Author: JD

Making Videogames: The Art of Creating Digital Worlds by Duncan Harris, Alex Wiltshire

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Making Videogames is an unprecedented snapshot of modern interactive entertainment, with insight from true pioneers about the most important games in the world. Illustrated with some of the most arresting in-game images ever seen in print, the book explores the unique alchemy of technical and artistic endeavour that constitutes the magic of videogames, striking a captivating balance between insight and accessibility. A book not only for die-hard videogame fanatics, but also for designer-creatives and the visually curious, Making Videogames is a thrilling showcase of the boundless creativity of this amazing industry.

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BE OPEN: NFTs In Education: A Revolutionary Way of Learning Pt.1

BE OPEN: NFTs In Education: A Revolutionary Way of Learning Pt.1

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NFTs in education are transforming the way we learn and teach. Discover how non-fungible tokens are being used in education and the benefits they offer to students and educators.

The Role of NFTs In Education

The world of education is constantly evolving, and the emergence of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) has revolutionized the way we learn and teach. NFTs are digital assets that are unique and cannot be replicated, making them a perfect fit for the education sector. From digitizing educational certificates to creating interactive learning experiences, NFTs are transforming the education landscape. In this article, we will explore how NFTs are being used in education and the benefits they offer to students and educators.

What Are NFTs In Education?

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are a type of digital asset that uses blockchain technology to certify their uniqueness and ownership. In simple terms, an NFT explained is a digital certificate of ownership that verifies the authenticity and provenance of a digital asset. Each NFT is unique and cannot be replicated or replaced, which makes them valuable for collectors and investors. NFTs can take many forms, including digital art, music, videos, and other types of digital content.

The metaverse is transforming the eCommerce landscape by creating new opportunities for brands to connect with consumers in immersive virtual environments, and this trend is also beginning to impact the field of education, where NFTs are being used to verify and showcase students’ academic achievements. NFTs can represent anything from digital art to educational certificates, making them versatile and applicable to a wide range of use cases.

How Are NFTs Used In Education?

NFTs can be used in education to certify the ownership and authenticity of digital certificates, degrees, and other academic achievements. They can also be used to create digital portfolios that showcase students’ skills and achievements, as well as personalized learning experiences tailored to individual students’ needs and interests.

Additionally, NFTs can be used to create micro-credentials that represent specific skills or knowledge areas, making it easier for students to demonstrate their expertise in a particular subject.

NFTs are being used in various ways in education, including the following.

Digital Certificates

NFTs can be used to digitize educational certificates, making them tamper-proof and easily shareable. This can eliminate the need for paper certificates, reduce the risk of fraud, and make it easier for employers to verify the authenticity of a candidate’s credentials.

Interactive Learning

NFTs can be used to create interactive learning experiences that are engaging and immersive. For example, a student could use an NFT to access a Virtual Reality environment where they can practice their language skills or explore a historical site.

Fundraising

NFTs can be used to raise funds for educational institutions or specific projects. For example, an institution could create an NFT that represents a piece of artwork created by a student, and auction it off to raise funds.

Collectibles

NFTs can be used to create collectibles that represent achievements or milestones. For example, a student could receive an NFT for completing a course or achieving a certain grade.

BE OPEN Academy Poll. Best offline programme in Sound Design in UK

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Music and Sound Design course available from Manchester Metropolitan University has won in our online poll about the best offline programme in Sound Design in UK.

The other entries in the poll were:

  • Sound Arts by Plymouth College of Art
  • Digital Music and Sound Arts MA by University of Brighton
  • BA (Hons) Sound Arts and Design by University of the Arts London
  • Music and Sound Design by Ravensbourne University
BE OPEN: Gamification of Learning Pt.2

BE OPEN: Gamification of Learning Pt.2

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Educational Games for Skill Building And Learner Engagement

In fact, there are a number of educational games online that help young and old students learn new things, develop problem-solving skills, and get creative while having a great time. For example, timetables are written with clear instructions, and children learn how to slope and build roller coasters while playing in action. If you’re looking for other options, Minecraft and Roblox are popular with kids of all ages because they offer free educational resources.

Many schools are engaged in educational video games, and homeschoolers can do the same. There are some great games that try to present high-quality educational content in a fun format that students will love from kindergarten to high school. Video games for Wii, Xbox, and PlayStation will get your children excited about the learning process.

Consider using a serious single or multiplayer game (see GamesForChange.org) as a warm-up for online classroom discussions. Students can play and judge video games, like the Civilization series, for their content and accuracy.

An Example Study On Educational Games

In six sessions lasting for nine weeks, we will explore the development of educational video games and hear from experts who have worked on many aspects of learning through game design, development, and implementation. Each group will engage in a discussion on the development of educational games.

The current meta-analysis builds on earlier meta-analyses by expanding the scope of constituent studies and focusing on an overlapped but unambiguous cross-section of research literature, with a greater emphasis on learning games among K-16 students. This study provides a specific and unambiguous focus on (a) digital games for students from K-16 and (b) cognitive, intrapersonal, and interpersonal learning outcomes. Based on the previous meta-analysis, we predict that the game condition will be associated in media comparisons with better learning outcomes than the non-game condition. Many studies have included games as a condition for additional play-free instruction, in which students participate in relevant classwork in addition to playing. Games should be adapted to the difficulty that suits your learning style and grade level.

Gaming Platforms

Sheppard Software is led by Brad Sheppard and hosts hundreds of free online educational games for children. The company divides these games into categories and enables students and teachers to orient themselves according to subject areas and find suitable games that meet the educational needs of children with curiosity and a thirst for knowledge and challenge.

For over a decade, iCivics, which has over 20 free games on its platform, has become my gateway to game-based learning. When they taught middle-school children social studies, they noticed that 12- and 13-year-olds got bored with the content. For example, to help students learn about the Bill of Rights, they let students play “The Rights Game,” in which players learn to manage a civil rights firm.

The Black Experience in Design: Identity, Expression & Reflection

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Author: Jennifer Rittner (Editor) Lesley-Ann Noel (Editor) Kelly Walters (Editor) Anne H Berry (Editor) Kareem Collie (Editor) Penina Acayo Laker (Editor)

The Black Experience in Design spotlights teaching practices, research, stories, and conversations from a Black/African diasporic lens.
Excluded from traditional design history and educational canons that heavily favor European modernist influences, the work and experiences of Black designers have been systematically overlooked in the profession for decades. However, given the national focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the aftermath of the nationwide Black Lives Matter protests in the United States, educators, practitioners, and students now have the opportunity–as well as the social and political momentum–to make long-term, systemic changes in design education, research, and practice, reclaiming the contributions of Black designers in the process.

The Black Experience in Design, an anthology centering a range of perspectives, spotlights teaching practices, research, stories, and conversations from a Black/African diasporic lens. Through the voices represented, this text exemplifies the inherently collaborative and multidisciplinary nature of design, providing access to ideas and topics for a variety of audiences, meeting people as they are and wherever they are in their knowledge about design. Ultimately, The Black Experience in Design serves as both inspiration and a catalyst for the next generation of creative minds tasked with imagining, shaping, and designing our future.

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Graphic Design Rules: 365 Essential Design Dos and Don’ts by Sean Adams, Peter Dawson, John Foster, and Tony Seddon

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A handy guide for professional graphic designers, students, and laypeople who incorporate graphic design into their job or small business. Packed with practical advice, this spirited collection of design dos and don’ts takes readers through 365 rules like knowing when to use a modular grid — and when to throw the grid out the window. All designers will appreciate tips and lessons from these accomplished authors, who draw on years of experience to help you create good design.

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