1. EDUGAMES

2. Behaviorism  Repetition of actions/thinking leads to learning.  Reinforcement of actions/thinking through the use of incentives leads to learning.  Knowledge exists to be followed.  What are some elements in games that are behaviorist?  What are some elements in school that are behaviorist?

3. Constructivism  Interactions with others, contexts, and situations lead to learning.  Individualized, practical experiences lead to learning.  Knowledge is created and then reflected upon.  What are some elements in games that are constructivist?  What are some elements in school that are constructivist?

4. Problems and Issues  Behaviorist—how do we create something new if all we know is what is reinforced?  Does Grand Theft Auto teach you to be a criminal? Does MS Flight Simulator teach you to be a pilot?  Does completing 20 of the same algebra problems teach you to make a robot?  Constructivism—how do we communicate something we figured out ourselves?  Does playing Grand Theft Auto make you better at Gears of War? Does it make you better at multitasking and project management?

5. Thinking Exercise  Behaviorist—how do we create something new if all we know is what is reinforced?  How could we use Grand Theft Auto to teach people how to be a criminal?  How could we use MS Flight Simulator to teach people how to be a pilot?  How could we teach algebra other than through problem replication?  Constructivism—how do we communicate something we figured out ourselves?  How could we use a game to teach people how to be better at multitasking or project management?  How do we teach 10, 50, 100 “individuals”?

6. Edugame assignment  Analyze an edugame  Is it effective?  Why? rhetorically, argumentatively, pedagogically Name its behaviorist and constructivist elements  Create an edugame  Describe the topic you are trying to teach  Design the game take care to look at its procedural rhetorics  Defend why it is effective: rhetorically, argumentatively, pedagogically Name its behaviorist and constructivist elements

7. Your turn  Go to the course website and select an edugame (Menu > Games > Edugames). Play it for 5 minutes  Describe the game and what it is teaching  Is it behaviorist or constructivist  Is it effective?  What would you do/revise in the game to make it a better teaching/learning tool?