defeat the book thief!

“Defeat the Book Thief!”: Designing a Library Instruction

Video Game.Sue Raybould – School Librarian, The

Long Eaton School.Carl Cross – Children’s Librarian

Derbyshire Libraries.

What we were trying to achieve:

• A product that taught basic library skills through gameplay.

• Peer designed with minimal design input from adults.

What we were NOT trying to achieve:

• A game that would be played purely for entertainment.

• A game that could compete with big budget blockebusters.

Underlying Assumptions

• Can Learning happen through videogames?

Underlying Assumptions

• Can Learning happen through videogames?

Underlying Assumptions

• Can Learning happen through videogames?

Recruitment

• Adverts around school• Target specific individuals via ICT

teachers

Recruitment

•Anyone who was interested could attend

•Mostly boys – I girl!

•2 groups: one of 6 members, another of 5

•Information sheets/ Consent forms

How you could do it:

• Use software• Design a tabletop game

Tips

• No paperwork!• Designing board games, away from the

PCs worked well

Tips

• Liked ‘doing’• Have a specific aim each session • Plenary/Summing up at end• Enjoyed seeing results of their work

Evolution of a Library Game

Evolution of a Library Game

Evolution of a Library Game

What the students thought

“ I have learned new skills”“I liked working with different people

as part of a team”“I enjoyed talking about games”“I learned how to make a floor

pattern”“I would have liked to create my own

game”“It would have been better based on

actual programming rather than done on paper”

For one boy, coming to the Game Design Group was

the only thing he enjoyed in school!

Sue Raybould – School Librarian, The Long Eaton School.

sraybould@longeaton.derbyshire.sch.uk

Carl Cross – Children’s Librarian Derbyshire Libraries.

carl.cross@derbyshire.gov.uk