Marc Prensky Bits, Brains and Games April 12, 2006 Veldhoven, The Netherlands © 2006 Marc Prensky

© 2005 Marc Prensky Education Credentials Master of Arts in Teaching (Yale) MBA (Harvard) Taught High School Math (5 yrs) Ran a Street Academy Taught Elementary School French Taught College Music Still Tutor Math

© 2006 Marc Prensky Sky Takemura-Sora Prensky b. April 26, 2005

in a game environmentSerious training © 2003 Marc Prensky© 2005 Marc Prensky

Recent K-12 Projects Chemistry Game (MeCHeM) FL, LA Virtual Schools Courses Algebra Game (The Algebots) Physics Game (Space Junk) Cell Phone Game (EleMental) Financial Literacy Game Reading Teacher

© 2003 Marc Prensky © 2005 Marc Prensky

My New Book: © 2006 Marc Prensky

Helping Our Students Learn and Succeed © 2005 Marc Prensky

in a 21 st century world… © 2005 Marc Prensky

…BEFORE the end of the 21 st century! © 2005 Marc Prensky

What if we dont?

© 2005 Marc Prensky

Five Keys to Helping Kids Learn © 2005 Marc Prensky

© 2006 Marc Prensky Understanding

© 2006 Marc Prensky Generating

© 2006 Marc Prensky Dealing with

© 2006 Marc Prensky our ^

© 2006 Marc Prensky Achieving Mutual

Ill be going at (slides will be available) © 2006 Marc Prensky

1.The world is changing Why educators are having problems: © 2003 Marc Prensky © 2005 Marc Prensky

What percent of the worlds population is under 25? © 2005 Marc Prensky Question 1

© 2005 Marc Prensky A 20 percent B 30 percent C 40 percent D 50 percent Percentage Under Age 25?

% Under 25? 50% © 2005 Marc Prensky

What percentage of our teachers are under 25? © 2005 Marc Prensky Question 2

What percentage of people in this room are under 25? © 2005 Marc Prensky Question 3

© 2006 Marc Prensky Understanding Theme #1

1.The world is changing 2. Students are changing Why educators are having problems: © 2003 Marc Prensky © 2005 Marc Prensky

Todays younger learners are NOT the ones our systems (and teachers) were designed and trained to teach! © 2003 Marc Prensky © 2005 Marc Prensky

Todays Students are different

5-10,000 hours Video Games 250,000 s and IMs 10,000 hours on cell phones 20,000 hours TV (incl. MTV) 500,000 commercials < 5,000 hours book reading © 2005 Marc Prensky Why?

2 billion ring tones per year 2 billion songs per month 6 billion text messages per day © 2005 Marc Prensky

Brains like ours alter profoundly to fit the technologies and practices that surround them. - Andy Clark Director, Cognitive Sciences Program. Indiana University © 2005 Marc Prensky

Conventional Speed Step-by-Step Linear Processing Text First Work-Oriented Stand-Alone © 2005 Marc Prensky

Students are not just using technology differently today, but are approaching their life and their daily activities differently because of the technology. --Net Day Speak-up Day Summary © 2005 Marc Prensky

The e-Life Communicating IM, chat Sharing Blogs, MySpace Buying & Selling ebay, papers Exchanging P2P Creating sites, avatars, mods Meeting 3D chat rooms, dating Collecting mp3, video, sensor data Searching Info, connections, people Analyzing SETI, drug molecules Reporting Moblogs, photos Programming Open systems, mods search Socializing Learning social behavior, influence Growing Up Exploring, transgressing Coordinating Projects, workgroups, MMORPGs Evaluating Reputation systems– Epinions, Amazon, Slashdot Gaming Solo, 1-on-1, small & large groups Learning About stuff that interests them Evolving Peripheral, emergent behaviors © 2005 Marc Prensky REFERENCE

The e-Life Communicating IM, chat Sharing Blogs, MySpace Buying & Selling ebay, papers Exchanging P2P Creating sites, avatars, mods Meeting 3D chat rooms, dating Collecting mp3, video, sensor data Searching Info, connections, people Analyzing SETI, drug molecules Reporting Moblogs, photos Programming Open systems, mods search Socializing Learning social behavior, influence Growing Up Exploring, transgressing Coordinating Projects, workgroups, MMORPGs Evaluating Reputation systems– Epinions, Amazon, Slashdot Gaming Solo, 1-on-1, small & large groups Learning About stuff that interests them Evolving Peripheral, emergent behaviors © 2005 Marc Prensky

