Game Design Lesson Plan

Media Production
Video Games

Level: Grade 7 to 8

About the author: MediaSmarts

making and remixing

This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & ENGAGE: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.

Overview

In this lesson, students learn the elements of game design and make a prototype game, then give feedback on other students’ games.

Learning Outcomes

Big ideas/key concepts: Students will understand that…

Media are constructions:

  • Media works such as games were made by people who made choices that affect the final work

Each medium has a unique aesthetic form:

  • Different media forms have different rules of notice that media creators use to draw and direct attention.

Digital media experiences are shaped by the tools we use:

  • Games have rules and structures that govern how they work and are meant to be played

Essential knowledge: Students will know…

  • Reading media: The basic elements of game design, including goals, core dynamics, game mechanics, components, rules, and spaces
  • Making and remixing: The iterative process of game design, including prototyping, playtesting, and receiving feedback

Key vocabulary: Goal, core dynamic, game mechanics, components, rules, spaces, prototype, playtesting, iterate

Performance tasks: Students will be able to…

  • Use: Create a media work
  • Understand: Analyze games in terms of their design and mechanics
  • Engage: Give informed and effective feedback on peers’ media work

Student-friendly outcomes:

  • We will learn about the basic elements of game design, the game development process, and key terms like goal, core dynamic, game mechanics, components, rules, spaces, prototype, playtesting, and iterate.
  • We will think about how media creators make choices and follow industry rules and guidelines that influence how audiences interact with and understand their work.
  • We will create a game, analyze the effects game rules and design have on our playing experience, and playtest and provide feedback on our classmates’ projects.

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.

Lesson Kit