Repurposing Computer Games

Computer games are wonderful things. They promote learning, creativity, competition, discussion and, most of all, fun. They allow for the development of strategic thinking, flow states, hypothesis testing and more. On the following page you will find two links, one with the games sorted by Junior Cycle Key Skill, the other without. The choice is yours. [[Level 2|Level 2]]

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''Qwerty Warriors'' is basic, even for a web-based flash game. It does however help to teach typing and word recognition. Plus guns and robots. <html><a href="http://www.crazymonkeygames.com/Yt6Rfd/qwerty.swf" target="_blank">Play Qwerty Warriors</a></html> See also: [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Light-Bot'' is one of my favourite games. Simple controls, a nicely gentle learning curve and some quite challenging levels further down the line. It has a command count (think golf - the lower the better) running throughout the game so there is always some fun to be had regardless of your skill level. <html><a href="http://http://armorgames.com/play/2205/light-bot" target="_blank">Play Light-Bot</a></html> See also: [[Being positive about learning|SW6]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Imagining|BC1]] [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Being able to reflect on my own learning|MM4]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Learning creatively|BC4]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Light-Bot 2'' is [[Light-Bot|LB1]] with added everything. The same low-floor and easy intro levels soon make way to sophisticated programming concepts. I use Light-Bot and Light-Bot 2 as pre-Scratch coding activities. Also good for introducing functions for the first time as part of maths class. The later levels can be quite challenging... <html><a href="http://armorgames.com/play/6061/light-bot-20" target="_blank">Play Light-Bot 2.0</a></html> See also: [[Being positive about learning|SW6]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Imagining|BC1]] [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Being able to reflect on my own learning|MM4]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Learning creatively|BC4]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Reflecting on and evaluating my learning|MIT4]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Shuffle'' is deceptive. It's achingly simple yet impossible to finish. The computer isn't very clever but sometimes it doesn't need to be. Good Physics engine to teach angles, collisions and momentum too. <html><a href="http://www.shockwave.com/content/shuffle/sis/jenga/shuffle.swf" target="_blank">Play Shuffle</a></html> See also: [[Being confident|SW5]] [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Fantastic Contraption'' is the multiverse of online games. An excellent physics engine, and infinity of possible solutions, cutesy graphics and a level editor for fully paid-up members. Ask nice and I'll give you a user/password for the day. (There's a VR version that is perhaps the most beautiful thing I've ever seen) Literally, the only limit is your imagination. And someone has already thought of it first. <html><a href="http://fantasticcontraption.com/game/Contraption.swf" target="_blank">Play Fantastic Contraption. You'll regret it if you don't</a></html> See also: [[Being positive about learning|SW6]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Imagining|BC1]] [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Learning creatively|BC4]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Reflecting on and evaluating my learning|MIT4]] [[Setting and achieving personal goals|MM3]] [[Home|CYW]]

The Company of Myself is a simple puzzle platformer, except it has a sombre backstory incorporating loss and loneliness engaging the player in the narrative, developing emotional skills and empathy along with some fun gaming. <html><a href="ttp://cache.armorgames.com/files/games/the-company-of-mysel-4918.swf" target="_blank">Play The Company of Myself</a></html>

An incredibly annoying game. The children hate you but they keep playing. They never win, it's not that sort of game, but they keep playing. Perseverance is all we have when we ''MultiTask''. <html><a href="http://onemorelevel.com/static/games3/multitask.swf" target="_blank">Play MultiTask</a></html> See also: [[Knowing myself|MM1]] [[Being confident|SW5]] [[Being positive about learning|SW6]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Conversations With My Mother'' is a [[Twine]] choose-your-own-adventure-game. It will not be suitable for a lot of Junior Cycle kids but I have included it here as an exemple of the kind of issues that can be dealt with through the medium of computer games. With the right group it could both spark and aid discussion around Transgender rights. Particularly of value, I feel, is the discussion that could be had over why certain words have options and how they could be important to a person's every day life. It is a short but possibly powerful exploration of an important issue. <html><a href="http://mkopas.net/files/conversations/conversations.html" target="_blank">Play Conversations With My Mother</a></html> See also: [[Respecting difference|WWO3]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Grid16'' is another annoying game. I just died again, argh, I'll stop when I get to 2.5. It's too fast! ... Oh, is that the sunrise? Play in a computer room and let your students experience the joys of collective failure. <html><a href="http://www.freewebarcade4.com/media/grid-16.swf" target="_blank">Play Grid16</a></html> See also: [[Knowing myself|MM1]] [[Being positive about learning|SW6]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Being social|BC2]] [[Home|CYW]]

