Gaming and Learning Play as a way of learning
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Transcript of Gaming and Learning Play as a way of learning
Gaming and LearningPlay as a way of learning
ESSEC Teaching & Learning Innovation Forum4 June, 2009
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Gail Matthews-DeNatale, Ph.D.Associate Director of Academic Technology,
Simmons College , Boston, USA
For more information, see:http://playfullearning.pbworks.com
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About the Presenter
In this Session
• Consider the richness and variety of learning that occurs during play
• Discuss theories of “playful learning”
• Explore the role of technology in fostering play-based learning
• Link to additional resources on play-based learning
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Let’s Play!
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What do the “Experts” Say?
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Koster – Fun = Challenge at Edge of Ability
Osterweil – Four Freedoms of Play
Sutton-Smith – The Ambiguity of Play
Nat’l Institute of Play – Seven Patterns
Strong Museum – Six Elements of Play
Read more at http://playfullearning.pbworks.com/Theoretical-Models-for-Play
What’s Going on While at Play?
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Open-ended
Youth directed, Youth generated
ImprovisationRisk-taking
Emergent collaborationand group process
Bricolage (Tinkering)
Deep engagement and personal investment
ExperimentationMultiple drafts/iterations
ImitationFantasy
“Convergent” processfor multimedia composition
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What does it look like in practice?
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Example: ARGs
Key components: • Physical and
Virtual• Narrative• Immersive and
Experiential• Real/Not Real• Complex and
Open-Ended• Collaborative
– ELI 7 Things You Should Know About ARGs– http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI7045.pdf
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Save Bluth
ELI ARG Trailhead
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Bluth’s Plea
Dear colleagues,
If you’ve received this message, I’m afraid it’s gotten very bad. And I’m counting on you
to uncover the findings that I’ve left you. Before they do.
So here’s what you can do. Find the URL in my video. If you missed it, watch it again at
www.SaveBluth.com. Then head to the site to find the things I’ve left behind. The clues
might be obvious, like a link. Or more hidden, like an image behind an image. If anything
looks awry, you can bet it’s a clue. (And there are at least 20 hidden pieces to find.) A
few tips to get you started:
• If you find a clue word, drop it at the end of the main URL to find the hidden content.
• Look everywhere – online, in the conference space. I’ve hidden my research well.
• Join the Ning network and the ELI Twitter stream to work with colleagues. You’re going
to need each other to find it all!
And whatever you do, don’t let them find it. I’m counting on you! RKB
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Anticipated Learning Outcomes
The game was intended to:
» Create opportunities for social interaction.
» Use real scientific data and address a pressing issue.
» Employ digital storytelling through narrative, video, audio, and visuals.
» Engage players – enticing them into playing and responding.
» Be messy (in a good way, a learning challenge).
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Bluth’s Research Site
http://www.rufusbluth.com
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Clues: Virtual and Physical
Podcasts
QR codes link to URLs and
locations
Twitter (a way for Bluth to communicate with players)
“Missing” signsRejection letters
“Missing” signs
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What Happened
– Players built a wiki and contributed 100 edits
– They shared resources in Ning and Tweeted to Bluth
– In the end, “hidden” pages averaged 28 views; Only three pages were not found
Advice and Questions
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Advice:• Play-based learning is complex (but not impossible) to
design.• Clarify learning goals and principles up front. • Design purposefully, but avoid being too rigid. • Have fun and take risks.
Guiding questions:• What learning goals would you like to accomplish?• What are your timing and resource constraints?• What resources are available to you (colleagues,
spaces, technologies, and support)?• What’s your plan – what steps and tasks are necessary
for successful implementation?• What will make the experience playful and engaging? • How will participants know what they’ve learned?