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Using Games and Simulations To Support Learning in The Classroom

Games and simulations can support learning in the classroom in several ways. They provide contextualized rule-based environments that allow for active, constructive, and situated learning. Within these environments, students can engage in iterative problem solving and receive feedback in a low-risk setting. Games and simulations scaffold learning through play, practice, creativity, storytelling, and problem solving. When designing games for learning, educators should consider moving from consumption to student creation, and connecting the game to instructional content and goals. Implementing games effectively in the classroom requires attention to authenticity, assessment, student agency, classroom management, and balancing informal and formal learning.

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Katrina Salas
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98 views32 pages

Using Games and Simulations To Support Learning in The Classroom

Games and simulations can support learning in the classroom in several ways. They provide contextualized rule-based environments that allow for active, constructive, and situated learning. Within these environments, students can engage in iterative problem solving and receive feedback in a low-risk setting. Games and simulations scaffold learning through play, practice, creativity, storytelling, and problem solving. When designing games for learning, educators should consider moving from consumption to student creation, and connecting the game to instructional content and goals. Implementing games effectively in the classroom requires attention to authenticity, assessment, student agency, classroom management, and balancing informal and formal learning.

Uploaded by

Katrina Salas
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Using Games and Simulations to

Support Learning in the Classroom


EDUCAUSE Games & Learning CG Webinar • 20 February 2019
Matthew Boyer, Assistant Professor of Digital Media and Learning,
Clemson University
places
spaces games

environments simulations
contexts
gbl ≠ gamification
games and simulations provide contextualized rule-
based environments that can be leveraged to support
active and constructive situated learning
games are nothing but problem-solving spaces
Gee, 2009
• rule based play in a simulated context
• progress/goal-oriented activity/engagement
• typically low risk:
o iterative testing of hypotheses
o assessment and evaluation are useful
• ideally low barrier to entry with high ceiling

leveraging frustration points | reward

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/digitalnation/extras/interviews/gee.html
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gxOFBuFIhpI/maxresdefault.jpg
how do games and simulations support learning and assessment?
scaffolding
feedback
agency
learning and assessment through
play + practice
art + creativity
storytelling
problem solving
play + practice
play is practice for life

http://www.growingagreenfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Play-kitchen-guide-2013-magic-cabin-pretend-kitchen.jpg
play is problem solving

http://www.wizzkidz.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/lego_tech_mach_1.jpg
play is design

https://moki.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/gameplan.jpg
play dewey http://thenewschoolhistory.org/wp-
content/uploads/2014/11/JohnDewey.jpg

plato hall

montessori https://montessori.org.au/montessori/i
mages/mm1933.jpg

locke huizinga

kant sutton-smith
vygotsky https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7
e/Lev_Vygotsky.jpg

freud von schiller


piaget http://villapiaget.ch/wp-
content/uploads/2014/07/Piaget-1965.jpg

froebel steiner

groos singer bruner http://insidetheacademy.asu.edu/wp-


content/uploads/2012/05/Bruner-Profile-
200x275.jpg

Institute for Games for Learning NYU Education/Assessment Group. (2009). History of Play in Education [White Paper].
Retrieved from http://g4li.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/6-History-of-Play.pdf
play

It [play] is a significant function-that is to say,


there is some sense to it. In play there is
something "at play" which transcends the
immediate needs of life and imparts meaning to
the action. All play means something.
Huizinga, 1955
play | games

Games as play are social ecosystems and


personal experience, and these dimensions
are key aspects of a well-rounded literacy.
Zimmerman, 2013
games and simulations for learning

sports are games with


important names

http://www.pioneerjc.moe.edu.sg/wbn/slot/u2761/Academic%20Programmes/Physical%20Education/Physical%20Education%203.jpg
http://www.unausa.org/images/content/GC_Model_UN/About/GC-IMUN-550.jpg
http://cfvod.kaltura.com/p/1423662/sp/142366200/thumbnail/entry_id/1_l1236nu5/version/100001/acv/21/height/480
virtual game-based learning

connecting game and instructional design

http://nputgaming.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/lbp3.jpg
http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/civilization/images/1/13/Standard-Earth-map.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20101105112509
http://brendensewell.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/qa.jpg
game design for learning

moving from consumption to creation


http://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/xlarge/public/postimages/2014/09/Minecraft_Xbox_One_Edition_tutorial_start.jpg
http://apps.innteach.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/kodu-innteach-04.jpg
art + creativity
scribblenauts
problem solving
papers, please
plague, inc
storytelling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyxKIP8KNgk
so … what about the classroom?
considerations for the classroom

• authenticity: experience and expertise


• assessment: learning analytics and game reports
• student activity: from consumption to construction
• content-based application: design and develop
• classroom management: informal + formal
Using Games and Simulations to
Support Learning in the Classroom

contact:
Matthew Boyer
[email protected]

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