Bradshaw q-digital game based learning

Digital Game Based LearningDr. Quiana Bradshaw, DCS

Grantham University

November 09, 2014

Table of Contents

• Digital Game Play in Virtual World

Environments

• History of digital game-based learning

• Elements of digital game-based learning

• Benefits of digital game-based learning

• Disadvantages of digital game-based learning

• Gaming in the Classroom

• What are Digital Native Immigrants?

• How Can Games be designed for effective

learning?

• Summary

Digital Game Play in Virtual World Environments

History of Digital Game-Based Learning

• The digital games emergence was during the last decades of the 20th century according

to Marc Prensky. The current youth generation has many avenues of access to

technology. This includes computers digital music play Therefore, because of this

access to technology, Prensky argues that today’s students “think and process

information fundamentally differently than their predecessors.”2

• Teachers, or what Prensky calls “digital immigrants” now have to adapt to the language

and learning styles of “digital natives,” a term he uses to describe students who have

always been surrounded by technology, video games and cell phone technology.

Elements of Digital Game-Based Learning

• Student age, gender

characteristics

• Competitive ness and gaming

experience

• Game target age level

• Gender and racial diversity

• Role of educator

• Level of events in game play

• Game play mechanics

• Game aesthetics

Benefits of Digital Game-Based Learning

Disadvantages of Digital Game-Based Learning

• A potential distraction

• Not properly implemented in the curriculum

• Games are not always align with learning outcomes & assessments

• Educators don’t use age appropriate game targets

• Using outdated digital updated games

What are Digital Native Immigrants?

• Digital Native immigrants is the generational switchover where

people are characterized by the technological culture in which

they’re familiar with.

How can games be designed for effective learning?

• Apply Jesse Schell’s Elemental Tetrad Learning Game Design

Characteristics

• Align educational games with educational outcomes and goals

• Use the appropriate game-age target for learners

• Teach educators how to appropriately monitor game play learning

initiatives.

Summary

• Digital game based learning can be used as an instructional

method to increase educational research initiatives and

stimulate digital native learning outcomes.

References

• Coffey, H. (n.d.). Digital Game-Based Learning. Retrieved November 09, 2014 from

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/4970#note3

• Prensky, M. (2001). “Digital Natives, digital immigrants.” On the Horizon. 9 (5), p. 1.

• Griffiths, M. (2002). “The educational benefits of videogames.” Education and Health. 20

(3), pp. 47-51

• Oliver, J. (2012). What Does it Mean to Be a Digital Native? Retrieved November 09,

2014 from http://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/04/business/digital-native-prensky/