Classroom Game Design: Paul Andersen at TEDxBozeman

Paul Andersen has been teaching science in Montana for the last eighteen years. He explains how he is using elements of game design to improve learning in his AP Biology classroom. Paul's science videos have been viewed millions of times by students around the world. He was the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year and he is currently a science teacher at Bozeman High School. For more information on Paul's work visit www.bozemanscience.com.
Paul Andersen has been teaching high school science in Montana for the last seventeen years. He has been teaching science on KZbin for the last three years. Paul began his career teaching all the science classes at a small rural school in northern Montana. Paul is currently an AP Biology teacher and technology mentor at Bozeman High School. Paul uses technology and game mechanics to increase engagement in his classroom. Paul is the 2011 Montana Teacher of the Year and was one of four finalists for National Teacher of the Year.
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[@lucv5573]

Probably the best TED talk on gamification I've watched. He shows a quality example of his gamification in a new science course Biohazard 5, admits his failures, and has passion.

[@andy4an]

It's great to hear a TEDster say: "check out this idea...here's how it failed" It's a pretty open-ended challenge to us all. Great Talk.

[@Bozemanscience1]

Thanks for the comment Jackie. If you really want to be a teacher go for it. You will meet other amazing educators and your students will always be a source of inspiration. I love my job and I always enjoy going to work. The same could not be said for many professions. Good luck.

[@stevenpan8819]

You are the best teacher. I am not one of your student, but your youtube channel teached me so much. When i mean so much i kean so much. You're the best teacher.

[@sufianahmad7337]

I am not good at English and in past, you were the only one there who teaches the concept by moving things and animating them in a cool way. Now I am a Professional Game Developer who is good in physics and math. Thanks to your passion of teaching :)

[@Tara-yt5xv]

Self reflection is such a strong character trait of a great teacher. I hope schools change to making kids curious

[@nicoledelvalle03]

I clapped for you, in my living room, by myself, after that speech. Way to go! That was such a great message and I love the way you tied in the Alice in Wonderland metaphor back into the conclusion. Your podcasts on youtube have helped me so much this semester with my Biology 101 class. Thank you for being you. The world needs more passionate, intelligent, and creative people in it. Well done sir.

[@abrahamnaledge]

Mr. Andersen was my bio teacher and he was easily one of my favorite teachers I have ever had. He's truly an inspirational person, and I think everybody should support this man on his endeavors to change how education in america works. Congrats from Sean W Mr. A!

[@OverLordGoldDragon]

BOOZEMAN BIOLOGY! YEAH!

[@jackiezinger]

You inspire me so much. I really want to be a teacher, and a lot of times the often jaded (and tenured) teachers at my school are bad examples who dissuade me from the career. But then I come across people like you, teachers who are engaging and passionate, and I remember why I'm interested in it in the first place. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! (thumb up so maybe someday he'll see?)

[@robbieeason1898]

This was absolutely fascinating - as a 16 year old student I would give a lot to be taught like this, I'll use what I've learnt to progress my own learning, thank you.

[@KrazzieWilson]

I once wrote an assignment on gamification in the classroom after reading an article on the psychology of gaming and why its addictive and how can we use that in a classroom setting. Needless to say I failed that assignment, yet here we are with people in the real world showing how it can work. I will definitely be putting more time into this approach to prepare myself, my students, and hopefully my school, to develop a 'school game'..

[@paigeherrin29]

I watched Mr. Anderson’s videos to reinforce my biology education in my first 2 years of college. Years later I’m in still in school, but now its for a post-bacc in secondary ed. Imaging my delight at being assigned to watch some Bozeman Science videos but this time the videos are for educators. I have a wonderful “full circle” relationship with Bozeman Science. First to get my bachelors degree in biology, now to get my degree as a science teacher.

[@econmachete]

"... and I hope that's helpful."

[@MatthewRaymondBoyle]

Paul, I admire your ability to reinvent your class during the summer. That's a really unique idea you got there: to make your class a video game. Thanks for sharing!

[@truthandpeace1]

It's always inspiring to see passionate teachers like you who work hard to make change. Thank you Mr.Andersen

[@Dannysvideostuff]

Paul was amazing. I am so thankful he agreed to participate in the first TEDx even in Montana. He has great ideas for education and will inevitably go far because of it.

[@nikhiMD]

And I hope that was helpful. Yes, yes it was. :) Thank you, Mr. Anderson!

[@maryabbott7105]

Simply amazing! I would take biology over again just to be in his class.