"An interactive (non)fiction about living with depression" ''Depression Quest'' (like this very guide which you are reading) was created using [[Twine]]. <html><a href="http://www.depressionquest.com/dqfinal.html" target="_blank">Play Depression Quest</a></html> See also: [[Knowing myself|MM1]] [[Being spiritual|SW4]] [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Being healthy, physical and active|SW1]] [[Discussing and debating|C3]] [[Using language|C4]] [[Home|CYW]]

Well, this is depressing. You're a scientist and you've just released an agent that will wipe out every living thing on earth in six days. You have ''One Chance'' to make things right. How do you spend your last days? <html><a href="http://games.jayisgames.com/One_Chance_NEWGROUND.swf" target="_blank">Play One Chance</a></html> See also: [[Knowing myself|MM1]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Being spiritual|SW4]] [[Discussing and debating|C3]] [[Being safe|SW3]] [[Being healthy, physical and active|SW1]] [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Being social'' [[Grid16|G16]] [[Cursor*10|C10]] [[Staying Well|SW]] [[Home|CYW]]

Being safe (display: "empty") [[Staying Well|SW]] [[Home|CYW]]

What are you waiting for, shout it out! Or, go back to the [[games|CYW]]

I haven't got any good games to explicitly help develop this skill. Can you help me? [[Yes]] [[Let me think about it|CYW]]

''Performing and presenting'' (display: "empty") [[Communicating|C]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Using numbers and data'' [[Quadium|Q]] [[Communicating|C]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Learning creatively'' [[Fantastic Contraption|FC]] [[Bridge Builder|BB]] [[Being Creative|BC]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Developing good relationships'' (display: "empty") [[Working with others|WWO]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Co-operating'' (display: "empty") [[Working with others|WWO]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Respecting difference'' [[Conversations With My Mother|CWMM]] [[Working with others|WWO]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Contributing to making the world a better place'' [[ImmorTall|IT]] [[Play Spent|PS]] [[Working with others|WWO]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Gathering, recording, organising, and evaluating information and data'' [[Angry Birds|AB]] [[Managing information and thinking|MIT]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Everyday the Same Dream'' allows players experience the mundanity of everyday life, then let's them break free. <html><a href="http://www.molleindustria.org/everydaythesamedream/everydaythesamedream.html" target="_blank">Play Everyday the Same Dream</a></html> [[Home|CYW]]

The world is about to be gripped by a virus. You are the virus. Evade detection and spread around the world. Kill. Embrace your malevolent side in ''Pandemic 2''. <html><a href="http://www.addictinggames.com/newGames/strategy-games/pandemic2/pandemic2.swf" target="_blank">Play Pandemic 2</a></html> See also: [[Being healthy, physical and active|SW1]] [[Being able to reflect on my own learning|MM4]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Reflecting on and evaluating my learning|MIT4]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Cursor*10'' allows you to collaborate against the clock with nine of your past lives. Yep, your past lives. Spooky. Exasperation, shouting and advice thrown across the computer room ahoy! <html><a href="http://www.freewebarcade.com/game/cursor10/cursor10.swf" target="_blank">Play Cursor 10</a></html> See also: [[Being confident|SW5]] [[Learning with others|WWO5]] [[Being social|SW2]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Reflecting on and evaluating my learning|MIT4]] [[Implementing ideas and taking action|BC3]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Elude'' is an attempt to gamify depression. Slow to a crawl as you trudge along the ground, soar to incredible heights before the inevitable crash. <html><a href="http://web.mit.edu/gambit/summer10/team4/MS7/elude_gold.swf" target="_blank">Play Elude</a></html> See also: [[Being healthy, physical and active|SW1]] [[Home|CYW]]

Experience life on the bread line. Extremely engaging, somewhat panic inducing. ''Play Spent''. <html><a href="http://playspent.org/" target="_blank">Play Spent</a></html> See also: [[Imagining|BC1]] [[Being healthy, physical and active|SW1]] [[Contributing to making the world a better place|WWO4]] [[Home|CYW]]

Students are so sceptical when they first start playing ''Gridlock'' that it takes every fibre of my being to not be the smuggest man alive when they're angrily determined to get past level 24 before the bell goes in 3... 2... 1... <html><a href="http://game.gprime.net/media/game/gridlock.swf" target="_blank">Gridlock</a></html> See also: [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Freedom Bridge'' is a 'notgame'. It exploits the player's affinity with a simple game mechanic to devastating emotional affect. <html><a href="http://www.necessarygames.com/my-games/freedom-bridge/flash" target="_blank">Play Freedom Bridge</a></html> See also: [[Being spiritual|SW4]] [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Imagining|BC1]] [[Being Curious|MIT1]] [[Home|CYW]]

