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Designing Games with Grandparents and Grandchildren
One of my favorite days of the year is when my employer, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, hosts their annual Grandparents University event. During the two-day session, grandparents and their grandchildren stay at our campus, take a variety of fun mini-courses, and engage in a variety… Continue Reading “Designing Games with Grandparents and Grandchildren”
Designing Games with My 5 Year Old Daughter
I’ve written 53 previous blogs on GamestormEDU, and it’s the first one that is still the most important to me. It was about how all of this started – the games, the company, everything – as a promise to my first daughter. She’s now… Continue Reading “Designing Games with My 5 Year Old Daughter”
Board and Card Games Build Vocabulary and Literacy Skills
We’ve all felt it before – the phone or laptop sapping our attention away from a more worthwhile pursuit like picking up a book or reading articles. Recent research suggests that our worst fears are true – screens negatively impact literacy development in both… Continue Reading “Board and Card Games Build Vocabulary and Literacy Skills”
Why I Want Your Students as Game Playtesters
I am an educator by trade. Designing learning experiences are fun, but one big challenge is that there really is not a good way to test run a lesson before it goes live. The students in my first class get my best first attempt,… Continue Reading “Why I Want Your Students as Game Playtesters”
Three Research-Backed Reasons for Board Games in the Library and Classroom
The past few years have yielded an incredible amount of quality research in the field of board and card games and their impact on learning and skill development. Below are three research-backed reasons to use board and card games in the library or classroom!… Continue Reading “Three Research-Backed Reasons for Board Games in the Library and Classroom”
What I Learned About Game Design at Protospiel Madison 2025
I had the immense pleasure of attending Protospiel Madison for the FIFTH time. If you’re new to the term “protospiel,” it is a convention where board and card game designers bring their creations to playtest with other designers and folks who just want to… Continue Reading “What I Learned About Game Design at Protospiel Madison 2025”
The Importance of Librarians – Reflections from AASL Conference
I had the immense privilege to attend the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) Conference in St. Louis this past week. Librarians and Library Media Specialists have always been an important part of my life. As a former English teacher, I collaborated with our… Continue Reading “The Importance of Librarians – Reflections from AASL Conference”
How Board and Card Games Can Teach Healthy Discourse
At the time I am writing this blog, the United States finds itself in one of the most divisive and polarizing periods of ideological discourse. After high-profile figures have found themselves targeted for their politics, hosts have been removed from the air for opinions,… Continue Reading “How Board and Card Games Can Teach Healthy Discourse”
Ethical Uses of AI in Playful Learning and Game Design
Artificial Intelligence is on everyone’s minds, regardless of whether or not you are in the educational space. One great aspect of board and card games is that they provide a really engaging and practical way to discuss and critique AI through a variety of… Continue Reading “Ethical Uses of AI in Playful Learning and Game Design”
What People Love About Gamestormers and Doomscroll
I am incredibly grateful for all of the wonderful people who try our game, buy our game, and share our games with learners at their local school, library, or game night! When asked recently about testimonials for our game, I went back and tried… Continue Reading “What People Love About Gamestormers and Doomscroll”