1. Online Simulations and
Having F Video Games
un is a G
ood Thing
!
Glenn Wiebe
glennw@essdack.org

2. Sticky idea?

3. Video games help
to rewire brains

4. This is Erin

5. Erin hates
history

6. She’s not
that fond of
science,
math or
english either

7. and

8. she’s not
alone

9. “I have to power
down when I get to
school.”
HS student

11. So what?

12. “Today’s students
are no longer the
people our educational
system was designed
to teach.”
Marc Prensky

13. “If you wanted to
create an educational
environment that was
directly opposed to
what the brain is good at
doing . . .

14. “. . . you would
probably design
something like a
modern
classroom.”
John Medina
Brain Rules

15. Yeah . . . so?

16. Tic Tac Toe

17. Pong

18. Galaga

19. SimCity

20. Second Life

21. Games
haven’t
gotten simpler
over time

22. They’ve gotten more complex

23. Why?

24. Because the brain
demands it

25. “The brain developed to solve
problems relating to surviving in
an unstable, outdoor environment
and to do so in near constant
motion.”
John Medina
Brain Rules

26. Can I eat it?

27. Can it
eat me?

28. Can I have sex
with it?

29. What then . . .
is your job?

30. Convince a 14 year old
that writing a five
paragraph essay is
essential for her
survival

31. Brains
search for
patterns

36. Brains work best when
emotional chemicals are
increased

39. Brains want to
work with
others

40. Games provide structured patterns

41. Games create emotional connections

42. Games encourage collaborative learning

43. Games become about “survival”

44. “Better theories of learning are
embedded in the video games many
children play than in the schools
they attend.”
James Gee
What Video Games Have to Teach Us
About Literacy & Learning

45. Grand Theft Childhood
Lawrence Kutner
How Computer Games Help
Children Learn
David Williamson Shaffer
Don’t Bother Me, Mom --
I’m Learning!
Marc Prensky

46. So . . . whatcha
thinkin’?

47. AP US History

48. Let’s play a little!
Have fun but . . . be thinking just a bit
about learning theory

49. Get the goodies at:
historytech.wordpress.com
Presentations
- “Having Fun is a Good Thing”

50. www.stopdisastersgame.org

51. magic.pen.fizzlebot.com

52. What are the characteristics of a
highly effective learning
environment?

53. • Students get to control the action /
make choices
• Players become the experts
• Creativity & problem solving are
encouraged
• Receive immediate feedback

54. • There’s always an answer
• “Modding” is supported
• Trial and error works best
• It’s almost always better in groups

55. What games do you use?

56. “All child drug addicts . . . are
comic-book readers. This kind of thing is
not good mental nourishment for
children!”
Fredric Wertham, Seduction of the Innocent, 1954

57. Gaming myths?

58. www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

59. Scientific evidence links violence and video
games
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

60. Scientific evidence links violence and video
games
It’s mostly kids & mostly boys
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

61. Scientific evidence links violence and video
games
It’s mostly kids & mostly boys
Gaming creates isolated loners
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

63. www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

64. “Mini” & complex games are the same
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

65. “Mini” & complex games are the same
It’s really not that big of a deal
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

66. secondlife.reuters.com

67. What can you adapt?
What are some questions?
What are some possible challenges?

68. Third World Farmer
www.3rdworldfarmer.com

69. www.nanoquest.ie

70. www.knowledgematters.com

71. www.dimensionm.com

72. www.discoverbabylon.org

73. www.beyondspaceandtime.org

74. www.seriousgamesresearch.com

75. www.nps.gov/webrangers

76. www.plimoth.org/education/olc

77. www.teamtreks.com

78. www.educationalsimulations.com

79. electrocity.co.nz

80. www.making-history.com

81. mystworlds.ubi.com

82. www.peacemakergame.com

83. www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq

84. www.budgethero.org

85. So what kinds of things can
games do?

86. Games can:
• increase literacy skills
• teach problem solving skills
• simulate authentic situations
• encourage collaboration
• engage students in content
• lead to sophisticated research

87. And what kinds
of questions
should a teacher
ask?

88. Challenges

89. Challenges
Takes time
• What are you willing to give up?
Standards alignment
• Games are just a tool / not a silver
bullet

91. Takes money
• Hardware / software / computer
upgrades
Technology issues
• Not enough stations or “power”
• Appropriate games
• Apple vs. PC

93. Assessment issues
• PBL rubrics, participation grade, self-
evaluation, presentations & written work

94. Tips
Know about cheat codes and
walkthroughs
Parental permission
Look for demo games

95. Quick start?
Read about games
Play a favorite game
Ask your kids about their games
Start with online “mini” games

96. What’s your elevator
speech?

97. quot;People do not quit playing
because they grow old; they
grow old because they quit
playing.quot;
Oliver Wendell Holmes

98. Tech integration questions?
Social studies issues? I would
love to hear from you!
Glenn Wiebe
glennw@essdack.org
socialstudiescentral.com
historytech.wordpress.com
View presentations at:
slideshare.net/glennw98