Imagine a typical day in your classroom. You are working hard to keep your students engaged and focused on the lesson, but you can’t help but notice their participation is lukewarm. Your teacher super senses tell you that something is not quite hitting the mark in your lesson plan. It’s time to shake things up.
In this episode of GAME ON, host Adam Bellow sits down with Jed Dearybury, an Educator, Author, Illustrator, and PLAYOLOGIST! They discuss favorite childhood games and drawing inspiration from Peter H. Reynolds, the beloved author and illustrator of “The Dot”. Jed talks about the power of play in his own life, overcoming obstacles and finding his true self, and the joy of sharing fun with others. Jed’s passion for teaching and his desire to equip, encourage, and empower others using creativity, laughter, and hands-on fun shines through in this conversation.
Fall is a whirlwind of preparation and excitement! It’s that time of year when students and teachers alike get the back-to-school butterflies. There’s no better feeling than meeting your new students for the first time - but the realities of starting again with establishing classroom management procedures and adjusting lesson plans can feel overwhelming.
In this episode of GAME ON, Host Adam Bellow interviews Jennifer Gonzalez, the brilliant mind behind Cult of Pedagogy. Jennifer, a former middle school English teacher, has transformed the educational landscape with her influential online platform. She shares her remarkable journey from the classroom to creating a vital resource for educators, highlighting the importance of building a supportive, growth-minded teaching community. Tune in to hear her inspiring story and practical advice for teachers!
At Breakout EDU, we believe that professional development should be enriching, actionable, and FUN! Our second annual Camp Breakout EDU webinar series is designed to equip educators with the tools and strategies they need to supercharge student engagement and turn classrooms into dynamic learning environments.
In this episode of GAME ON, host Adam Bellow interviews Al Lowe, who is a pioneer in the PC gaming space. Al Lowe created numerous games that were beloved by many including the educational classic, Donald Duck's Playground, as well as the Leisure Suit Larry game series, amongst others. Al began his career in education and has had a unique and amazing journey to learning new things and finding success along the way.
Level up your teaching game with Breakout EDU at ISTE Live 24 in Denver, Colorado, from June 23rd to 26th! Our team will transform Booth #2057 into an action-packed arcade filled with educational gaming experiences designed to supercharge teaching and learning.
School's out! While those summer days of freedom are well-deserved, there's a sneaky villain lurking in the shadows – summer learning loss. Studies show that students can lose a significant amount of knowledge over the long break, making the return to school in the fall a little bit more difficult for everyone than it needs to be.
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.