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ISTE Top 10 - #2 - Amazing Race Challenge Using MyMaps




I went to a ticketed session titled "Challenge Students (or Staff) to Google MyMaps Amazing Race." (click on the link to view the presentation and resources). I was lucky to get into the session since I didn't have a ticket! They have a non-ticket line that I got into early so I was the first person they let in after everyone else. It was shockingly popular at 8:30 a.m.

The presenters had us get into groups and we were given a series of challenges that made us use Google products in order to complete the various activities (we used MyMaps, Forms, Drawings, Tour Builder, Slides). I liked the team building aspect of it...we are currently doing Escape the Classroom for team building but this seemed a bit easier (not sure in terms of set up though...that seemed multi-layered with MyMaps and Forms but doable without buying locks and boxes that are needed for Escape the Classroom). This was another example of gamifying professional development. If I had to describe it to someone I would say it was like a super interactive webquest. On the linked presentation there is a planning document for an Amazing Race session he ran where participants gained experience with Google Classroom, Kaizean, Flubaroo, and Plickers. He also has links to other examples of how to use the Amazing Race scenario (i.e. in math).

I am hoping to spend some time looking over Mr. Gauthier's resources and trying it out this year in both a PD setting and in the classroom with students.
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