Class Scope and Objectives

How can we create educational games that learners will play for their entertainment value? Can learning occur when the user plays the game in isolation, without a teacher or parent guide? What can top-rated and top-selling entertainment games tell us about developing educational games? What resources and management aspects are required to develop an effective, educational and entertaining game?

This class will utilize class discussion, project development and review of research in educational game development to explore the above questions. Though we won't be completing any 'real world' projects in class, we'll be developing design documents and paper prototypes each week — establishing a portfolio of educational gaming ideas. We'll analyze software used in different environments and create our own guidelines and recommendations for teaching through gaming technology. Participants should expect weekly readings and game playing, some out of class usability testing and observation time, and in-class discussion and review of current software.

Through completion of this course, participants should be able to:

discuss various types of game-play and gaming environments
describe how computer games can lead to specific learning objectives
outline approaches for game play based on target audience needs
design learning outcomes and interface testing with target audience members
produce a proposal for educational game development suitable for funding submission (graduate level)


Scope and Objectives	Projects and Assignments	Required Readings and Games	Schedule	Instructor & Students
Class Scope and Objectives How can we create educational games that learners will play for their entertainment value? Can learning occur when the user plays the game in isolation, without a teacher or parent guide? What can top-rated and top-selling entertainment games tell us about developing educational games? What resources and management aspects are required to develop an effective, educational and entertaining game? This class will utilize class discussion, project development and review of research in educational game development to explore the above questions. Though we won't be completing any 'real world' projects in class, we'll be developing design documents and paper prototypes each week — establishing a portfolio of educational gaming ideas. We'll analyze software used in different environments and create our own guidelines and recommendations for teaching through gaming technology. Participants should expect weekly readings and game playing, some out of class usability testing and observation time, and in-class discussion and review of current software. Through completion of this course, participants should be able to: discuss various types of game-play and gaming environments describe how computer games can lead to specific learning objectives outline approaches for game play based on target audience needs design learning outcomes and interface testing with target audience members produce a proposal for educational game development suitable for funding submission (graduate level)