The Use of Computer Games in Education

28.03.2018Renée Schulz, PhD Defense 1
The use of computer games
in education
Trial Lecture– Renée Schulz
21st March 2018
University of Agder
Grimstad, Norway
renee.schulz@uia.no

Agenda
28.03.2018Renée Schulz, Trial Lecture 2

Info Slide
Blue/Hat: indicates „the topic is Education“
Purple/Dino: indicates „the topic is Games“

What is changing in Education and why?

[https://presentlygifted.weebly.com/problem-based-learning.html]

Traditional Learning•
Student• -centred approaches
Student• -centred means more
New Learning and Teaching Approaches
[Source: https://www.canvaslms.com/downloads/Student-Centered-Learning.pdf]

Experiential Learning Theory as a base for including games
28.03.2018 9Renée Schulz, PhD Defense
[Kolb, 1984]

Example: Experiential Learning in Sports Education
[Cab 180 | Snowboarding Tricks | Whitelines http://po.st/EagfYC via @whitelinessnow]

Problem-based Learning (PBL)
[https://presentlygifted.weebly.com/problem-based-learning.html]

What are Games and why should we care?

[https://newzoo.com/]

Example of the Expansion of eSports: Overwatch League
[Pictures: Blizzard/BlizzCon]

Requirements
Must be a current or incoming full-time student at UCI
Learn more about UCI Admissions
Must be at least Master (League of Legends) or Grandmaster (Overwatch)
Application Process
Fill out our Recruitment Interest form
Eligible applicants will be put in contact with someone from the program to discuss next steps
Priority applicants will have a chance to visit the campus and facility, meet current team members, coaches, and program staff
Priority applicants may receive a pre-tryout for coaches to understand their play style, communication skills, and game sense
Tryouts will be held during or shortly before the school year, depending on the season’s schedule
A final roster will be finalized before the season begins
Scholarship Details & FAQ
We currently have a team for League of Legends and Overwatch
Scholarships are $5610 for League of Legends and $2500 for Overwatch
Substitute players receive the same scholarship as starting players
Amounts are subject to change based on program funding for the year
Teams have full support staff including coaches, managers, analysts

Hold on…
…one step back.

What is a computer game?
computer game noun [ C ]
UK• /kəmˈpjuː.tə ˌɡeɪm/ US /kəmˈpjuː.t̬ɚ ˌɡeɪm/
• a game that is played on a computer, in which the pictures that appear on
the screen are controlled by pressing keys or moving a joystick
[Source: Cambridge Dictionary]

Components, aspects and relationships of a game.
[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003).]

[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003).]

[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003).]
[Link to Original Picture]

What is a Computer Game: MVC definition.
[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003).]

[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003).]
[Link to Original Picture]

What can games in education be good for?
• Games are known to be motivating
• Game-based learning improves engagement and motivation;
• Games may also contribute to content learning (Lester et al., 2014; Perrotta,
Featherstone, Aston, & Houghton, 2013).
• Games can teach us to solve some of the problems found in education
• E.g. how to improve learning tasks (assignments)

How can we use games as teachers?

Computer Games in Education
What can that mean?

Careful Analysis is needed.

We need to understand the problem to find a solution.
28.03.2018 29Renée Schulz, Trial Lecture
Using a game is a solution to a problem (e.g. how to improve a
specific learning activity to achieve a specific learning goal).
Psst.
I‘m here to help!

Understand1. the problem space.
Analyse2. what is lacking and where.
?

Analyse what games can provide what is lacking in your
teaching/learning approach. Be open to study them.

E.g. Analyse existing games if they can
provide a learning activity that is
beneficial for your specific goal.

We cannot jump to conclusions.

After a match was found, the new tools needs to be integrated.

The whole process to find a game to support learning:

The whole process…
…requires a large set of skills:
Teaching experience, pedagogical knowledge, psychology, motivation
theory, digital literacy, game literacy, and in the best case: game design
knowledge and more
 Complicated

Regard theories while integrating!
• Useful Theories for the integration of games (or game-based learning):
• Situated cognition
• Cognitive load theory
• Self-determination theory
• …

Situated learning/ cognition
CONTEXT

Cognitive Load Theory
[Moreno, R. (2006).]

