In this Sept. 20, 2018 photo, fifth grade teacher Heather Dalton, center, works with students Julian Ryno, left, and Ma'Kenley Burns, doing math problems on the DreamBox system at Charles Barnum Elementary School in Groton, Conn. A wide array of apps, websites and software used in schools borrow elements from video games to help teachers connect with students living technology-infused lives. (AP Photo/Michael Melia)
WALLINGFORD, Connecticut: It’s 1 o’clock on a Wednesday afternoon in Wallingford, Connecticut, and about 20 children are watching a screen at the front of the room as they take turns navigating challenges and collecting virtual currency to unlock powers, outfits and pets for their characters.
The game they’re playing has some similarities to the online battle game Fortnite. But the kids aren’t fighting one another – they’re racking up points for participation and good behaviour in their classroom at Dag Hammarskjold Middle School, where their teacher is presenting a home economics lesson with help from Classcraft, a fantasy-themed educational program.
