Join Author & Game Designer Brian Mayer in an interactive session that explores the impact that games, design and play hold for change, impacting individuals, groups, and local & global communities.
This seminar will examine the psychological, sociological, and educational benefits of superhero fantasies. Topics include identity formation, imagination, morality, and pro-social behavior.
Description:
This seminar will break down the psychological, sociological, and educational benefits that come from popular superhero stories. The discussion will include an examination of popular heroes and what they can teach us about our emotions, our fears, and our behaviors. We will discuss superheros as the new mythology, serving many of the roles of classic literature and ancient myth. We will examine how superheroes influence a child's identity formation, imagination, and can even encourage pro-social behaviors. Educators, child development professionals, parents, and anyone who loves the world of superheroes are welcome to join the discussion.
Using Cities to teach Business, Economics, and Decision-Making
Summary:
Cities is a social, large-scale, moderated card game that helps students enhance their understanding of economic principals, improve their strategic thinking, and develop their decision making skills.
This seminar will explore how to use table top games to build a sense of community in your area.
Description:
The seminar will cover methods to build a sense of community in your area. Methods covered will be good establishing various types of communities for varying purposes (i.e. establishing a good customer base, successful youth program, neighborhood gaming group, and more). Examples will be provided for each method, as well as useful resources and contacts, all with the end goal being able to establish a "sense of community" in your area.
I will discuss how to apply principles of good game design to the classroom. I will demonstrate several games I've designed to teach topics from College Algebra, PreCalculus, and Calculus I.
Playing games can build thinking skills just as lifting weights can build muscles. Games are a valuable tool to enhance skills needed to succeed in the 21st century. Come explore several great games.