An epistemic game aims to teach students the skills, knowledge, identity and values of a particular community of practice through immersive simulation. It requires students to think and act like experts in a given field. Epistemic frames define the epistemology and practices of different communities, and games require students to embody these. Assessment focuses on how well students master the epistemic frame rather than quantitative tests. Several epistemic games were mentioned, including Budget Hero and simulations from the AICPA, to provide immersive experiences in fields like public policy and accounting.

1. Epistemic Games

2. Overview
• What is an Epistemic Game
• What is an Epistemic Frame
• Assessing Learning in the 21st Century
• Epistemic Games and Resources

3. What is an Epistemic Game?
• “Authentic Professionalism”
• “Explicit instructions to specific contexts and
situations”
• Include Communities of Practice, reflective
practice, and epistemic frames
Source: Shaffer, D.W. (2004). Epistemic games. Innovate.

4. What is an Epistemic Frame?
• Includes targeted community’s practice,
identity, interest, understanding, and
epistemology
• Different communities have different
epistemic frames
• Must embody the targeted affinity group
Source: Shaffer, D.W. (2004). Epistemic games. Innovate.

5. Affinity Group
• “A group of people associated with a given
semiotic domain” (p. 27)
• Examples: Lawyers, Educators, Gamers, WoW
players, Olympians,
• Can be large or small
Source: Gee, J.P., (2007). What video games have to teach us
about learning and literacy. Palgrave McMillan, NY.

6. Cross Functional Team
• Gee video:
– Each person must have deep expertise in one skill
set, but understand the big picture. They retain
expertise but must integrate with the other
different skill sets to be successful.
– http://spotlight.macfound.org/blog/entry/jim-
gee-on-the-use-of-video-games-for-learning-
about-learning/

7. Cross Functional Team

8. Assessing Learning in the 21st Century
• Epistemic Games change the focus of
assessment to mastery of:
– Skills
– Knowledge
– Identity
– Values
– i.e. the Epistemic Frame
Source: Shaffer, D.W., (Paris juin 2011) Epistemic Games. at
http://www.slideshare.net/thomasconstant/david-williamson-shaffer-epistemic-
games-paris-juin-2011

9. Assessing Learning in the 21st Century
• How well does the student’s performance
match the community of practice?
• How well does the student role play their
chosen profession? (Levasseur 2012)
• Qualitative v. Quantitative Variables
Source: Levasseur, A. (February 6, 2012). Epistemic games are the future of learning, letting
students role –play professions. Retrieved at:
http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2012/02/epistemic-games-are-the-future-of-learning-
letting-students-role-play-professions037.html

10. Assessing Learning in the 21st Century
• Assessment might also include:
– Performance in Cross Functional Group (Leadership?)
– Performance in Affinity Spaces (Game, guild site,
forums, etc.)
– Depth and Duration of Immersion
– Reflection of Experience
– Level of Change in Post Experience Activities
– Justification of Actions / Decisions
– Others

11. Epistemic Games and Resources
• Budget Hero

12. Epistemic Games and Resources
• American Institute for Certified Public
Accountants – only students have access
• http://www.startheregoplaces.com/
– Need to create a student account
• Scroll to the bottom and click on simulations
• Create your faux student profile make sure you click
Community College instead of high school and use 2012
as your anticipated graduation date.

14. Epistemic Games and Resources
• World of Warcraft
– Cross Functional Teams – Dungeons and Raids
– Epistemic Entrepreneurship – Crafting and Auction
House

15. Epistemic Games and Resources

16. Epistemic Games and Resources
• Sim School
– http://www.simschool.org/