[Moreno, R. (2006).]

[Moreno, R. (2006).]
Game

Octalysis: a framework to analyse game elements

Self-determination Theory (knowing how to motivate)
Games provide means to address those human needs:
Autonomy – the extent to which the game provides flexibility over movement and
strategies, choice over tasks and goals, and rewards that provide feedback and not control.
Relatedness – the extent to which the game provides
interactions between players.
Competence – the extent to which tasks provide
ongoing challenges and opportunities for feedback.
[Ryan, R. M., Rigby, C. S & Przybylski, A. K., (2006). ]

Adding Theories to Analysis (Context of Use)
Analyse• the teaching approach
Include• useful learning theories

There are use cases, where commercial games..
.. can be beneficial in education!
These instances are limited to exactly the presented problem spaces and goals, but
they exist.

Example: Students start late on their deliverables
Problem: students start working on their assignments late.

Example how to „make gamers work each day“ (Heroes of the Storm)

Daily/Hourly World Quests in World of Warcraft: Legion

Example: SimCity
SimCity: how different variables within a system interact
in emergent and complex ways (Chatfield, 2010)

Example: Ultima Online
Ultima Online (Blacksmithing): gaining transferable skills such as product
management and in-game economy /customer base (Senior and
Cubbidge, 2010).

Example: Medal of Honor
“Medal of Honor” or Activision’s “Call of Duty” helps to improve in visual
acuity (Green and Bavelier, 2006; Achtman et al., 2008) & stimulates the
cognitive level

Example: Tetris
Increase in neurological efficiency when it comes to things like critical
thinking and reasoning / pattern recognition (Goldsmith, 1994)

Example: Fallout Shelter: A game to discuss ethics.
["Ethics and Games Series: Fallout Shelter"
by Sherry Jones (Jan. 28, 2018)]

Games are developed from a different perspective, so…
In• this regard, we do have to remember: games are different.
Developed• for entertainment/ different target audience

What teachers should consider
What to consider when choosing a game:
• Students’ characteristics, age, competitiveness, and previous gaming experience.
• The game’s target age level.
• Special needs: Would students with disabilities be left out?
• Choice of characters, language, or situations: does the game offend any particular group
of students?
• Number of players: How many students can play at one time? Will too many be left sitting
on their hands?
• The role of the teacher: Passive observer or active participant?
[Coffey, H. (2009)]

Defining Gamification
Sebastian Deterding (2011)
From game design elements to
gamefulness: defining gamification.
“Gamification: the use of game design
elements in non-game context.”

Game Elements: Points, Badges, Leaderboards…

Preventing a „Skinner Box“-Phenomenon
[adapted from Craig Swanson, www.perspicuity.com]

Operant-Conditioning or Skinner Box
[Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operant_conditioning_chamber]

Gamification
Gamification• might be even more complex  not using „ready
made“ solutions
Under• the assumption: we want to design what the students need
Requires• Game Design Knowledge:
Mechanics• , Aesthetics, Dynamics, Rule Design, Character
Design, Level Design, Storytelling/Narration, …
and• then BRIDGING between pedagogy and game design.

„Smiley Model“ Learning Design and Game Elements
[Weitze, C. L., & Ørngreen, R. (2012)]

Gamficiation - Extended Problems
There• is a gap between our problems in education
and• what is offered by our common ICT solutions in terms of gamification
possibilities
That• is, because Teachers have to rely on ready designed ICT solutions,
since teachers cannot design and develop software themselves (and they
would probably lack the game design skills)
Ready• made solutions often rely on „old“ and very simple gamification
methods such as badges, points, leaderboards
A recipe• that doesn‘t work
TechnologiesTeaching

Canvas Example
Maybe we can address the problem of students starting late on their assignments
through Gamification?
Let’s see what Canvas offers.
[https://canvas.instructure.com]

Possibilities for Student-centred Learning in Canvas (Activities)
What• possibilities are present?

