Pilot experimentation – This is a great way to test ideas before implementing them, and is a key mode of operation for software development. This process would also be very important to risk management, which I believe it not considered nearly as often as it should be. In Settlers we can test out battles in battle calculators and watch how battles progressed in the reports we receive in email. I use maps for adventures so I know the best method to save resources. We are in it to win it, so anytime I can gain loot without using up everything I have worked for.
These skills are beneficial because they teach us how to better organize ourselves in
real life. They give us pause for contemplation and teach us patience
also. In Settlers, I like collaboration as
a community and enjoy crowdsourcing with my guild. We can fix anything… fast! We
also talk about art, music, science. We don’t give personal opinions that would
offend, rather we discuss as teachers do, giving pointers, helping each other navigate the game and bringing up new
ideas. In the real world, I like the concept of emergensight. I think there is
a synthesis in gaming that can only be realized through collaboration and fast
thinking as a group. I like the idea of utilizing pilot experimentation in tandem
with emergensight. Using these together would open the door for new ideas that
make a big difference in solving educational and world issues. Epic wins would
come into play whenever a solution is found, like when a student learns new
material that otherwise was very difficult to comprehend, or a real world
problem is solved.
I have decided that gaming is a
great venue for all learning. I would be very interested in creating a 3D
interactive game for k-12 that is built around state required learning goals. I
also think it is possible to do now. The optimal game would record progress
toward goals, and data would be extracted from the game by use of queries so that
teachers and admin could gauge student progress. To keep interest up, the game
would include a reward system and levels (complete learning modules) that scaffold
learning. Collaborative gaming would also align well with National
Educational Technology Standards (NETS) teacher
and student criteria.
"...the standards for learning, teaching, and leading in the digital age and are widely recognized and adopted worldwide.” http://www.iste.org/standards *Check on the link to learn more!
It would be most beneficial if both teachers
and students could “craft” within the game, and challenge each other with tasks
to gain points or levels. This would allow students to be very creative and
design their own learning, and it would enable teachers to identify student
understanding of the material. If the game also supported collaboration, it
would allow small groups to work together.
Personally I like to do a bit of
both in my classes. I let students work independently on their first project then
I assign them a project in a group of 3-4. For the final peroject, I have them
create a portfolio showcasing their work. I allow them to collaborate, but the final
work is ultimately theirs. I have never had any students that plagerized
material in the final portfolio because they can’t. For one, the works are
their own. I have become familiar with them and the most students can do is
teach other some neat tricks. Also, they don’t want to plagerize. By the time
they get to the final portfolio project, they are proud of their own work and
want to show it off. The assignment has become satisfying work. The students become
very proficient at the end of the course and can use what they have learned for
other classes, to get a job and as teachers. It is a very empowering and esteem building “epic
win” for myself and for them.
I can associate game building and
playing in the same way. If we build a lesson or game from concept to utilization,
the same feelings of accomplishment and satisfaction develop. My son is always
showing me something he has built in a game… now I pay attention to it.
Sources
International Society For Technology In Education. March 29, 2013. ISTE.NETS The standard for learning, leading,
and teaching in the digital age. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards
2 comments:
In response to Samanthia's Post to Fix 13.
Samanthia, I appreciate your response about how the guilds work in settlers. It is true that one must meet certain criteria in order to be accepted into a guild. I have found that to be true in other games as well. I actually signed up to another MMORPG and received an email from a guild I contacted that asked me about my location on the planet and why I would want to join up with them. I think that some gamers take the game very seriously. They only wanted to recruit people who were really serious. I am not. Too much real-life work to do.
I found that Settlers had a built in collaboration feature that related well to our assignment this week (wk 11). In Settlers, we have to work together in order to gain higher levels. It is really difficult if you don’t talk to other players and receive direction. The Sport of Olympia game is much like Settlers in the fact that you have to place trust on people you don’t know in order to reach a higher goal. As we work together, we get to know each other and work better and more efficiently. You bring up another good point about making a new friend. I have found new friends myself. We talk about so many things that we have in common. I can see why so many people gravitate to gaming for something interesting and gratifying to do in their spare time!
Reatha your post is so comprehensive. You clearly outline the requirements to maintain your status in the game and how to progress forward. You also seem very connected with your guild which is awesome because they can really help you in a time of crisis. It also helps to give pointers when you are unsure of what move to make or how to handle your settlers and your resources. I was so impressed by your well thought out idea for a game. I think young children would really appreciate that and the data is provides would be more reliable and valid. I also think that the students would get so much more out of a learning system like that. It would keep them so focused and engaged and break up the monotany of doing basic classroom work. Your post was so detailed about you have managed to navigate your way through the game throuout the semester and you were so honest about your experience. I really enjoyed reading all of your post and hope to do so in the future.
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