[ Technologies are] re-writing the rules of adolescence. -- a mother © 2005 Marc Prensky

© 2006 Marc Prensky

Printing out our s Needing a printed copy for editing Not Going to the Internet First for info Using rather than IM Thinking Real Life happens only off-line Thinking learning means WORK We have a Digital Immigrant Accent © 2005 Marc Prensky

© 2006 Marc Prensky Generating Theme #2

Engagement (= motivation, passion) © 2005 Marc Prensky

Without motivation there is no learning – James Paul Gee © 2005 Marc Prensky

If a learner is motivated, theres no stopping him – Will Wright © 2005 Marc Prensky

Learning comes from passion, not discipline – Nicholas Negroponte

1.The world is changing 2. Students are changing 3. Engagement is changing Why educators are having problems: © 2003 Marc Prensky © 2005 Marc Prensky

Learning Takes Work © 2005 Marc Prensky Agree?Disagree?

Yes, Learning takes Effort, but © 2005 Marc Prensky

Effort for learning can FEEL LIKE WORK Effort for learning can FEEL LIKE PLAY OR © 2005 Marc Prensky

Learning feels like play when you have ENGAGEMENT = Motivation, passion © 2005 Marc Prensky

Todays kids UNDERSTAND ENGAGEMENT © 2005 Marc Prensky

When I was a kid IT WAS BORING © 2005 Marc Prensky

Where did you go? OUT What did you do? NOTHING Where did you go? OUT What did you do? NOTHING In my youth, this book was famous: © 2005 Marc Prensky

Todays kids GO ONLINE © 2005 Marc Prensky

I could have nothing to do and I can always find something on the Internet. – A High School Student © 2005 Marc Prensky

On the Internet you can play games, you can check your mail, you can talk to your friends, you can buy things, and you can look up things that you really like. – A High School Student © 2005 Marc Prensky Yahoo Born to be Wired Conference

The e-Life Communicating , IM, chat Sharing Blogs, webcams Buying & Selling ebay, papers Exchanging music, movies, humor Creating sites, avatars, mods Meeting 3D chat rooms, dating Collecting mp3, video, sensor data Searching Info, connections, people Analyzing SETI, drug molecules Reporting Moblogs, photos Programming Open systems, mods search Socializing Learning social behavior, influence Growing Up Exploring, transgressing Coordinating Projects, workgroups, MMORPGs Evaluating Reputation systems– Epinions, Amazon, Slashdot Gaming Solo, 1-on-1, small & large groups Learning About stuff that interests them Evolving Peripheral, emergent behaviors © 2005 Marc Prensky REFERENCE

Todays kids KNOW WHAT ENGAGEMENT FEELS LIKE © 2005 Marc Prensky

They want to Feel engaged all the time © 2005 Marc Prensky

Especially When they are learning! © 2006 Marc Prensky

But much of our education is SO BORING…

© 2006 Marc Prensky …that it feels like were putting depressants in their food!

© 2006 Marc Prensky even WITH technology!

Whenever I go to school I have to power down – a high school student © 2003 Marc Prensky© 2005 Marc Prensky

You do have to slow down when youre talking to teachers. – a Liverpool student © 2003 Marc Prensky© 2005 Marc Prensky

For todays students to learn, ENGAGEMENT Is MORE IMPORTANT than Content © 2006 Marc Prensky

Why?

Will Change! © 2006 Marc Prensky Content

ENGAGEMENT WILL! © 2006 Marc Prensky Content wont help students continue to learn throughout their lives, but

© 2006 Marc Prensky Outside of formal learning…

© 2006 Marc Prensky Todays Students are Empowered

They want to put their own mark on the site. – Deborah Schwartz, MOMA © 2006 Marc Prensky

What people put into the Internet is much more important to them than what they take out of it. – Tim Berners-Lee © 2006 Marc Prensky

Todays Students have Tools

Whats different about the new technology is that it is programmable. – Alan Kay © 2006 Marc Prensky

Todays Students Embrace Complexity

[They are] living in dataspace, begging to handle more simultaneous data streams than their parents ever imagined. -- Beck and Wade: Got Game © 2006 Marc Prensky

Todays Students are Hands-On

Players are producing as much as they are consuming – perhaps more. – JC Herz © 2006 Marc Prensky

