This document discusses the potential for digital game-based learning to help unlock optimal learning outcomes. It notes that games can motivate learners and provide feedback, practice, and a sense of flow that supports learning. However, there are also obstacles to adopting game-based learning such as cost, tools, and perceptions of games replacing teachers. The document advocates applying what is known about effective game techniques and outlines examples of institutions that are exploring game-based learning. It argues that games should be used to enhance learning rather than just for gamification.

1. Must Play to Learn:
Can Digital Game-Based
Learning Help Us Unlock
Optimal Learning
Outcomes?
March 7, 2012
Barbara Truman
Director, Course Development
Learning Systems & Technologies
Center for Distributed Learning

2. GAME-BASED LIFESTYLES
 Learner
 Instructor
 Researcher
 Institution
Licensed under Creative Commons by Lars Ploughmann
 Local industry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/criminalintent/200915795/sizes/z/in/photostream
 National competitiveness
 Global citizenry
 Intergalactic peace

3. HORIZON PROJECT RETREAT METATRENDS
 People expect to
work, learn, socialize, and play
whenever and wherever they
want to.
 Openness — concepts like open
content, open data, and open
resources, along with notions
of transparency and easy
access to data and information
— is moving from a trend to a http://retreat.wiki.nmc.org
value for much of the world.
January 24-26, 2012, Austin, TX

4. HORIZON PROJECT RETREAT METATRENDS
 The Internet is constantly
challenging us to rethink
learning and education, while
refining our notion of literacy.
 There is a rise in informal
learning as individual needs
are redefining
schools, universities, and
training. New Media Consortium
http://www.nmc.org
Licensed under a Creative Commons License by Cyprien
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyprien/6797807361

5. OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME
 Cost
 Time
 Leadership
 Tools
 Business case
 Evidence of impact
 Perception of games, gamers
 Perception of replacing teachers

6. BENEFITS OF GBL
 Skills for research
 Collaboration
 Problem solving Minecraft
Photo and castle by Ian Turgeon, Learning Systems & Technology
 Leadership
Center for Distributed Learning, University of Central Florida
http://www.minecraft.net
 Critical thinking
 Digital literacy
 Media-making
http://primerlabs.com/codehero

7. TRANSFORMATIVE
 Research
 Crowd sourced
 Collaborative

8. PRESSURES ON HIGHER EDUCATION
 Funding
 Competition
 Degree
completion
 Alternative
credentialing
 Accountability
 Student
expectations
http://collegeproductivity.org

9. ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALING
http://www.cael.org
http://www.learningoutcomeassessment.org/
National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment. (2011). Transparency Framework. Urbana, IL:
University of Illinois and Indiana University, National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment
(NILOA). Retrieved from: http://www.learningoutcomeassessment.org/TransparencyFramework.htm

10. LUMINA FOUNDATION DEGREE PROFILE
http://caylormarketing.donet.com/profile_defined
VIDEO: http://www.luminafoundation.org/newsroom/topics/what_is_a_degree_profile.html

11. BADGES
Informal learning credentialing
Competition and rewards for
engagement - gamification

12. GAME LAYER
Institutional example
http://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=48416

13. PUBLISHERS, 4PROFITS, TECH GIANTS, FUNDERS
 Pearson  Development Education
 McGraw Hill Initiative
 Kaplan  Complete College America
 University of Phoenix  Getting Past Go
Guess who used this Zombie campaign to raise awareness?

14. INTERSECTING INDUSTRIES

15. LEARNING
James Paul Gee, Arizona State
Literacy, Rhetoric, Discourse
Video PBS Interview
http://video.pbs.org/video/1767377460/
36 Learning Principles:
http://mason.gmu.edu/~lsmithg/jamespaulgee2
Bryan Alexander- NITLE- 2009 New Media Consortium Presentation:
http://wp.nmc.org/proceedings2009/papers/computer-games-liberal-arts-world

16. BEYOND GAMIFICATION- KEY ADVOCATES
Marc Prensky & Richard Van Eck
University of North Dakota
http://net.educause.edu/eli061
ELI Annual Meeting 2006 San Diego
Constance Steinkuehler
UWisconsin, Madison
Sr. Policy Analyst
Office of Science and
Technology Policy, Executive
Office of the President
Chris Dede, Harvard http://www.brookings.edu/events/2011/1208_mobile_technology.aspx
2009: Wisdom http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2011/1208_mobile_broadband_west.aspx

