The document discusses the concept of the decorative media trap in educational design, emphasizing the importance of effective presentation alongside good design. It highlights that beautiful designs can be misleading if they do not serve functional purposes, stressing the necessity of critical thinking and skill development in educational games. Additionally, it contrasts linear and interactive media, suggesting that interaction in games enhances learning experiences.

1. THE DECORATIVE MEDIA TRAP
And how to avoid it.
Katrin Becker, Ph.D.
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2. WHAT AM I
PLAYING NOW?
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3. FIRST
IMPRESSIONS
Do they matter?
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4. FIRST
IMPRESSION
S
You never get a second chance to make
a first impression.
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5. A bad design with a good
presentation is doomed
eventually.
A good design with a bad
presentation is doomed
immediately.
Source: Akin’s Laws of
Spacecraft Design (#20)
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6. DECORATIVE MEDIA PRINCIPLE
• Promotes:
• Scaffolding
• Interest
• Cues (mnemonics)
• Mental Model Formation
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7. LINEAR VS. INTERACTIVE MEDIA
• VIDEO : all about visual
• Games : about interaction
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8. DECORATIVE MEDIA TRAP
Attractive = Good
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9. DECORATIVE MEDIA TRAP
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10. WRAPPER
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11. FUNCTIONALITY
We reviewed each of these games to make
sure that they provide students with skill
development and critical thinking sequences.
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13. WRAPPER
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14. DIFFERENT WRAPPER
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15. GAME
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16. SPLIT BRAIN
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17. DNA GAME
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22. SUDOKU
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23. DOING IT RIGHT…
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24. THANKS
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