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what games teach us about learning
Douglas Kiang
@dkiang!
www.kiang.net
Why Games?
Game Dynamics
Classroom Tips
@dkiang!
www.kiang.net
Why Games?
@dkiang!
www.kiang.net
We are born
knowing
how to play.
Games are universal
“Brains like ours alter profoundly to fit the
technologies and practices that surround
them.”
Andy Clark
Director, Cognitive Sciences Program
Indiana University
How do we
learn school?
Kids will walk
away from homework
because it is
“too hard”...
Kids will walk
away
from a computer
game...
because
it is “too easy”.
“Work is all that a body is
obliged to do. Play is all
that a body is not obliged
to do.”
Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain
games = powerful
motivation
http://loish.deviantart.com/art/Centre-National-du-Jeu-298346476
games = productive
learning
Hold on!
Isn’t that addiction?
5top
most addictive
games
CAUTION
5
4
3
2
1
Know Your Gamer
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37318693@N04/
Bartle Test
of Gamer 
Psychology
?
http://tinyurl.com/bartletestapp
http://tinyurl.com/bartletest
Which would you rather do:
Get to a certain experience level faster than anyone else?
Solve a riddle no one else has gotten?
Previous Next
Question 3 of 30
Explorers
Love to “figure out” games
Fun comes from discovery
Collectors of knowledge
and little-known facts
Enjoy teaching others
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
43132185@N00/
Seek to improve power and
status
Achievers
Fun comes from points and
leveling up.
Point of playing is to master
the game
Enjoy recognition of their
achievements
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
21957530@N07/
Enjoy meaningful social interaction with other players
Socializers
Game is simply a backdrop
Point of playing is to make friends
Enjoy recognition of their
followers, contacts, influence
Also known as “griefers”
Killers
Achievement comes from
another person’s loss
Value knowledge for its
applications
Prize reputation and
recognition
http://www.flickr.com/photos/
32774510@N00/
Why Games?
GameDynamics
Reflections
GameDynamics
What it might
look like in the
classroom
Real-life
example
Example
from a
game
1. The Appointment
Dynamic
“Be here at this time, get a prize.”
Game Dynamics
1. The Appointment Dynamic
1. The Appointment Dynamic
1. The Appointment Dynamic
“Fail early, fail often.”
2. Failure DynamicGame Dynamics
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alanenglish/
5982896437
2. Failure Dynamic
Angry Birds Demo
Create opportunities for
exploration
2. Failure Dynamic
Student Response Systems
2. Failure Dynamic
Game Dynamics
3. Flexibility Dynamic
“Provide multiple paths of
representation.”
Doom (1993)
It hasn’t always been this way...
3. Flexibility Dynamic
Mario 64 (1998)
3. Flexibility Dynamic
Grand Theft Auto III (2001)
3. Flexibility Dynamic
Skyrim (2011)
3. Flexibility Dynamic
3. Flexibility Dynamic
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44124455866@N01/24386125
3. Flexibility Dynamic
Neither of these
tells you much about
where you are.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/43132185@N00/71878108
Always see where you are.
Always see where you are going.
Always see the path to get there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70021771@N00/94459791
Grade 9
Biology
Biology Honors
Grade 10
Chemistry
Chemistry Honors
Grade 10
Physics
Grade 10
Bio/Geology of Hawaii
Science Electives
Grade 11
AP Biology
AP Env. Science
Bio/Geology of Hawaii
AP Chemistry
Physics or Physics Honors
AP Physics B
Science Electives
Grade 11
Bio/Geology of Hawaii
Chemistry or !
Chemistry Honors
AP Physics B
Science Electives
Grade 11
Chemistry or !
Chemistry Honors
Science Electives
Physics or !
Physics Honors
Grade 12AP Biology
AP Env. Science
Bio/Geology of Hawaii
Chemistry or Chemistry Honors
AP Chemistry
Physics or Physics Honors
AP Physics B
AP Physics C
Science Department
Quarter 1
Data Types
Variables
Quarter 2
Arrays
Lists
Quarter 2
Encapsulation
Quarter 2
Recursion
Independent Project
Quarter 3
Advanced Data Types
Computer Ethics
Recursion
Advanced Arrays and Lists
Encapsulation and Inheritance
Advanced Class Design
Independent Project
Quarter 3
Recursion
Arrays!
Lists
Polymorphism
Independent Project
Quarter 3
Arrays!
Lists
Independent Project
Inheritance and
Polymorphism
Quarter 4Advanced Data Types
Recursion
Computer Ethics Arrays and Lists
Data Structures
Encapsulation and
Inheritance
Independent Project
Computer Science
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12142259@N00/2867502891
TED Talk: World Peace Game
Preserving an Open-Ended
Process
• Provide lots of resources!
• Provide different paths to the
destination!
• Encourage and reward exploration!
• Provide a map!
• Create opportunities for collaboration
4. Progression Dynamic
“A soldier will fight long and hard for
a bit of colored ribbon.”!
Napoleon Bonaparte
http://www.flickr.com/photos/angelslens/
2447754116
4. Progression Dynamic
Tutorials (scaffolding of content)
Achievements (positive reinforcement)
Badges and Leveling Up (social capital)
Current ability Ability with support
Outside of current grasp
Vygotsky’s Zone of
Proximal Development
4. Progression Dynamic
level of skill
levelof
challenge
discouraging
boring
F
L
O
W
“working at the point of
struggle”
Mihaly
Csikszentmihályi
4. Progression Dynamic
4. Progression Dynamic
Tutorials (scaffolding of content)
Achievements (positive reinforcement)
Badges and Leveling Up (social capital)
4. Progression Dynamic
Hide and seek
4. Progression Dynamic
4. Progression Dynamic
kiangETT
4. Progression Dynamic
4. Progression Dynamic
Tutorials (scaffolding of content)
Achievements (positive reinforcement)
Badges and Leveling Up (social capital)
Source: modern8.com
whiny10
10
12
39
10
11 1
2
“Build something you care about.”
5. Construction Dynamic
Punahou Minecraft
Challenge
Create a self-sustaining
community that reinforces trust
among individuals and that
rewards pro-social behavior.
!((a > b) || (c == d))
(a <= b) && (c != d)
DeMorgan’s Laws of Boolean
Algebra
is the same as
Challenge
Build Mr. Kiang’s office.
It must be underwater.
It must be big. It must
incorporate elements
of nature.
3D Printed
Minecraft
Model
In-Game 

Minecraft
Model
Reflections
We are how we play.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37318693@N04/
Games support critical thinking,
creativity, and safe risk-taking.
Games are a catalyst
for learning.
Getting Started
• Find ways to embed game dynamics in
the structure of your class:!
• Create “events” !
• Encourage low-stakes failure !
• Recognize achievements often!
• Create multiple paths to success!
• Build something we all care about
Slides, links, and resources
www.kiang.net
@dkiangThank

you.
Learning With Games
a two-day workshop with Douglas Kiang
Harvard University, July 24–25
edtechteacher.org/summer
embrace the fail wheel

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Angry Birds to Minecraft: Game Dynamics and Learning