Gaming & Gamification


Google’s New Curriculum and Game Encourage Kids to ‘Be Internet Awesome’

The resources are available through Google’s Be Internet Awesome project, which was evaluated by the International Society for Technology (ISTE) and received the Seal of Alignment for Readiness for its pedagogical value.

Fidget Spinner App Gets 7 Million Downloads

While schools around the country are banning fidget spinners, an app version by gaming company Ketchapp has passed 7 million downloads.

Minecraft: Education Edition 1.0.1 Released with Code Builder Support

Minecraft: Education Edition 1.0.1 Released with Code Builder Support

Microsoft has released a new version of Minecraft: Education Edition that adds support for Code Builder, along with a number of other new features and improvements.

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Fashioning a Framework for Maker Education

Jaclyn Gerstein will be presenting at two sessions during the ISTE conference: “A Framework for Maker Education: Frontloading and Reflecting on Maker Experiences,” on Sunday, June 25; and “Design Thinking and Universal Design for Learning for Makerspaces, STEM and STEAM” on Monday, June 26.

Kahoot to Add Gaming to Office 365 Teams

Kahoot is a program that enables users, including teachers, to create learning games out of quizzes, surveys and discussion forums.

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CodeREV Expands Tech Summer Camps Throughout CA and Beyond

Evan Boorman started CodeREV after running a successful tutoring company. He spoke with THE Journal to discuss the CodeREV summer camps, as well as the necessities of teaching coding and STEAM to young people.

Ed Dept. Names Finalists for Virtual and Augmented Reality Competition

The ED has selected five finalists in the EdSim Challenge, a national competition that aims to advance students’ career and technical skills with immersive, computer-based simulations. Finalists will each receive $50,000 and continue to develop their prototypes for a chance to win the $430,000 grand prize.

Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition Now Available in Beta

Code Builder for Minecraft: Education Edition Now Available in Beta

Minecraft: Education Edition is also expected to be updated to version 1.0.1 later this spring, incorporating several new features — from texture pack support to Command Blocks to ... llamas.

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New App Helping Children Learn Mandarin Launches in United States

A new app that helps young children learn Mandarin has launched today in the United States. “Miao Mi” features more than 500 videos, including award-winning children’s programs from Asia, and games that reinforce language learning.

Amazon to Refund $70 Million for In-App Purchases Made by Kids

Amazon Inc. will refund millions of unauthorized in-app purchases made by kids on mobile devices. According an announcement from the Federal Trade Commission this week, more than $70 million in-app purchases made between November 2011 and May 2016 may be eligible for refund.