In this episode of GAME ON, Adam Bellow interviews Dr. Kari Stubbs, who has had a diverse career in education - transitioning from classroom teaching to general ed tech and ultimately to special education. Dr. Stubbs shares her passion for supporting neurodiverse children, particularly those with autism, and offers valuable advice for educators looking to make a difference in the field.
As the school year inches to a close, a familiar feeling is sweeping classrooms across the country: the anticipation of summer break. Students (and teachers!) are eager to sleep in and enjoy long, relaxing days outdoors. We know it’s difficult to keep students engaged during these final weeks, yet it is also high-stakes. End-of-year assessments are on the horizon and, despite the bubbling excitement about summer, it’s important to maintain focus on learning and review.
Student-centered learning is a powerful tool. At Breakout EDU, we develop games that put students at the forefront of their educational experience, fostering a love of learning that extends far beyond the walls of a traditional classroom.
With Breakout EDU, student voice and choice is amplified, creating a more engaging and effective learning environment for all. When students have agency over their learning experiences, they become more self-directed learners. They become empowered to explore their interests and feel that their ideas and opinions are respected. In fact, schools that prioritize student agency as part of their culture have found that students receive better grades and there are reduced rates of chronic absenteeism.
I teach 6th grade Social Studies and English Language Arts. I use features like the Recommended Games where students can choose games that peak their interest or I run a search for topics and standards that we are working on in class. I also use the My Classes to keep track of work from my different classes. I also use this feature to assign and differentiate games to students.
Assessments can be used as a powerful tool for learners. End-of-year assessments, typically summative exams, are often used to help students demonstrate how much academic growth they have experienced throughout the school year - they also provide critically important data for next year's teachers so they can hit the ground running in the fall with an informed awareness of student strengths and areas of growth.
One of the key features that allows Breakout EDU to empower teachers and students alike is our comprehensive and user-friendly digital classroom experience. When teachers create a class on Breakout EDU, they are able to streamline classroom management, enhance engagement, and track student progress.
Meet Jodi Carthron, Gifted Resource Teacher at Rockhill Elementary in Stafford, Virginia! Discover how she's igniting excitement in her K-5 students with Breakout EDU, from immersive Breakout+ activities to the Game Design Studio, and more. Jodi shares insight on how her students are thriving with Breakout EDU, gaining confidence, and embracing the productive struggle.
National Reading Month is all about inspiring and cultivating a love of reading amongst learners of all ages. This March, it’s not just about turning pages; it’s about fueling a passion for literacy that lasts a lifetime!
This year, go beyond the book and bring literature to life with Breakout EDU! With every game designed or played, student excitement about reading grows.
Here are some ways to celebrate National Reading Month with Breakout EDU:
The participation of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is not just a matter of equality - it is critical for forward progress!
We believe diverse perspectives bring an unparalleled richness to scientific inquiry. From tackling climate change to finding cures for the incurable, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS), celebrated each year on February 11, is an opportunity to promote full and equal access to, and participation in, science for women and girls.
Play is a multifaceted and essential aspect of childhood development and it contributes to a wide range of skill development. At Breakout EDU we believe that education is better when all learners are engaged, working together, and using essential “soft skills” to learn with play. That’s why our games are designed to unify education and fun while also equipping students with the essential skills they need to be successful in, and out, of the classroom.
Read more for a few research-supported ways learning and play work together to amplify student success.
Finding high-quality tools to support diverse classroom needs can feel a lot like searching for hidden treasure. Thankfully, Breakout EDU understands the importance of versatility in the classroom and we are excited to share how our platform has recently expanded to meet the unique requirements of every learning environment. Breakout EDU is constantly evolving to meet the needs of teachers and students, so be on the lookout for new games, challenges, and content beyond the options shared here.
From STEAM to language arts, elementary to high school, and everything in between, here are 5 ways Breakout EDU is here to help you reinforce key concepts, foster collaboration, or simply insert some fun into lesson plans:
Over the past year, the Breakout EDU team worked hard to transform the way students play, innovate, and learn in the classroom. We listened closely to teachers and implemented their feedback to continually make Breakout EDU a better learning tool while also thinking outside the box to bring learners new features to enhance their experiences. Together, we have raised the bar for educational engagement and empowerment - and we can’t wait to see where this journey will take us in 2024!
Read more about the 4 ways Breakout EDU transformed classrooms in 2023!
At its most basic level, gamification is the infusion of game-like elements into a teacher’s instructional practice. Elements like competition, challenges, and rewards serve to motivate and engage participants. Gamified classrooms are dynamic, interactive spaces where students become active participants in their learning journey which can aid in the promotion of engagement and motivation, increased participation, and supporting social emotional development.
For teachers looking to turn a traditional classroom into an immersive hub of learning, gamification might be just the ticket to meaningful, impactful fun. For teachers who are just at the beginning stages of implementing gamified lessons or veteran game facilitators, Breakout EDU is an easy-to-use, affordable option to put into play today.
We are leveling up the way Breakout EDU games are played! Designed to add a new layer of challenge, engagement, and fun to game play, we are pleased to introduce carousel games, thrilling gamification upgrades, and updated game player features.
Each of the following updates promise to bring a new level of excitement and ease to teaching and learning with Breakout EDU. Keep reading to break into a whole new dimension of activities.
It’s Computer Science Week! This celebration aims to “inspire students to learn computer science, advocate for equity in computer science education, and celebrate the contributions of students and teachers” (CSEd Week) to this exciting and rapidly changing field!
At the heart of this week is the Hour of Code, a one-hour introduction to the basics of coding to show that anyone can learn basic programming and, more importantly, to demystify code by demonstrating it’s not as complicated as it may seem.
Like Breakout EDU games, computer science is a gateway to problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Together, we can celebrate this important week and get students excited about coding and computer science with fun activities and challenging games. Taking some class time to support student interest in STEAM helps prepare them for college and/or careers - regardless of what age, stage, or grade level they are currently on!
Did you know November 8 was chosen as STEAM day for a reason? When you pronounce the date, it sounds like “in-nov-ate,” and innovation is the heart of STEAM! It’s also precisely what Breakout EDU is all about - igniting innovation in learners.
Classrooms are diverse and dynamic spaces! Each day teachers rise to the challenge of meeting the unique learning needs of their student population. Differentiated instruction is an educational approach that recognizes students entering classrooms do so with myriad learning preferences, abilities, and backgrounds, and seeks to personalize instruction to meet each student where they are.
Here, we share the importance of differentiated instruction along with 4 ways Breakout EDU lends itself to providing a differentiated experience for all students - without draining teachers' planning time.