[@md.shohanurrahmanshohan9763]

this guy is my favourite teacher.....he makes the most complicated things so easy for us..legend he is

[@MrRaghunandy]

Lots of love from India .Your videos are helpful for many people here who can't afford expensive coaching .

[@miamiry8737]

I have learned more from you than most of my bio teachers combined...you are truly amazing! I wish more teachers had the same passion for teaching and love for their students..thank you!

[@alfvie1]

Great dynamic way of teaching. Its a learning revolution. Thank you.

[@nayrbsworld3048]

Really his method of teaching is very informative and at same time not boring. He revolutionize the art of teaching.. Salute to Mr. Andersen i hope we become like you. Cheers

[@stevenpan8819]

Paul anderson you are the best teacher. I acutally never had any teacher that is close as good as you.

[@haxorite1740]

boi my science teachers have been using this guy for the last 4 years

[@infyinfy143]

I'm a school Teacher & you are one of my Inspiration (you know after Einstein).....I love the way you teach big complicated topics in simple short videos.

[@ArjanKC]

hey! Wow!! Paul Andersen loved your approach towards teaching. Great inspiration sir!! Thank you for the talk.

[@leanneyenny]

Wow. You are so inspiring, Paul. Thanks for sharing what you do with others.

[@passport2011]

I stood and applauded after watching your vid. I agree. I watch your Biology vids and love your energy and the way you present the material. YOU ROCK!

[@SaraGiraffe]

I like how he actually cares about his students. I have teachers that don't care how well their students do and think that when an entire class isn't doing well they blame the students. I love Mr. Anderson

[@heenatahilramani1565]

Your podcasts are amazing sir. I have learnt so much from your videos. I wish i could be there in your actual classroom for learning different methods to teach science.

[@rem1736]

Completely agree with your ideas on teaching and learning, and I thought that you made your presentation both thought provoking and entertaining. Thanks for sending the link.

[@meowishkat]

Mr andersen you are literally the best !!! i learn so much from your videos !

[@hudaahmed1126]

very inspirational person.....there is a lot to learn from you....you are the best...!

[@Hadoyful]

I loved your talk , you really inspired me ! I find your videos really useful you do not only help students in your classroom , you are helping students worldwide.. respect from Kuwait

[@sunsetawayJ]

i love my primary school bio teacher. he made our names into riddles and had us guess. the most interesting teacher i've ever met!

[@CrazyGamer-xi8rf]

He and Sal should team up...

[@ourclassroomwithmadamsalinel]

Great inspiration in making the instruction more interesting and interactive.

[@JohnnyDrachma]

I will be making my second attempt at Classroom Game Design this school year and this video is educational and inspirational. Thank you!

[@LinnixAbysslee]

thank you so much, you are making such a huge impact on education, and being a high school student myself, I can't tell you enough how grateful I am! I hope you can reach farther in your dream on changing education, and maybe some of my dreams will come true too.

Paul, you're the great! Perhaps one day I could teach like this! Thank you!

[@kemushichan]

Go Paul, go go go! :)

[@kmold003]

We need more teachers like you

[@DiminutiveFlower]

Paul Anderson, you are so BA! Sincerely, another biology teacher.

[@greenaben4719]

Thanks Paul how lucky they are, I wish have a good teacher for my children. thanks for internet to have access to this.

[@incholer]

I am a video game design student and this is simply amazing!

[@keyzack]

hope we'll have more mr anderson teaching 🙌

[@BoardGameSanctuary]

I think that we need to shift the focus towards teaching 'failing' as a positive thing because its how we learn. Succeeding 'all' of the time is not how we learn.. rather its how we feel when we have 'learnt'.

[@LKxxROXSTAR15]

my teacher regularly assigns us to watch his videos. he is AMAZING. everything is so clear in his videos...but I'm talking about his Bio courses though, haha...

[@ikhlasdrifts7610]

Mr.Anderson!!! You're the best :)

[@morgamcocurt1q2w]

Excellent video, wonderful instructor, great video game idea, thanks for point out the failures, however I think the successes are more important. I seriously doubt if the kids logged in to look for failure, they likely logged to see how well they did relative to the whole. I do something similar with my students however I use Armis to teach scientific thinking (logical, critical). Each student MUST earn 100%. The drink in the bottle is success not failure.

[@eyes21st]

I've seen Pauls online work - It's excellent, Its among the best i've ever seen. I will be adding a link to his great education in our site.

[@HunterOsking]

This is such a great idea, what a dedicated guy.

[@Saandy_]

i don't se how having a flat out ranking system in your class could lead to anything good, but as an individual, this is how I've always wanted school to be like.

