1. EDTC-645-700 Instructed by Dr. Ronald Zellner
Digital Game-Based Learning
HyperText Instruction
By Gayle Fisher
In 1928, a Belgium man named Paul Otlet (pronounced ot-let) started his vision of hypertext by making millions of index cards based on the Dewey Decimal System (as we know it in our libraries). WW2 and the Nazis stopped his plan and destroyed much of his work. He died a forgotten man. His work was re-discovered in 1968 and now has its own museum in Belgium. These links tell part of his story.
Dedicated to the Mundaneum and to Paul Otlet, visionary and pioneer of the early “global network of computers (or “electric telescopes”, as he called them)”. Kind of like “the Father of HyperText.”

2. Will Students Benefit from DGBL?
A proven track record of educators and teachers have endorsed DGBL, and many teacher tools exist.
Your students are digital natives, and they are depending on you to talk their language.
We will discuss pioneers in DGBL, its history, game theory, and
(best of all) look at some games that stimulate learning.
“Game based learning (GBL) is a branch of serious games that deals with applications that have defined learning outcomes. Generally they are designed in order to balance the subject matter with the gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply said subject matter to the real world.”
Anyone in the class ever heard of gaming theory? Anyone want to share what they know about this?
further defines Serious Games as “games were being developed for non-entertainment purposes.”
Now, do we want to look first at Theory & History? Or go to the actual games first?
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

3. 2 Pathfinders of DGBL
Marc Prensky - His book 'Digital Game-Based Learning' was the first major publication to define the term, although given the embryonic state of the serious game industry it has continued to evolve since then.
More about Marc
Richard Van Eck - Associate Professor of Instructional Design and Technology at the University of North Dakota, teaches the theory behind the effectiveness of games in teaching and learning; what the past can teach us about if, how, and when to implement digital game-based learning; and what this will mean for colleges and universities.
More about Richard
Marc Pensky coined the phrase “Digital Native, Digital Immigrant”. We have more information on each of these two pioneers in DGBL in the next 2 slides.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

4. Marc Prensky Biography (both in education and business)
Writings (books, articles, predictions)
Blog
Games Games2train (his company)
This is the “Official Site of the book 'Digital Game-Based Learning' by Marc Prensky, his other writings, his biography, and his blog.” He now runs a business based on game-based learning.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

5. Richard Van Eck Generation G and the 21st Century Richard Van Eck
Podcast
Richard Van Eck is one of the best-known proponents of Digital Game Based Learning. He has written and lectured extensively. Here are links to some of his teachings.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

6. History & Theory of Games
History: What does Wikipedia say about “Serious Games” or DGBL?
What is Game Theory? (“Game Impact Theory: The Five Forces That Are Driving the Adoption of Game Technologies within Multiple Established Industries. By Roger Smith, Chief Technology Officer, U.S. Army Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation”)
Another Game Theory link. Another one. And of course, Wikipedia on Game Theory
Here is a clock game that has simple animation.
Paper Airplanes – Learn how to fold origami designs.
Want to know what I think about DGBL?
There are many links with information on the history and the theory of games and serious games. Here are a few.
This is a link to a funky little clock animation game. Also an animation orgami folding demo, to add a little diversity to this lesson.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

7. Advocates of DGBL (Why Should I Believe in DGBL?)
Educating the Net Generation (“This 264-page collection explores the Net Gen and the implications for institutions in areas such as teaching, service, learning space design, faculty development, and curriculum. Contributions by educators and students are included.")
Some more smart people and what they say: (Encyclopedia of Educational Technology)
Trackstar Favorite Places - Use these teacher-selected and teacher-tested Favorite Places. Here are two TrackStars to DGBL:
DGBL - This presentation (What is TrackStar?)
It's Not Just the Digital Natives Who Are Restless
Want to limit the websites your students have access to and yet still give them the surfing experience of researching a specific topic? Use these short-leash teacher-selected and teacher-tested Favorite Places to "organize and annotate Web sites for use in lessons").
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

