k.becker imagine network symposium ‘06 pedagogy & games the pedagogy of commercial games...
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K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
The PedagogyThe Pedagogyof Commercial Gamesof Commercial Games
The PedagogyThe Pedagogyof Commercial Gamesof Commercial Games
Katrin BeckerUniversity of Calgary
March 2006
This session examines successful commercial games to connect the
designs of these games with known learning and instructional
design theories.
Prepared for the IMAGINE Network
SymposiumMar 25-26 2006
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
How I got here…
• Learning how to design and create programs• Teaching how to design and create programs• Teaching how to create games (already
designed)• Thinking about how to design games• Thinking about how to design and create
educational games.
….. How to teach how to design and create educational games
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
“The invention of new methods that are adequate to the new ways
in which problems are posed requires far more than a simple
modification of previously accepted methods."
Vygotsky
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
New Ways to Pose Problems?
• Complex• Ill-structured
• Interconnected• Different perspectives
• Emergent• Affective
• Value laden
Digital Games = New Method
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
New Ways to View Learning
• Constructivism
• Constructionism
• Envactivism
• Activity Theory
• Situated Cognition
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Digital GamesMore than a simple modification of
previously accepted methods…
Now what?
Look at HOW…
Look at exemplars:1. “Old Media”2. New Media
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Why are these Why are these such good such good teachers?teachers?
Amos’n’Andy
The West Wing
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
How Do Games How Do Games Teach?Teach?
Learning Theories
To find out how games should teach, first look at how games do teach.
Place in familiar context:Learning & Instructional Theories
Find contact points.
Gagné Reigeluth
Kolb / Keirsey / Gregorc / Felder
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
How Do Games How Do Games Teach?Teach?
Learning Theories
BackStory
Boss Challenges
Levels
H.U.D.Heads Up Display
Cut-Scenes
Attract Mode
N.P.C.Non-PlayableCharacters
A.I.Artificial
Intelligence
P.O.V. /PerspectivePoint of View
Variable L.O.D.
Level of Detail
SandboxMode
StoryMode
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
) TutorialMode
Click to progress through events
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Are Games Good Teachers Are Games Good Teachers Too?Too?
Learning Theories
Another example..
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Are Games Good Teachers Are Games Good Teachers Too?Too?Each of these elements can be seen as a tool that facilitates learning.
Learning Theories
1. Elaborative Sequence
2. Learning Prerequisite Sequences
3. Summ
ary
4. Synthe
sis5. Analogi
es
6. Cognitive Strategie
s
7. LearnerControl
Reigeluth’s Elaboration Theory
BackStory
Boss Challenges
Levels
H.U.D.Heads Up Display
Cut-Scenes
Attract Mode
N.P.C.Non-PlayableCharacters
A.I.Artificial
Intelligence
P.O.V. /PerspectivePoint of View
Variable L.O.D.
Level of Detail
SandboxMode
StoryMode
Transmediality
Trailers
Valorization
Fan Sites & Game
Communities
TutorialMode
Click to progress through strategie
s
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
• Kolb / Keirsey
How Do How Do GamesGames Teach?Teach?
Learning StylesLearning Styles
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Some Learning Styles already conjure up images of
various races….
IdealistsIdealists
Photo: Neverwinter Nights http://www.boolsite.net/
GuardiansGuardiansPhoto: Neverwinter Nights http://
www.boolsite.net/wallpapers
How Do How Do GamesGames Teach?Teach?
Learning Styles
RationalRationalss
Assimilator
ArtisansArtisans
Keirsey’s“Races”
Photo: Metroid Prime nintelligent.net
Photo: NOX gamewallpapers.com
Keirsey’s“Races”
Kolb’s“Races”
Kolb’s“Races”
Accomodator
Diverger
Photo: gamewallpapers.com
Photo: Legend of Zelda www.free-computer-wallpapers.com
Photo: Shenmue http://www.boolsite.net
Converger
Photo: Halo 2 www.free-computer-wallpapers.com
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
• Gregorc
How Do Games Teach?
How Do Games Teach?
Learning StylesLearning Styles
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
• Concrete-Sequential:• Super Monkeyball • Concrete-Sequential:• Super Monkeyball
Screenshot: mobygames.com
How Do Games Teach?
How Do Games Teach?
Learning StylesLearning Styles
Abstract-Random:Katamari Damacy
Abstract-Sequential:Myst
Concrete-Random:Syberia
Gregorc’s
System of
Learning
Syberia http://www.boolsite.net
Screenshot: mobygames.com
Screenshot: mobygames.com
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
How Do Games Teach?
• Felder
Learning StylesLearning Styles
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Medal of Honor Black and White
How Do Games Teach?
Learning Styles
Felder’sIndex of Learning Styles
Active (doing) Reflective (thinking)versus
Screenshot: mobygames.com
Felder’sIndex of Learning Styles
Civilization III Harvest Moon
Sensing (facts, processes) Intuitive (concepts, relationships)versus
Screenshot: gamespot.com
Screenshot: mobygames.com
Felder’sIndex of Learning Styles
Felder’sIndex of Learning Styles
Visual (seeing, picturing)
Verbal (hearing, reading, saying)
versus
Screenshot: gamespot.com
Electroplankton
Need For Speed
Felder’sIndex of Learning Styles
Psychonauts Screenshot: gamespot.com
versus
Global (leaps, random)
Roller Coaster Tycoon
Sequential (step-wise)
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
How Do Games Teach?
Most successful games ALREADY allow players to approach from the perspective of various styles.
What other media lets us do that?
Learning StylesLearning Styles
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Next StepsNext StepsKnowing Knowing whywhy a game is good is not the same as knowing a game is good is not the same as knowing
howhow to make a game good, but it is a necessary first to make a game good, but it is a necessary first step.step.
OUTCOMES OUTCOMES (moving towards…):(moving towards…):• Clear evidence that existing designs of commercial Clear evidence that existing designs of commercial
games games alreadyalready embody sound pedagogy, as found in embody sound pedagogy, as found in established learning theory, even if that connection established learning theory, even if that connection was neither conscious, nor deliberate on the part of was neither conscious, nor deliberate on the part of the designers.the designers.
• An understanding of how digital games can be used An understanding of how digital games can be used as instructional technology informed by learning as instructional technology informed by learning theory.theory.
• A theory/theories of the kinds of learning best served A theory/theories of the kinds of learning best served through this technology.through this technology.
• A synthesis of core requirements for instructional A synthesis of core requirements for instructional design relevant to games.design relevant to games.
K.Becker IMAGINE Network Symposium ‘06 Pedagogy & Games
Next StepsNext Steps
Promo shot
Merrill’s First Principles (applied to instructional game design – core
requirements?):1. Engagement – Solving realistic (real-life) problems 2. Activation – Start Where the player/learner is.3. Demonstration – Show them what we want them to
learn – don’t just tell them.4. Application – New knowledge must be applied to solve
problems.5. Integration – Motivate to apply what was learned
Instructional Games Design Instructional Games Design will require a thorough will require a thorough
grounding ingrounding in BOTHBOTH
Instructional Design Instructional Design ANDAND
Games Design.Games Design.