Online Simulations and
Having F Video Games
un is a G
ood Thing
!
Glenn Wiebe
glennw@essdack.org

Sticky idea?

Video games help
to rewire brains

This is Erin

Erin hates
history

She’s not
that fond of
science,
math or
english either

and

she’s not
alone

“I have to power
down when I get to
school.”
HS student

So what?

“Today’s students
are no longer the
people our educational
system was designed
to teach.”
Marc Prensky

“If you wanted to
create an educational
environment that was
directly opposed to
what the brain is good at
doing . . .

“. . . you would
probably design
something like a
modern
classroom.”
John Medina
Brain Rules

Yeah . . . so?

Tic Tac Toe

Pong

Galaga

SimCity

Second Life

Games
haven’t
gotten simpler
over time

They’ve gotten more complex

Why?

Because the brain
demands it

“The brain developed to solve
problems relating to surviving in
an unstable, outdoor environment
and to do so in near constant
motion.”
John Medina
Brain Rules

Can I eat it?

Can it
eat me?

Can I have sex
with it?

What then . . .
is your job?

Convince a 14 year old
that writing a five
paragraph essay is
essential for her
survival

Brains
search for
patterns

Brains work best when
emotional chemicals are
increased

Brains want to
work with
others

Games provide structured patterns

Games create emotional connections

Games encourage collaborative learning

Games become about “survival”

“Better theories of learning are
embedded in the video games many
children play than in the schools
they attend.”
James Gee
What Video Games Have to Teach Us
About Literacy & Learning

Grand Theft Childhood
Lawrence Kutner
How Computer Games Help
Children Learn
David Williamson Shaffer
Don’t Bother Me, Mom --
I’m Learning!
Marc Prensky

So . . . whatcha
thinkin’?

AP US History

Let’s play a little!
Have fun but . . . be thinking just a bit
about learning theory

Get the goodies at:
historytech.wordpress.com
Presentations
- “Having Fun is a Good Thing”

www.stopdisastersgame.org

magic.pen.fizzlebot.com

What are the characteristics of a
highly effective learning
environment?

• Students get to control the action /
make choices
• Players become the experts
• Creativity & problem solving are
encouraged
• Receive immediate feedback

• There’s always an answer
• “Modding” is supported
• Trial and error works best
• It’s almost always better in groups

What games do you use?

“All child drug addicts . . . are
comic-book readers. This kind of thing is
not good mental nourishment for
children!”
Fredric Wertham, Seduction of the Innocent, 1954

Gaming myths?

www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

Scientific evidence links violence and video
games
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

Scientific evidence links violence and video
games
It’s mostly kids & mostly boys
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

Scientific evidence links violence and video
games
It’s mostly kids & mostly boys
Gaming creates isolated loners
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

“Mini” & complex games are the same
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

“Mini” & complex games are the same
It’s really not that big of a deal
www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html

secondlife.reuters.com

What can you adapt?
What are some questions?
What are some possible challenges?

Third World Farmer
www.3rdworldfarmer.com

www.nanoquest.ie

www.knowledgematters.com

www.dimensionm.com

www.discoverbabylon.org

www.beyondspaceandtime.org

www.seriousgamesresearch.com

www.nps.gov/webrangers

www.plimoth.org/education/olc

www.teamtreks.com

www.educationalsimulations.com

electrocity.co.nz

www.making-history.com

mystworlds.ubi.com

www.peacemakergame.com

www.travelpod.com/traveler-iq

www.budgethero.org

So what kinds of things can
games do?

Games can:
• increase literacy skills
• teach problem solving skills
• simulate authentic situations
• encourage collaboration
• engage students in content
• lead to sophisticated research

And what kinds
of questions
should a teacher
ask?

Challenges

Challenges
Takes time
• What are you willing to give up?
Standards alignment
• Games are just a tool / not a silver
bullet

Takes money
• Hardware / software / computer
upgrades
Technology issues
• Not enough stations or “power”
• Appropriate games
• Apple vs. PC

Assessment issues
• PBL rubrics, participation grade, self-
evaluation, presentations & written work

Tips
Know about cheat codes and
walkthroughs
Parental permission
Look for demo games

Quick start?
Read about games
Play a favorite game
Ask your kids about their games
Start with online “mini” games

What’s your elevator
speech?

\"People do not quit playing
because they grow old; they
grow old because they quit
playing.\"
Oliver Wendell Holmes

Tech integration questions?
Social studies issues? I would
love to hear from you!
Glenn Wiebe
glennw@essdack.org
socialstudiescentral.com
historytech.wordpress.com
View presentations at:
slideshare.net/glennw98