Get Your Game On
in Instruction
Gaming Strategies and
the Research Process
Rachel Vacek and Robin Dasler
University of Houston Libraries
Innovations in Teaching & Learning Technology Conference
Lee College, Baytown, TX
November 12, 2009

Image by flickr user nqnguyen2

Explore/Discover

Image by flickr.com user kd1s

Image from http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2009/october/tutorial1.jpg

Image screenshotted from Ghost Patrol homepage.

Strategize

Image by boardgamegeek.com user UniversalHead

Image pulled from Screenshots section of starcraft2.com

Collaborate

Image by enhancementshaman.wordpress.com

http://gfw.1up.com

Image by boardgamegeek.com user Galender

Motivate

Image generated at technology-ninja.com

Image pulled from amazon.com

Level Up!

Image from smashbros.com

Image from elderscrolls.com

Image from cityofheroes.com

"...good video games build into
their very designs good learning
principles and that we should use
these principles, with or without
games, in schools, workplaces,
and other learning sites."
- James Paul Gee, author of
What Video Games Have to Teach Us
About Learning and Literacy

Examples
and
Possibilities

library.uncg.edu/game

storygameproject.org/

helpmesolveamystery.com/

www.uflib.ufl.edu/games/bioactive/

education.mit.edu/ar/ed.html

www.west.asu.edu/libcontrib/game/
website/index.cfm

www.trinity.
edu/jdonald/bloodonthestacks.html

Online Tools
to Create Games

www.bgdf.com

www.sjgames.com/GURPS

mygamebuilder.com

gamecreator.cartoonnetwork.com

sandboxgamemaker.com

Other Options
(that are slightly less overwhelming)

card games clickers
scavenger hunt interactive
puzzle hunts
role-playing
board games
murder mystery
team-focused

Gaming Strategies to take with you!
Create a "safe to fail" environment
Plan for discovery
Build reasons to be motivated
Encourage them to develop strategies
Use just-in-time learning
Incorporate interactivity
Allow for collaboration
Encourage customization
Let them demonstrate their expertise
Build on past skills
Provide continuous feedback
Update and expand new content continuously

References
Alexander, J. (2009). Gaming, student literacies, and the composition
classroom: Some possibilities for transformation. CCC 61 (6), 35-63.
Doshi, A. (2006). In How Gaming Could Improve Information Literacy . <http:
//www.infotoday.com/cilmag/may06/Doshi.shtml>
Gee, J. (2003). What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and
Literacy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Harris, A., and Rice, S. (2008). Gaming in Academic Libraries: Collections,
Marketing, and Information Literacy. Chicago: ACRL.
Holmes, T. (2007). The hero’s journey: An inquiry-research model. Teacher
Librarian, 34 (5).
Levine, J. (2006) Gaming and libraries: Intersection of services. Library
Technology Reports, 42 (5).
Library Gaming Toolkit <http://librarygamingtoolkit.org/>

For more info...
Robin Dasler
Science & Mathematics Librarian
(and avid gamer)
University of Houston
rldasler@uh.edu
Rachel Vacek
Photo by Rachel Vacek Web Services Coordinator
(and WoW addict)
University of Houston
revacek@uh.edu
Photo by Cindi Trainor