Mind Candy

Learning through gaming is a topic that I am very passionate about and I am proud to say that Moshi Monsters is definitely turning out to be head of the class.

We have been contacted by many teachers asking us about Moshi as it has become more widely used in schools as a contextual tool to engage children in the classroom.

We have been bowled over by the support we have received from Derek Robertson and the teachers involved in Learning & Teaching Scotland. Margaret Young at Port of Menteith Primary School is an exceptional example of how teachers are embracing the use of games in the classroom. Here they have been using Moshi to bridge the gap between fiction and reality. The children have been creating their own shops and thinking about how they would run them, designing brochures for the Monstro City tourist office and thinking about how they could sell the Monstro City properties. They have created their own puzzle palace and filled it with puzzles they love playing. They have been motivated to write, draw and read around the subject. These brilliant teachers are putting learning back in the hands of the children by using a medium that they understand and connect with.

Pete Wells from the Sunderland City Learning Centre sent us some blog entries created by three children Adam, Anika and Shanice who were encouraged to adopt monsters, create their own personalities and show them off, another great example of how Moshi and other games can be used in teaching children about Information and Communication Technology.

Moshi is even being used on the other side of the world to teach children, “Moshi Monsters utilises educational content, through vocabulary and arithmetic to logic and spatial skills. Moshi Monsters has been designed to be a ‘fun, safe and educational’ website for all age groups”.

We would love to hear from you (teachers and kids) if you have been using Moshi Monsters and/or Tutpup in your classroom to aid learning in new and exciting ways, drop us a line and let us know what you have been up to.

At the end of March we talked about the Monsters Inked Art Exhibition in which Moshi Monsters is being featured.

Last night was the opening, and Mind Candies were out in force to attend, joining in with the fun and games on what was a great evening. Here are some photos from the event.

We at Moshi Monsters are very excited to be involved with a new art exhibition called Monsters Inked.  The event will feature work from the extraordinary imaginations of some of the world’s leading Monster illustrators including Pete Fowler (Monsterism Island), Rob Steen (Flanimals) and Vincent Bechet (Moshi Monsters).

Pete Fowler's specially-created 800ft Monsterism Island mural

There will be plenty for kids to get involved with too including a Monsters Den, Treasure Hunt, and the chance to view the 25 winners of the Design a Monster competition that we ran at Moshi Monsters.

The event is taking place at the Idea Generation Gallery in Shoreditch (11 Chance Street, London, E2 7JB) from April 8th until May 4th. The gallery is open Monday to Friday from noon until 6pm, and on weekends from noon until 5pm.

We hope to see you there!

There is a private view party on Tuesday 7th April (from 6:30pm) but places are limited – drop us a line if you’re keen to come along and we’ll see what we can do.

We recently launched our biggest ever competition at Moshi Monsters.  Aspiring artists have the chance to draw their own Moshling and potentially see it framed and exhibited at a major new art exhibition in London.

We think it’s is a fantastic chance for young artists to see their work recognised alongside some of the world’s greatest Monster illustrators, and in front of a audience of thousands.

We’re really keen to spread the word on this and would love for teachers to pick up on the competition and get their classes involved.  Feel free to tell the world!

This is the blog post from the Daily Growl that goes into a little more detail, and here’s the official release that we put out today:

Good luck all!

GLOBAL COMPETITION FOR MONSTROUS YOUNG ARTISTS!

Moshi Monsters offers young artists the chance to draw their own Monster and have it featured at the upcoming ‘Monsters Inked’ exhibition

LONDON, UK – Mind Candy (developers of the online game for kids, www.moshimonsters.com) today announced the launch of a new global competition inviting young artists to design their very own Moshling, (a collectable pet monster) for the chance to have it brought to life within the Moshi Monsters game.

The lucky winner will also get the opportunity for their creation to feature in the upcoming exhibition “Monsters Inked” @ Idea Generation gallery from April 8th – May 4th. Winners will get to see their creations displayed alongside other great artists including new work by Monsterism Island creator Pete Fowler, and a world-first display of 20 illustrations by Flanimals artist Rob Steen from the much-
loved Ricky Gervais book.

Michael Smith, CEO of Mind Candy commented: “It’s a great competition for children of all ages to get involved in. Monsters Inked is a huge exhibition
featuring world-renowned illustrators, and one lucky winner will have the chance to showcase their monster alongside these artists. Not only that but they’ll get their creation turned into a Moshi Monsters character that millions of children around the whole world can adopt.”

One overall winner, and 24 runners-up, will have their work framed and displayed at the Idea Generation Gallery for the duration of the Monsters Inked exhibition.  The competition is open to all players of Moshi Monsters, and to sign-up for free visit www.moshimonsters.com. Entries will be judged by a panel of top illustrators and must be received by the deadline of March 23rd.  For more details on how to enter this competition visit: www.moshimonsters.com/monsterdesign