Game-Based Learning Analysis

My Game-Based Learning Analysis puts my personal learning theory to the test with the PlayStation 2 game Tiger Woods Golf 2009.

Developing a Game

Reading: "Learning by Doing" (Aldrich) Ch. 6-9

Topic: What of all this would you keep in mind if you were about to develop a new game or conduct research on one?

The selection of reading that I found perhaps the most applicable in creating a game was the discussion on systems-based content. The idea was the need to put what you need into a system exactly, and not waste time with leftovers. This simple idea makes a lot of sense to me because I could see the temptation to waste a lot of time making a lot of 'fluff' that takes away from the main objectives.

The other part that I really found relatable was the graph on page 83 that shows 'Pilot Survivability in Air-to-Air Combat: WW-II and Korea.' The concept the graph shows is the more experienced pilots were, the less likely they were to be shot down. This concept, which was also the main point of my personal learning theory, is essential for an effective educational game. Users should get better and better at a game they are playing repeatedly. Likewise, if the goal of the game is to teach an educational concept, the gamer should master that concept the more they play the game.

532- Initial Thoughts

 "What are your initial thoughts and concerns about game-based learning?"

First of all, I have little to no experience in game-based learning and I am looking forward to learning a lot this semester. I am only a second year teacher and I have found in just my fourth semester of teaching that my students respond very well when we play some sort of game in class. I have done anything from Jeopardy, to Who Wants to be a Millionaire, to simple versions of group games. I have found that as long as I keep a close watch on the students, they stay engaged in the game and are more drawn into the content. My concern in this area is that the students start caring more about 'winning' the game than the content itself. For this reason I usually use games as reviews for tests and quizzes as opposed to a traditional lesson.

This Second Life program is brand new to me and I think it is quite fascinating. I feel that students would be more attracted to distance learning as you can truly interact with your classmates. My first concern during our first lesson was how easy it would be for me to sit my avatar down, then just periodically come back to my computer and add comments. This concern was quickly answered when one of the instructors said he overcomes this by having the avatars stand up at random points of the lectures. This seems like a great way to give students a participation grade. Anyway, I hope to learn a lot this semester and look forward to getting input from you all as well!

Final Project

Here is the link to my final project.

http://www.slideshare.net/stoclark/final-project-506-1805883

Unit 5 Revised Image and Justification

This is my revised image of Hawaii, in which I had two main objectives. One was to show where the five active volcanoes were on the islands, and the other was to show how the islands are are drifting toward Japan. The cross section of the islands was my attempt to also show the relative size of the islands, in which Hawaii is the biggest and Lanai is the smallest. I took my partner's advice to make the font more clear on the revised image. I also included arrows to help clarify which volcano was which. We have learned that arrows are a good way to clarify on an image. I think this image is an upgrade over the one in the book because it shows where Hawaii is in relation to the United States and Japan. It also shows where the volcanoes are located on the islands.

Unit 5 Usability Comments from Partner

I think your image is very effective. The only thing that I had a hard time with is the font. It doesn't come across too clear. I liked how you circled Hawaii and Japan to show where they were in the water.

Unit 5 Challenge Activity

I chose to do the Challange Activity in Unit 5, which asks to demonstrate how Hawaii is growing towards Japan. I designed this image in an effort to improve upon the one in the book. The two main things I added were volcanoes and showing where Hawaii was in context to both Japan and the main land of North America. Is this image effective? What could make it better?