Group items tagged

Interesting article about how certain features of video games (gaining experience points, forming guilds, etc.) are being incorporated in unexpected ways in our lives.

An interesting post on games in education that links to many examples for learning to code and mentions some other online educational environments that use gamification.

Hi Stephanie - This article also seems to highlight the extrinsic rewards of points and badges -- calling it "gamification." And given our last conversation in class, I wonder if all the points and badges will kill the intrinsic desire to play the games. Interestingly, there was a comment with a link to another article http://www.hideandseek.net/2010/10/06/cant-play-wont-play/ where the writer notes that some games just use "pointification," and that the best games are the ones that have rich cognitive, emotional and social aspects, with choice and skill... but not dependent on points/badges. In light of our "motivation" conversations, it will be interesting to watch how gaming in the classroom plays out if they are largely point/badges driven.

This article is really bad, but it makes a couple good points, which I highlighted for you. You're welcome!

This author makes arguments against buying iPads for children. At one point he states, "iPad isolation can lead to poor social skills at a time when kids are just learning how to interact with each other."

Cognitive enhancement - the next trillion dollar industry

Interesting article, some good points about managing class and using tech well, some curious points about eliminating jobs-

Here's another perspective on engagement: how to make games more addictive (or compulsive?) by creating "smarter game loops" with fewer exit points. The example discussed is "Game Dev Story," a management simulation for a game development studio.

"Gaming will probably progress to the point where the player's mind will control and communicate with the gaming station. Perhaps transmitters will communicate back and generate gaming experiences in the player's mind without requiring a screen."

This is a really interesting article about the story of one of the most popular web-based games of last year. The interesting part is that the creator of the game designed it as a joke, trying to poke fun at other wildly popular games like Farmville. He made the game as simple as possible, compelled users to log in regularly to "Click a Cow," and had them earn points when other people clicked their cows. The message was supposed to be, "these types of games are manipulative in their tactics to keep people playing, and they are mindless and painfully stupid." However, his design stumbled on something that people really enjoy, and as a result, people didn't get that the game was meant to be a joke, and it became a huge hit. I think this shows that flow-inducing actitivities, or ones that keep the user engaged and provide quick feedback, are highly desirable for users.

Gaming and Simulations for Training

Hi Kasturi - It will be interesting to watch the growth of companies like this. I am tempted to get a free quote to learn the ballpark $$ for having training simulations made. In reviewing some of the simulations, some seemed much more valuable than others (i.e. tour of USAFA with ability to earn points to change look of avitar seemed irrelevant because the points were earned after the tour was taken... who would take it again?)

Real world task completion earns these gamers points and helps a struggling people find their own way.

While mini articles such as this often leave out half the research - the concept of doodling being an enhancer rather than a distraction is interesting.  The main point is that doodling engages the brain just enough to keep students from spacing out.  

Touting how addictive a video game can become for players is an interesting selling point. I am thinking it means, fast highs, quick death (of avatar, etc) and replayability. I would describe THE MORON TEST available on iTunes as having those addictive qualities.

Okay, I'm only bookmarking this for those of you who are interested in how gaming may or may not be related to other cultures. This is an "Indian" on line magazine and to me, looks very typical of magazine articles I see when I go to Indian grocery stores or when I was in India (ten years ago). Notice the American faces showing how to care for Indian hair. My point is, pretty much anything acceptable here will be acceptable abroad. It's just not the India (or other country) that's shown on CNN or National Geographics. At least that's my opinion.

Professor uses game design principles in college classes.

Here's some more stuff on technology and STEM, but as it pertains to professional development. The question is how does this program motivate teachers other than the extrinsic reward of professional development points???

Two important points that jumped up for me while watching this video: 1) Have you ever seen a baby who's not motivated to learn? 2) Imagine how motivated you'd be if you adopted a 'growth' mindset where every activity is a learning endeavor.

Interesting though scary. As Dede points out in the article, it is concerning that faculty may use these "engagement indices" as a form of evaluation.