Using Scratch Mini Game Jam to Support Transition

Scratch Games Development

Competition to Support Transition

Amanda Wilson@AmandaWilson169

About Me

Computing

FE Lecturer

CAS Hub leader in Glasgow

STEM Ambassador

Volunteer ICT Coach in Primary

PHD Student

Why? PhD looks at Games construction within

Primary Education

Spent 2 years in schools working with 16 classes (384 children between P4 & P7)

Idea to mark the end of research and get children doing something with the other school that had been involved that year

What's a Game Jam? A Game Jam is an event held normally at

Universities where people generally spend 24-48 hours working in teams to create games

There is a worldwide one generally in January

At the start of the time the teams are given a theme for their games

How does the Mini Game Jam work? It’s “Mini” as children cant spent all weekend in school making games

Lasts for the school day

Children come together from different schools in the learning community and are put into teams

They are then given a theme and spend the rest of the time working on their game

Games get judged and the best one wins a small prize

But how is this relevant to transition? I worked with schools within the one learning community

Smithycroft

Secondary

Royston Primary

Carntyne Primary

Cranhill Primary

But how is this relevant to transition? Before the day itself interested teachers were given

a CPD session and materials to take back to school to prepare the children for taking part

But how is this relevant to transition? Event was held at Smithycroft Secondary School 90 children attended on the day Split into teams – put with children from other

schools

What happened? Volunteers from Outplay Entertainment(Dundee), Kobojo(Dundee)

and Glasgow Caledonian University attended on the day

Senior pupils from Smithycroft also volunteered

On the day there was 24 games created by the teams who were given the topical theme of the Commonwealth Games

But there could only be one winner

Winning Game

Feedback from Teachers involved“The chance to share this learning with others, all used to using this software, allowed their learning to be enhanced.”“Staff had a chance to also develop more fully their understanding and awareness of the concepts around gaming. And above all else, it forms a key plank of the ICT curriculum. So I definitely found it worthwhile.”Royston Primary School

“The Game Jam was a truly enriching experience for the s1-3 pupils who took part in it last term. It was a fabulous opportunity for our students to meet real professionals, actively working in the vibrant game sector in Dundee. The inspiration that they drew from this has encouraged many of them to think realistically about a future in this field. At Smithycroft we are trying to help them build the skills and abilities needed for them to achieve this.”Smithycroft Secondary School

Feedback from Volunteers involvedTeams were assigned accordingly, teaching the kids their first real lesson of the industry, working with people you don’t know.

The day was tiring but hopefully fun for all that participated. And on a more serious note, the lesson of achieving something in a short space of time, the very essence of a game-jam, was not lost on those who would like to pursue a career in the games industry.

Alice Rendell Kobojo Games, Dundee

Feedback from Children involved

‘Great fun seeing our games in action’

‘Enjoyed working in small group with different people’

‘Made me think about what I was doing’

Thanks for listening