the role of games and simulations in learning

 The Role of Games and Simulations in Learning

Twitter:@kkappHashtag #lrn3d

By Karl M. KappBloomsburg University www.learningin3d.info

Google “Kapp Notes”

2012 New Book:“The Gamification of Learning and Instruction”

July 2011 T&D ArticleMatching the Right Instruction to the Right Content

Agenda

• Is the use of 3D avatars appropriate?• Which is better for learning? First Person Perspective or Third Person Perspective?

• Do simulation games make a difference in learning?

• Are simulation games better/worse than traditional instructional methods? 

• Are simulation games better because they are simulation games or is it something else?

Identity– no deep learning takes place unless an extended commitment of self is made for the long haul.

Good video games capture players through identify.

Players either inherit a strongly formed and appealing character or they get to build a characterfrom the ground up.

Players become committed to the new virtual world in which they will learn and act.

James Paul Gee, University of Wisconsin-Madison

We’ve Always Wanted Characters

Why be a Character at All?

Research indicates that human social models influence behavior, 

beliefs and attitudes. 

Bandura, A. 1986 Social foundations of thought and action: a social cognitive theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA: Prentice-Hall.

Avatar as Teacher

Research also indicates that learners perceive, interact socially with and are influenced by anthropomorphic agents (avatars) even when their functionality and 

adaptability are limited.

Baylor, A. 2009 Promoting motivation with virtual agents and avatars: Role of visual presence and appearance.  Philosophical Transactions of the Royal B  Society. 364, 3559–3565

First Person View

Third Person View

Can an experience as an avatar change a person's real life perceptions?

If yes, how?If no, why not?

An experience as an avatar can change a person's real life perceptions. In a study conducted by Yee and Bailenson (2006), it was found that negative stereotyping of the elderly was significantly reduced when participants were placed in avatars of old people compared with those participants placed in avatars of young people.

Yee, N. & Bailenson, J.N. (2006).  Walk A Mile in Digital Shoes: The Impact of Embodied Perspective-Taking on TheReduction of Negative Stereotyping in Immersive Virtual Environments.. Proceedings of PRESENCE 2006: The 9th Annual International Workshop on Presence. August 24 – 26, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Mentor

Motivator

Expert

Are two avatars better than one?

Mentor

Motivator

Expert

Yes, two avatars are better than one.

Baylor, A. L. & Kim, Y. (2005). Simulating instructional roles through pedagogical agents. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 15(1), 95-115.

http://www.codebaby.com/showcase/elearning-showcase/

Three groups: Which is more likely to exercise 

within the next 24 hours?

Group 1 watches an avatar that looks like them loitering

Group 2 watches an avatar that does not look like themselves exercising.

Group 3 watches an avatar that looks like themselves exercising.

If learners watch an avatar that looks like them exercising & losing weight, they will subsequently 

exercise more in the real world as compared to a control group.

Fox, J., Arena, D., & Bailenson, J.N. (2009). Virtual Reality: A survival guide for the social scientist. Journal of Media Psychology, 21 (3), 95-113.

Within 24 hours of watching an avatar like themselves run, learners were more likely to run than watching an avatar 

not like them or watching an avatar like them loitering .

Fox, J., Arena, D., & Bailenson, J.N. (2009). Virtual Reality: A survival guide for the social scientist. Journal of Media Psychology, 21 (3), 95-113.

Which builds more confidence for on the job application of learned 

knowledge?

Class room instruction.

Simulation Game.

Simulation Game.

Sitzmann, T. (in press) A meta-analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .

20% higher.

Which is better for learning?

1. Stand alone simulation independent of other instructional materials

2. Simulation embedded in program of instruction

 Trainees learn more from simulations games that are embedded in a program of instruction than when simulation 

games are the sole instructional method.  

Sitzmann, T. (in press) A meta-analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .

Do simulations have to be entertaining to be educational?

NO

Sitzmann, T. (in press) A meta-analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .

True or False?

When the majority of the instruction in a simulation game was passive, the comparison group learned more than the simulation game group. 

TRUE

In other words, simulations aren’t good just because they are 

simulations.

Sitzmann, T. (in press) A meta-analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .

Type of Knowledge/Retention

% Higher

DeclarativeProcedural Retention

Name the Percentage

Type of Knowledge/Retention

% Higher

Declarative 11%Procedural  14%Retention 9%

Name the Percentage

Sitzmann, T. (in press) A meta-analytic examination of the instructional effectiveness of computer-based simulation games. Personnel Psychology .

Summary

• Avatars provide a model of acceptable social (work) behavior. 

• Third person perspective better for learning• An experience as an avatar can change a person’s real life perceptions

• Simulations don’t have to be entertaining to be educational

• Simulations show increases in confidence (20%), declarative knowledge was 11% higher; procedural knowledge was 14% higher and retention was 9% higher. 

Questions/More Information• http://www.kaplaneduneering.com/kappnotes/

– Recommended books– Samples and Examples

• Learning in 3D– www.learningin3d.info 

• Gadgets, Games and Gizmos for Learning– www.gadgetsgamesandgizmos.com 

• Email: kkapp@bloomu.edu• Email: karlkapp@gmail.com