DRAFT
Spring 2008
TR 1-2:30 (NE25-372)
Computer Games and Simulations for Investigation and Education
Prof. Eric Klopfer (klopfer@mit.edu)
During the past two decades, simulation, especially as it helps people to understand complex systems, has become a mainstream use of computational technology. The widespread popularity of “edutainment” software like SimCity and Civilization gives a clear indication of the extent to which simulation games have permeated popular culture. As these and other games have found places in the classroom, researchers have tried to ascertain what and how students (or people more generally) learn from these environments, and what implications this has for software and curriculum design.
In this project-based course, students from all disciplines are encouraged to understand how we learn from interactive computer environments, and delve into the process of designing and understanding simulations and games for learning. In the first part of the course we will explore the design and use of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) games and simulations in the classroom, and how they have been and can be tailored to learning, including technical, practical and pedagogical advantages and limitations. This will be combined with scholarly readings from the emerging field of learning games. We will then design non-digital games, and study both the design process and learner outcomes. Next we move into the realm of the digital, again studying the design and use of digital games and simulations in educational contexts. Finally, we will also study what and how people learn from simulations (including focus groups and user feedback), and how simulation and gaming tools can be implemented in educational settings. All levels of computer experience welcome. Graduate students are expected to complete additional assignments.
Assignment Overview and Grading
Game Nights and Design Discussions - Feb 20, March 12 and April 9 (around 7:30 pm)
Week 1 (Feb 5 and 7) – Introduction and Overview of Course
- Overview
- The course will explore educational games and simulations in both digial and non-digital forms. We will focus on design and research issues pertinent to learning through simulations and games. Throughout the course we will explore concepts in simulation and gaming common to many domains, and investigate specific applications from a variety of fields ranging from weather to ecology to traffic management.
- Game Brainstorming - What have you played? (Feb 5)
- Categorization of Games
- What is a Game?
- Initial Game Definition
- Labyrinth - Designing a Game for Teaching Math and Literacy - Scot Osterweil (Feb 7)
- Readings
Week 2-3 (Feb 12, 14 and 21) – How to we combine games and education? Edu-tainment?
- Introduction to Edutainment Simulations
- Civilization IV
- Readings
- Civilization III as a World History Sandbox (Squire)
- Replaying History (Squire)
- Teaching with Games
- Assignments
- Paper - Designing Curricula for Games (Due Feb 28)
Week 4 (Feb 26 and Feb 28) – Research on Games and Learning
- What have we learned from Civ IV?
- Discussion of Readings
- What have others learned (see Civ Forums)
- What Video Games Have to Teach Us... (about Civ)
- Do educational games embody these principles?
- Readings
- Gee - Video Games, Learning and Literacy
Week 5 (March 4 and 6) – Video Games -> Board Games
- Activity - Designing a board game
- What are the issues in designing an educational game?
- How do we solve these issues?
- Intro to Board Games Activity
- Brainstorming Educational Board Game
- Readings
- Introduction and first steps to Board Game Design (Link to SDSU EDTEC 670)
- Constructivist Readings
- Assignment
- Design Document (technical and educational) for educational board game (DUE March 18 )
- Presentations in evening session
Week 6 (March 11 and 13) - Learning from Games
- The Ecology of Games Jigsaw (individuals or pairs responsible for chapters)
- Case Study of Learning Through Gaming - Presentations
- Readings
- The Ecology of Games (student led discussions)
- Assignment
Week 7 (March 18 and 20) - The Case for Mobile Games
- Palmagotchi
- Readings
- Augmented Learning
- Case Study of Learning Through Gaming (DUE April 17)
Week 8-9 (April 1, 3, 8 and 10 ) – Board Games and Guest Presentaitons
- Board game presentations - 20 minutes of playable game (April 3/10)
- Critique and Feedback on Board Games
- Guests
- April 1 - Andrew Chalkin
- http://www.biggerbread.com/
- http://www.kidbeyond.com/
- April 8 - Tony Dickinson
- http://eleaderonline.com/home/en/index.php
- April 1 - Andrew Chalkin
- Readings?
Week 10-11 (April 15, 17 and 24) – Simulation and Game Design - Adventures in Modeling
- StarLogo The Next Generation Developing 3D games and simulations
- Game
Exercise (Link to SDSU EDTEC 670)
- Responses
- Readings
- The Seductions of Sim
- Pianos not Stereos
- Constructivism and Constructionism
- Adventures in Modeling (selections)
- Assignment
Week 12 (April 29 and May 1)- The History of Simulations & Thinking about Users
- User Testing and Feedback
- April 29 - Bert Snow from Muzzylane
- Readings?
- Assignment
- Final Simulation/Game and Supporting Documentation/Information (Draft Due May 1, Written Final Due May 8, Presentations May 13-15)
Week 13 (May 6 and 8) – Design
- May 6 - Gary Goldberger from Fablevision
Week 14 (May 13 and 15) – Final Project Presentations
- Assignment
- Final User Testing Project -Design and conduct an focused feedback session on how people use and learn from either the digital or non-digital game you've created. (DUE AS PART OF Game Design May 8)
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| civ3-education-chapter.pdf | 200.4 KB |