June 25-29, 2007 Vancouver BC, Canada - Association for the ...

PRE-CONFERENCE TUTORIALS & WORKSHOPS
Monday, June 25, Morning, 8:30 AM – 12:00 NOON
W1: Pervasive Gaming and Experiential Learning (bring your laptop)
Robert Biddle & Claire Dormann, Carleton University, Canada
Abstract
This workshop will introduce a new geo-pervasive game that uses active learning
and is suitable for many learning contexts. The game has two phases, one to
explore and one to tell stories. The first phase involves exploration of an environment
in small teams, using a set of cards to guide exploration in new ways and
focus attention on multi-modal interaction. The second phase involves stories
recorded in a community "wiki": a website that thus grows to be a kind of community
atlas of the environment. The workshop will first introduce the theory of this
kind of pervasive game, and describe our experience with the game in various
learning environments. We will then play the game ourselves, using teams and our
cards to explore the environment, and then collaborate to create an emergent atlas.
Finally, we will work in small groups to brainstorm how the game could be applied
to learning subjects and environments of interest to those in the workshop.
Objectives
1. To Explain the Theory and Benefits of Pervasive Games in Learning. We will
review the idea of pervasive games, give some examples from the literature, and
show the connection to experiential learning.
2. To Learn and Experience a Pervasive Game First-Hand. We will introduce our
adaptable pervasive game, facilitate play-testing of the game, and the creation
of a community wiki atlas. After this experience, participants will be able to play
the game in their teaching environments, as no special material is needed other
than the cards and access to one of the many free wiki websites.
3. To Explore How To Adapt a Pervasive Game to New Learning Contexts. We will
facilitate brainstorming on how to apply the game to teaching and learning environments
of interest to participants.
Outline
We have hardly begun to explore the potential of games for education. The potential
is not only in games which increase motivation and support learning, but also in
games that engage players and involve participation in communities. Pervasive digital
games are a new form of game that involves cyberspace, but extends the gaming
experiences out into the world. In this workshop, we will present our own adaptable
pervasive game based on experiential learning. Experiential learning theory
defines learning as “the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation
of experience”. The design of our game is based on fundamental aspects
of experiential learning: discovery and multi-sensory exploration, collaboration and
social interaction, enhanced reflection through creation of urban stories or multi-sensory
representations. The gameplay mechanics involve a very low tech but carefully-crafted
team card game that is designed to enhance the motivation of the players.
Players are divided into teams, and two teams play the game together with a
deck of cards: one team plays while the other scores them. The deck of cards is
composed of four sections: direction, theme cards, engagement cards and jokers.
The results are documented in a “wiki community atlas”: a “wikipedia” of the community
environment. The game experience takes players on a journey of personal
evolution, which transforms the ways they understand the world. The creation, sharing
and distribution of personal stories, and urban representations form a rich experience
that is an important element of modern life emerging through the use of digital
technologies. The workshop will consist of outlining the gameplay and game
mechanics, playing-test the game as a group, and discussing our experience.We will
then focus on a final session to brainstorm and identify opportunities for using the
game in new teaching and learning situations of interest to workshop participants.
Prerequisites
1. EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Any level.
2. PREREQUISITES: Familiarity with using the World-Wide-Web.
Intended Experience Level
Intermediate
Instructor Qualifications
Claire Dormann, BA (Psyc) MSc (Comp Sci) PhD (Communications): Research
Associate, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Dormann has a record of
research and publications in educational technology, and hedonic factors and their
role in games and learning. Her rich multi-disciplinary background highlights her
commitment to bringing technology and human experience together in innovative
ways. Dr. Dormann's paper on humour in computer games was honoured as one of
the top ten papers in game studies for 2006.
Robert Biddle, DipEd, BMath, MMath, PhD (Comp Sci): Professor of Human-
Computer Interaction, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Professor Biddle has a
record of research on innovative technology and human experience documented in
over 150 publications. He is on the editorial boards of a number of conferences and
journals, and is the Program Chair for the 2007 International Wiki Symposium.
Recent relevant collaborative publications:
Dormann, C., Barr, P., & Biddle, R. (2006). Humour theory and videogames: Laughter in
the slaughter. ACM SIGGRAPH Videogame Symposium. Boston, Massachusetts: ACM.
Dormann, C., & Biddle, R. (2006). Humour in game-based learning. Learning, Media,
and Technology, Vol. 31:4. pp. 411-424.
Dormann, C., Woods, B., Cacquard, S., & Biddle, R. (2006). Cybercartography as a role
playing game: From multiple perspectives to critical thinking. Cartographica, 41 (1).
Greenspan, B., Dormann, C., Eaket, C., Cacquard, S., & Biddle, R. (2006). Live
hypernarrative and cybercartography: You are here, now. Cartographica, 41 (1).
Dormann, C., Fiset, J-P, Caquard, S., Woods, B., Hadziomerovic, A., Whitworth, E.,
Hayes, A., Biddle, R. (2005). Computer games as homework: How to Delight and
Instruct. Home Oriented Informatics and Telematics Conference, April 13-15, 2005,
University of York, United Kingdom.
Woods, B., Whitworth, E. Hadziomerovic, A., Dormann, C., Fiset, J.P., Caquard, S.,
Hayes, A. &. Biddle, R. (2005). Repurposing a Computer Role Playing game for
engaging learning, Proceedings of World conference on Educational Multimedia,
and Hypermedia, Montreal, 27June -2 July 2005.
Tutorials are indicated by a T# and have a lecture/demonstration format. Workshops are indicated by a W# and are primarily hands-on sessions.
We advise early registration for all Tutorials and Workshops due to limited space available.
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