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edugamergal.bsky.social
Kelly McNeil | EduGamerGal
@edugamergal.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.4K following 1.8K posts
Learning Experience Designer | Game-Based Learning Advocate | Avid gamer mom | Edu game streamer

Playful Learning Research | #LevelUpEDU | #YouthMADE | Building community and learning experiences with educators *Thoughts and opinions are my own.
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edugamergal.bsky.social
I built a game with UEFN at a game jam this weekend!

It’s about gathering ingredients for the perfect burger in a journey through the multiverse with parkour, stealth, and hidden item mechanics.

I loved designing the “bun” planet.

#playfullearning #LevelUpEDU
A group of four people—three men and one woman—stand smiling under purple lighting in front of the Unreal Fest Game Jam stage backdrop. Each person is holding a pink cake pop, celebrating their teamwork. The background features branding for Full Sail University, Unreal Engine, MSI, and the event’s retro game-themed graphics. A selfie taken at the Unreal Fest Game Jam with a woman in the foreground smiling and three teammates seated behind her at a row of tables, all working on laptops. Two teammates flash peace signs, and the room is lit with stage lights and spotlights, giving a festive, energetic atmosphere. Other developers are seen working in the background.
June 1, 2025 at 6:46 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Heading to Indianapolis for Crossroads 2025 and feeling so energized!

This year marks 10 years of the InfyMakers Awards, and I’m excited to celebrate the amazing work educators are doing across the country.

Follow along for updates and snapshots from the event!
#InfyXRoads
Dr. Kelly McNeil smiling in a selfie at the airport, wearing a pink cardigan with planes and a Southwest Airlines aircraft visible through the window in the background Promotional graphic for CrossRoads 2025. It features a teacher guiding students in building robotics with the tagline “Racing into the Age of AI.” The event takes place May 7–9, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Infosys Foundation USA logo appears in the corner.
May 7, 2025 at 5:16 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
What does "Powerful Learning" mean to you?

#EduSky #LevelUpEdu #AIinEdu #YouthMADE
Colorful graphic with the words "Powerful Learning" illustrated in bold, playful fonts. Each letter is integrated with educational-themed icons: a VR headset, pencil, gears, magnifying glass, lightbulb, mobile device, robot arm, and digital collaboration symbols. The imagery conveys technology-enhanced, engaging, and student-centered learning.
April 23, 2025 at 2:40 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
📚 Happy National Library Week!
Visited @umcvga.bsky.social last month - library AND gamer paradise! 🎮
Played Phantasmagoria on a vintage PC 🤯
Have you checked out games at your local library? What's your experience been? How could this increase access for students?
#LevelUpEDU #Library
Close-up of an HP monitor showing a vintage-style video game with a photograph of a white rat labeled “Blob.” On-screen dialogue reads: “You’re such a pretty girl, Blob.” The background appears to be an office or lab setting. A glass display case with vintage Pokémon plush toys (including Pikachu and Dratini), Super Mario Bros. 3 cards, Among Us stickers, Pac-Man-themed tags, and other gaming memorabilia. A person is reflected working at a table behind the case. A printed flyer for the University of Michigan's Computer & Video Game Archive (CVGA), resting on a desk. The flyer includes a photo of the archive, a QR code, and contact info. In the background are figurines of Hello Kitty characters and a pink Poké Ball speaker. A well-organized library of board games on black bookshelves in a brightly lit room. Game titles include Carcassonne, Power Grid, Galaxy Trucker, Pandemic, and more. The floor is carpeted, and the space resembles a community or library game room.
April 7, 2025 at 3:14 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Last day for #LevelUpEdu #slowchat this week!

What would it look like for your students to design their own game with your support on a topic they are passionate about?

Jump in and share your comments below!

#EduSky
Pixel-art style #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic by Digital Promise. The prompt reads: 🎨 If your students could design a game around something they care about, what might it look like and how would you support the process? Topic: Player Agency, AI and the Future of Games in Learning. Five pixel hearts in the top left and two alien icons below.
April 4, 2025 at 4:29 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
One take. Don’t have time to do these over and over 😅 #slowchat #levelupedu Question of the Day. #gamesineducation
April 3, 2025 at 3:29 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Today's #slowchat is for our #AI and #LevelUpEdu communities!

Are you using AI tools with students in game design education and/or interactive storytelling? What tools are you using? What considerations or thoughts do you go through when selecting or using these tools?
Pixel-art style #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic by Digital Promise. The prompt reads: 🤖 How might AI tools (ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude, etc) support students as game designers or interactive storytellers? What considerations should there be when using AI in this capacity? Topic: Player Agency, AI, and the Future of Games in Learning, with pixel aliens and three hearts in the top left corner.
April 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Today's #LevelUpEdu #slowchat question asks about designing games and learning experiences for student agency.

What do you think? Share your thoughts with the community!