17. 7 GRAND CHALLENGES OF EDUCATION
 Roadmap for Educational Technology
 PersonalizingEducation
 Assessing Student Learning
 Supporting Social Learning
 Diminishing Boundaries
 Developing Alternative Teaching
Methods
 Addressing Policy Change
http://www.cra.org/ccc/learningtech.php

18. ROADMAP’S RECOMMENDATIONS
 User modeling
 Mobile tools
 Networking tools Beverly
Woolf
 Serious games
 Intelligent environments
 Educational data mining Next Generation Learning
Challenges Wave I Grant
Math Fundamentals Tutor called
 Rich interfaces Wayang to Improve College
Readiness and Completion

19. OUR GBL CHALLENGE
Applying what we know about game-based
learning:
collaborative self-interest
faculty empowerment (DIY)
faculty development (supported)
Photo from NIMH
course-game integration
course-game development
broader-game development
massive-game development
Kim Hager, UCLA

20. IT IS ABOUT LEARNING!
Games work for the same
reasons Game Techniques
that learning works
Motivation Flow
Feedback Feedback Curtiss Murphy
Good Games
Practice Simplicity By Design
Sr. Product Engineer
Positive Feelings Choice/involvement Alion Science and
Technology
Intensity Immersion &
Choice/involvement Engagement
Practice
Fun
Why Games Work and the Science of Learning
I/ITSEC 2011Tutorial http://www.goodgamesbydesign.com

21. INSTITUTIONAL EXAMPLE
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Games, Learning and Society Conference http://www.glsconference.org/2012
Advanced Distributed Learning Co-Lab http://www.academiccolab.org

22. INSTITUTIONAL EXAMPLES- GAMING
Boise State University
3D Game Lab, Lisa Dawkins
Faculty Development
http://3dgamelab.org
Penn State’s Gaming Commons, Chris Stubbs http://gaming.psu.edu

23. ADVANCED DISTRIBUTED LEARNING (ADL)
• US DoD Joint ADL Co-
Lab, UCF Research Park
• Focus on Next
Generation Learner
• Standards of
Technologies
• Reusability
• Interoperability
• Project Tin Can for
scenario development
http://adlnet.org
http://research.adlnet.gov/newsletter/academic/201103.htm

24. SERIOUS GAMES
Serious Games Showcase and Challenge
http://sgschallenge.com/
Games for Change http://sgschallenge.com/
EnerCities Game: http://www.enercities.eu

25. TM
• Psychology online (virtual) labs
• Solves business problem –
inadequate lab space
• Drives scientific inquiry within
undergraduate education
http://engage.ucf.edu/v/p/mtycUPG
Produced and supported by CDL’s Learning Systems & Technology Group

26. LEARNING REGISTRY
- Community
- Amplified
- Distributed
- Learning
- Resources
Joint Initiative
http://learningregistry.org

27. BE YOUR OWN HERO
March 15-17, 2012
http://www.vwbpe.org
http://vwmooc.wordpress.com

28. GET THEE AN AVATAR
Open Simulation
Free access and land
for research and
development
http://fvwc.army.mil/moses
http://www.gametechconference.com
March 28-30, 2012 Free access via Second Life

29. ARG – MOOC LIKE
Intellagirl
Sarah Robbins
Launched in Feb 2012
Rich
narrative, puzzles, hum
or, intrigue, characters
http://manuscriptmystery.blogspot.com

30. THANK YOU
Barbara.Truman@ucf.edu
Twitter: barbaratruman
Facebook and LinkedIn: Barbara Truman
Skype and Flickr: Btruwoman
Second Life: Delightful Doowangle
Research Blog:
http://barbaratruman.blogspot.com
Personal Blog: http://barbaratruman.com
http://online.ucf.edu

