Game-based learning in virtual worlds: benefits and challenges Dr Nicola Whitton Education and...

Game-based Game-based learninglearning

in virtual worlds: in virtual worlds: benefits and benefits and

challengeschallenges

Dr Nicola WhittonDr Nicola Whitton

Education and Social Research Education and Social Research Institute Manchester Metropolitan Institute Manchester Metropolitan

UniversityUniversity

OverviewOverview

►What is Game-Based What is Game-Based Learning?Learning?

►Pedagogic benefitsPedagogic benefits►Types of Game-Based virtual Types of Game-Based virtual

worldworld►PracticalitiesPracticalities►Some researchSome research►ChallengesChallenges

What is game-based What is game-based learning?learning?

►Competition or challengeCompetition or challenge►Goal, rules and outcomeGoal, rules and outcome► Interactive environment to be Interactive environment to be

exploredexplored►Safe environment – limited Safe environment – limited

consequences in the real consequences in the real worldworld

►Single or multi-playerSingle or multi-player

Pedagogic benefitsPedagogic benefits

►Motivation and engagementMotivation and engagement►Collaborative learningCollaborative learning►Experiential and active Experiential and active

learninglearning►Problem-based learningProblem-based learning►Authentic activitiesAuthentic activities

Dimensions of virtual gaming Dimensions of virtual gaming worldsworlds

►Number of playersNumber of players single to multi-player to massively single to multi-player to massively

multi-playermulti-player► Fidelity of environmentFidelity of environment

textual to graphical to immersivetextual to graphical to immersive►GenreGenre

role play, simulation, adventure, role play, simulation, adventure, puzzle, strategypuzzle, strategy

►MediumMedium computer, mobile device, real worldcomputer, mobile device, real world

Some examplesSome examples

►RecruitmentRecruitment

Curious?Curious?

Some examplesSome examples

►RecruitmentRecruitment► InductionInduction

Alternate RealityAlternate Reality

Some examplesSome examples

►RecruitmentRecruitment► InductionInduction►Collaborative skillsCollaborative skills

MMORGSMMORGS

Some examplesSome examples

►RecruitmentRecruitment► InductionInduction►Collaborative skillsCollaborative skills►Creative skillsCreative skills

Digital narrativeDigital narrative

Some examplesSome examples

►RecruitmentRecruitment► InductionInduction►Collaborative skillsCollaborative skills►Creative skillsCreative skills►ContentContent

CivilizationCivilization

MarketplaceMarketplace

Practicalities of learning in Practicalities of learning in gaming environmentsgaming environments

►Match with curriculum – gaming Match with curriculum – gaming outcomes and learning outcomes and learning outcomesoutcomes

►Time available, location, Time available, location, resourcesresources

►Associated activities, briefing, Associated activities, briefing, debriefing – learning packagedebriefing – learning package

►Building in reflection and Building in reflection and collaborationcollaboration

Development optionsDevelopment options

►Use entertainment gamesUse entertainment games►Modify entertainment gamesModify entertainment games►Use virtual worldsUse virtual worlds►Use educational gamesUse educational games►Create games Create games ►Students create gamesStudents create games

Comparative experimentComparative experiment

►Two games with same Two games with same Learning outcomesLearning outcomes One based on traditional f-2-f One based on traditional f-2-f

activityactivity One in immersive environmentOne in immersive environment

Time CapsuleTime Capsule

Pharaoh’s TombPharaoh’s Tomb

Comparative experimentComparative experiment

►Two games with same Two games with same Learning outcomesLearning outcomes One based on traditional f-2-f One based on traditional f-2-f

activityactivity One in immersive environmentOne in immersive environment

►Comparative groups tested for Comparative groups tested for engagement and learningengagement and learning No significant difference overall No significant difference overall

but but significantly less control in significantly less control in immersive environmentimmersive environment

ChallengesChallenges

►Development time / expertiseDevelopment time / expertise►CostCost►Novelty effectNovelty effect►Exclusion Exclusion ►Learning to play the gameLearning to play the game►AssessmentAssessment►Need for more robust studiesNeed for more robust studies