Day 2• What makes a game educational?• Types of Games/Simulations/Activities• What makes a good game/simulation/activity? • The Role of the Game Designer • Setting Player Experience Goals

Why play games?Why play games? “Games require players to construct hypotheses, solve problems, develop strategies, learn the rules of the in-

game world through trial and error.”

“Gamers must be able to juggle several different tasks, evaluate risks and make quick decisions--an ideal

form of preparation for the workplace of the 21st century...”

The Economist, August 4, 2005

What Makes a Game What Makes a Game Educational?Educational?

1) It has an educationally-accessible context (historical, contemporary, hard science-fiction)

2) Success depends on intelligent choices and decisions (not twitch)

3) Failure exists and teaches when it happens. It is possible to lose

4) The tutorial is crystal clear, and checks for understanding5) There are multiple victory conditions6) The feedback model is short - students can quickly see

how a decision effects a larger whole picture7) The game becomes increasingly challenging and difficult

Adapted from Bill MacKenty at http://www.mackenty.org/index.php/site/comments/evaluting_educational_potential_in_a_cots_game/

Game Play Supports the Game Play Supports the Following Skill Following Skill Development:Development:•communication

•vocabulary •strategic thinking •application of numbers •planning •decision-making•multi-tasking (e-juggling)•hand/feet-eye coordination

Well-designed serious games "teach by stimulating the

imagination, sparking curiosity, fostering discussion and encouraging a spirit of

competitive exploration across a variety of domains.”

Virtual Heroes CEO Jerry Heneghan.

What Games Teach UsWhat Games Teach Us

Why Play Games and Why Play Games and Sims for Learning?Sims for Learning?

(a)practice already-acquired knowledge and skills;

(b)identify gaps or weaknesses in knowledge or skills;

(c)serve as a summary activity or review; (d)develop new relationships among

concepts or principles (Gredler, 2004).

Some Questions to Ask Some Questions to Ask When Evaluating GamesWhen Evaluating Games

• How compelling or engaging was the experience? • How comfortable did you feel with the game

controls• Did you feel you were playing or learning? • Did the graphic quality help or hinder the

experience? • What kind of instructional design could you

observe in the game? • Did you choose to continue on to the next level or

stage when you had the opportunity?

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/education/research/networks/mobile/events/iaswshp6notes/assessinglearning

Digital Games and Sims Digital Games and Sims for Learning: for Learning: A Few A Few

ExamplesExamples•Math, Science, Social Studies, Business, Health and so much more!

Role of the Game Role of the Game DesignerDesigner•Advocate for the player

•Use playtesters (critical friend)•Have passions and skills

•Communication•Teamwork•Process•Inspiration•Creativity•Become a better player

Responsibility of the Responsibility of the Game DesignerGame Designer

•Importance of “Backwards Design” – knowing what you want to accomplish before you begin.

•Importance of focusing on the teaching above the game/simulation

Player Experience GoalsPlayer Experience Goals•Goals that the game designer sets for the type of experience players will have during the game.

•Descriptions of the interesting and unique situations you hope players will find themselves

•Learning how to set player experience goals means getting inside the heads of the players

Elements of a Successful Elements of a Successful GameGame

• Preparation• A sense of space• A solid core mechanic• A range of challenges• A range of abilities required to solve the

encounter• Skill required in using the abilities

What Type of Player are What Type of Player are You?You?

1. The Competitor: plays to win 2. The Explorer: plays for adventure3. The Collector: plays to accumulate resources4. The Achiever: plays to advance5. The Joker: plays for fun6. The Artist: plays for the creativity and design7. The Director: plays to be in charge8. The Storyteller: plays for the imagination

and fantasy9. The Performer: plays to showoff10.The Craftsman: plays to construct