Social Networking and Gaming in the Classroom

1. True or false: Gaming helps develop a sense and ability to be persistent.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

According to Cassie (2018), students develop skills in persistence through gaming. This is one of eight principles of gamified learning.

True or false: Gaming helps students make meaning because through gamified experiences they can connect an action with an idea.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

True: Gaming helps students immerse themselves in a world thereby linking a simulated experience with a concept, which leads to engagement and understanding (Gee, 2007).

1. True or false: Students can communicate with each other using social networking sites to share research resources.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Sites like Pinterest, Flipboard and Diigo are social networking sites groups or individuals can utilize for sharing and organizing research. Each has its own particular function with varying levels of visual appeal. Some are available as browser extensions that make their utility simple.

1. What ethical implications should teachers be aware of when using social media and gamification in the classroom?

• Access to appropriate content

• Alternate methods of accessing content

• Establishing norms for friendly competition

• All of the above

What is a non-example of promoting the safe and acceptable use of classroom games and social networking?

• Creating the element of surprise

• Establishing the norm of friendly competition

• Rewarding individualism over collaboration

1. What is the FIRST question an educator should ask themselves when developing a gamified experience?

Transactional games best fit the (a)   psychological theory.

Answer explanation

“Gamification of education is a developing approach for increasing learners’ motivation and engagement by incorporating game design elements in educational environments.” (Dichev & Dicheva, 2017).

1. When creating an account for a social networking site, what are two things an educator should do?

• Create a separate account

• Be sure their own personal social media accounts are set to private

• Entertain friend requests from students

1. True or false: When considering using social networking and gaming sites in the classroom, teachers should check the privacy and security disclosures and policies of those sites and platforms.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Under COPPA (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act), passed in 1998, rules and regulations exist around what information companies can legally gather about users under the age of thirteen.

1. True or false? Teachers should assume that since Gen Z and Gen Alpha students are native users, they already know everything about safety and security online.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

Simply because students have grown up using smartphones, tablets and laptops, does not mean that they are aware of the social, financial and professional implications and mechanisms of their digital lives.