Experience Points — University XP

On today’s episode we’ll cover Using Games for Learning. Some of the most common applications are gamification, serious games, and games-based learning. But, that is not what many people see in practice. There are some really popular interpretations of learning games. Those focus on a few areas like the following: Scoreboards keeping track of players’ progress. Playful feedback in activities, and Tracking of students’ goals and achievements. On their face, these all contribute to the field of games-based learning. But there are definitely some other things you should consider when using games for learning. Motivation is one of the most critical areas for games-based learning. Specifically, we aim to use intrinsic motivation.

games based learningDave EngJune 25, 2020games, games-based learning, ludology, games for learningComment

Episode 10 Moral Choices in Games

On today’s episode we’ll cover Moral Choices in Games. There are many types of games available for people to play and enjoy. One of the most familiar and heartwarming ones are narrative driven games. These are games where the player often plays the protagonist. Here, you play as a single avatar. You explore the world and different paths in the story. If you’ve ever read the “Choose your own adventure” type of books then you know what I’m talking about. As the character, you interact with and make decisions as you move through the world. When reading the book your turn to page –whatever- in order to see what happens. If you liked this episode please consider commenting, sharing, and subscribing.

moral choicesDave EngJune 9, 2020games, games-based learning, ludology, serious games, simulations, games for learningComment

Episode 9 Lessons Learned Simulations and Training with Matthew Stevens

In this episode I connected with Matthew Stevens of Lessons Learned Simulations and Training. In this interview we discussed the meaning and purpose of humanitarian work; Matt’s career working n the field; as well as how he uses serious games and simulations for teaching and training others.

Episode 8 Ludic Language Pedagogy with James York of Tokyo Denki University

In this episode I connected with James York a lecturer at Tokyo Denki University. In this interview we discussed James’ path towards Toko Denki University; his work with the Ludic Language Pedagogy Journal; his approach to using games for teaching and learning; and the special challenges of teaching language through game play.

interviewDave EngMay 19, 2020games, games-based learning, ludology, ludic, language, pedagogy, journal, Tokyo DenkiComment

Episode 7 War Games with James Sterett, U.S. Army University/Command & General Staff College

I connected with my colleague James Sterrett the US Army Deputy Chief, CGSC Simulations & Exercises Division. In this interview we discussed Dr. Sterett’s work with simulations, war games, and his philosophy on incorporating gaming into teaching and learning.

interview, simulations, war gamesDave EngMay 12, 2020games, games-based learning, ludology, serious games, simulations, war gamesComment

Episode 6 Serious Games

Many people already know what games are and how to define them. But do you know anything about “serious” games? Serious games are games. But they’ve been designed with an educational purpose. Serious games were not created to be played for amusement or entertainment. For other educators like myself, serious games offer a distinct advantage compared to using commercially available off-the-shelf games. When using those commercial games I have to work to adapt them to what I want my students to learn. Serious games on the other hand are available for teaching and learning right out of the “box.” Serious games have allowed us to improve our teaching practices by using game structures, constructs, and scaffolding directly for learning.

serious gamesDave EngApril 29, 2020serious gamesComment

Episode 5 Remote Adventure with Board Gaming with Education

I connected with my friend and colleague Dustin Staats from Board Gaming with Education on his program Remote Adventure. In this episode we cover Games-Based Learning versus Gamification. There are some similarities and some differences. We also covered some tools that we like to use for integrating games into our teaching, training, learning, and education.

Episode 4 Gamified Learning Outcomes

Games have goals. Classes have outcomes. Learning outcomes are a way for faculty, educators, and instructional designers to form and shape how a class will be structured. Game designers also form and shape the player’s experience through structures, loops, and other activities. Some may think that these two areas are completely separate.

learning outcomes, gamesDave EngApril 14, 2020goals, games, learning outcomesComment

Episode 3 Student Gamer Centric

One of the biggest changes to education has been the creation of a learner-centric model for teaching. I find this kind funny as I believed that teaching had always been learner centric. Aren’t students the main benefactor of learning? Isn’t that why we are all here? I can only come to that conclusion because I think about learning from a games-based mindset. Games are created for others to interact with, play, and enjoy. They aren’t for the designers. Is an un-played game still a game?

learning theory, player typesDave EngApril 7, 2020gamer, studentComment

Episode 2 The Nature of Games

What is a game? What makes a game? Games have been part of human history for many years. But do we even know what we are playing? What makes them fun, interesting, unique, and engaging? A game is a participatory activity where people play for pleasure and without a specific purpose. But can you really say that? Do people really play games without a specific outcome? I know that I play games to have fun, but does that mean that they aren’t serious? Does that mean that my hobby isn’t something as worthwhile as someone else’s?

ludologyDave EngApril 2, 2020games, nature of agmesComment

Episode 1 "Why Games?"

Here’s a question that never comes up in my presentations: “What makes games so appealing?” Usually people already know the answer. So, they don’t ask the question. Lots of people have different reasons why they play games: because they like the characters or the story. Because they want to escape from their everyday lives – even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Dave EngFebruary 11, 2020why gamesComment

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