Digital GameBased Learning: Promise and Pitfalls

1
Digital Game-Based Learning Promise and Pitfalls
2
Presenters

• Marleigh Norton
• Project Manager, Massachusetts Institute of
  Technology
• Zoo Scene Investigators, Columbus Zoo Aquarium
  and MIT
• David Schaller
• Principal, eduweb
• WolfQuest, Minnesota Zoo and NSF
• Walt Scacchi
• Research Director, Game Culture and
  Technology Laboratory,
• University of California Irvine
• DinoQuest, Discovery Science Center and UCI

3

• Mapping Content to the Game
• The Mechanics of Learning in a Game
• Evaluation

4
Mapping Content to the Game

Tactical Iraqi, Tactical Language and Training LLC
5
Mapping Content to the Game

• Promise
• Games are good for
• Modeling systems
• Situational learning
• Abstract concepts and facts
• Safe space

6
Mapping Content to the Game

• Promise
• Games are good for
• Modeling systems
• Situational learning
• Abstract concepts and facts
• Safe space
• Pitfall
• Misconceptions about the system
• Not efficient for transmitting information?
• Surrender of control

7
The Mechanics of Learning
World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment
8
The Mechanics of Learning

• Promise
• Learning by doing
• Education is the gameplay

9
The Mechanics of Learning

• Promise
• Learning by doing
• Education is the gameplay
• Pitfall
• Going through the motions
• Did they master the content or did they game the
  system?
• Cheating

10
Evaluation
Dance Dance Revolution, Konami
11
Evaluation

• Promise
• We learn how students learn, what they learn, and
  why
• Establish whether you met your goals

12
Evaluation

• Promise
• We learn how students learn, what they learn, and
  why
• Establish whether you met your goals
• Pitfall
• How do you evaluate?
• What do you do with the evaluation results?
• If at first you do not succeed, do you give up?