This document discusses using participatory simulations (pSims) and ubiquitous games (UbiqGames) to teach complex systems through gaming. pSims are computer simulations that engage learners through social interaction and technology. Examples described include genetics and economics games. UbiqGames are casual, mobile, and multiplayer games designed to fit into schedules and reach many learners. Games discussed include Weatherlings, which teaches weather prediction through battling virtual creatures, and Palmagotchi, a virtual pet game that teaches biology concepts. Data snapshots from trials of these games are provided.
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MIT-Ubiq-Games_HHL2009
1. Gaming Together to Learn Together:
PSims & UbiqGames for Learning Complex Systems
MIT STEP (Scheller Teacher Education Program)
http://education.mit.edu
www.educationarcade.org
Jennifer Gro鍖
US-UK Fulbright Scholar
jennifer_gro鍖@mail.harvard.edu
4. Gaming Together to Learn Together:
PSims & UbiqGames for Learning Complex Systems
5. Participatory Simulations pSims
Engage learners in computer mediated
simulations
Provide rich learning experiences where
technology and social interaction are key
Use relatively simple and cheap technologies
(Palms<$100) and IR peer to peer
communication
6. Examples from the lab... pSims
Live Long and Prosper (a.k.a. Genetics)
Can you decode a genome so that you
can live long and prosper?
Can you apply the genetic analysis you
learned on paper?
Sugar and Spice
Economics-Trading
Negotiation, optimizing trade strategies
Big Fish - Little Fish
Resource Management
Virus, Tit-for-Tat, Networks
7. Customization in the Classroom pSims
Preferences screen
Typically accessed by teacher to:
Pre-set underlying model
Prevent students from altering model/
cheating
Secret code is ?!?
Preferences can be BEAMED from one Palm to
another
8. Why Handhelds?
Portability
Social Interactivity
Context Sensitivity
Connectivity
Individuality
9. Design Principles pSims
Fostering learning
Integrating games and learning
Facilitating peer to peer / social interaction
Balancing collaboration and competition
Relying on action o鍖 computers
Varying timescale
Having fun
10. Learning Goals pSims
K-16
Engage in authentic science
Foster collaborative learning
Capitalize on game play motivation
Solve complex problems with complex solutions
Informal Education
Encourage deeper and broader interaction
Connect and collaborate with others
Training
Promote teamwork and collaboration
Facilitate role playing
Provide new perspectives on real problems
Allow safe play
11. Sample pSims
The Virus Game
1 Palm = 1 Person
Enter unique name (ABC=keyboard)
To Meet someone:
Align Palm IR ports on both machines (4 -
12 inches apart)
One (and only one) of you hit Meet button
If successful, their name will appear in your
list (in the order you met them)
14. Palmagotchi
Results
Pilot studies in two biology classes
Caring about creatures (sort of alive - Turkle)
Led to pursuit of strategies for success and learning about
evolution
Evolution is dynamic and depends on the environment
Demand for mini-games
Needs a more ubiquitous platform
16. Weatherlings UbiqGames
Features
Multiplayer
Single Player
Web-based
Collaborative
First Game
Pokemon + Weather Prediction
Maintain creatures and battle creatures
Impacted by arena weather
17. Weatherlings UbiqGames
http://hlc.mitstep.org/weather
click on Sign up!
code: hlcgame
23. Palmagotchi
How to Battle
UbiqGames
DRAW phase
four cards maximum at one time
PLAY phase
make a forecast - attack won't take place for another six hours
play the card you think will adapt best to the situation
ATTACK phase
examine the weather data, make a prediction (3 hours from now)
select a Weatherling from your field and the move that you think will
work best under those conditions
select the opponents Weatherling you want to target
Note: Weatherlings will take extra damage if their a鍖nity is
weakened by the weather condition so lookout for
those opportunities!
24. Palmagotchi
How to Battle
UbiqGames
Scoring
One-tenth (rounded down) of the total damage or healing will be
added to your score
You score 10 extra points for sidelining an opponent's creature and 20
extra points for attacking the opponent directly
Ending
The battle ends after the ATTACK phase of the final round.
Most points WINS!
32. Palmagotchi
How to Battle
UbiqGames
DRAW phase
four cards maximum at one time
PLAY phase
make a forecast - attack won't take place for another six hours
play the card you think will adapt best to the situation
ATTACK phase
examine the weather data, make a prediction (3 hours from now)
select a Weatherling from your field and the move that you think will
work best under those conditions
select the opponents Weatherling you want to target
Note: Weatherlings will take extra damage if their a鍖nity is
weakened by the weather condition so lookout for
those opportunities!
33. Weatherlings UbiqGames
Data snapshot 3 days x 20 kids
200 battles
1250 battle rounds
2250 forecasts
5000 weather data points
980 cards = learning time
35. What they are: pSims
Casual, Mobile & Multiplayer
CASUAL (not shallow)
Ubiq
Games
Short bursts of game play: Able to fit into schedules
&
Shallow learning curve: Accessible to all
MOBILE
Play anytime and anywhere: Can reach many players on many
platforms
MULTIPLAYER
Interactions are rich and complex: Facilitates collaboration and
competition
= Games in class
36. Gaming Together to Learn Together:
Participatory Simulations & UbiqGames for Learning
Complex Systems
Jennifer Gro鍖
US-UK Fulbright Scholar
jennifer_gro鍖@mail.harvard.edu
MIT STEP (Scheller Teacher Education Program)
http://education.mit.edu
www.educationarcade.org