WelcomeMy name is Craig Brumwell. I am a Masters of Educational Technology at the University of British Columbia conducting an independent directed study into game design for learning in the social studies classroom. My goal is to deepen my knowledge of learning games, investigate and assess a range of exemplar games, and create a mobile, locative game for the Vimy 100 Commemoration in France in April, 2017.
ApproachI will be creating this game using the Minimum Viable (MVP) process. This strategy involves making rapid iterations on the game from the ideas stage through to prototyping, play testing, and analysis. To do so I am seeking critiques to feedback at all stages of the project from a range of willing individuals and groups who represent early adopters and stakeholders.
Mobile technologies are enabling new and exciting opportunities for students to learn in the field. Place-based learning experienced through games and apps has the potential to enrich student understanding in ways that continue to emerge. Investigating way of connecting these technologies to the changing social studies curricula is needed and exciting process.
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My Journey to Date
My research to game theory and the value of games for learning convinces me that they have an important role education. James Paul Gee is a scholar whose work is particularly important to me. See the video below for a summary of what game design offers learning.
I am not a video gammer, which introduces both challenges and opportunities. I have played, taught and coached sports for decades and played my share of board and card games but games on computers, consoles and phones represent a new horizon to me. I share the perspective of similar late career teachers who ask themselves what new technology-enabled learning approaches can add value to learning. |
In the past year I initiated my investigation into game-based learning through simulations, board games and student authored interactive storytelling in my classes. I also created the game Dilemma 1944 below on the ARIS Games platform which became part of my online lesson, Shifting Commitments: Safety, Security and Sacrifice in a Changing World.
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