy his wife a new phone and a phenomenal article about the exciting future of games and storytelling in education. This blurb may be misleading at best, but don’t let it stop you from checking out this action packed EdGamer podcast.   Show Host: Zack Gilbert Show contributor: Gerry James Subscription Page and Feeds for EdGamer The complete show notes are now on the EdGamer Wiki Call us on our comment line!… Read the rest

On the 21st installment of EdGamer we breakdown the the recent addition of games to Google+. Can these games, or Google+ in general, be beneficial to our classroom environment? Also, we review an article that talks to the real professionals (the students!) about what they would like to see in our current school system. They have some interesting thoughts on integrating technology in our schools. Check out this episode of EdGamer for an in-depth discussion about these topics and more!… Read the rest

EdGamer 20 is short and sweet, but it doesn’t lack any punch! In fact, in honor of our 20th show, we give you a gift.  In this episode we pass along to the listener a list of places we routinely check and monitor to find all the great sites, tools and gadgets we bring to you each week!  We have brought you into the sporadic, sarcastic, app-addicted and often downright scary brain behind EdGamer…good luck and enjoy!Additional note-  Gerry needs to understand that there is a difference between Blue’s News and Blue’ Clues.  … Read the rest