What Games Are Good At

The 7-11 TalkJesse Schell

Serious Play 2013

Some Thoughts On Education (1692)John Locke

“I have always had a fancy that learning might be made a play and recreation to children…”

What is a game?

A game is something you

play.

But what is play?

Play is manipulation

Play is manipulation

thatindulges curiosity.

But what makes a game a game?

But what makes a game a game?

Games have goals.

But what makes a game a game?

Games have goals.

Every game is a problem to be solved.

A game is a problem solving

activity

A game is a problem solving

activity approached

playfully.

Our Dictionary

• play (pla), v. Manipulation that indulges curiosity.

• game (gam), n. A problem solving activity approached playfully.

SeriousGames?

TransformationalGames

7/11

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning3) Limitless Exploration

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning3) Limitless Exploration4) Adhering to Time

Limits

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning3) Limitless Exploration4) Adhering to Time

Limits5) Understanding

Mistakes

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning3) Limitless Exploration4) Adhering to Time

Limits5) Understanding

Mistakes6) Long Shelf Lives

Games Are Bad At…

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning3) Limitless Exploration4) Adhering to Time Limits5) Understanding Mistakes6) Long Shelf Lives7) Staying Interesting

Forever

7/11

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

a) Visible Progressb) Abstract -> Concretec) Full Engagement

http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/34550/title/Playing-for-Words/

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

a) Visible Progressb) Abstract -> Concretec) Full Engagementd) Fantasy Motivations

Betty’s Brain – Vanderbilt University

“These kids know these characters aren’t alive, but they get engaged with the narrative, and play pretend, and it brings out a lot of good behaviors.”

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

3) Keeping You in Flow

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

3) Keeping You in Flow4) Showing New POV

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

3) Keeping You in Flow4) Showing New POV5) Being Authentic

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

3) Keeping You in Flow4) Showing New POV5) Being Authentic6) Raising Questions

Games Are Good At…

1) Giving the Brain What it Wants

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

3) Keeping You in Flow4) Showing New POV5) Being Authentic6) Raising Questions7) Creating Shared

Experiences

Games Are Good At…

2) Illustrating Complex Systems

3) Keeping You in Flow4) Showing New POV5) Being Authentic6) Raising Questions7) Creating Shared

Experiences8) Allowing Independent

Exploration

Games Are Good At…

3) Keeping You in Flow4) Showing New POV5) Being Authentic6) Raising Questions7) Creating Shared

Experience8) Allowing Independent

Exploration9) Practice for Dangerous

Situations

Games Are Good At…4) Showing New POV5) Being Authentic6) Raising Questions7) Creating Shared

Experiences8) Allowing Independent

Exploration9) Practice for Dangerous

Situations10) Creation of Teachable

Moments

Games Are Good At…5) Being Authentic6) Raising Questions7) Creating Shared

Experiences8) Allowing Independent

Exploration9) Practice for Dangerous

Situations10) Creation of Teachable

Moments11) Giving Students Ownership

I can learn anything myself. School is a tool,

but who I becomeis up to me, and no one else.

Thanks!Slides: slideshare.net/jesseschell

Twitter: @jesseschell Email: jesse@schellgames.com

1) Being Cheap2) Tricking Students Into

Learning3) Limitless Exploration4) Adhering to Time Limits5) Understanding

Mistakes6) Long Shelf Lives7) Staying Interesting

Forever

1. Giving the Brain What it Wants2. Illustrating Complex Systems3. Keeping You in Flow4. Showing New POV5. Being Authentic6. Raising Questions7. Creating Shared Experiences8. Allowing Independent

Exploration9. Practice for Dangerous

Situations10. Creation of Teachable

Moments11. Giving Students Ownership