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The National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) are the standards for learning, teaching, and leading in the digital age and are widely recognized and adopted worldwide. The family of NETS-NETS for Students (NETS*S), NETS for Teachers (NETS*T), NETS for Administrators (NETS*A), NETS for Coaches (NETS*C), and NETS for Computer Science Teachers (NETS*CSE)-work together to transform education.

Computer Games and Simulations for Investigation and Education - In this project-based course, students from all disciplines are encouraged to understand how we learn from interactive computer environments, and delve into the process of designing and understanding simulations and games for learning.

Is it for an ARG?

Borrowing from the concept framework provided by the Wikipedia entry for Immersion, I think an ARG must have at least the characteristics of emotional/narrative immersion and cognitive/strategic immersion; basically connecting to a participant's interest and level of focus/engagement. From my perspective, the emotional/narrative component is key, because I don't think the act of just tackling a series of puzzles makes something an ARG. And if we then add blended & augmented reality elements, then I think there's the opportunity to allow for sensory-motoric/tactical immersion as well as spatial immersion.

Wow, here's a gameplay clip that captures all three aspects of the immersion experience, sensory-motoric, cognitive & emotional; and it somehow even manages to throw in a bit of cognitive dissonance for extra measure... I think it's a great example of the impact creating these kinds of 'ah ha' moments can have and how these moments can distinguish an ARG as an engaging learning platform: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8AFiaWz7WI

An example of an ARG like game played out in a 1997 movie starring Mike Douglas, Sean Penn, Deborah Kara Unger, et al. Could be watched & studied for various examples of ARG game play & story elements. Along these lines, I think there are probably lots of movies & books from which inspiration could be drawn for an ARG, e.g. genre, storyline or plot development, setting, etc. For example, it occurs to me that another one of my favorite films, Dark City, could also be great inspiration for an ARG with a bit of sci fi noir flavor to it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_City_(1998_film)

Advances in computing have expanded our capacity to solve problems at a scale never before imagined, using strategies that have not been available to us before. Students will need to learn and practice new skills-computational thinking (CT) skills-to take full advantage of these revolutionary changes brought about by rapid changes in technology. ISTE and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) are collaborating on a project to prepare young learners to become computational thinkers who understand how today's digital tools can help solve tomorrow's problems. CT is vital to all students as we work to raise the level of achievement, prepare students for global competitiveness, and blend academics with real life. 

free customization for opensim virtual worlds animals animations clothing furniture skin textures

Now - can we use to mindmap?

I think the experiment would be worth it on several levels. First, just to get experience exploring this notion of visualizing data in an immersive 3D VW space and what it would take to do this. Also, what we learn & produce might also be incorporated into the gameplay/plot of the storyline for this ARG. And what we learn & produce as far as useful knowledge & hopefully a useful mind-map tool (or tool building approach) could be used for future endeavors.

Calling it Augmented Reality and Interactive Storytelling

Possibility for an ARG app?

The Framework presents a holistic view of 21st century teaching and learning that combines a discrete focus on 21st century student outcomes(a blending of specific skills, content knowledge, expertise and literacies) with innovative support systems to help students master the multi-dimensional abilities required of them in the 21st century.

The Best Tools & Apps on the web, a catalogue/database of up and coming tools for you to use in the classroom or an ARG

Create Simple Diagrams Quickly - a free version

the premier Virtual Education Journal showcasing the exciting work being done in virtual environments from Second Life to Minecraft to educational presentations to machinimas, it has something for everyone

Wikispace page for the VEJ - Virtual Education Journal - current events and photo stream

This behind the scenes retrospective look at Perplex City ARG shows some of the elements that went into that game and might offer some interesting ideas....

Here's the Wikipedia entry for Perplex City which provides a helpful overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perplex_City

Augmented Worlds video by Gary Hayes

For inspiration

Could this be used as a tool for an ARG?

What clues or breadcrumbs are possible for ARGs?