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EDUC 475/698A
Mindtools for Investigation and Education

Educational Board Game and Card Game Analysis and Development


Student Products: Story Animations and Game with MicroWorlds
Staff
Instructor:
Davina Pruitt-Mentle
Course Meeting Times
One session/week
Primarily Delivered Online
Level
Undergraduate / Graduate
Discipline
All disciplines encouraged

Catalog Description

Explore educational games, simulations and computer modeling platforms common to many domains from a variety of fields. Focus on design and research issues pertinent to learning through simulations and games.

In this project-based course, students from all disciplines are encouraged to understand how we learn from education technologies, develop and investigate systems and ideas from their fields of study, and delve into the process of building and testing games, robotics, and simulations. In the first part of the course we will explore the design and use of games and simulations in the classroom, and the research and development issues associated with this software. We will then explore various Lego language, modeling and simulation software packages, criteria for developing the most appropriate simulation for a given situation, and methods for evaluating the success and utility of models. We will also study what and how people learn from simulations (including field testing of software), and how modeling and simulation tools can be implemented in educational settings. All levels of computer experience welcome.

Course Objectives:

Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Explore, analyze and evaluate a given educational game or simulation.
  2. Given a set of objectives/description of a learner group and context, determine the type of game or simulation (if any) would be an appropriate medium of instruction
  3. Describe and explain selected issues, people, concepts and principles involved in the design of educational simulations and games using a Blog, and WebCT discussion threads and chatroom.
  4. Design an educational board game that is flexible and effective, documenting its rules, physical attributes, context of use, and rationale.
  5. Design a web-based decision-tree simulation which leads a learner through a sequence of difficult choices based on an authentic problem situation.
  6. Design and document a technology-based educational simulation-game, using flowcharts, maps, and equations as appropriate as well as the motivational principles at work in the design.
  7. Reflect on and explain the design processes you use in creating motivating educational products.

 



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