Virtual College Tour at Air Force Academy
Here is a great 3D tour created in a virtual world of the Air Force Academy. I really like the mini games.
Continue Reading →A Few Interesting Virtual World Resources
Here are a few of virtual world research papers that contain some interesting information: Virtually Face to Face: Enriching Collaborative Learning Through Multiplayer Game by Johanna Bluemin. Promoting motivation with virtual agents and avatars: role of visual presence and appearance by Amy Baylor Best Practices in Virtual World Teaching: A Guide to Teaching Problem Solving […]
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Leave a Comment (0) →Comparing 2D and 3D Learning Affordances
The table below compares the affordances of 2D Synchronous Learning with 3D Synchronous Learning. Sensibility 2D Synchronous Learning 3D Synchronous Learning Sense of Self Emoticon Avatar Death of Distance Same Time Same Website Same Time Same Place Power of Presence Disembodied Embodied Pervasiveness of Practice Exercises Role Plays Walk Throughs Sense of Space Limited […]
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Leave a Comment (0) →Avatars and Social Learning Theory
Recently, I posted about Bandura’s Social learning theory, this posting continues the discussion and relates it specifically to instruction involving avatars. Social Learning Theory Robert Bandura in the late 1970’s articulated the concept of social learning theory as a method in which individuals learn from one another in the context of a social situation through […]
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Leave a Comment (2) →Gamification vs. Serious Games–What’s the Difference?”
Interesting comment the other day, Dianne asked: Just curious if you make a distinction between gamification and serious games. (I think getting overly wedded to terminology is a distraction from looking at the quality, or lack thereof, of particular games, but do see that the emphasis seems a bit different when people talk about the […]
Continue Reading →Bandura’s Social Learning Theory
Here are some thoughts and ideas related to Albert Bandura’s social learning theory. Bandura’s social learning theory indicates the effectiveness of human social models in influencing another to change behaviors, beliefs or attitudes, as well as social and cognitive functioning. Through processes such as observation, vicarious experience (experience gained by observing another) and social interaction, […]
Continue Reading →The Do Over or Replay Button–Critical to a Game’s Success
The “do over” in board or card games and the replay button in video games is an important game element that is often overlooked. The replay button or do over gives the player permission to fail. In games, failure is an option. And it’s a good one. Allowing a player to fail with minimal consequences […]
Continue Reading →What the Gamificaiton of Learning and Instruction is Not
There are many misconceptions about the gamification of learning and instruction, here are some things that gamification is not. Trivialization of Learning—Gamification is not a cheapening or dilution of “real learning.” Serious learning scenarios are undertaken within game spaces all the time from military games, to sales incentives, to practicing medical procedures or preparing for […]
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Leave a Comment (5) →Another Proposed Definition of “Game”
“A game is a system in which players engage in an abstract challenge, defined by rules, interactivity and feedback that results in a quantifiable outcome often eliciting an emotional reaction.” Let’s look at each element of the definition: System—A set of interconnected elements occur within the “space” of the game. A score is related to […]
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Leave a Comment (0) →ThinkingWorlds 3.4 Release–Half Price Copies Available!
Thinking Worlds 3.4 is now available to download! 3.4 has the long-awaited publish to Java feature which will allow you to publish your games on the internet – anywhere. To celebrate this new release, you can buy a licence to Thinking Worlds Professional or Standard at HALF PRICE. That’s a massive 50% off the normal […]
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