''ImmorTall''. I leave the rest up to you. This is the game I that led me to rethink my ideas about the possibilities of game playing. It took them out of my maths class and into every class. It is a beautiful game. Play with the sound up! <html><a href="http://pixelante.com/games/pixelante/ImmorTall_viral.swf" target="_blank">Play ImmorTall</a></html> See also: [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Using language|C4]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Contributing to making the world a better place|WWO4]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Angry Birds'' doesn't exist online anymore! ''Crush the Castle'' is similar to Angry Birds (in fact, pre-dated it slightly). Good for physics, maths, deductive reasoning, strategy. <html><a href="http://armorgames.com/play/6137/crush-the-castle-2" target="_blank">here</a></html> See also: [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Gathering, recording, organising and evaluating information and data|MIT2]] [[Home|CYW]]

Another [[Twine]] game. ''Tundra'' shows the power and immsersive potential of text-based, narrative games. <html><a href="http://tundra.paperblurt.com/index.html" target="_blank">Tundra</a></html> See also: [[Communicating|C]] [[Being Creative|BC]] [[Managing information and thinking|MIT]] [[Home|CYW]]

There are tower defence games and then there are TOWER DEFENCE games. ''Desktop Tower Defence'' is the best of the lot. You get to design the route for the creeps to follow as your creations blast them to oblivion. Everything you do is an expression of your thinking and yourself. <html><a href="http://www.kongregate.com/games/casualcollective/desktop-td-pro" target="_blank">Play Desktop Tower Defence Pro</a></html> Note: Multiplayer is broken so don't try! See also: [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Bridge Builder'' is the only game in this document that is not immediately playable. It can be downloaded free <html><a href="http://www.bridgebuilder-game.com/" target="_blank">here</a></html>. It is a wonderful and wonderfully simple simulation with lots of learning possibilities jammed into a tiny little package. See also: [[Being positive about learning|SW6]] [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Learning creatively|BC4]] [[Thinking creatively and critically|MIT3]] [[Setting and achieving personal goals|MM3]] [[Implementing ideas and taking action|BC3]] [[Home|CYW]]

''Contact'' Please send me anything that this guide has inspired in you. Even boredom. [email protected] @mrNeilButler [[Home|CYW]]

This is not so much a game and I don't really know it's purpose or its actual name (I call it ''Quadium''). The challenge is intriguing and it encourages children to think about the internet as something malleable. Plus hacking. I have only managed to get to level 4 (without cheating). <html><a href="http://topsecret.quadium32.com/" target="_blank">Play Quadium</a></html> See also: [[Being Curious|MIT1]] [[Using language|C4]] [[Exploring options and alternatives|BC2]] [[Using numbers and data|C5]] [[Implementing ideas and taking action|BC3]] [[Home|CYW]]

One final note before we start: Games are only learning experiences when they are fun. There is no wrong way to play a computer game with your students. As long as they are learning or thinking or discussing or progressing or getting stuck or getting angry then you are doing it right. Playing games in class can be controlled and regimented or messy and chaotic. It's up to you how you approach it. Do what works for you, your students and their needs. And, please, most of all: Enjoy! [[Games Sorted by Key Skill|CYW]] [[An Unsorted List of all the Games|games]] [[Suggestions, Corrections or Rants|Contact]] [[Other games|whythese]]

''Twine'' is a very powerful tool which lets you create your own interactive text adventures, reminiscent of the choose-your-own-adventure novels of the 80s and 90s. The added bonus of interactivity via HTML, CSS and javascript allows for a deeper, more immersive experience. [[Knowing myself|MM1]] [[Making considered decisions|MM2]] [[Being social|SW2]] [[Being safe|SW3]] [[Being confident|SW5]] [[Listening and expressing myself|C1]] [[Performing and presenting|C2]] [[Discussing and debating|C3]] [[Using language|C4]]

''Why These Games?'' I have chosen only games that can be accessed freely by any student using any internet-connected computer. I feel it is fundamentally important to allow the students, if they so desire, to continue their learning experience at home. Games should also be played by the teacher first. Some games have age ratings which need to be respected. Some may deal with difficult themes and care should be taken to prepare students for any negative emotional experiences. ''Other Games'' There are a vast array of paid games that can be used to great effect.An inexhaustive list (in no particulary order): ''Garry's Mod''; ''Portal''; ''Portal 2''; ''Divide By Sheep''; ''Besiege''; ''SpaceChem''; ''Infinifactory''; ''TIS-100''; ''Minecraft'' (obvs); ''Kerbal Space Program''; ''Poly Bridge''; ''Splice''; ''Geometry Dash''; ''Incredipede'' and ''Monument Valley''. [[Home|CYW]] [[The Free Games|games]] [[Back|Level 2]]

''Bloxorz!!''

''Tetris''

''Space Invaders''