day 1

Gaming Olympics

Let’s Play!

Engaging with Learning

Activities, Games, & Simulations

LTMS 603Instructor: Frederick Griffiths

Summer 2010

Contact InformationFrederick Griffiths

Google Voice: 717.347.4107Email: fgriffiths@harrisburgu.edu

Affiliation:Warwick School DistrictTechnology Integration Coach

Course DescriptionThe course focuses on promoting active learning, impacting learning engagement and improving learning outcomes with technology-based activities, games and simulations.

Concepts are applied throughout the course as students design engaging learning experiences using current techniques and technologies.

The goal of the course is to promote active learning solutions based on proven design and development trends and research-based practices in engagement, game and simulation concepts.

Course MaterialsA Theory of Fun for Game Designby: Raph Koster

Other course readings will be distributed in class or on the Moodle course site.

Learning Objectives• Explain the benefits of using activities, games and simulations

• Describe the various types of game and simulation environments

• Conduct a needs analysis to determine the appropriate use of activities, games or simulations

• Integrate off-the-shelf solutions to achieve learning goals• Design an activity, game or simulation using game design and

storytelling principles using PowerPoint or open source software• Explore high-end production software for activities, games or

simulations• Evaluate the effectiveness of an activity, game or simulation as

a learning solution

Assignments and Grading

Investigation Journal (5%)Article Review (15%)Needs Analysis (10%)Forum Discussions (Moodle) (5%)Class Participation (10%)Concept Document (20%)Final Project and Presentation (35%)

MoodleMoodleWe will use Moodle during the course for discussion and reflection.

Please visit http://moodle.harrisburgu.net/ and login to the LTMS 603 Course.

Click on the first forum Introduce Yourself and respond to the prompts provided.

When I Was a Kid…•My favorite game was…

I liked it because… I learned… It frustrated me because… It changed my…

•My most memorable learning experience was…

Test Your Test Your AwarenessAwareness

How the Brain How the Brain WorksWorks• Consumer of

patterns• It fills in blanks•It notices more than we think it does

•It cuts out irrelevant bits of information

•It actively hides reality from us

From Google Images

What are Games and What are Games and Simulations?Simulations?

•Read Chapter 3

•As pairs, draw a Graphic Organizer to summarize chapter 3

What are Games and What are Games and Simulations?Simulations?

• Multidimensional• Puzzles to solve• Concentrated chunks of reality• Provide opportunities to practice skills that are

difficult in reality• Increase motivations• Can be used at many stages of learning (e.g.

exploring, practicing, and assessing)•Very powerful learning tools

Difference Between Difference Between Games and SimulationsGames and SimulationsGet into groups of three. Using the Internet,

research the differences and similarities between games and simulations. Use the

whiteboards to record your findings.

Find an example of each to share with the class.

Reality BytesDebunk the following myths:

•The availability of video games has led to an epidemic of youth violence.

•Children are the primary market for video games.•Girls rarely play video games.•Video games are not a meaningful form of

expression.•Video game play is socially isolating and

desensitizing.•Because games are used to train solders to kill, they

have the same impact on kids who play them.From Henry Jenkins http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

From http://kotaku.com/5448703/video-game-statistics-at-a-glance

Today’s LearnersOur students have changed radically. Today's students are no longer the

people our educational system

was designed to teach.

Marc Prensky, 2008

Read article in Moodle

Today’s LearnersToday’s Learners

Today’s Learners and Today’s Learners and TechnologyTechnology

•Have grown up in a digital world:• The iPod, mobile phones and multiplayer games (XBOX Live)• Streaming movie and TV shows from the web

•Have access to technology that is personal, portable, powerful, multifunction, multimedia, and affordable

•Attitudes and behaviors have been shaped by technology to an extent far greater than previous generations

Adapted from Blended Learning and the Generations University of Florida

Why Are Games, Sims, and

Technology Important for

Today’s Learners?

2121stst Century Skills Century Skills

What What Are Are

They?They?

1. Knowing the right 1. Knowing the right thing to do thing to do

a. Behaving ethically

b. Thinking critically

c. Setting goals

d. Having good judgment

e. Making good decisions

From Marc Prensky’s Essential 21st Century Skills

2. Getting It Done2. Getting It Donea. Planning

b. Solving problems

c. Self-directing

d. Self-assessing

e. IteratingFrom Marc Prensky’s Essential 21st Century Skills

3. Doing it With 3. Doing it With OthersOthersa. Taking leadership

b. Communicating/interacting:

• With individuals and groups (especially with technology)

• With machines (programming) • With a world audience• Across cultures

From Marc Prensky’s Essential 21st Century Skills

4. Doing It 4. Doing It CreativelyCreativelya. Adapting

b. Thinking creatively

c. Tinkering and designing

d. Playing

e. Finding your voice

From Marc Prensky’s Essential 21st Century Skills

5. Constantly 5. Constantly Doing It BetterDoing It Better

a. Reflecting

b. Being proactive

c. Taking prudent risks

d. Thinking long-term

e. Continually improving through learningFrom Marc Prensky’s Essential 21st Century Skills

Read Marc Prensky’s Open Letter to the Obama Administration

Review• Importance of Gaming – how our brains work• Today’s Learners• 21st Century Skills

1. Knowing the right thing to do2. Getting it done3. Doing it with others4. Doing it creatively5. Constantly doing it better