Points•
Percentage•
Complete• /Incomplete
Letter Grade•
GPA• Scale
Not• Graded

Soft or hard deadlines

Example Skill Tree: World of Warcraft (Classic)

Example Skill Tree: Guild Wars 2

Example Skill Tree: Path of Exile

Gamficiation - Extended Problems
There• is a gap between our problems in education
and• what is offered by our common ICT solutions in terms of gamification
possibilities
That• is, because Teachers have to rely on ready designed ICT solutions,
since teachers cannot design and develop software themselves (and they
would probably lack the game design skills)
Ready• made solutions often rely on „old“ and very simple gamification
methods such as badges, points, leaderboards
A recipe• that doesn‘t work
TechnologiesTeaching

Should we teach eSports?
Benefits• similar to organized
sports
Pathways• to STEM
Social• Engagement
Research and Critical• Thinking
Watch• -Analyse-Play
[https://esports.uci.edu/]

Summary

References
Smed• , J., & Hakonen, H. (2003). Towards a definition of a computer game (pp. 1-3). Turku, Finland: Turku Centre for
Computer Science.
Deterding• , S., Dixon, D., Khaled, R., & Nacke, L. (2011, September). From game design elements to gamefulness:
defining gamification. In Proceedings of the 15th international academic MindTrek conference: Envisioning future
media environments (pp. 9-15). ACM.
Prensky• , M. (2003). Digital game-based learning. Computers in Entertainment (CIE), 1(1), 21-21.
Coffey,• H. (2009). Digital game-based learning. Learn NC. Retrieved July, 27, 2010.
Van• Eck, R. (2006). Digital game-based learning: It's not just the digital natives who are restless. EDUCAUSE
review, 41(2), 16.
Spires,• H. A. (2015). Digital Game-Based Learning. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 59(2), 125-130.
Salen• , K., & Zimmerman, E. (2004). Rules of play: Game design fundamentals. MIT press.
Prensky• , M. (2006). Don't bother me, Mom, I'm learning!: How computer and video games are preparing your kids for
21st century success and how you can help!. St. Paul, MN: Paragon house.
Weitze• , C. L., & Ørngreen, R. (2012). Concept Model For Designing Engaging And Motivating Games For Learning-The
Smiley-Model. In Meaningful play 2012. University of Michigan Press.
https• ://esports.uci.edu/
"Ethics• and Games Series: Fallout Shelter" by Sherry Jones (Jan. 28, 2018). [Online]
https://www.slideshare.net/autnes/ethics-and-games-series-fallout-shelter-by-sherry-jones-jan-28-2018-
86935859?qid=24bde0a0-c595-4ea5-bba5-88519256f77e&v=&b=&from_search=5

Additional Resouces
Teachers• ’ roles (possibilities learned by games)
Other important areas in• “games in education”:
Ethics: ethical implications of games and ethical usage and design of games and game•
elements
Game design theory, best practices and new trends•
Teacher education to teach with games or gamified systems/ to create games or•
gamified content meaningfully

Teachers’ Inclusion and Role
How• comes the teacher into «gamification»?
What• can be the teachers’ role?
Role• influences from games?

The Opponent
http://de.mortalkombat.wikia.com/wiki/Datei:Mortal_Kombat_X_Goro_A

The Supporting Character
http://ayay.co.uk/backgrounds/war_games/team_fortress_2/medic-helping-

The Storyteller
http://wallpaper.pickywallpapers.com/1920x1080/skyrim-reading-a-book.jpg

The Hero Character
http://http://wall.alphacoders.com/big.php?i=309125

The Group Leader
http://na.leagueoflegends.com/sites/default/files/upload/art/teambuilde

What is a game? (Original Picture from Reference)
[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003)]
[Link back]

„Game“ defined through a MVC approach (Original Picture from Reference)
[Smed, J., & Hakonen, H. (2003)]
[Link back]

The Use of Computer Games in Education

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to The Use of Computer Games in Education

Similar to The Use of Computer Games in Education (20)

More from Renée Schulz

More from Renée Schulz (15)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

The Use of Computer Games in Education