NMSU Learning Games Lab

Some Interesting Research

• Kids play computer games regularly– Ages 2-7 play ~43 minutes/day– Ages 8-12 play ~56 minutes/day– Ages 13-17 play ~78 minutes/day

• Most kids play computer games– 92% of kids ages 2-17 play video and computer games

(Gentile & Walsh, 2002)

• Low income kids play computer games at home– Game play is their primary reason for using computers

(Jackson et al., 2005)

NMSU Learning Games Lab

NMSU LearningGames Labhttp://www.learninggames.org

Barbara Chamberlin, bchamber@nmsu.edu

Jeanne Gleason, jgleason@nmsu.edu

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Learning in Games or Play

• Content-based

• Technology skills

• Learning to learn

• Working with others

• Planning and design

NMSU Learning Games Lab

NMSU Learning Games Lab

• Testing space for games we develop

• Expanding the “fun” into educational games

• Provide exposure to newest trends

• Expose gamers todesign process, foster interestin related careers, develop analytical skill

NMSU Learning Games Lab

NMSU Game Development

• We’re educational game developers

• We do regular testing with our games and audiences

• We’re falling behind

NMSU Learning Games Lab

NMSU Learning Games Lab

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Research Strategies

• No “one” set of preferences for kids or for games• No “one” set of

methodologies for gathering information about game preferences

NMSU Learning Games Lab

What do kids doin the Learning Games Lab?

• Play games

• Review games

• Learn game principles

• Engage in game design

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Lab Think Tanks

• 1 week sessions

• 2 week sessions

• School holiday sessions

• After school clubs

• College student game analysis class

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Paper and pencil and forms– UGGGH!

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Blogs– Develop writing and

analytical skill– Gives authors an audience– Free on blogger.com– Consultant blog

• Question of the day

– Researcher blog• Observation, agenda

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Focus Groups and Interviews– Establish questions

ahead of time– Paper printouts as

prompts– Group, 2, 3 or 4

at a time

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Game Design Activities– Start specific

• Design a character• Revise an existing game• Group work• Encourage drawing and

storyboards• Design a game that teaches

______

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Game Learning Activities– What is a game?– Game types

activity– How to make a

game that doesn’t stink– Who makes games…

look at game credits… what does each person on the team do?

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Video closet– Specific question posted– Good for reflection– Immediate editing good

for access

NMSU Learning Games Lab

Game Review Strategies

• Podcasts– Review of games for

game developers– Student written and

produced– Develops many skills

outside of game analysis– Informs ed game

developers

NMSU Learning Games Lab

PR for Games and PlayGame based learning is valid

• What are the learning goals and objectives?

• “Games” to kids, “educational software” to adults

• Exit poll with kids, “What did you do and learn today?”

• Newsletter home that recaps learning

NMSU Learning Games Lab

References

• Jackson, L. A., Von Eye, A., Biocca, F., Barbatsis, G., Zhao, Y., & Fitgerald, H. E. (2005). How low-income children use the internet at home. Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 16(3)(Fall 2005), 259-272.

– Michigan State University conducted a longitudinal study of 140 low-income children and their Internet use at home; participants reported game play as their primary reason for using their computers (Jackson et al., 2005).

• Gentile, D. A., & Walsh, D. A. (2002). A normative study of family media habits. Applied Developmental Psychology, 23, 157-178.

– American children aged 2-7 play computer games an average of 43 min/day, children aged 8-12 play an average of 56 min/day, and children aged 13-17 play an average of 78 min/day (Gentile & Walsh, 2002) .

• National Institute on Media and the Family. (2001). Sixth Annual Video and Computer Report Card Retrieved October 19, 2005, from http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_vgrc_2001-2.shtml

– According to a national survey conducted by the National Institute on Media and the Family, 92% of kids age 2-17 play video and computer games (National Institute on Media and the Family, 2001)