Todays Students want things to be Fun

Fun is the act of mastering a problem mentally. -- Rafe Kotter: A Theory of Fun © 2006 Marc Prensky

Todays students are NOT ADD but ratherEOE © 2006 Marc Prensky

ENGAGE ME or ENRAGE ME © 2006 Marc Prensky

Theme #3 Understanding and Dealing With

is for old people – A student © 2006 Marc Prensky

IM iPod vPod mp3 wma GameBoy DS, PSP Tool switching is already close to instantaneous

© 2006 Marc Prensky CHANGE TIME Our Lives We are here © 2006 Marc Prensky Discontinuity: Digital Technology

© 2006 Marc Prensky CHANGE TIME Our Students Lives © 2006 Marc Prensky

© 2005 Marc Prensky The change that is THREATENING to teachers… …is EMPOWERING to students!

My New Book: © 2006 Marc Prensky

Sky Takemura-Sora Prensky b. April 26, 2005

© 2006 Marc Prensky He will be working with technology that is 1 billion times more powerful than today!

© 2006 Marc Prensky ICT power is doubling every year

© 2006 Marc Prensky 2 30 = 1,073,741,824

© 2006 Marc Prensky What Does That Mean ?????????

Nothing ever wears out – A teacher © 2006 Marc Prensky

Solving problems with the tools we have Pre - 21 st Century Inventing new tools to solve problems 21 st Century+

© 2006 Marc Prensky When will all this change END!??

© 2006 Marc Prensky IT WONT !!!

© 2006 Marc Prensky Theres no Destination! (Only the fast train)

© 2006 Marc Prensky No One In education gets this yet

© 2006 Marc Prensky Except, of course…

© 2006 Marc Prensky

…their technology changes monthly! e.g. PHONES: text, cameras, videos, motion sensors, diodes

© 2006 Marc Prensky From now on, Tools Will COME FAST… Blogs Wikis Wikipedia Podcasting Polling Devices Speed Enhancers Cell Phones Games …and GO FAST Clickers

© 2006 Marc Prensky In fact, too fast to master!

© 2006 Marc Prensky Todays teachers need to know

© 2006 Marc Prensky How to Teach Tools We Cant Fully Master!

© 2006 Marc Prensky Its important that teachers DONT WASTE TIME Learning to Use New Tools,

© 2006 Marc Prensky Because…

© 2006 Marc Prensky The kids can do that! (and they want to)

Dont try to keep up with the technology -- you cant – A 14 year old girl © 2006 Marc Prensky

Teachers Need to:

© 2006 Marc Prensky Learn ABOUT New Technologies

© 2006 Marc Prensky SO THEY CAN HELP KIDS EVALUATE THEM

© 2006 Marc Prensky AND SO THEY CAN TEACH ABOUT THEM

Search IM Blogs Wikis Wikipedia Podcasting Polling Devices © 2006 Marc Prensky Recent New Tools P2P Games Networking Augmented Reality Texting Cameras GPS Speed Enhancers

Search vs. Research Fair Use vs. Plagiarism EvaluateTeach Phone-based cameras Pictures vs. Words Appropriate vs. In- appropriate Truth vs. Manipulation Oral vs. Written Communication Design a Wikipedia Entry for… Take and Photoshop To best Illustrate… Make a Podcast About… Podcasts Wikipedia © 2006 Marc Prensky IM Informal vs. Formal Language Design a Class using only IM Assign Communication Journalism Use of MM Creativity Communication Journalism Use of MM Creativity Usefulness Breadth Depth Originality Communication Originality Artistry Technique How Teachers Should Use New Tools

© 2006 Marc Prensky Theme #4 our ^

© 2006 Marc Prensky Many Teachers are doing Great Things!

© 2006 Marc Prensky and yet…

© 2006 Marc Prensky from being used by only One Teacher, In One Classroom So Much GOES TO WASTE

© 2006 Marc Prensky If we could just capture, access and re-use work already done, we would be HALFWAY THERE

How? © 2006 Marc Prensky

Use the most powerful technology tool in the world © 2006 Marc Prensky

Google! © 2006 Marc Prensky

Put it on the Web !!!

