Game loops, Game design loops, Game Terakoya loops and Ludic Language Pedagogy loops

Abstract

What is this? An exploration of well-designed games, game design “best practices,” solid steps in my Game Terakoya teaching, and straightforward questions for other teachers using games. I’ll loop back again and again ;) in this paper to the central concept of “loops:” sequences or systems that repeat and vary to different educational or entertaining effects. Why did you make it? I read and think a lot about games and game design. I also spend a lot of time designing and improving my teaching. I noticed the connections and wanted to create something that would help other teachers think about the loops in their teaching as well. Who is it for? It’s for experienced teachers: you’ve been teaching for “forever” … step back a bit from your work and think about whether your teaching is overly complex and not “loopy” enough. Let’s all aim for some elegant ludic language pedagogy!