Group items tagged

Massively Multiplayer online game were gamers create federations, alliances, etc. and the world is directly influenced by these large corporations and groups that are entirely player driven. Here, as in MAG, social interaction is not an ancillary element but critical to gameplay.

Virtual world that allows people to learn about ancient history is actually holding a live music festival in the virtual space to motivate new users to interact and to entice would-be users to download the software the game requires

Research paper on "recreational learning objects" in this case a math-based computer game, which was shown to increase motivation in Mexican high schoolers.

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.

This article proposes that one of the reasons to integrate technology into the curriculum is to support active engagement in learning.  

Too engaged in digital media? Not engaged with humankind? Here is a national unplug day invite. March 20th people all over the world will be quiting their phones,computers or whatever other device of choice keeps them from spending time interacting with other humans and enjoying the analog beauty that is all around us.

I can't do this and I'm pretty old! Can't imagine young people being able to.

Article provides examples on how game developers benefit from interacting with their own children (e.g. able to observe what features excite children that were not anticipated by designers)

I thought it was interesting to do this after watching the Bailenson video and Watson on Jeopardy.  Check out hoe the computer thinks.

The evolution of learning machines

The 24 new courses will use video, interactive software, games, social media and other digital materials to present math lessons for kindergarten through 10th grade and English lessons for kindergarten through 12th grade..

New report from the Connected Learning Research Network (funded by MacArthur) on a new model. Much of what we've seen before, but it purports to actually address issues of inequity, which is something I don't see talked about very much in these kinds of reports other than to share interactions between effects and variables like race & SES if found. Also interesting: includes Clusters of 21st Century Cognitive Competencies, a mashup of workplace readiness skills, 21st Century Skills, and Habits of Mind. (Is that enough buzzword for ya?)

Within five years, Yale-designed robots may be helping teach children. A Yale-led team of researchers from across the country received a $10 million grant from the National Science Foundation on April 3 to pursue the creation of "socially assistive robots" to help young children learn basic skills and in some cases overcome cognitive disabilities.

The Nature Conservancy and Discovery Education today launched Nature Works Everywhere, a partnership designed to help students learn the science behind how nature helps our everyday existence and the importance of environmental conservation.

Hands Up! It's game on in the classroom Digital New Zealand report finds 7 out of 10 parents use computer and video games as an educational tool Auckland, 30 April 2012 - New Zealand parents are increasingly embracing computer and video games as an educational tool, according to the latest research commissioned by the Interactive Games & Entertainment Association (iGEA).

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.

Using open source Virtual World software to intentionally disrupt an education system. A bold vision and I think an opportunity for bold research.

I found the recaps of these seminars (and the handbook linked from this page) very interesting. Seminar 2 specifically focuses on the role of narrative--at what point it should enter the design process, how it can increase motivation and enjoyment or serve as a distraction, issues with traditional narrative in an interactive medium, etc. This quote from the Seminar 2 overview reminded me of relatedness from SDT Theory: "It was agreed that a quality necessary for engagement with narrative was that of identification with characters or a situation (an example was given from a mine disaster simulation with junior children, where the degree of engagement with the narrative content due to the identification with the victims drove the experience forward). Authenticity could also contribute to engagement. Whilst hard to pin down, it could mean authenticity for the children in cultural terms or in terms of being a 'human' story, one of a kind which resonates for them."

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 24, 2012 SMALLab Learning LLC has launched a new embodied learning environment and multiple lessons for the learning environment called Flow. Flow brings embodied learning to any existing Interactive Whiteboard or projection surface using a single motion-capture camera, similar to the Xbox Kinect™.