Do all teachers have an easy way to put on the Web an HTML page, a Video, a Wiki and a Blog? If not, make it happen now! © 2006 Marc Prensky

Theme #5 Create Mutual

© 2006 Marc Prensky

Your sales pitch reminds us of silicon snake oil. Sorting data without context fuels ignorance. – an educator © 2003 Marc Prensky© 2006 Marc Prensky

DISRESPECTS Me New Ideas Students

Disrespecting each other is the root of our problem – Marc Prensky © 2006 Marc Prensky

Educators DISRESPECT kids

Your games are a waste of your time money and brain cells. – A parent © 2006 Marc Prensky

The cookies on my daughters computer know more about her interests than her teachers do. – Henry Kelly, President, FAS © 2006 Marc Prensky

And in turn…

© 2006 Marc Prensky Kids DISRESPECT Educators

© 2006 Marc Prensky If technology is the new literacy

© 2006 Marc Prensky Most teachers are ILLITERATE

© 2006 Marc Prensky

They Have To Know Teachers Respect Them! © 2006 Marc Prensky To Get students to Listen…

© 2006 Marc Prensky So…

© 2006 Marc Prensky How Do We Get RESPECT For each other?

© 2006 Marc Prensky We Are All Learners We Are All Teachers 1. Foster this Message:.

© 2005 Marc Prensky 2. Act Respectfully

© 2005 Marc Prensky (especially about games)

If you only listened to the Press… © 2005 Marc Prensky

…you might think Computer and Video games… © 2005 Marc Prensky

… were the worst things in the world for kids. © 2005 Marc Prensky

But the TRUTH Is that © 2005 Marc Prensky

Games produce LEARNING WITH ENGAGEMENT © 2005 Marc Prensky

I love getting level-ups – knowing Im getting better. I started at level one and now Im on 40. Now I can do more things. I can keep going and its really fun. – Tyler, Age 10 © 2005 Marc Prensky

Kids play games NOT because they are games, but because theyre the most engaging intellectual thing they have… © 2005 Marc Prensky

…Learning is the big secret reason they play! (Shhh!) © 2005 Marc Prensky

is a big part of the learning process © 2005 Marc Prensky and the Game System Official sites IM/chat Mags games Fan sites Blogs Reviews

© 2005 Marc Prensky Complex hours NOT TRIVIAL Todays Games: Complexity Matters Mini 5 min-2hours TRIVIAL Or, at best, One-Noted Complex Games take the same amount of time as a course ( hours)

Dark Age of Camelot

To cooperate, collaborate & work in teams, i.e. to work effectively with others To make effective decisions under stress To take prudent risks in pursuit of objectives To make ethical and moral decisions To employ scientific deduction To quickly master & apply new skills and information To think laterally and strategically To persist and solve difficult problems To understand and deal with foreign environments and cultures To manage business and people © 2006 Marc Prensky What Kids Learn from Games complex

Gamers have amassed thousands of hours of rapidly analyzing new situations, interacting with characters they dont really know, and solving problems quickly and independently. -- Beck and Wade, Got Game © 2005 Marc Prensky

© 2003 Marc Prensky© 2005 Marc Prensky Dont be Afraid to Fail – Take risks to get rewards Winning Matters Work in Teams Take Responsibility Add Value Gamer Attitudes Beck and Wade: Got Game Be a Hero Immerse Yourself in Data Make the Tough Calls Take different perspectives Make Things Better

Who plays a game that relates to what we are discussing? Can you think of an example of this in your games? How would we design a game about this? © 2006 Marc Prensky Respecting Games:

Search vs. Research Fair Use vs. Plagiarism EvaluateTeach Phone-based cameras Pictures vs. Words Appropriate vs. In- appropriate Truth vs. Manipulation Oral vs. Written Communication Design a Wikipedia Entry for… Take and Photoshop To best Illustrate… Make a Podcast About… Podcasts Wikipedia © 2006 Marc Prensky IM Informal vs. Formal Language Design a Class using only IM Assign Communication Journalism Use of MM Creativity Communication Journalism Use of MM Creativity Usefulness Breadth Depth Originality Communication Originality Artistry Technique Respecting Tools

Whenever you add an instructional designer, they suck the fun out – A Game Designer © 2005 Marc Prensky Respecting Kids

DONT suck the fun out – The Kids © 2005 Marc Prensky Respecting Kids

© 2005 Marc Prensky Use Complex Games Design Principles to create engaging instruction Respecting Games:

