I have to admit with being sick, traveling, and attending the RTI conference I have not had much time to post and respond to others blogs. I did get a chance to read and explore others posts about the components of serious games. After reading everybody's thoughts about serious games components there are many similarities, but there are different components that are listed that I not have considered before reading others. We think we have a good idea of what we want from a game and then the thoughts of others may direct us in a different direction. Like the actual components of the game coming up with the components is a collaborative efforts. It is always good to see feedback on the components that I have created. Working together can create a much more productive serious game that will produce the most results.
It's interesting to look at the components of others. Things that seem to be common sense are things I never thought of. Leslie had an excellent component of having a way to assess the students learning. Of course this is something that should be part of the game, if we have a goal it seems connected to assessing them and if they met that goal. I really enjoyed the components Keri created. One that stuck out for me was having a game that meets students personal learning styles. I think this a brilliant idea, it is important to think about the level of all of our students. What could be challenging for one student may be overwhelming to another and cause them to shut down. I look forward to seeing the narrowing down of the components of a serious game as a group.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Friday, January 24, 2014
#etlead components of a serious game
I was not so sure about the idea of a serious game or this project before digging in and researching the topic. Now the more I explore and play I see the potential for some amazing learning to occur using serious games. I can say I am on the this is "so cool" side of serious games. When I think about them I see the exposure players can have to an "outside" world they may never have access to or understand.
A serious game is a game that has purpose is for more then just entertainment, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game By this broad definition a serious game can be many different types of games depending on the user and the age of the player. I believe that the components of a serious game can depend on what the end goal or the purpose of the game. Before a game can be played or used in a classroom sitting the instructor needs to decide on what components need to be present for a successful serious game. If the serious game a well rounded game the game will easily lead to engagement and reflection. Here are some components I would have in mind when I think about a serious game to use with the student population I work with:
1. Real World Exposure: Depending on the student population, many students may not ever have the chance to explore or understand the world outside of the familiar world they have always know. Serious games that deal with a real world situation or current world issue can give students a chance to be put in someone else's shoes.
2. A Goal: Students not be participating in a game that may not have an end goal in mind. There should something students are working towards. If the game is being used for educational purposes then just like everything we teach there should be an objective attached to the lesson or activity.
3. Lesson Supported/Standards: The game being played in the class should be related to a subject or unit students are working on in the classroom. Lesson and activities within and out of the game should relate to each other and provide plenty of chances for reflection and discussion. Games should go past the traditional educational lesson.
4. Collaboration: By having students collaborate or work together on a game they build social skills they may miss out on with other activities. Also by working collaboratively on a serious game students can find different strengths in each other and work together to problem solve a situation. It is always said "two heads are better then one!"
5. Promotes Risk Taking: The great thing about serious games students can take risks without facing "real world" consequences. Many of the students in the school I work at have huge fear of being wrong. Nobody likes to be wrong but students will learn that it is okay to make mistakes but their may be a consequence for our actions.
6. Allows for Exploration/Problem Solving Skills: "Students learn by doing"- http://www-935.ibm.com/services/multimedia/serious-games-overview.pdf It is key for students to build upon the knowledge they already have to complete the goal or find the solution they are looking for. Students should be able to work towards thinking and problem solving what may happen based of the current move they are going to make. Students need to be able to use there logical and reasoning skills
Resources:
http://www-935.ibm.com/services/multimedia/serious-games-overview.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game
http://learningworksforkids.com/2011/10/example-science-of-play-related-post/
A serious game is a game that has purpose is for more then just entertainment, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game By this broad definition a serious game can be many different types of games depending on the user and the age of the player. I believe that the components of a serious game can depend on what the end goal or the purpose of the game. Before a game can be played or used in a classroom sitting the instructor needs to decide on what components need to be present for a successful serious game. If the serious game a well rounded game the game will easily lead to engagement and reflection. Here are some components I would have in mind when I think about a serious game to use with the student population I work with:
1. Real World Exposure: Depending on the student population, many students may not ever have the chance to explore or understand the world outside of the familiar world they have always know. Serious games that deal with a real world situation or current world issue can give students a chance to be put in someone else's shoes.
