Learning Online with Games, Simulations, and Virtual Worlds: Strategies for Online Instruction
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Jossey-Bass Guides to Online Teaching and LearningLearning Online with Games, Simulations, and Virtual WorldsStrategies for Online InstructionClark AldrichLearning Online with Games, Simulations, and Virtual WorldsThe infusion of games, simulations, and virtual worlds into online learning can be a transforming experience for both the instructor and the student. This practical guide, written by education game expert Clark Aldrich, shows faculty members and instructional designers how to identify opportunities for building games, simulations, and virtual environments into the curriculum; how to successfully incorporate these interactive environments to enhance student learning; and how to measure the learning outcomes. It also discusses how to build institutional support for using and financing more complex simulations. The book includes frameworks, tips, case studies and other real examples, and resources.Praise for Learning Online with Games, Simulations, and Virtual Worlds"Clark Aldrich provides powerful insights into the dynamic arena of games, simulations, and virtual worlds in a simultaneously entertaining and serious manner as only he can. If you are involved with educating anyone, from your own children to classrooms full of students, you need to devour this book."— Karl Kapp, assistant director, Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University"At a time when the technologies for e-learning are evolving faster than most people can follow, Aldrich successfully bridges the perceptual gap between virtual worlds, digital games, and educational simulations, and provides educators with all they really need to use this technology to enhance and enrich their e-learning experiences."— Katrin Becker, instructor, Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Mount Royal College, and adjunct professor of education, University of Calgary"I consider this a must-read for anyone engaged in or contemplating using these tools in their classrooms or designing their own tools."— Rick Van Sant, professor of learning and technology, Ferris State University
Preface viiThe Author xPart I What Are Games, Simulations, and Virtual Worlds Really, and Why Should I Care?1 Understanding Highly Interactive Virtual Environments 3Do Highly Interactive Virtual Environments Work Better? 4The "Why" 5Clarifying What We Mean by Highly Interactive Virtual Environments 62 Embracing Interactivity 15Interactivity Levels 0 through 6 16Interactivity Levels and Leadership Models 193 Sims: A New Model of Content 21Simulation Elements 22Game Elements 23Pedagogical Elements 25Tasks and Levels 27Genres of Stand-Alone Sims 29Four Concluding Thoughts 374 Highly Interactive Content from the Students' and the Instructor's Perspective 39Different Culture, Different Rules 39Learning to Love Frustration and Anticipate Resolution 40When the Most Valuable Thing for a Coach to Do Is Nothing 42part II Choosing and Using a Highly Interactive Virtual Environment5 Identifying the Right Approach for the Right Need 47Why Use Distance Learning Programs at All? 48When to Use Highly Interactive Content 49Costs Associated with HIVEs 536 Doing the Prep Work 55Connect with Other Interested Professionals 55Access the Content 55Infrastructure Selection Criteria 63Content Selection Criteria 66Self-Paced/Single Player, Asynchronous, or Synchronous 69Trust 71Might Virtual Worlds Be the Universal Interface to (Other) Sims? 717 Integrating and Piloting 75Technical Support for Students 75Chunking Content 76Piloting 81Conclusion: The Need for Front Loading 838 A Brief Example of a Simulation Deployment 85Peter Shea's Sim for Writing 85Online versus Face to Face87Students as Real-Time Evaluators of Sims? 889 The Processes of Using a HIVE and the Role of Coaching 89The Setup 89On Ramp: From Real Life to Simulation 92Teaching the Interface 93First Public Simulation Play 93Putting Together Groups for Multiplayer or Team-Based Sims 95Coaching during the Student Use 97After Action Reviews 99Off Ramp: From Simulation Back to Real Life 101Into the Breach 10210 Creating Evaluation Strategies 103Why Not Measure Experience with a Multiple-Choice Test? 103Assessment Strategies 105Assessment Techniques for Grading Student Performance 107Conclusion 111Part III Other Considerations7 Selling Interactive Environments Internally-Getting Buy In from Administrators, Department Heads, Colleagues, Parents, and even Students 115Building Support for HIVEs 116What Does Success Look Like for You? 120Epilogue: The New Attraction of Distance Learning 121References 123Index 125
