As the name suggests, Game Maker is a programme that allows users to create their own online games, without the need for learning the difficult programming language that is so often necessary.
It uses a basic drag and drop system, whereby you choose your sprite, background, wall and actions and drop them into relevant boxes. This in turn creates a game of your own design. There is a limited variety of sprites etc that may not appeal to most people, but it is enough to get an idea of how games are designed and to experiment with various types.
Game Maker is a great tool for the classroom to teach students how to create their own game. It uses lots of problem solving skills which helps students to find alternative ways to master solutions and develops higher order thinking. This application has been used in an extension program for primary students called PEAC (Primary Education Academic Program).
It requires a step by step guide on how to use it, in class I managed to keep up, but I noticed that others didn’t. Instructions would have to be clear and engagement in the lesson is a must, because if you miss a step, you miss a lot of vital information.
I like Game Maker! I believe that I would use it for students in my classroom as a Friday afternoon activity. (Only because there is so much else to fit into a school day, I feel that parents and other teachers would not see the educational benefits as they exist.) It is interesting and engaging for primary aged students and I believe it had loads of educational benefits.
It uses a basic drag and drop system, whereby you choose your sprite, background, wall and actions and drop them into relevant boxes. This in turn creates a game of your own design. There is a limited variety of sprites etc that may not appeal to most people, but it is enough to get an idea of how games are designed and to experiment with various types.
Game Maker is a great tool for the classroom to teach students how to create their own game. It uses lots of problem solving skills which helps students to find alternative ways to master solutions and develops higher order thinking. This application has been used in an extension program for primary students called PEAC (Primary Education Academic Program).
It requires a step by step guide on how to use it, in class I managed to keep up, but I noticed that others didn’t. Instructions would have to be clear and engagement in the lesson is a must, because if you miss a step, you miss a lot of vital information.
I like Game Maker! I believe that I would use it for students in my classroom as a Friday afternoon activity. (Only because there is so much else to fit into a school day, I feel that parents and other teachers would not see the educational benefits as they exist.) It is interesting and engaging for primary aged students and I believe it had loads of educational benefits.
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