Game-based Learning - the Angry Birds app

This week I am presenting a unit on Game-Based learning to teachers in Limpopo and Gauteng. I can’t wait! It is such a fun unit. Our ice breaker in the PD session involves playing the free version of the app, Angry Birds. The Angry Bird series focuses on multi-coloured birds who try to save their eggs from green-colored pigs, their enemies

What is the goal of the game?
The goal of Angry Birds in each level is to get rid of the pigs. The complacent pigs are usually blocked by wood, glass, stone or another material arranged into creative structures. The players need to use the angry birds to get rid of both the obstacles and pigs.

Tips when playing
1. Use the slingshot to aim at the pigs. This takes a fair amount of skill.

2. Know your birds. As you progress, you'll notice that there are different kinds of birds and they create different results when tapped. There is a red bird, a blue, bird, a yellow bird, a balck bird, a white bird, a greenbird, Big Brother bird, orange bird, Mighty Eagle. Each bird has a function.

3. Use the right strategies to get rid of the pigs

4. Be very observant and plan.

5. Go or the base.

6. Watch out or explosives.

7. Watch the trajectory line of each bird to guide you.

8. There are seven different groups of levels in the game.

Is Angry birds educational? 

Yes indeed it is!

a) Here is a quote on the Wired blog from the article entitled ‘Teaching the Physics of Angry Birds’ https://goo.gl/kzUYoh:
 “…some physics teachers have embraced Angry Birds as a teaching tool. It seems the natural laws of the popular Rovio game's world do not entirely correspond to real-world physics, and the differences make for some interesting study opportunities.”

b) The Teaching Ideas website has a whole host of ways to use Angry Birds in the classroom in just about every subject. Here are some of the wonderful ideas from Teaching Ideas https://goo.gl/bqhy8g

"English

• Write your own story that features the Angry Birds characters.
• Could you write the plot for a new episode of the Angry Birds Toons?
• Create a set of instructions to teach people how to play one of the Angry Birds games.
• Write a review of one of the games. What do you like / dislike about it? Read reviews in the App Stores to find useful words and phrases to use in your own review.
• Write a diary entry from the point of view of one of the Angry Birds or the Bad Piggies.
• Create character profiles for each of the Angry Birds (and the other characters in the games).
• Find images of each Angry Bird and think of words / phrases to describe them.
• Think of synonyms / antonyms for 'Angry' and other words that you might use to describe the characters / games.
• Write a letter from the Angry Birds to the pigs. What would they say? How might the pigs respond?
• Write a newspaper report about the success of the Angry Birds games.
• Use the cinematic trailer to write a narrative that explains the backstory for the game:
• Pause the movie trailer at different points and think of words / phrases to describe the characters and settings:

Maths

• Use Angry Birds as a starting point for learning about angles. At what angles should the birds fly (in relation to the horizontal) in order to hit the targets?
• Play Angry Birds with a friend and use your scores as part of data handling / statistics activities. Can you create a table / leaderboard and graphs to show the results?
• Create a coordinate grid and challenge your children to 'fire' some Angry Birds toys onto the correct locations on it (e.g. shoot Red onto (4, 7)). Use our free templates to get started.
• Create some 3D shapes (e.g. cubes, pyramids and cylinders) and decorate them in the style of the characters.
• Help your children to learn their times tables using these free Angry Birds Times Tables Display resources from Teacher's Pet.
• Use Angry Birds to learn about algebra with these online activities.
• Conduct a survey with your class to find out which is the most popular character / game in the series.

Science

• Describe the forces that take place when the Angry Birds are fired from the catapult and crash into the pig's towers. 

Computing

• Design a new app / game that features the characters.
• Make your own version of the original Angry Birds game using a tool like Scratch. Try this example from Simon Haughton.
• Many different versions of the game have been created. Can you design a new version based a different theme (e.g. Ancient Egypt or Dinosaurs)?
• Design a new website to promote the games, cartoons and movie. Look at the official site for ideas.
• Plan and record an advert to promote one of the games to others.
• Design a new level for the original game.
• Can you create a stop-motion animation based on the characters? Watch this example for inspiration:

Design Technology

• Design a new range of Angry Birds toys and merchandise. Explore the Angry Birds Showroom for examples.
• Design and make a board game that is based on the game.
• Construct your own version of the game in which models of the birds can be launched into blocks and towers.
• Design a structure that would defend the pigs against the attacking birds.

Art

• Create a comic strip about these characters and an adventure that they might have.
• Make a story board for a new Angry Birds movie.
• Create your own illustrations of the characters.
• Can you design a brand new Angry Bird character?

Music

• Could you compose a new soundtrack for the next Angry Birds game?
• Watch this playlist of videos in which the composer of the film's soundtrack describes his work. What instruments can you see / hear?

Geography

• Create a map that shows the locations featured in the games, cartoon and movie.

Life Skills

• Discuss why the birds are angry. What can we do to improve how we feel when we are angry?
• Use this Angry Birds reward chart from Paperzip with the children in your classroom."

Why not try the free version of the app and see what the benefits are for yourself.