HGSET545

The University of Colorado Boulder exceeded its own researchers' expectations with its iDREAMS Scalable Game Design Summer Institute, and that success has been rewarded with a new $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation. CU-Boulder researchers are tracking how video game design engages students in computational thinking and STEM simulation design.

A popular article that argues play is a universal feature among animals and serves valuable functions

I have found it useful to compare and contrast the links below ( shared by Stephanie and Bharat) Trial ST Math ( mindresearch.net/ ) Reflex math ( http://www.reflexmath.com/)

This teacher also provides a nice, practical synthesis of some of the ideas presented by our recent reading.

As a former Air Force officer, I completely agree with the title of this article. It is simply amazing to see how simulations, video games and other technological platforms are being used to educate and train our nation's soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen.

Surveys show a high percentage of people in the work force are not engaged in their work. They are simply going through the motions for a paycheque. This article uses many of the same strategies that we discuss as effective for students, but this if for the workforce.

Even though the products of this company have been ranked highly as an education app, I am unable to see how this game is any different from the drill type computer games that have been around for ages. Am I missing something ? I think there is a need for both clear guidelines and regulation before a product can be claimed to have educational value.

An awesome infographic on digital natives and the evolution of technology in the classroom.

Podcast about the need for students to be engaged and motivated in their learning before they can apply higher-order creative thinking skills. They are most engaged when they themselves are part of constructing meaning, not when teachers do it for them. This podcast is about engagement in the real schools but I listened through the virtual learning lens.

Some nice pointers for User Interface design in the current context

I'm still not sure if I agree with David Foster Wallace, but his quote did made me wonder: Does the idea of being "smart" tap into some essential human need? Might we add "smartness" to Ryan & Deci's list of intrinsic needs?

Teachers of students with autism say it's the year of the iPad. It provides motivation. It helps with therapy and handwriting practice. It even models appropriate ways to share toys or take turns.

This is a superficial treatment of a significant event in the life of this school. I hope teachers and admins were more thoughtful than is represented here.

This is a great overview of connected learning, an initiative/movement to enhance educational experiences

Our schools and system are mostly designed for extroverts and for their need of lots of stimulations. The ideal students in schools are believed to be extroverts although researches show that introverted students tend to be more knowledgable. Instead of emphasizing too much on group work which benefit both extroverts and introverts, schools should also teach students how to work on their own. That's because solitude is critical for creativity and where deep thoughts are formed.

This article discusses play in virtual worlds (focusing on World of Warcraft) with an emphasis both on the learning that takes place and the engagement. You'll have to log in with your Harvard ID to get the article, FYI. "Our observation showed that players are motivated by the game's scope, rules, and scenario to create and participate in virtual communities, and share their knowledge with others, while newcomers are encouraged to engage in collective actions, and develop their skill base. We also found that although current MMORPGs have not been designed as instructional tools, they provide an excellent fantasy environment for intrinsically motivating learning, where players can experience the elements of challenge, curiosity, and control [30]." "People engage in pervasive games that use the best of two worlds, the virtual and the physical, in order to offer to its players the sense of maximum enjoyment."

I saw connections between this and Betty's Brain, though SimSchool is intended for actual teachers, rather than motivating students by placing them in the role of teacher. The "How does simSchool work..." and Academic sections were particularly interesting to me. For the teachers in the course, would you find this simulation motivating?

Children who cannot use a mouse or keyboard can play computer games using their eyes Computer games which can be controlled by eye movements are being developed by researchers at a UK university.