About this resource
Video games and board games were not created overnight. Game inventors begin with an idea and spend enormous amounts of time problem solving before their innovative ideas become actual games they can share. Students will learn about inventor and engineer Ralph Henry Baer, who is considered the father of video games because of his Brown Box console video game system: the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972. Students will also learn about Markus "Notch" Persson, the creator of Minecraft and founder of Mojang, video game developer, and the career path he took before his game came to fruition. Students will have the opportunity to research these inventors and others and discuss the problem solving and research necessary to achieve their goals. Students will watch a YouTube video that highlights the history of video games and the timeline for video game creation. Using the Myers-Briggs influenced 16 personalities online description and tests, students will brainstorm and discuss what personality characteristics innovators possess. After the lesson students will have game-playing and game-creating opportunities. Prior to this session, the librarian should have tables set up with various board games and laptops with Minecraft and/or other games uploaded (Minecraft is not free, but there are other free computer games available to use instead). A station should also be set up with graph paper, card stock, rulers, colored pencils, etc… for students who wish to create and plan their own game. Another fun station would be to have a Poke Stop for Pokemon fans and include several Pokemon books. Students could also be given blank cards to make themselves into a Pokeman card.
Librarian/lesson facilitator: Watch this video in advance about Notch (Markus Persson) to prepare what to share with students: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QlVMPzt4os0
Curriculum & Standards
Related General Curriculum / Common Core Area
Science, Social Studies, Technology
Related Curriculum / Common Core Standard
Kansas College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for Literacy Learning Standard 1: Engage in literacy learning through a collaborative and community effort and in an integrated fashion, rather than as discreet skills in isolation.
What students will do
Students will be aware of the Myers-Briggs 16 personalities and have begun to explore which types they connect to and which types parallel innovators.
Resources Needed
Games for stations: various board games, computer games (Minecraft if possible), and cardstock, graph paper, colored pencils, rulers, etc… for students to design their own game.
Lesson sequence & procedures
Direct Instruction & Guided Practice: Students walk in and see library tables set up with a variety of board games and computers with various online games. Students will watch this video about Notch (Markus Persson) – Minecraft creator: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QlVMPzt4os0
Librarian shares (and video highlights) the following: video games and board games were not created overnight. Game inventors begin with an idea and spend enormous amounts of time problem solving before their innovative ideas become actual games they can share. Students will learn about inventor and engineer Ralph Henry Baer, who is considered the father of video games because of his Brown Box console video game system: the Magnavox Odyssey, released in 1972. Show history of gaming video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0h_UpUcXPJY
Independent/Small Group Practice:
- Provide table teams with iPads and/or computer stations to utilize EBSCO (or other databases) to research and journal about additional game inventors. Students should be encouraged to read and discuss the problem solving and research necessary for these inventors to achieve their goals. Display Notch's biography with other game inventor biographies.
- Using the Myers-Briggs influenced 16 personalities online description and tests, students will brainstorm and discuss what personality characteristics innovators possess. Students can take the short assessment and look at the types: https://www.16personalities.com/personality-types
- After the lesson students will have game playing and game creating opportunities. Prior to this session the librarian should have tables set up with various board games and laptops with Minecraft and/or other games uploaded (Minecraft is not free, but there are other free computer games available to use instead). A station should also be set up with graph paper, card stock, rulers, colored pencils, etc… for students who wish to create and plan their own game. Another fun station would be to have a Poke Stop for Pokemon fans and include several Pokemon books. Students could also be given blank cards to make themselves into a Pokeman card.
Closing/Reflection: Librarian should observe and take note of student concerns/questions. Students can jot their thoughts on several white boards positioned around the room (informal reflection). Librarian should facilitate a discussion and ask students to share what was positive in their gaming experience and what was frustrating. Librarian should facilitate using open-ended questions and encourage students to share what problem solving techniques worked for them.
How learning is assessed
Students will complete exit slips on sticky notes that can be displayed in the library under the title: Innovative Gamer Personalities. Librarian will distribute sticky notes at the end of the closing discussion and before students move to gaming stations. Librarian will ask students to write what type(s) of personalities are helpful/essential for innovative game creators.