Seven Key Things To Take From Complex Game Design: 1.Focus on keeping players engaged every second 2.Limit frills & Eye Candy, Go For Gameplay, i.e 3.Create goals important to the player (Be a Hero) 4.Add continuous, important decisions w/feedback 5.Employ Leveling up (to encourage practice) 6.Adapt continually to each individual on-the-fly 7.Forget theory -- try and iterate! © 2005 Marc Prensky

includes Continuous decision making Level Ups Good pacing Complexity Important choices Immediate feedback Adapting to the players skills © 2005 Marc Prensky ( )

Engagement Curriculum Design Game Design Decisions Frequent and important Gameplay Content Relatively Rare Presentation Mode Focus © 2005 Marc Prensky ENGAGEMENT

Final Example © 2005 Marc Prensky

… in their pocket! Almost EVERY student already has a powerful computer… © 2005 Marc Prensky

We should be USING them! © 2005 Marc Prensky

Mobile Phones Are Powerful Computers Inexpensive Always in their pocket Optimized for Communication Full of Useful Add-ons e.g. Cameras, GPS, internet Easy to download to Attachable to External input/output © 2005 Marc Prensky Missing? Imagination!

Skills. Languages. Poetry. Literature. Public Speaking. Writing. Storytelling. History. We Can Use Mobile Phones for Learning: © 2003 Marc Prensky © 2005 Marc Prensky Surveys. Polls. Match-ups. Testing. Communication. Memory aids. Blogging. …and even assessment

Bottom Line: What Can I Do? © 2006 Marc Prensky

(Just Kidding) © 2006 Marc Prensky

Make a REAL effort to © 2006 Marc Prensky

Understand

The e-Life Communicating , IM, chat Sharing Blogs, webcams Buying & Selling ebay, papers Exchanging music, movies, humor Creating sites, avatars, mods Meeting 3D chat rooms, dating Collecting mp3, video, sensor data Searching Info, connections, people Analyzing SETI, drug molecules Reporting Moblogs, photos Programming Open systems, mods search Socializing Learning social behavior, influence Growing Up Exploring, transgressing Coordinating Projects, workgroups, MMORPGs Evaluating Reputation systems– Epinions, Amazon, Slashdot Gaming Solo, 1-on-1, small & large groups Learning About stuff that interests them Evolving Peripheral, emergent behaviors © 2005 Marc Prensky

Make a REAL effort to © 2006 Marc Prensky

Generate

ENGAGEMENT Is MORE IMPORTANT than Content © 2006 Marc Prensky

Make a REAL effort to © 2006 Marc Prensky

Deal with

Search IM Blogs Wikis Wikipedia Podcasting Polling Devices © 2006 Marc Prensky Use The New Tools… P2P Games Networking Augmented Reality Texting Cameras GPS Speed Enhancers

Search vs. Research Fair Use vs. Plagiarism EvaluateTeach Phone-based cameras Pictures vs. Words Appropriate vs. In- appropriate Truth vs. Manipulation Oral vs. Written Communication Design a Wikipedia Entry for… Take and Photoshop To best Illustrate… Make a Podcast About… Podcasts Wikipedia © 2006 Marc Prensky IM Informal vs. Formal Language Design a Class using only IM Assign Communication Journalism Use of MM Creativity Communication Journalism Use of MM Creativity Usefulness Breadth Depth Originality Communication Originality Artistry Technique …In the RIGHT way

© 2006 Marc Prensky

Put it on the Web!

Google! © 2006 Marc Prensky

Achieving Mutual

© 2006 Marc Prensky We Are All Learners We Are All Teachers Foster the Message:

Who plays a game that relates to what we are discussing? Can you think of an example of this in your games? How would we design a game about this? © 2006 Marc Prensky And Acting Respectfully

© 2006 Marc Prensky And finally…

© 2006 Marc Prensky Make sure that every day

Hard Question © 2006 Marc Prensky You ask yourself the

Would my students be here If they didnt have to be? © 2006 Marc Prensky

I.e. Are My Students Engaged?... © 2006 Marc Prensky

Or are they Enraged? © 2006 Marc Prensky

WE CAN ENGAGE OUR STUDENTS… © 2006 Marc Prensky

and HELP THEM LEARN! © 2006 Marc Prensky

No one says its EASY, © 2006 Marc Prensky

But thats why theyll Thank Us When we succeed © 2006 Marc Prensky

and Well Be Happier too! © 2006 Marc Prensky

Theyre our students © 2006 Marc Prensky

We owe them the best! © 2006 Marc Prensky

so… © 2006 Marc Prensky

T h a n k Y o u !

web sites: © 2003 Marc Prensky © 2006 Marc Prensky ··