How to use educational computer games Meaningful Play, Leuven, Belgium, 12th December ‘08 Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen, PhD Assistant Professor IT-University Copenhagen CEO, founder Serious Games Interactive

MA Psychology PhD Games & learning Jumping between industry & research Research projects Commercial video games for learning Educational potential of video games: GC: Palestine Research project: Serious Games on a Global Market place Computer games Global Conflicts: Palestine Global Conflicts: Latin America +10 games for clients My background

International prizes Serious Games Interactive | | Children’s Technology Review (US) - Editors Choice Award Danish Culture and Business Award (Denmark) – Most Creative Product PC ZONE (UK) – Independent Game Award Nordic Game (Scandinavia) – Best Nordic Game 2007 nominee. IndieCade (US) - Editors Choice Award Our background

International press Serious Games Interactive | | Our background

Two titles out – more coming.. Serious Games Interactive | | Our background

Serious Games Interactive | | Global Conflicts: Latin America The game  Platform: CD-Rom (Mac/PC).  Technology: 3D game engine Unity.  Play time: 6-8 hours.  Players: Single player.  Languages: UK, ES, DE, SE, NO, DK & FR. Primary Target group: Students, years Secondary target group: Gamers, >16 years Subjects: Citizenship, geography, media & history Themes: Unstable democracies, border trouble, pollution, exploitation, ethnic differences, debt slavery, developing countries & immigration

Checkpoint! Learn about the neglected issues facing Latin America

Explore the issues in an authentic and realistic engaging environemnt

Confront key sources and use argument to get them to give the full story

Gameplay – Virtuel udflugt What is Global Conflicts: Latin America Serious Games Interactive | | Based on true stories Trailer Freelance journalist Get the best final interview for your article 1.Find informants 2.Select strong line of inquiry 3.Get good statements 4.Build arguments 5.Use arguments to get revealing interview Most revealing story You Goal Means Winning

How to play Choose language Choose profile Choose mission Play game Serious Games Interactive | | What is Global Conflicts: Latin America

3. Time 4. Argumentes & statement 6. Person you talk to 1. Map 2. Note book 5. Interview

Teacher talk Play Game Plenary Group discussion  Read Topic overview  Get overview  Teacher manual  Topics overview  Explore perspectives  Explore problems  Discuss experiences  Write article  Student work sheets  Debriefing  Evaluation Undervisningsform Learn approach

Learning cycle Learn approach Group work Reflective observation Active experimentation GC: Latin America Lecture Abstract concepts Concrete experiences Based on same approach as Global Conflicts: Palestine Kolb’s cycle covered with different teaching forms in course. The teacher crucial to facilitate a full learning experience.

Central problems in Latin America (content): Experience central problems facing the region through personal stories. Pollution, corruption & new democracies (Themes): Learn about the themes by exploring them in the game. Source critic & argumentation (Skills/Methods): Become good at recognizing relevant & irrelevant information. Perspective shifting & critical thinking (competences): Experience why its important to gain multiple sides on a topic and think critical while you get your story. Educational layers Learn approach

Contact details Serious Games Interactive Griffenfeldsgade 7A, 4. floor 2200 Copenhagen S Denmark My details: Simon Egenfeldt-Nielsen © Serious Games Interactive