connects the dots between known pedagogy and digital games

1. The Pedagogy of Commercial Games Katrin Becker University of Calgary November 2005 This session examines successful commercial games to connect the designs of these games with known learning and instructional design theories. Prepared for the NMC Online Conference on Educational Gaming Dec. 7-8 2005

2. Why are these such good teachers? Amos’n’Andy The West Wing

3. How Do Games Teach? Learning Theories Back Story Boss Challenges Levels H.U.D. Heads Up Display Cut- Scenes Attract Mode N.P.C. Non-Playable Characters A.I. Artificial Intelligence P.O.V. / Perspective Point of View Variable L.O.D. Level of Detail Sandbox Mode Story Mode Transmediality Gagné’s Nine Events Trailers Valorization Fan Sites & Game Communities Each of these elements can be seen as a tool that facilitates learning. 1. Gaining Attention (Reception) 2. Informing Learners of the Objective (Expectancy) 3. Stimulating Recall of Prior Learning (Retrieval) 4. Presenting the Stimulus (Selective Perception) 5. Providing Learning Guidance (Semantic Encoding) 6. Eliciting Performance (Responding) 7. Providing Feedback (Reinforcement) 8. Assessing Performance (Retrieval) 9. Enhancing Retention and Transfer (Generalization) Tutorial Mode Click to progress through events

4. Are Games Good Teachers Too? Each of these elements can be seen as a tool that facilitates learning. Learning Theories 1. Elaborative Sequence 2. Learning Prerequisite Sequences 3. Summary 4. Synthesis 5. Analogies 6. Cognitive Strategies 7. Learner Control Reigeluth ’s Elaboration Theory Back Story Boss Challenges Levels H.U.D. Heads Up Display Cut- Scenes Attract Mode N.P.C. Non-Playable Characters A.I. Artificial Intelligence P.O.V. / Perspective Point of View Variable L.O.D. Level of Detail Sandbox Mode Story Mode Transmediality Trailers Valorization Fan Sites & Game Communities Tutorial Mode Click to progress through strategies

7. How Do Games Teach? Medal of Honor Black and White Learning Styles Felder ’s Index of Learning Styles Active (doing) Reflective (thinking) versus Screenshot: mobygames.com Felder ’s Index of Learning Styles Civilization III Harvest Moon Sensing (facts, processes) Intuitive (concepts, relationships) versus Screenshot: gamespot.com Screenshot: mobygames.com Felder ’s Index of Learning Styles Felder ’s Index of Learning Styles Visual (seeing, picturing) Verbal (hearing, reading, saying) versus Screenshot: gamespot.com Electroplankton Need For Speed Felder ’s Index of Learning Styles Psychonauts Screenshot: gamespot.com versus Global (leaps, random) Roller Coaster Tycoon Sequential (step-wise)