31. KEY REFERENCES
Web Links
Horizon Report http://wp.nmc.org/horizon2011/sections/game-based-learning/
Bryan Alexander- NITLE- 2009 New Media Consortium Presentation: http://wp.nmc.org/proceedings2009/papers/computer-games-liberal-arts-
world
Lumina Foundation Degree Profile Video: http://www.luminafoundation.org/newsroom/topics/what_is_a_degree_profile.html
UCF Psychology Virtual Lab Research-Game Project http://engage.ucf.edu/v/p/mtycUPG
National Center for Simulation http://www.simulationinformation.com/
Team Orlando http://www.teamorlando.org/
College Productivity http://collegeproductivity.org
Council for Adult and Experiential Learning http://www.cael.org
National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment http://www.learningoutcomeassessment.org/
Gallup Organization Strengths-Based Development http://www.gallup.com/consulting/61/strengths-development.aspx
A Roadmap for Education Technology http://www.cra.org/ccc/learningtech.php
Next Generation Learning Challenges Wave I Grant: Math Fundamentals Tutor, Wayang, to Improve College Readiness and Completion
http://nextgenlearning.org/the-grants/wave-I-winners#43
Alternate Reality Game (ARG) video from Jason Rosenblum: http://vimeo.com/22688990
Alternate Reality Game Vimeo: ARG: http://vimeo.com/22688990
Entertainment Software Association: http://www.theesa.com/facts/index.asp
Centers for Disease Control Zombie Apocalypse: http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2011/05/preparedness-101-zombie-apocalypse/
Serious Games Institute (UK) http://www.seriousgamesinstitute.co.uk/
National STEM Video Game Challenge: http://www.stemchallenge.org/
Sandia Labs – Adaptive Training – Elaine Raybourn http://www.sandia.gov/adaptive-training-systems/
Praise for World of Warcraft http://www.economist.com/blogs/babbage/2010/09/praise_video_games
Kaufman Foundation - Want to Truly Scale a Learning Program? Try Gaming. http://www.kauffman.org/education/try-gaming.aspx
James Paul Gee’s Gaming Learning Principles: http://mason.gmu.edu/~lsmithg/jamespaulgee2
James Gee Video PBS Interview: http://video.pbs.org/video/1767377460/
SuperSleuths – Intelligence Training - http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/11/iarpa-video-games
MacArthur Competition on Digital Badges: http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.4196225/apps/s/content.asp?ct=11221065
STEM Ethics Game-HP Catalyst-Sloan Video Larysa Nadolny http://www.drnadolny.com/confjuly2011.html
ARIS Open Source Mobile Platform: http://arisgames.org/
Games, Learning, and Society Blog: http://www.gameslearningsociety.org/
Adademic Co-Lab –Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative (ADL) http://www.academiccolab.org/home
Serious Game – Enercities http://www.enercities.eu/
Serious Games Showcase and Challenge: (Turn Down Speakers!) http://sgschallenge.com/
IITSEC Conference, Orlando, FL http://www.iitsec.org
Games for Change: http://gamesforchange.org

32. KEY REFERENCES (CONTINUED)
Resource Examples:
Boise State University - 3DGame Lab: http://3dgamelab.org
Penn State University Educational Gaming Commons: http://gaming.psu.edu/
Online Games on Demand: http://www.onlive.com/#5
Advanced Distributed Learning Newsletter on Video Games March 2011: http://research.adlnet.gov/newsletter/academic/201103.htm
Center for Edupunx http://center4edupunx.com/
Simulation and Serious Games- Lyr Lobo http://www.slideshare.net/lyrlobo/simulations-and-educational-games
Serious Game with Deep Down Mine http://www.deepdownfilm.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=151&Itemid=130
Purdue Games Institute http://social.education.purdue.edu/game/
Texas Games SIGGS http://www.texasgames.net/istesiggs/course/view.php?id=35
Articles
Do Serious Games Work? http://elearnmag.acm.org/featured.cfm?aid=1661378
Murphy, C. (2011) Non-published manuscript. Why Games Work and the Science of Learning. http://www.goodgamesbydesign.com/?p=59
Books
Bransford, J., Brown, A. L., Cocking, R. R., & National Research Council (U.S.). (1999). How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and school. Washington, D.C: National
Academy Press.
Gee, J. P. (2004). What video games have to teach us about learning and literacy. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Gee, J. P., & Hayes, E. (2010). Women and gaming: The Sims and 21st century learning. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Senge, P. M. (1999). The dance of change: The challenges of sustaining momentum in learning organizations. New York: Currency/Doubleday.
Woolf, B. P. (2009). Building intelligent interactive tutors: Student-centered strategies for revolutionizing e-learning. Amsterdam: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers/Elsevier.
UCF Gaming and Simulation Web sites:
UCF Institute for Simulation and Training http://www.ist.ucf.edu/
UCF IST METIL http://www.metillab.com/
UCF Retro Lab http://ucfretrolab.org/
UCF Center for Research and Education in Arts, Technology, and Entertainment http://create.cah.ucf.edu/
UCF Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy http://www.fiea.ucf.edu
UCF School of Visual Arts and Design http://svad.cah.ucf.edu