Measuring Skills Using Games What would you rather do … Take a test or play a game?

The Problem and Mission Our value will increase if we can show quantitative improvement in important skills. We want to measure how well kids know the problem solving process exercised in Build-It-Yourself workshops. 1)Identify the problem. Set goals. 2)Research. 3)Teamwork. 4)Modular construction. 5)Document.

The Problem and Mission Target audience: Boys and girls 8 – 13. (playful) Parents (constructive) Game Attributes: 1)Less than 5 minutes 2)Inspired by Lemonade Stand and other Tycoon games. Our mission is to save the world from vile villains and scurrilous scoundrels. Choose an avatar

The Problem and Mission Game Play: The amount of gold coins you earn as a problem solver is a function of how well your decisions reflect our 5 problem solving skills. Rescue your buddy from this bad guy alien. Make a series of decisions to …

Definitions of problem solving skills.

Specifications Game Modules 1) Navigation bars 2) Intro screens 3) Scrolling backgrounds 4) Decision trees 5) Storylines 6) Graphics Attributes of program modules: 1) Callable 2) Stopable 3) Well documented 4) Logically laid out

Skill Measuring Game Rescue the Stranded People Written by Carolyn Corbet

Plot In the year 2124 humans are colonizing the universe, but something has gone badly wrong and it is your jobs to fix it You must safely guide a rocket and rescue team to the correct planet to rescue the stranded explorers

Skills Documentation Teamwork Focus on the problem Break the problem down Research

Focus on the Problem Along the way to the target planet the player will receive various offers to earn more money or various upgrades You will get more points for not going but if you need money or supplies you will have to chose the short diversions and choose things that you gain more than you lose

Documentation The player must create a “daily” ships log to send back to investors who provided financing As events happen the player has the option of adding it to the ships log The score will be based on total entries or keyword in typed entries

Break the Problem Down Along the Journey you will have choices about how to complete a mission You will have choices that rush the mission and that get the jobs done in sections

Teamwork You must choose a team that has balanced skills and will work well together During any problems that arise you will have the option of creating small teams and dividing up task during this you will receive points for creating a well balanced team and dividing up tasks and sticking to your own part

Research

Scoring Each skill is worth 20% of the score Create a fraction based on the number of decisions relating to that skill Each question depending on number of possible answers is equal to a decimal e.g. there are 4 answer choices for 1 decision they are worth 1,.75,.5, and 0

Sections 11 sections I.Problem Presented II.Research info and information important to mission presented III.All customizable mission options presented IV.Money earning options presented V.Launch VI.Flight VII.Entry + Landing VIII.Preparation for search IX.Search X.Rescues XI.Return to Earth

Problem Presented The problem will be presented through an animation or short video clip It will contain the name of the planet information about the person being rescued and information about obstacles along the way

Research Info The player will have a list of research topics to choose from When the topic is selected a short video or animation will be presented with the information The player will be able to finish the animation and then choose another topic This will be accessible anytime during the game

Diversions Presented The player will be made offers by scientist, researchers etc. Some of these may be instant and necessary for funding for the mission Some will take longer than others These will affect your score for Focusing on the Problem

Launch During this animated phase of the mission certain problems may arise The player may have to rely on the specialties of their team to solve any problems The player may be faced with bad weather the player will then have to look at a weather forecast and decide weather to go anyway and risk damage or to wait and waste time *damage will come in the form of lost fuel or supplies or a decrease in money

Flight During the flight the player will have to interact with the team to keep things moving During the flight the player may be attacked by aliens and will need to fight them off The player will also have to plan the flight path and periodically revise it During the flight offers will be presented to get money or other supplies During the flight their will be some space “stations” that you will be able to refuel and buy other supplies At the space “stations” you may be able to hire guides who know the terrain Other things might pop-up like a battle at a space “station” And you will have to decide whether you help if you do you might not get anything or if you are prepared for the fight you might find some very helpful information

Entry+ Landing During this stage the player must plan for the search Aliens may attack or you could hit a dust storm You must work with your team to land safely Game element- you will have to use keys to land the ship safely where ever you want it Before you will also choose landing elements such as, rockets, parachutes, and inflatable protection bubbles when you land you will be able to activate these in a minigame

Prep for Search During this phase the game will measure ability to break a problem down into simple parts During this time the player will divide up their team into search parties they will have between 1-5 people you can also designate a team to guard the spaceship You should also decide what supplies each team will bring with them and what their vehicle will be

Search During this phase the player and their team will search for the missing people The teams go out to look if one runs into trouble they will use a distress beacon and it will be up to the player to decide which team if any goes to their rescue, but beware it could be a false alarm Aliens and dust storms could appear at any time and you must decide how to handle them. Retreat to your spaceship, go around, call help, ignore it? Game element- The player will use keys to navigate around the planet searching for the missing people if they find the person they will press a beacon and the other teams will come if another team finds the person first

Recovery During this phase the team must recover the missing person Depending on the situation the person is in you may have to dig or fight off aliens This is when many of the specialties your team might have will come in for example doctors or certified rescue personnel

Return to Earth