A presentation for Teaching with Technology ED 5700-01 at Mount Saint Mary College by Alan Zollner

1. The Use of Computer Simulations & Gaming to Enhance Authentic Learning By Alan Zollner Teaching with Technology ED 5700-01 Mount Saint Mary College Fall 2008

2. Elluminate Poll Question: Have you used a computer simulation, or played a computer game, at any time in the past 5 years? (yes / no)

4. Some Fun: My Solar System Go to: http://phet.colorado.edu/simulations/sims.php?sim=My_Solar_System Click: Run Now Gravitational Force: F=G(m1m2)/d2 Celestial orbits depend on the initial velocity vectors of the objects.

7. Essential Elements of Educational Simulation Makes it EFFECTIVE: Tips, directions, graphs, context, learning strategies, facilitation, reflection, assessment Makes it EXECUTABLE: Content (driven by learning goals), actions, results, feedback, interactivity, dynamic Makes it ENGAGING: fun, rewards, competition, discovery, social worth Might be embedded, or more likely… require teacher support. (Source: Aldrich, 2008 )

9. Spectrum of Simulations and Games Environmental Detectives Majestic Civilization III Revolution River City BioHazard Prospero’s Island PhET PhET ASPIRE Lab home.earthlink.net/~mmc1919/venturi.html Examples MathBlaster “ Edutainment” +Augmented Reality. Multiple media: desktop, PDA, cell phone, on location +Role Playing, collaboration, Negotiation +Complex Processes: social, scientific, cultural, etc. Points, Goal +Concept development Interactive, short or several periods +Illustration Dynamic, Short Engagement, Memorizing Ubiquitous Games Multi User Complex Games Single User Complex Games Dynamic Interactive Simulations Animation Drill & Skill

14. Quiz Time http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title =simulations-gaming-in-authentic-learning