tales of adventure author: learning through making games judy robertson, tessa collins, andrew kelly
TRANSCRIPT
Tales of Adventure Author:Learning Through Making Games
Judy Robertson, Tessa Collins, Andrew Kelly
Outline
• Judy – Introduction to the project• Tessa – a teacher’s point of view• Andrew – a pupil’s point of view• Judy – A note about our research
About Adventure Author
• Based at Heriot-Watt University• Funded by EPSRC until Dec 08• Aims to study the creative process learners go
through when making their own computer games
• Have worked with schools in Edinburgh and Dundee to design and refine game making software
• Have also holiday workshops since 2003
Adventure Author and ACE
• We have designed AA to fit in with A Curriculum for Excellence:– Successful learners (see Computers in Education paper
at www.adventureauthor.org/publications.html)– Technology curriculum now includes making games
(see www.adventureauthor.org/2008/04/scottish-curric.html)
– Literacy and English guidelines (see www.adventureauthor.org/2008/03/nwn-as-a-
curric.html#more)
More about Adventure Author
• The software is a plug-in for a commercial game making package called Neverwinter Nights 2.
• We have taken out the trickier aspects of the software and added educational aspects:
• The plug-ins are free at www.adventureauthor.org
Neverwinter Nights 2
You can buy it on Amazon for ~£8
Game making toolset
Comes free with Neverwinter Nights 2 game
Fridge Magnets: creative ideas
Free standalone version at www.adventureauthor.org/fridge-magnets.html
Conversation Writer
Comments Cards: peer review
Free standalone version at www.adventureauthor.org/ comment-cards.html
Experiences at Campie Primary School
Tessa Collins
My Experiences of Adventure Author
Andrew Kelly
Before I started
• What did I know about game development?• What did I know about NeverWinterNights
and Adventure Author?• Was I looking forward to it?
During the project
• What did I enjoy?• What did I learn?• How did I make my game tie in with my story?• Did I encounter any difficulties making the
game?
After the project
• What did I do with my game?• Did I continue to work on my game?• What was my feedback from a wider
audience?• What was my favourite part of the project?
Notes on research
We’re analysing date to find out:• How the pupils told their stories visually• Did the pupils successfully tell stories in their
games?• Were the fridge magnets helpful in supporting
creative ideas?• Were the Comments Cards useful for peer
review?• Read our blog to find out!
Questions?
**We’re looking for partners for a new funding application! **