VIDEO GAMES AND VIRTUAL WORLDS Implications for Education Presentation by Lucas Gillispie - lucas@edurealms.com

Video Games and the Students Who Play Them

The Video Game Industry In January of 2008, the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) released its annual report. They found the following: 267.8 million units sold in 2007. ($9.5 billion in revenue) Nine games sold every second in 2007. First-day sales of Halo 3 outsold first-day ticket sales of Spiderman 3 and the first-day sales of the final book in the Harry Potter series. © 2008 Bungie, LLC. All rights reserved The Entertainment Software Association - Sales & Genre Data. . Retrieved August 9, 2008, from http://www.theesa.com/facts/salesandgenre.asp .

In January of 2008, the ESA (Entertainment Software Association) released its annual report. They found the following:

267.8 million units sold in 2007. ($9.5 billion in revenue)

Nine games sold every second in 2007.

First-day sales of Halo 3 outsold first-day ticket sales of Spiderman 3 and the first-day sales of the final book in the Harry Potter series.

People Who Play Video Games 65% of American households play computer and video games. The average game player is 35 and has been playing games for 13 years. 40% of all gamers are women over 18 (and growing). 38% of homes have at least one console (Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo). The Entertainment Software Association - Sales & Genre Data. . Retrieved August 9, 2008, from http://www.theesa.com/facts/salesandgenre.asp . Photo from http://www.xbox.com/

65% of American households play computer and video games.

The average game player is 35 and has been playing games for 13 years.

40% of all gamers are women over 18 (and growing).

38% of homes have at least one console (Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo).

Digital Natives Today’s students have never known a time without: The Internet, CD’s, Cell Phones, Microwave Ovens, or Nintendo… A typical college student has spent less than 5,000 hours reading books, but over 10,000 hours playing video games. Their brains work differently. http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky%20-%20Digital%20Natives,%20Digital%20Immigrants%20-%20Part1.pdf. http://www.engadgetmobile.com

Today’s students have never known a time without: The Internet, CD’s, Cell Phones, Microwave Ovens, or Nintendo…

A typical college student has spent less than 5,000 hours reading books, but over 10,000 hours playing video games.

Their brains work differently.

Digital Natives http://www.marcprensky.com/ “ When I go to school, I have to power down.” -Student Photo from: http://earlycollegeofalaska.org

How Do We Engage Digital Natives? They crave: Social Interaction Customized Experiences Learning That’s Relevant Multimedia Achievement Photo: http://www.ecu.edu Educating The Net Generation - http://www.educause.edu/educatingthenetgen/5989

The “Social Collaborative”

A Step In The Right Direction Dimension-M

A Step In The Right Direction

Dimension-M : The Game 3-D, Single or Multi-player, first-person shooter. Focuses on pre-Algebra and Algebra. Mission-based. Integrated math help. Engaging story. Customizable experience.

3-D, Single or Multi-player, first-person shooter.

Focuses on pre-Algebra and Algebra.

Mission-based.

Integrated math help.

Engaging story.

Customizable experience.

Dimension-M : My Research Does playing Dimension-M affect student achievement? Does playing Dimension-M impact student attitude? What role does gender play?

Does playing Dimension-M affect student achievement?

Does playing Dimension-M impact student attitude?

What role does gender play?

Dimension-M : My Research Significant impact on student learning. Average scores rose from 46% to 63% from the game alone. No significant impact on student attitude. Gender does not seem to play a role.

Significant impact on student learning.

Average scores rose from 46% to 63% from the game alone.

No significant impact on student attitude.

Gender does not seem to play a role.

Dimension-M : My Observations Engagement! Students’ ease in maneuvering through the environment rapidly improved over a short time. Students don’t mind re-playing. Competition adds a layer of motivation. A potential tool for ELL (English-language learners) students. Students began putting their headphones around their necks so they could collaborate on the single player missions.

Engagement!

Students’ ease in maneuvering through the environment rapidly improved over a short time.

Students don’t mind re-playing.

Competition adds a layer of motivation.

A potential tool for ELL (English-language learners) students.

Students began putting their headphones around their necks so they could collaborate on the single player missions.

Where “Edu-Gaming” Needs To Go… Virtual Worlds

Where “Edu-Gaming” Needs To Go…

What is a Virtual World? Often persistent. (24/7) Players/Users exist in the world through “avatars.” Some are game-based (MMORPGs), others are simply virtual spaces (such as Second Life). Highly collaborative! Pender County School’s Second Life Island Scene from Warhammer Online

Often persistent. (24/7)

Players/Users exist in the world through “avatars.”

Some are game-based (MMORPGs), others are simply virtual spaces (such as Second Life).

Highly collaborative!

Extreme Engagement! http://www.ljplus.ru/img4/j/i/jibo/pir2.JPG Warhammer Online Screenshot Students are leading people from around the world (often 40 or more) to accomplish collective goals. These events take planning, coordination, and decision-making skills.

Extreme Engagement! They spend hours outside of the game collaborating and planning in forums, researching maps, statistics, and strategies to improve their game.

A Level Playing Field – Who are They Playing With? http://www.ljplus.ru/img4/j/i/jibo/pir2.JPG Source: http://www.harbingersoflight.com They are collaborating, online, with people from all over the world. Differences in race, age, gender, and nationality are no longer an issue. Teacher Ph.D. Candidate Stay-at-home Mom County Sheriff Researcher Business Owner Editor for the Senate Produce Clerk Business Analyst Instructional Technology Coordinator Technology Engineer Quality Assurance Supervisor Water/Sewer Technician College Student University Admissions Representative Director of IT Network Administrator Protestant Minister

An example of an MMORPG played by students. Warhammer Online Demonstration

An example of an MMORPG played by students.

What if? … we called them quests instead of lessons? … students had access to the tools they need to find out what they want to know? … we scaled the challenge of learning based on students’ achievements? … provided opportunities for students to form collaborative learning communities? … learning was this much fun?

… we called them quests instead of lessons?

… students had access to the tools they need to find out what they want to know?

… we scaled the challenge of learning based on students’ achievements?

… provided opportunities for students to form collaborative learning communities?

… learning was this much fun?

Your opportunity to experience a virtual world. Second Life Demo

Your opportunity to experience a virtual world.

Reading Material

www.seriousgames.org www.educationarcade.org www.markprensky.com gaming.psu.edu www.edurealms.com Edu-Gaming Websites Lucas Gillispie - lucas@edurealms.com

www.seriousgames.org

www.educationarcade.org

www.markprensky.com

gaming.psu.edu

www.edurealms.com

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