This document summarizes a mini game jam competition that was held to support children's transition from primary to secondary school. The event brought together 90 children from 4 different schools to work in teams for a day to create games based on a common theme. Volunteers from local game studios helped support the children. The winning game was selected and feedback was positive, with teachers, volunteers, and children noting the educational and collaborative benefits of participating. The goal was to ease children's transition between schools through an engaging joint programming activity.
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. But how is this relevant to transition?
I worked with schools within the one learning community
Smithycroft
Secondary
Royston
Primary
Carntyne
Primary
Cranhill
Primary
7. 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
8. 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
9. 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
11. 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
12. Feedback from Volunteers involved
Teams 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
13. 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’