Educational Gaming for Free Spirited Skeptics Theory and Challenges of Pedagogical Games
description
Transcript of Educational Gaming for Free Spirited Skeptics Theory and Challenges of Pedagogical Games
Educational Gaming for Free Spirited Skeptics
Theory and Challenges of Pedagogical Games
May 8, 2012Elizabeth Pyatt
Who Am I?Elizabeth Pyatt
Instructional DesignerPenn State since 2000
Solitaire addict, just brought WiiMinesweeper, Puzzles, PacMan,
Space Invaders, Missile Command, Jeopardy
Educational Gaming Commons http://gaming.psu.edu
OutlineWhat’s a Game?
Does there have to be a winner?Potential for Learning
PBL, motivation/affect, teams…Skeptics Corner
Leading to “What to Avoid”First Steps
But first a contest
How many games will I mention? Need names plus count
There are some prizes on the line.Audience will determine accuracy of list
What’s a Game?
Favorite games (any genre)
What do they have in common?
Official CharacteristicsSet of rules/restrictions
Semi-arbitrary (e.g. no hands on the ball)
Context is “Not Real”Scoring MethodCompetition (& a “Winner”?)
Many expect there to be Sometimes you beat the computer…
or yourselfSuccessful games are “fun”
Parameters?
There’s some candy on the line…
Interesting ParametersElectronic vs. Non-ElectronicTeam vs. IndividualWhat Skills are Being Practiced?
Math, Word, Strategy, Dancing, Music Meditation, Building, Flying, Farming, Sales
Time investment Casual (short & sweet) Non-casual (lots of investment, high reward)
± Background NarrativeGames vs. Puzzles vs. Toys
How many outcomes?
Educational Possibilities
Games invoke a variety of pedagogical principles such as…
Team Playing
Group Learning World of Warcraft
Discuss strategy, plan missions Make trades Compile notes
http://www.wowwiki.com/ Practice English grammar
Econ in Outer Space A game in which students build a modern
economy from scratch post spacecraft wreck ECON 201, UNC Greensboro
Role Play
Empathy What’s it like to be another person?
“Warrior” is a common role BUT Business Administrator
Sims & ECON 102 Sims (Campus) Bucket of Beans (S. Pacific Reciprocity)
Players learn the value of “cashing in” favors StarPower
Establish an arbitrary upper class via trades This class can establish new rules
BEWARE http://www.stsintl.com/schools-charities/
star_power.html
Quests and Missions
Pot Assembly Required
PBL/Challenge Based Learning
Games are often won by solving problems AKA “Quests” or “Missions”
Educational Quests Beer Distribution Game (used in Smeal) Oregon Trail
Rare educational game that was a commercial success
Simulation Game GenresGod Game
Game in which players control parameter of universe (e.g. Sim Games)
History Sims Age of Empires Trial of Lizzie Borden (U Mass)
Science Simulations Flight Simulator, Spore
SimHealthPlayed as part of HPA 101
Leveling Up
Pac Man Maze levels
Pac Man 5D which presents a variable 3D grid. Invented by a Russian gamer.
Mastery Learning Achieve Minimal Score before moving to next
Lesson AKA complete level 1 before level 2
Scaffolding Each level introduces new element Adding a touch of difficulty adds interest
Too little is boring Too much causes gamers to quit Zone of Proximal Development
Unlocking in Games Leveling up unlocks new tools (reward)
New equation? New diagram?
Shoot To Kill
“Drill and Kill”Games encourage practice And automaticity
of skills Such as pattern
recognition But with fun
graphics & music
See alsoMath drills
More fun with tiny angry scientists?Algebra Meltdown
(http://www.mangahigh.com/en_us/games)Vocabulary and spelling
More fun as Hangman, crossword? Identification
…
Affect/Motivation
Games can add motivation to Chores (Chore Wars – competitive
chore points) Jogging (Nike Plus) – badges,
leaderboard Self-Improvement (SuperBetter)
Skeptics Corner
Games “better than reality” Aren’t we supposed to be helping
students deal with reality? YES…however
Gamers often good at tackling real world challenges and learn real world skills
Reflection can help them see how…
Just Games?What about
Active Star Trek fan communities…Or Dorothy Dunnett readers
Knitters, needlepointers, metal workers Toastmasters “Stovetop” league? Monday Morning
quarterback? …
“Gaming the System”AKA CheatingGames
Cheat codes, destroying weaker opponents
Some socially OK, others not In School
Academic Dishonesty BECAUSE…
When games are high stakes…
Survive annihilation. Win free nail polish for life?
Can we still have fun? Low Stakes vs High Stakes
Games (low stakes) + reflection (higher) Students do enjoy
Change from lecture/quiz Leader Boards (when low stakes) Games if logistics not too burdensome A certain level of goofiness or joie de vivre
Game may teach crucial skill So maybe we do require it anyway
Can we make Failure an Option?
Games teach via mistakes Because they allow resets
Gamers comfortable experimenting Can we use more “maximum
scores”? Can we give hints
Maybe with minor points deductions
Thinking Game GoalsGames can allow for:
Strategic/Systems thinking Experience as a different person Add motivation Practice of low level skills/knowledge
Games don’t Convey content (except in the
“narrative”)
Oregon Trail Goal: Teach about life on the Oregon
Trail
Life on the Oregon Trail is very hazardous, requires careful planning, and crosses a variety of terrain
Quick StartsCasual Games
Hangman/Peril/Typohttp://gaming.psu.edu
PowerPoint Templates ANGEL games (crossword/match)
Gamification Badges? Quests? Avatars?
Case Studies (gussied up)? Many avatar/graphics tools
Fun Play
Find the challenge “sweet spot” Not too easy or too difficult Challenging gun for faculty ≠ fun for
studentsAllow for goofiness
Graphics, sound effects, punsAllow for some “low stakery”
Can activities be replayed?
What do you mean “goofy”?Many use great cartoons but do we
Show warriors fleeing the scene after a mistranslation?
Simulate explosions in engineering? Turn ourselves into an avatar? Turn homework into “quests” or “missions?
Add game graphics to assignments? Allow students to earn points towards late
assignment submissions? Unlock “power” equations? Tools?
Explaining Functions w/Subs Using cash register buttons as
metaphors for algebraic functions in Math 21
Starring Deb Mirdamadi, Mont Alto Campus
Failing can be Funny
Today we learned Games can be good learning
environments Problem solving, skills practice,
collaboration Games have many facets Games in school ≠ games in the wild
But hopefully can be fun & educational Gaming does require a mental
readjustment for instructors But there are many paths to victory
Who Am I?
Pragmatrix Super Powers
Master of Learning Objective CongruenceAssessor of Pedagogical GamesExplorer of New TechnologiesQueen of “Keeping it Real”
Some References McGonigal, Jane
Reality is Broken: Why Games Make us Better.
James Paul GeeWhat Video Games Have to Teach Us about
Learning and Literacy Koster, Ralph
A Theory of Fun Bartle, Richard (player types)
Hearts, Clubs, Diamonds, Spades: Players who Suit MUDs
Contest Results
How many games did I mention? Must provide names