#gamedesign #gamesineducation #EduSky
Pixel-art style #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic by Digital Promise. The prompt reads: How do you design a learning experience to allow student agency? What game mechanics have you used (or want to try) to build student agency? Topic: Player Agency, AI, and the Future of Games in Learning, with two pixel alien icons and two hearts in the top left.
April 1, 2025 at 5:05 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Daily #slowchat question

🎮 How can we use games to help students explore identity, culture, or history in meaningful ways?

🌍 What’s a game (or idea) that does this well? Drop your thoughts and let’s learn from each other!

#LevelUpEDU #GamesInEducation #Storytelling
Pixel-art style #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic by Digital Promise. Q2 reads: How can we use games to help students explore identity, culture, or history in meaningful ways? What’s a game (or idea) that does this well? Topic: Games, Stories, and the Power of Voice, with a book icon.
March 27, 2025 at 10:24 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q4 🌸 How can we use games to renew student engagement? Share a game that worked for you in reconnecting or re-energizing students—and tell us how!

🎮 #LevelUpEDU
Pixel-art #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic. Q4 asks: How can we use games to renew engagement with students? Share a game you’ve used that renewed engagement and how it worked. Topic: Growth and Renewal in Games and Learning.
March 20, 2025 at 11:20 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q3 🌱 Spring = fresh starts! What’s a past game-based project or activity you’d love to reboot or try differently this season? Share what you'd change or why! 🌸🎮

#LevelUpEDU
Pixel-art style #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic. Q3: Spring is about fresh starts. What’s a past game-based project or activity that you’d like to reboot or try differently? Topic: Growth and Renewal in Games and Learning.
March 20, 2025 at 11:15 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q2🌿 How can teachers and students connect the growth they experience through playing games to their own personal or educational growth?

Share your ideas! 🎮✨
#LevelUpEDU
Pixel-art #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic. Q2 asks: How can teachers and students connect growth through playing games to their own lives or educational growth? Topic: Growth and Renewal in Games and Learning.
March 20, 2025 at 11:10 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q1 🌱 Growth, change & personal development—games do this well.

How do digital or analog games help players explore this? How could you connect these moments of growth to learning?

Let’s share some game-based ideas! 🎮
Include A1 and the #LevelUpEDU hashtag in your response!
#LevelUpEDU Chat graphic. Q1 asks: How do (digital or analog) games help players explore growth, change, or personal development? How could you connect these to learning? Topic: Growth and Renewal in Games and Learning.
March 20, 2025 at 11:05 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
🌱 Welcome to tonight’s #LevelUpEDU chat! Introduce yourself!

Who are you, what do you do, and what’s your favorite game that features the representation of growth in some way?

Don't forget to put A1, A2 etc in your responses and include the #LevelUpEDU hashtag!

Ready? Let’s grow! 🌿🎮
Pixel-art style #LevelUpEDU Chat graphic. Intro prompt: Introduce yourself! Who are you, what do you do, and what’s your favorite game that features growth (nature, farming, personal, or social-emotional)? Topic: Growth and Renewal in Games and Learning.
March 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
No cheating. Post the last photo you took of your pet.

Haha I’m glad it was this one. I just bought her this at Home Goods and glad she’s using it. Although several days later she seems to prefer the upside down head ball on the couch. #tortie #cat #catsofbluesky
A gray cat with green eyes is resting inside a cozy, dome-shaped pet bed made of soft, plush fabric. The bed is light gray and has a small pom-pom toy attached to the top with a string. A “paws & claws” brand tag is visible on the front of the bed. The cat looks alert, gazing towards the camera with its ears perked up. The setting appears to be an indoor space with a wooden floor, a black desk, and a cardboard box in the background.
March 16, 2025 at 7:17 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q4 🗺️🏆 Treasure hunts and quests make games exciting and immersive. How can we design educational experiences that tap into the power of adventure and discovery?

Let’s brainstorm! 🚀🎮

#LevelUpEDU
The same design with purple pixelated text saying "Q4: Treasure hunts and quests are common in games and folklore. How can we design educational experiences that tap into these engaging elements?" The bottom banner repeats the topic with shamrocks.
March 13, 2025 at 11:20 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q3 🎲🍀 Luck-based mechanics like dice rolls, random events, and chance encounters are common in games.

How could we use luck & probability in educational game design or to illustrate concepts in other lessons using games? What subjects would this work best for? 🎯

#LevelUpEDU
The same design with blue pixelated text saying "Q3: Many games include mechanics based on luck—dice rolls, random events, or chance encounters. How would you create a lesson to explore these mechanics in game design? What content areas do you think would work best with these mechanics?" The bottom banner repeats the topic with shamrocks.
March 13, 2025 at 11:15 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q2 🏰🎮 If you could create a game based on a folktale, legend, or historical tradition, what would it be? How would you use it with students?