[@GhulamMurtaza-yk8js]

I want a teacher like you , who teaches me in a dynamic way....

[@user-zu1oq5px8t]

He is so amazing.

[@cadenstone8979]

This man helped me pass AP Bio.

[@tommysagemar]

I wish that when I get kids I hope they get a teacher like you! I'm reading biologi now and I'm watching your vids and there great even if there in the wrong language ;)

[@arturobarrios5308]

Excelente presentación. Gracias

[@jocelynmuch]

Paul. You are amazing. I am a high school biology teacher. I want to know how to build a video game like this for my students.

[@nporterable]

Thanks for the information. You have inspired me to create a "game like" unit that I called "Tectonics 7" and ran on moodle for my students. It was a great first step for me but has you point out it needs a summer session of improving for the next version. Fun stuff.

[@nethmiw5783]

This type of learning is much more fun!

[@kundankumar-bd6db]

simply lovely

[@Agadyne]

"Teachers are great thieves." I am stealing this.

[@RuRoom]

This video should be shown at all the teacher trainings.

[@superninjadinosaur10]

You are such an amazing teacher :) I wish I had you :D

[@Sushiman118]

I want that program SO much right now...

[@willbucks]

It's not the teachers in training who need this. It's the teachers who have stopped learning.

[@ouafaoumaima6407]

Mr Anderson you are the best

[@RonnyereSenaVital]

Really good, I always thought about it, our kis have to learn how to play and apply their knowledge. Yes we need to redesign our video games platforms to a platform of learning, this ideia is excellent, if you can not change your school system to do that, do not worry I think you can do it alone and apply it to your needs, this is what I do with me and it works.

[@HaryanaEducation]

yes indeed your lessons are fun

[@zoetele123]

IIIIII need this type of Professor

[@kitthekat6844]

Well said!

[@TeamMayku]

This is so great!

[@gur0004]

Great work Paul, please go ahead and teach some Computer Science,would love it watch you break it down.

[@shaboatrad4066]

totally agree with him

[@ufo8mykat]

Proud of you!

[@teenaborz2616]

i agree!

[@johnsoncl2]

Please update us on how the modification you make for next year's class work out.

[@shaboatrad4066]

AWESOME

[@meenunarang7185]

nice thoughts all the very best

[@aissaouiazzeddine2738]

You do a good job

[@roankai]

great teacher and human!

[@JerryKwanzeo]

Couldn't agree more.

[@walknotes]

you are a good teacher, every teacher in the future should be like you! PS. Mr. Anderson is Neo, right? :)

[@xHawz]

Brilliant

[@hopeh.5403]

How do I create a system (video game style) like that for my classroom?

[@marias21]

Great!

[@space.spoon28]

Mr. Anderson, welcome back...

[@ibchemvids]

Great Ted talk - maybe now they will unlock some of the computers at school to allow me to get some games going too.

[@Yoyoiiii]

I love Mr. Anderson!hahahha my bio teacher is just...TAT

[@monicabangela]

oh, Moodle! Love Moodle!

[@KemilyPlay]

muito legal

[@vtohobbit]

How do you keep students low in the rankings from being discouraged?

[@theuploader8246]

Isn't this the guy from the bozeman science yt channel?

[@Amb3r1981]

Yes

[@TaiwanHomeTutor]

Nice presentaition, Paul.

[@mattguno]

awesome

[@hachiman9950]

This guy came to my school

[@MacbookCore]

As a student it sounds really cool but i really am not sure how much that will help me.

[@txdmsk]

I have a kid brother (10) and he loves computer games where he can level up, but he doesn't like school or studying much. So I decided to reward him with eXperience Points for various tasks that involve learning and reading and ever since he is pretty much begging me to give him tasks. We collect his XP in an XLS file. He is lvl8 now :)

[@TrojanWeekly]

This sounds awesome to me, BUT it does not tell me "how " to do this. I teach middle school math and I would LOVE to use gaming to teach my curriculum. I am willing to spend the time this summer creating if I just knew where to start and how to go about it. Is there a way I can actually see what you have done and how it works?

[@pequadcob2009]

Missy McCoskey You should look up Megan Box and her course that she has on Schoology. She gamified her class, and she has a demo of her course for everyone to see. There is a video on here with her explaining what she did.

[@TrojanWeekly]

I tried to find Megan Box and I am not seeing her on here or schoology...any help locating it?

[@pequadcob2009]

Missy McCoskey oops, my apologies... Her name is Elizabeth Box, not Megan. Just google, "Elizabeth Box, Schoology Gamificiation"