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In context of Professor Dede's comment from last class about the "Proteus Effect"...some punchlines from Professor Jeremy Bailenson about the power avatars can exert on their creators.

Article talks about the state of voice-recognition and how we might better design interfaces and technology to adapt to how we need our devices to gather greater context about what we are asking.

Interesting idea: engaging parents to help motivate their kids in school. It includes several of sources of "intrinsic motivation": curiosity, challenge, context, and motivation. I would be interested in seeing a more independent assessment on how successful this system is.

The paper suggests a multi-dimensional approach to analysing digital games. The good or bad criticism should be replaced by thinking about the games' effects in terms of (1) the amount of play, (2) the content of play, (3) the game context, (4) the game structure, and (5) the mechanics of game play. Considerations should be put into each of these 5 dimensions when a game is being designed.

Research paper exploring how to create an engaging game experience

"Introducing gamers to even the concept of dark energy is a step in the right direction. Someone might hear that term as part of a game and then hear it again in a more scientific context, and that might help them ultimately gain a better understanding of what it is. There's a tremendous untapped potential in games for incorporating cool science."

Children who cannot pick up context and facial cues from peers more likely to face social isolation. I wonder if social gaming environments using avatars as virtual selves help or hinder a child's ability to pick up such social cues.

Application of popular game "Civilization" to educational context. A good mashup of motivation and education!

Interesting blog on Generation x and designing gaming/simulations

I agree that some students may be more musically inclined but will integrating music into all aspects of the curriculum, as the article suggests, really help students learn?

Thanks for sharing Sandra. I think it depends on how well the teacher designs the activity. It also depends on how the music is used. For example, music in a game is really important, but it's in the background. So the player doesn't really pay attention to it, until it's turned off. I think music can really help us learn, but it depends on the context in which it's used.

Thanks for this link, Matthew, and for the comment on it, Sandra! I think that music is a great avenue for learning. From personal experience, I seem to study better and with more focus and future recollection when music is playing in the background. It would be great to see if music truly does have a connection with the acquisition and recollection of knowledge.

Detailed examination of the axis that promote/discourage collaborative play (Synchronous vs. Asynchronous player interaction, Symmetrical vs. Asymmetrical relationship formation & Strong Tie vs. Loose Tie relationship evolution). The article provides examples of each axis in practice. Interesting application of SDT's "relatedness" in a gaming context.

A fascinating talk on one aspect of motivation - willpower. Who knew that lower glucose levels decrease willpower, and that performing self-control on one task decreases subsequent control on the next task?

I came across some of Baumeister's articles while researching for my neuroscience project last semester and was fascinated. Thanks for posting this talk; I really look forward to watching it!

Is this his warm up for us? I don't think teachers need more money. I think they want teaching contexts that are designed to work. Spend the money on that and teachers will feel great that they can perform in an environment that makes sense.

Some nice pointers for User Interface design in the current context

- background info on Summer 2012 launch of Scratch Jr. - to promote social interaction in learning the designers want to build a digital playground. "A good playground will have swing sets and slides for the kids, as well as benches and tables and chairs for the parents. The designers of Scratch Jr are figuring out how to embed the digital equivalent of those tables and chairs. "