Game-Based Learning

~ Plato Do not keep children to their studies by compulsion, but by play.

Ancient Chinese Proverb Tell me, and I’ll forget. Show me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I’ll understand.

Who are these guys? BRIAN KICK Senior Learning Designer Interaction Design Team AVID Center CHRIS PERRY Lead Technology Developer Interaction Design Team AVID Center

Why game-based learning?  Students already love to play games  Application of 21 st Century Skills Systems ThinkingSystems Thinking CommunicatingCommunicating CollaboratingCollaborating

What is game-based learning? Game-based learning (GBL) is a type of game play that has defined learning outcomes. Generally, game-based learning is designed to balance subject matter with gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply said subject matter to the real world. ~ Wikipedia

Unpacking GBL… GAME Students might play an actual game to learn about college requirements. GAME-LIKE Students become forensic investigators solving a crime to learn how to use microscopes GAMIFIED Students are earn points or badges based on homework completion to win prizes.

 Student is provided information  Assessment is required  Student learns that information comes from an authority source Direct Instruction

Direct Assessment  Student must get the answer correct  Student learns that failure is not desired

Game-Like Instruction  Direct Instruction embedded in a “fun” environment.

Gamified Assessment  Direct Assessment embedded in a “fun” environment.

Unpacking GBL… GAME Students might play an actual game to learn about college requirements. GAME-LIKE Students become forensic investigators solving a crime to learn how to use microscopes GAMIFIED Students are earn points or badges based on homework completion to win prizes.

Unpacking GBL… PROSCONSBEST WHEN… GAME Easy buy-in Fosters deeper understanding Embedded assessment Less flexible in execution Limited coverage of learning outcomes You have a specific skill or knowledge set to teach You desire a learn by doing approach GAME-LIKE Flexible in execution A lot of teacher prep time required A game is too specific for your learning goal You want to increase engagement across a large chunk of curriculum GAMIFIED Simple to apply Can reduce intrinsic motivation You students to value something they haven’t tried before

What’s in a game? (Elements) 1.Goal 2.Challenge 3.Core Mechanics 4.Components 5.Rules 6.Space

What’s in a game? (Elements) GOAL: What a player has to do to win

What’s in a game? (Elements) CHALLENGE: Obstacles a player encounters (engaging)

What’s in a game? (Elements) CORE MECHANICS: What player does to play game (Verbs)

What’s in a game? (Elements) COMPONENTS: The materials of the game (Nouns)

What’s in a game? (Elements) RULES: What player can and cannot do in the game

What’s in a game? (Elements) SPACE: Where the game takes place

What’s in a game? ElementGolfJeopardyAuto Racing Goal What player must do to win Scoring least points Score most points Shortest time through course Challenge Obstacles encountered Sand traps, water hazards Questions, time to hit buzzer Twists & turns in track, opponents Core Mechanics What player does (Verbs) Choose club, hit ball with club Hit buzzer, answer questions Drive the car, pit at right time Components Game materials (Nouns) Ball, club, tee, glove, shoes Buzzer, screen with questions Car, engine, tires, course Rules What player can & can’t do Start at tee, +1 for out of bounds Lose points for wrong answer Must start after green light Space Where the game is played Groomed, mapped course ClassroomMapped or specialized course

Your turn!

In groups of 2 or 3… You are going to MODIFY one or two of the elements of tic tac toe. 1.Discuss which element(s) you’d like to mod. 2.Play the game including the modified elements. 3.Be prepared to share out how your modded version of the game changed the experience.

Modding Tic Tac Toe 1.Discuss which element(s) you’d like to mod. Choose one or two. Element Goal What player must do to win Challenge Obstacles encountered Core Mechanics What player does (Verbs) Components Game materials (Nouns) Rules What player can & can’t do Space Where the game is played

Modding Tic Tac Toe 2. Play your game! Observe and record how your mods affect the other elements of game play. Element Goal What player must do to win Challenge Obstacles encountered Core Mechanics What player does (Verbs) Components Game materials (Nouns) Rules What player can & can’t do Space Where the game is played

Modding Tic Tac Toe 3. Share your findings. Tell us the elements you changed and how it affected the game play. Element Goal What player must do to win Challenge Obstacles encountered Core Mechanics What player does (Verbs) Components Game materials (Nouns) Rules What player can & can’t do Space Where the game is played

Modding Tic Tac Toe 4. Playtest another team’s game. Gather feedback as the other team plays your game. Element Goal What player must do to win Challenge Obstacles encountered Core Mechanics What player does (Verbs) Components Game materials (Nouns) Rules What player can & can’t do Space Where the game is played

Involving Students in Game Development as… CO-DESIGNERS

Involving Students in Game Development as… PLAY-TESTERS

Involving Students in Game Development as… GAME EXPERTS

Involving Students in Game Development supports:  Creative thinking  Systems thinking  Critical thinking  Problem solving  Communication  Collaboration

Making an AVID App…

Analyze

Making an AVID App… Paper Prototypes

Making an AVID App… Digital Prototype

Making an AVID App…

Play-testing

Your turn! Think fast! ElementGame Name Goal What player must do to win Challenge Obstacles encountered Core Mechanics What player does (Verbs) Components Game materials (Nouns) Rules What player can & can’t do Space Where the game is played Learning objective:

Game-based Learning Session #13 BRIAN KICK Senior Learning Designer Interaction Design Team AVID Center CHRIS PERRY Senior Learning Designer Interaction Design Team AVID Center