Let’s imagine the possibilities! 🌟👾

#LevelUpEDU
The same design with purple pixelated text saying "Q2: If you could create a game based on a folktale, legend, or historical tradition, what would it be about? How would you use it with your students?" The bottom banner repeats the topic with shamrocks.
March 13, 2025 at 11:10 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q1 🎮📖 Myths, legends & cultural traditions bring powerful storytelling to games.

What’s a game that does this well? How could it be used in education to explore different cultural narratives? 🌍✨

Use A1 in your response and don't forget the #LevelUpEDU hashtag!
The same #LevelUpEDU Chat pixel-art design. A speech bubble in red pixelated text says "Q1: Share a favorite game that uses myths, legends, storytelling, or cultural traditions to immerse players in its world. What do you like about this game? How would you use games to explore different cultural narratives?" The bottom banner repeats the topic with shamrocks.
March 13, 2025 at 11:05 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
🎮🍀 Time to kick off #LevelUpEDU Chat!

Introduce yourself: Who are you, what do you do, and what are you playing right now? Let’s get ready to talk Luck, Legends, and Learning in Games! 🌈🎲

Follow the #LevelUpEDU hashtag to see all the chat and don't forget to include it in all your responses!
A pixel-art-style promotional image for the #LevelUpEDU Chat by Digital Promise. The background features a blue digital grid. A speech bubble in pixelated text says "INTRO: Introduce yourself! Who are you and what do you do? What are you playing right now?" Below, a banner displays the topic "Luck, Legends, and Learning in Games" with two shamrocks. A green "START" button is at the bottom.
March 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
🍀🎮 Luck, Legends & Learning in Games! 🎲✨

Join me and @stayplayingnick.com for #LevelUpEDU Chat TONIGHT at 7 PM ET as we explore myths, legends, storytelling & luck-based game mechanics in education!

How do stories shape learning? Can chance & treasure hunts boost engagement? Let’s chat!

#EduSky
A pixel-art-style promotional graphic for the #LevelUpEDU Chat, hosted by Digital Promise. The background features a digital blue grid with pixelated speech bubbles and banners. At the top, the Digital Promise logo appears next to the #LevelUpEDU Chat title. A speech bubble on the left says, "Join us at 7 PM ET tonight!" while a banner on the right states the chat topic: "Luck, Legends, and Learning in Games," decorated with two small green shamrocks. Below, two pixel-art avatar images represent the chat moderators: Nick Schiner and Kelly McNeil. Their names and contact details are displayed in a banner labeled "Moderators." In the top-left corner, three small pixelated red hearts resemble classic video game health indicators.
March 13, 2025 at 4:00 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
No hate for Triss
But
Always Team Yen

@theyoungneil.bsky.social @poordanrichard.com

#witcher #cosplay
woman with fair skin and long, wavy brown hair stands in a lush, green outdoor setting with small white flowers. She wears a fantasy-inspired outfit consisting of a dark blue off-the-shoulder blouse with black feathered trim, a black corset with silver accents, long black gloves, and a black skirt with a thigh-high slit revealing lace stockings. She gazes into the distance with a confident expression. The same woman poses in a rugged, fallen log setting. She raises one gloved hand, conjuring a glowing blue magical energy effect. Her outfit remains the same, and she maintains a strong, determined expression while looking off into the distance. The natural environment around her has earthy tones, contrasting with her dark attire. The woman crouches among twisted branches and dry, misty underbrush. Her piercing gaze and slightly tousled hair give her a mysterious, powerful presence. The lighting and atmospheric haze add to the mystical and dramatic feel of the image.
March 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q4🎲 Final Question!

What games or activities do you use (or want to use) to empower students—especially those underrepresented in gaming or STEM? Drop your ideas!

#LevelUpEDU
A pixelated-style graphic for the "#LevelUpEDU Chat" by Digital Promise. The speech bubble reads: "Q3: What are some ways we can ensure games in education are inclusive and welcoming for all students?" Below, a label says "Topic: Celebrating Voices in Games & Education."
March 7, 2025 at 12:20 AM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Q3🌍 How can we make sure games in education are inclusive and welcoming for all students? Share ideas, strategies, and examples!

#LevelUpEDU
A pixelated-style graphic for the "#LevelUpEDU Chat" by Digital Promise. The speech bubble reads: "Q3: What are some ways we can ensure games in education are inclusive and welcoming for all students?" Below, a label says "Topic: Celebrating Voices in Games & Education."
March 7, 2025 at 12:15 AM
edugamergal.bsky.social
Next up, Q2:
👾 Representation matters! Why is it important for students to see themselves in games, game design, and education? Let's talk about visibility and impact!

#LevelUpEDU
A pixelated-style graphic for the "#LevelUpEDU Chat" by Digital Promise. The speech bubble reads: "Q2: Why is it important that students see representations that look like them in games, game design, or games in education?" Below, a label says "Topic: Celebrating Voices in Games & Education."
March 7, 2025 at 12:10 AM