Lesson Plan | Active Methodology | Electronic Games

Premises: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class duration, prior student study both with the Book and the beginning of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be carried out during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a large part of the available time.

Objective

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The objectives section is crucial for guiding both students and teachers towards the lesson's learning outcomes. By clearly defining what is expected, students can better organize and articulate their existing knowledge during hands-on activities. Moreover, this section sets clear expectations and ensures that everyone understands the key points to be covered.

Objective Utama:

1. Empower students to identify and describe the main types of video games and their unique features.

2. Help students grasp how esports tournaments operate, recognizing their common frameworks and dynamics.

Objective Tambahan:

1. Encourage discussion about the impact of video games on modern culture.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction aims to engage students with the lesson's theme through relatable problems they've likely thought about at home. This approach helps connect previously learned concepts with the hands-on activities planned for class. Additionally, the contextualization underscores the significance of studying video games, not just as entertainment, but as an influential and culturally relevant industry.

Problem-Based Situation

1. Imagine you're in a tournament for one of your favourite video games. What skills do you think are most important for success? Chat with your classmates and list the skills you think matter.

2. Think of a video game you know inside and out. How do its design elements (like characters, settings, and mechanics) affect how you play or your feelings while playing? Discuss with your group to pinpoint the game's key components.

Contextualization

Video games are not just a pastime; they're a worldwide competitive scene and a valuable educational tool. Nowadays, there are professional leagues and tournaments that offer substantial cash prizes, with many players achieving celebrity status. For example, the finals of the League of Legends World Championship attract millions of viewers, similar to the Super Bowl. This trend highlights how video games have become an integral part of modern culture, warranting serious study and understanding.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development phase allows students to actively and creatively apply their knowledge about video games. Through engaging and collaborative activities, they will explore various aspects of games, from character creation to scenario design, while competing in retro games. This section aims to reinforce theoretical learning through practices that stimulate critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended that only one of the suggested activities be carried out

Activity 1 - Creating a New Character

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Enhance students' creativity and teamwork skills, while understanding how character design influences gameplay.

- Description: Students will break into groups of up to 5 to create a new character for a video game. They should consider the character’s name, look, special abilities, and backstory. Each group will also draw their character and present it to the class, explaining their choices.

- Instructions:

• Organize students into groups of up to 5.

• Ask each group to select the type of game their character will belong to (RPG, action, adventure, etc.).

• Guide students to discuss and decide on the name, appearance, special abilities, and a brief backstory for the character.

• Provide materials like paper, coloured pencils, and markers for groups to sketch their character.

• Each group must prepare a short 5-minute presentation to explain their character, emphasizing their choices and how those traits could shape the game.

Activity 2 - Retro Game Tournament

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Encourage healthy competition and understanding of classic gameplay mechanics while promoting reflection on the evolution of video games.

- Description: In this activity, students are invited to compete in a retro video game tournament. Each group will select a classic game from a pre-approved list, such as Super Mario Bros, Pac-Man, or Tetris, and face off against each other. The tournament will unfold in stages, with winners from each round advancing.

- Instructions:

• Set up a room with game stations, each featuring a console and a retro game.

• Split students into groups of up to 5 and have them choose a game from the provided list.

• Go over the basic rules of the selected game to ensure all players know how to play.

• Conduct the tournament in stages, having each group compete until a champion is crowned.

• At the end, lead a discussion on the strategies employed and the lessons learned about retro games.

Activity 3 - Designing Virtual Scenarios

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Help students understand how scenario design impacts gameplay and immersion, and foster creativity and drawing skills.

- Description: Students will collaborate to design a video game scenario using software or mapping tools. They should think about the game type, the atmosphere they want to create, and the challenges the scenario should offer.

- Instructions:

• Divide students into groups of up to 5.

• Explain the concept of scenario design in video games, providing examples from popular titles.

• Introduce the software or tools they'll be using to create their scenarios.

• Guide students in designing a scenario for a specific game, considering factors like terrain, obstacles, and interactive elements.

• Each group will present their scenario to the class, explaining their design choices and how they enhance gameplay.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

This stage aims to solidify practical learning and foster critical reflection on the topics covered. The group discussion allows students to vocalize and share their perspectives, which helps to reinforce their understanding of the nuanced topics discussed. Plus, sharing experiences among groups promotes a collaborative learning atmosphere and encourages the development of communication and argumentation skills.

Group Discussion

For the group discussion, the teacher should gather all students and start with an intro that highlights the importance of sharing experiences and insights gained from the activities. Then, each group can present a summary of their discussions and creations, highlighting significant findings and challenges they faced. After the presentations, encourage students to ask questions of each other and promote a discussion on the differences and commonalities in the groups' work.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges in creating your character or designing your scenario? How did you tackle them?

2. How do the skills needed to excel in video games relate to other areas of your life?

3. In what ways can the design of a character or scenario shape the gaming experience?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of the Conclusion is to reinforce and summarize the learnings from the lesson, giving students a clear perspective on how theoretical content translates into practice and real-life contexts. Additionally, this stage highlights the value of video games as educational and cultural instruments, preparing students to think critically about integrating the knowledge they've gained into various areas of their lives.

Summary

In this lesson, we looked at the main types of video games, their defining features, and how tournaments are structured. Students got hands-on experience creating characters, designing scenarios, and even participating in a retro gaming tournament, allowing them to directly apply the concepts explored.

Theory Connection

Today’s lesson successfully linked theory with practice, showing how concepts of game design, tournament organization, and game types are relevant in real-life situations. Through the activities, students not only learned but also experienced the application of knowledge in an enjoyable, interactive way.

Closing

Understanding video games stretches beyond mere entertainment; it enables the development of technical skills, creativity, and teamwork. These lessons are transferable to other aspects of students' lives, emphasizing the importance of studying human interaction with technology and digital culture.