This document discusses using participatory simulations (pSims) and ubiquitous games (UbiqGames) to teach complex systems through gaming. pSims are computer simulations that engage learners through social interaction and technology. Examples described include genetics and economics games. UbiqGames are casual, mobile, and multiplayer games designed to fit into schedules and reach many learners. Games discussed include Weatherlings, which teaches weather prediction through battling virtual creatures, and Palmagotchi, a virtual pet game that teaches biology concepts. Data snapshots from trials of these games are provided.
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MIT-Ubiq-Games_HHL2009
1. Gaming Together to Learn Together:
PSims & UbiqGames for Learning Complex Systems
MIT STEP (Scheller Teacher Education Program)
http://education.mit.edu
www.educationarcade.org
Jennifer Groff
US-UK Fulbright Scholar
jennifer_groff@mail.harvard.edu
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4. Gaming Together to Learn Together:
PSims & UbiqGames for Learning Complex Systems
5. Participatory Simulations pSims
Engage learners in computer mediated
simulations
Provide rich learning experiences where
technology and social interaction are key
Use relatively simple and cheap technologies
(Palms<$100) and IR peer to peer
communication
6. Examples from the lab... pSims
Live Long and Prosper (a.k.a. Genetics)
• Can you decode a genome so that you
can live long and prosper?
• Can you apply the genetic analysis you
learned on paper?
Sugar and Spice
• Economics-Trading
• Negotiation, optimizing trade strategies
Big Fish - Little Fish
• Resource Management
Virus, Tit-for-Tat, Networks…
7. Customization in the Classroom pSims
• Preferences screen
• Typically accessed by teacher to:
• Pre-set underlying model
• Prevent students from altering model/
cheating
• Secret code is ?!?
• Preferences can be BEAMED from one Palm to
another
8. Why Handhelds?
Portability
Social Interactivity
Context Sensitivity
Connectivity
Individuality
9. Design Principles pSims
• Fostering learning
• Integrating games and learning
• Facilitating peer to peer / social interaction
• Balancing collaboration and competition
• Relying on action off computers
• Varying timescale
• Having fun
10. Learning Goals pSims
K-16
• Engage in authentic science
• Foster collaborative learning
• Capitalize on game play motivation
• Solve complex problems with complex solutions
Informal Education
• Encourage deeper and broader interaction
• Connect and collaborate with others
Training
• Promote teamwork and collaboration
• Facilitate role playing
• Provide new perspectives on real problems
• Allow safe play
•
11. Sample pSims
The Virus Game
• 1 Palm = 1 Person
• Enter unique name (ABC=keyboard)
To Meet someone:
• Align Palm IR ports on both machines (4 -
12 inches apart)
• One (and only one) of you hit “Meet” button
• If successful, their name will appear in your
list (in the order you met them)
14. Palmagotchi
Results
Pilot studies in two biology classes
Caring about creatures (“sort of alive” - Turkle)
Led to pursuit of strategies for success and learning about
evolution
Evolution is dynamic and depends on the environment
Demand for “mini-games”
Needs a more ubiquitous platform
16. Weatherlings UbiqGames
Features
Multiplayer
Single Player
Web-based
Collaborative
First Game
Pokemon + Weather Prediction
Maintain creatures and battle creatures
Impacted by “arena weather”
17. Weatherlings UbiqGames
http://hlc.mitstep.org/weather
click on “Sign up!”
code: hlcgame
23. Palmagotchi
How to Battle
UbiqGames
DRAW phase
• four cards maximum at one time
PLAY phase
• make a forecast - attack won't take place for another six hours
• play the card you think will adapt best to the situation
ATTACK phase
• examine the weather data, make a prediction (3 hours from now)
• select a Weatherling from your field and the move that you think will
work best under those conditions
• select the opponent’s Weatherling you want to target
Note: Weatherlings will take extra damage if their affinity is
weakened by the weather condition so lookout for
those opportunities!
24. Palmagotchi
How to Battle
UbiqGames
Scoring
• One-tenth (rounded down) of the total damage or healing will be
added to your score
• You score 10 extra points for sidelining an opponent's creature and 20
extra points for attacking the opponent directly
Ending
• The battle ends after the ATTACK phase of the final round.
• Most points WINS!
32. Palmagotchi
How to Battle
UbiqGames
DRAW phase
• four cards maximum at one time
PLAY phase
• make a forecast - attack won't take place for another six hours
• play the card you think will adapt best to the situation
ATTACK phase
• examine the weather data, make a prediction (3 hours from now)
• select a Weatherling from your field and the move that you think will
work best under those conditions
• select the opponent’s Weatherling you want to target
Note: Weatherlings will take extra damage if their affinity is
weakened by the weather condition so lookout for
those opportunities!
33. Weatherlings UbiqGames
Data snapshot – 3 days x 20 kids
200 battles
1250 battle rounds
2250 forecasts
5000 weather data points
980 cards = learning time
35. What they are: pSims
Casual, Mobile & Multiplayer
CASUAL (not shallow)
Ubiq
Games
Short bursts of game play: Able to fit into schedules
&
Shallow learning curve: Accessible to all
MOBILE
Play anytime and anywhere: Can reach many players on many
platforms
MULTIPLAYER
Interactions are rich and complex: Facilitates collaboration and
competition
= Games “in” class
36. Gaming Together to Learn Together:
Participatory Simulations & UbiqGames for Learning
Complex Systems
Jennifer Groff
US-UK Fulbright Scholar
jennifer_groff@mail.harvard.edu
MIT STEP (Scheller Teacher Education Program)
http://education.mit.edu
www.educationarcade.org