players and builders: digital games and university learning
DESCRIPTION
Jon Saklofske (Acadia University, Department of English) will explore some of the ways that he has used digital game environments in the university classroom. Specifically, Jon will talk about a flexible and functional MOO (text-based online virtual reality) environment that allows his students to play and build game-based arguments (as a substitute for essay writing), and will also discuss a new course delivery method he is working on that has been inspired by conversations he’s had with some major game developers.TRANSCRIPT
Players and Builders: Digital Games and University Learning.
Jon Saklofske Department of English and Theatre Acadia University Email: [email protected] Homepage: http://socrates.acadiau.ca/courses/engl/saklofske
Infographic developed by Melissa Terras and @4Hum
Image from: http://mahindrahumanities.fas.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/Digital Humanities.JPG
Image from : http://writeaboutnowjt.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/divine-wright/
Image created by: Jon Saklofske
http://www2.macleans.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/video-game-kid.jpg
From: http://www.well-rendered.com/2010/06/video-game-taxonomy.html
From: http://blogs.aftrs.edu.au/screenculture/?p=229
From: http://blogs.aftrs.edu.au/screenculture/?p=229
The Natural Daughter Game Found at: (http://moo.acadiau.ca:7000)
Register as 2386 student user, then log in and move North to start game…
Game editor found at: http://moo.acadiau.ca:7001 (email [email protected] for builder access.)
Multiple-media literacy …leading to a greater awareness of more traditional forms and functions …transmedia awareness/ability
Beyond the essay …as a way to gain a new perspective on the essay form …increasing the scope of your productive/creative academic energies
Non-linear narrative
Narrative as rhetorical argumentation
Collaboration / collective intelligence
Games: …play , presence, performance, process and narrative
Players Builders …interactive critical response
Image from: http://thebookartblog.blogspot.ca/2010/05/what-is-book-art.html
I consider players to be agents of change. Often, a player's use and understanding of mechanics can lead to stories we didn't know were there.
-Chris Avellone (Obsidian Games)
"I think a beginning, a middle and an end are fundamental to any story you want to tell. The non-linearity of open-world games arises from the way in which you explore the plot, turning the player into a sort of editor, who 'assembles' parts of the story. “ -Christian Cantamessa
(lead designer and co-writer, Red Dead Redemption)
Key Concepts of Experimental Learning (From Lewis and Williams’ “Best Practice in Experimental Learning)
• learn by doing • not compartmentalized • student run learning • provides skills to transition into workplace (3) • REFLECTION!! • problem solving throughout entire process • instructor as member of the group (10) • instructor as a resource, cheerleader and
facilitator (11) • Assessment of students as more than just
outcome (13) • student involved assessment (16)
ARIS app and content creator for mobile AR gamespaces
Locative, technology-enhanced gaming at Walt Disney World
Taking game-based learning beyond the classroom