Making Learning a Game by Making Learning Games

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Making Learning a Game by Making Learning Games
May 2, 2009 Tim Harrington Assistant
Dean Professor, Game and Simulation Programming
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Table of Contents

• Learning Paradigms in Middle School Education
• GAMES Active Learning and Participation
• Blended Learning Models
• Games for Learning
• Learning Game Links
• Teaching Students how to build Learning Games
• Game Engines for Students

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1. Learning Paradigms in Middle School

• Engaged Students are Active Learners
• Students not actively engaged are easily
  distracted and disruptive
• Adolescence and Puberty dictate much of a
  students actions in Middle School
• Middle School students are the largest
  teen/pre-teen body of video game players
• Middle School age children want to engage adult
  figures and are curious about everything yet do
  not know how best to talk about it
• Middle School age children have a high need for
  problem-solving and critical thinking
• Low Achieving students have high anti-social and
  negative behavior patterns
• School Environment has a large effect on
  perceived interest in engagement and learning
• Peer perception and pressure out weighs desire
  for self-perception

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1. Learning Paradigms in Middle School

• Teachers all have horns!!
• Schools were designed to give parents a break!!
  NOT REALLY!

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1. Learning Paradigms in Middle School

• However according to a 2004 RAND report, Focus on
  the Wonder Years Challenges Facing the American
  Middle School
• US Middle School students have
• The highest level of emotional and physical
  problems
• Fare worst among peers in Western nations
  considering their school climate
• Feel more isolated than their Western peers
• Have less positive peer culture at school
• So Whats good about Middle School and Middle
  School Age Children
• Generally believe their teachers are supportive ,
  encouraging, and fair
• Find Parents and Guardians generally helpful and
  encouraging
• Feel less pressure to do well from teachers and
  parents

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2. GAMES Active Learning and Participation
G Games A Are a M Means for E
Engaging S Students
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2. GAMES Active Learning and Participation
Motivation

• Social interaction
• Physical seclusion
• Competition
• Knowledge
• Mastery
• Escapism
• Addiction
• Therapy
• Exercise
• Creative expression

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PsychographicsVALS (Values, Attitudes
Lifestyles Survey)
2. GAMES Active Learning and Participation
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3. Blended Classroom Model

• Active Learning Classroom
• Students are always engaged with purpose
• Focused on outcomes
• Outcomes demonstrate Learning Results
• Group focused w/ individual criteria emphasiszed
• Blended Classroom Model
• Planning Sessions
• Learning Sessions
• Application Sessions
• Demonstrate Repeatability/Sustainable Learning
• Measurement and Assessment

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4. Games for Learning

• Brief History
• Broderbund
• Lucas Learning
• Leapfrog
• New Initiatives
• Discovery Channel / Hasbro Partnership
• Nickelodeon TV and Nick Games
• Disney and ABC recent stake in Hulu
• Games such as the Ethics Game from eFactory
• The Internet

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5. Links to Learning Game Sites
http//www.quia.com/web   http//www.ixl.com/   ht
tp//www.funbrain.com/   http//www.primarygames.c
om/science.htm   http//www.flashbangstudios.com/a
moeball/amoeball_nomusic.htm   http//www.fun-moti
on.com/list-of-physics-games/   http//www.coolmat
h-games.com/0-bloxorz/index.html   http//www.cool
math-games.com/0-number-twins/index.html   http//
www.quia.com/rd/8113.html?AP_rand1066290424  
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6. Building Learning Games

• Game Design Elements
• Rules Define the Win/Loss Conditions of the
  Game
• Player Mode single player or multi-player
• Game Theory
• Challenges (implicit/explicit)
• Game Goals Objectives
• Static Dynamic Balance
• Storylines
• Learning Strategies

• Advancement
• Race
• Puzzles
• Exploration
• Conflict (competition)
• Capture
• Chase

• Organization
• Escape
• Break the rules (taboo)
• Construction
• Solution
• Outwit

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Building Learning Games

• Genres in Learning Games
• Branching Stories
• Hypertext Books
• GameBooks
• PowerPoint
• Interactive Spreadsheets
• Microsoft Excel
• Game-Based Models
• Role Play Games
• Strategy Games
• Simulations
• Games of Choice vs Games of Chance
• Virtual Labs/Virtual Products
• Specific Simulators
• ClockWorks

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7. Game Engines for Students

• Adobe Flash
• Most Popular Game Applications on the Web
• Quick to learn
• Lots of resources
• Moderately Priced
• Java (O O O O)
• Object Oriented (C and C syntax)
• Open Source (became free in 2007)
• Owned by Sun Microsystems
• Owned by Oracle (well soon to be)
• GameMaker
• Managed Game Engine
• Inexpensive
• Easy to Learn
• www.Yoyogames.com

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8. Game Resources and Examples
Hangman Level Design Math Magic MorphosX Lau
nch GameMaker
End Slides
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Quia.com
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IXL.com
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FunBrain.com
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Primarygames.com
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Flashbang Studios Ameoball
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Fun-motion.com
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Coolmath-games.com
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yoyogames.com
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Thank You
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We major in careers.