2. A Goal: Students not be participating in a game that may not have an end goal in mind. There should something students are working towards. If the game is being used for educational purposes then just like everything we teach there should be an objective attached to the lesson or activity.
3. Lesson Supported/Standards: The game being played in the class should be related to a subject or unit students are working on in the classroom. Lesson and activities within and out of the game should relate to each other and provide plenty of chances for reflection and discussion. Games should go past the traditional educational lesson.
4. Collaboration: By having students collaborate or work together on a game they build social skills they may miss out on with other activities. Also by working collaboratively on a serious game students can find different strengths in each other and work together to problem solve a situation. It is always said "two heads are better then one!"
5. Promotes Risk Taking: The great thing about serious games students can take risks without facing "real world" consequences. Many of the students in the school I work at have huge fear of being wrong. Nobody likes to be wrong but students will learn that it is okay to make mistakes but their may be a consequence for our actions.
6. Allows for Exploration/Problem Solving Skills: "Students learn by doing"- http://www-935.ibm.com/services/multimedia/serious-games-overview.pdf It is key for students to build upon the knowledge they already have to complete the goal or find the solution they are looking for. Students should be able to work towards thinking and problem solving what may happen based of the current move they are going to make. Students need to be able to use there logical and reasoning skills
Resources:
http://www-935.ibm.com/services/multimedia/serious-games-overview.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game
http://learningworksforkids.com/2011/10/example-science-of-play-related-post/
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Week One Reflection
I can say that this was one crazy long week. I was very nervous about all the components of this course at the beginning, but as the first week comes to a close I am happy to say that this is all making more sense to me. Although I did not get a chance to participate in the twitter hour, it was fascinating to read through the chat. This is still one component I am uneasy about, but I know as I use it the easier it will become.
I am excited for the component of the serious games, as I explored them the more interested I became. As I read and responded to different classmates blogs I began to wonder how people use them in their own class. How do people in our class already use them in their own class, if they already do. Learning needs to be fun for students and that there are ways to introduce our students to new information in ways that don't involve a text book. I think one thing that I took away from everyone blogs is that we may not all use serious games, or advanced technology, but we all very interested in them and incorporating them into or classrooms or with our children. These games gives students a chance to be immersed in situations they may never get a chance to understand or learn about. I really like what Gary has said about these games," I believe that very few students will ever really change the world, but they will be making a difference in their "own little world" of the people they are in contact with from day to day." We can all hope that students take away something from these games and that they will take the knowledge they gain to better themselves and others around them. I look forward to the weeks ahead and working collaboratively to create a serious game.
I am excited for the component of the serious games, as I explored them the more interested I became. As I read and responded to different classmates blogs I began to wonder how people use them in their own class. How do people in our class already use them in their own class, if they already do. Learning needs to be fun for students and that there are ways to introduce our students to new information in ways that don't involve a text book. I think one thing that I took away from everyone blogs is that we may not all use serious games, or advanced technology, but we all very interested in them and incorporating them into or classrooms or with our children. These games gives students a chance to be immersed in situations they may never get a chance to understand or learn about. I really like what Gary has said about these games," I believe that very few students will ever really change the world, but they will be making a difference in their "own little world" of the people they are in contact with from day to day." We can all hope that students take away something from these games and that they will take the knowledge they gain to better themselves and others around them. I look forward to the weeks ahead and working collaboratively to create a serious game.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
#etlead What serious games exsit for students and what can they teach us?
Before truly digging into the world of serious games, I needed to research what a serious game was. I had never heard of a serious game, or what it stood for. Growing up and even to this day I have not been big into gaming, so this is all a new concept for me. The thought behind serious games is a wonderful idea! We live in a game centered world and kids completely engaged when they are playing video, so why not teach them a valuable lesson using video games. Serious games are more then just video games they can include other types of game. There are endless amounts of serious games out there, and it is interesting to see all the different types of games out there. Here are a few games I found that I found interesting:
Peacmaker- In this serious game players can either be the Israeli Prime Minister or the Palestinian President and make decision relating to the Middle East Conflicts. This is a single player game, where the player works through the challenges of being a world leader. This game is very interesting to me and if I was teaching a current world class for older students, this is a game I would have my students use in class. The game is free to download for both Mac and PC.
