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  • The Iceberg Model of Games and Education: Deep Learning Beyond the Surface

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    This video is a recording of my recent talk with Jonathan deHaan at DiGRA Japan 2025 (Summer Meet-up). The presentation is in Japanese, but there is an AI-dubbed version in English available (→ ⚙️) 🎯 What’s it about? The talk introduces the Iceberg Model of Games and Education—a framework that moves beyond surface-level gamification (badges,…

  • The History of Video Games

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    Single Semester classProfessor: James YorkMeiji University (fall only) / Sophia University (Spring and Fall)Office hours: By appointment (email me) Video games didn’t just “happen,” they evolved through decades of experiments, accidents, corporate rivalries, and cultural shifts. This course takes us from the earliest electronic experiments to the billion-dollar industry shaping contemporary culture. Along the way…

  • KEI-GO! in the Classroom: Early Results from a Lesson at Moriya Elementary

    KEI-GO! in the Classroom: Early Results from a Lesson at Moriya Elementary

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    Earlier this year, I was given the opportunity to conduct a lesson to teach a lesson at Moriya Elementary School (the school that my son goes to) and in this post I’ll outline the results. Also, if you don’t want to read all the text here, then jump down to the presentations below where you…

  • Using the Pedagogy of Multiliteracies and SPACE to fend off AI-generated assignments

    Using the Pedagogy of Multiliteracies and SPACE to fend off AI-generated assignments

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    I’ve been teaching my “History of Video Games” class for the past 6 weeks now, and each week students are given a homework assignment which asks them to play and think about a game or platform from a particular era. I’ve framed the “play and think about” part from a variety of perspectives: But I’m…

  • Creating a Local Food Card Game: Family Fun and Learning

    家族で遊んで学ぶー地元のそば屋をゲームにする

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    I’ve been working on a game with my kids recently. There are several reasons for this. 🍲 The game The game idea was thought up during a car journey on a recent family trip after we talked about the runaway success of the Oji-san TCG. We thought it would be cool to create a card…

  • Recent Seminar Projects

    Recent Seminar Projects

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    English onomatopoeia @ Nihon Gakuen HS This is the English Onomatopoeia team from my seminar class. They completed their game prototype “Let’s Onomatopoeia!!,” and conducted their experiment at Nihon Gakuen High School. The game plays like Taboo or Monikers, where teams must try and explain the word on their card without saying it. This is…

  • From Conkers to Code: The Making of Bonkers 4 Conkers

    From Conkers to Code: The Making of Bonkers 4 Conkers

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    Heads up: this is not super educational in the way that is generally understood in the “educational games” narrative. It is not designed to teach something, but I learned a LOT as part of its creation. So, making this game was educational for me. And, as I will be teaching a class on digital game…

  • The History of Video Games: Public Event

    The History of Video Games: Public Event

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    As part of a class that I teach titled “The History of Video Games,” I have tasked students with a final project. They need to write an essay on a topic of their choosing. They also have to do a live presentation of that content, or, submit a recorded video essay. We will be holding…

  • Game Market 2024: A First-Time Exhibitor’s report

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    Last weekend, I had the opportunity to participate in Game Market 2024 as a first-time exhibitor. As a fledgling game designer and hopefully publisher, this experience was very educational, and super humbling, actually. Yes, sales were less than I expected, but the overall experience was well worth it…! Read on 👇 Our Game: KEI-GO! We…

  • Fake Corpses and Real Fun: Exploring Social Frames in Pervasive Games

    Fake Corpses and Real Fun: Exploring Social Frames in Pervasive Games

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    [日本語版が下にあります] Figure 1: I lie dead on the floor surrounded by students going about their day.  Some are working on their essays, homework, and other academic pursuits. Some are relaxing, eating, or just going along with their day. None of them know why I’m lying on the floor. None of them know that I’m dead.…