http://www.impactgames.com/peacemaker.php
PowerUp: This is a multiplayer game, where up to 8 players can play a mission and up to 50 players can play per planet. Players are asked to save a planet from the effects of burning fossil fuels. The game focuses on engineering and alternative methods of energy. As students play the game they meet and work with a Expert Engineer who helps guide student to understand was to create renewable enegry. There is also a teachers guide that goes along with the game, that provides teachers lesson to build a deeper understanding. The game is free to download.
http://www.powerupthegame.org/teachers.html
POX Save the People: This is both an application that can be downloaded on an iPad and a boardgame. Players work together in a group as large as four to stop the spread of a deadly disease. The game works to teach students the importance of vaccines and what can occur if there are not vaccines present for diseases. It also show players the importance of collaboration. The board game costs 24.95, while the iPad download is free.
http://www.tiltfactor.org/pox
Serious games put students into real world situations without actually being part of it. Teaching in a village I see serious games as being very beneficial for the students. Students are not exposed to many current world issues or places outside of the region. I see serious games as a way to provide students who live in rural areas to be exposed to issues and areas that they may never know about. Serious games allows players to learn new things by trying them out. I know working in a remote location I thing I am really intrigue with these games is how they can provide students opportunities to do things are learn things they may never know. Players get a chance to "walk" in someone else's shoes and understand what life may be like for others. Serious game are a virtual world were explore real world concepts but not receive real life consequences for a mistake.
In general serious games teach us the importance of different things we are exposed to in the world. Games show us what can occur if issues are not taken care of or changes. These games can lead to players wanting to take a stand and step out of the game world to make a difference in the real world. Serious games can also teach students how to work collaboratively to solve a problem. Knowing what I know now about serious games, I look forward to working and exploring them more. They are something all students need to be exposed to in on way or another.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/arts/23thom.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.seriousgamesdirectory.com/
Peacmaker- In this serious game players can either be the Israeli Prime Minister or the Palestinian President and make decision relating to the Middle East Conflicts. This is a single player game, where the player works through the challenges of being a world leader. This game is very interesting to me and if I was teaching a current world class for older students, this is a game I would have my students use in class. The game is free to download for both Mac and PC.
http://www.impactgames.com/peacemaker.php
PowerUp: This is a multiplayer game, where up to 8 players can play a mission and up to 50 players can play per planet. Players are asked to save a planet from the effects of burning fossil fuels. The game focuses on engineering and alternative methods of energy. As students play the game they meet and work with a Expert Engineer who helps guide student to understand was to create renewable enegry. There is also a teachers guide that goes along with the game, that provides teachers lesson to build a deeper understanding. The game is free to download.
http://www.powerupthegame.org/teachers.html
POX Save the People: This is both an application that can be downloaded on an iPad and a boardgame. Players work together in a group as large as four to stop the spread of a deadly disease. The game works to teach students the importance of vaccines and what can occur if there are not vaccines present for diseases. It also show players the importance of collaboration. The board game costs 24.95, while the iPad download is free.
http://www.tiltfactor.org/pox
Serious games put students into real world situations without actually being part of it. Teaching in a village I see serious games as being very beneficial for the students. Students are not exposed to many current world issues or places outside of the region. I see serious games as a way to provide students who live in rural areas to be exposed to issues and areas that they may never know about. Serious games allows players to learn new things by trying them out. I know working in a remote location I thing I am really intrigue with these games is how they can provide students opportunities to do things are learn things they may never know. Players get a chance to "walk" in someone else's shoes and understand what life may be like for others. Serious game are a virtual world were explore real world concepts but not receive real life consequences for a mistake.
In general serious games teach us the importance of different things we are exposed to in the world. Games show us what can occur if issues are not taken care of or changes. These games can lead to players wanting to take a stand and step out of the game world to make a difference in the real world. Serious games can also teach students how to work collaboratively to solve a problem. Knowing what I know now about serious games, I look forward to working and exploring them more. They are something all students need to be exposed to in on way or another.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serious_game
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/23/arts/23thom.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://www.seriousgamesdirectory.com/
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