8. Games You Personally Learn From
Here is the activity page you can use to get your learners synthesizing and evaluating. Have them nominate games that help them learn. What is it they learn? You can hand out some hard copies. Have them me their game nominations. The next slide is the actual handout, with video clip intro. Get those students to evaluate! Maybe ask for their nominations both before the examples of games here and after?
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

9. What Games You Would Use for Learning If You Were Teacher? Why?
OK, now it’s your turn to be Teacher. What games would you add and WHY?
I would add ____________________________________ because _____________
__________________________________________________________________
Please me each of your nominations, and I will add them to my web pages.
OK, class, what games have you learned from? Which games would you use if you were instructing this class and your car payment depending on getting it right? We can also talk about this later on, after you have had some time to evaluate.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

10. Some Digital Games that Promote Learning
Quest Atlantis – “This game is committed to bringing together the power of videogames, academics, and participation in socially-meaningful activities. Participation is designed to enhance the lives of children while helping them grow into knowledgeable, responsible, and empathetic adults. The QA project will foster an awareness of 7 critical dimensions in order to actualize them in the lives of children”
Professor Fizzwizzle – “He needs your help! His once-friendly Friend-Bots have gone in to rage mode, and have thrown him out of his lab! Can you puzzle your way past the Rage-Bots and help Professor Fizzwizzle set things right? He's counting on you!”
Fantasy Stock Market® - “Since 1998, Fantasy Stock Market® has provided a fun, interactive and competitive way to learn about investing and the stock markets to over 1/2 Million individuals and 10,000 Leagues”
Revenge of the Logic Spiders – Figure out how to escape the hungry spiders!
(from their web site)
Quest Atlantis – These 7 critical dimensions are:
Creative Expression - "I Create"
Diversity Affirmation - "Everyone Matters"
Personal Agency - "I Have Voice"
Social Responsibility - "We Can Make a Difference"
Environmental Awareness - "Think Globally, Act Locally"
Healthy Communities - "Live, Love, Grow"
Compassionate Wisdom - "Be Kind"
Anyone heard of any of these games? Which one do we go to first?
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

11. Quest Atlantis
The Game “Welcome to the Quest! Your help is urgently needed on Atlantis. The Atlantian council is seeking your advice regarding important matters. On Atlantis, water and air are polluted, fish are dying, cities are decaying, people are sick. Your time has come to help by venturing on exciting Quests, searching for answers and sharing your findings with the council. As an active Quester you will become part of an international community of students.
Talk to and share your ideas with Questers in Malaysia, Turkey, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, China, and different parts of the United States.”
What Wikipedia says
Background
Video/Audio
A bit more background
Creator and his story
“Through participation in Quest Atlantis, youth will come to value their own communities and to recognize not only that their communities value them, but that even young people can make important contributions in their communities and in the world.”
This is an amazing site, story, collaboration. Be sure to visit this cite---it’s the most complex learning game I have referenced here.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

12. Professor Fizzwizzle
“Professor Fizzwizzle needs your help! His once-friendly Friend-Bots have gone in to rage mode, and have thrown him out of his lab! Can you puzzle your way past the Rage-Bots and help Professor Fizzwizzle set things right? He's counting on you!”
REVIEW: “This has got to be one of the best puzzle games I have played so far. At first the cartoon-like graphics got me, and I thought, that it's a somewhat easy, but at least a really cute game. Then I realized after just 50% of the regular levels, that it needs much more thinking, than it seemed first. The level sets are clever, the game is mixing the real hard ones with some relaxing easier ones, even in one level set. The Kids' levels are of course fairly easy, but I bet that some of them will make even them thinking about "what should I do here?". I *really* recommend this one, for the whole family. Nice graphics and brain-twisting gameplay, what else could be needed? :) “
Quest Atlantis is a multi-player, multi-national game. In contrast, this game (Professor Fizzwizzle) installs just on your computer. You can get the download demo for free, and after that, you buy the software.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

13. Fantasy Stock Market®
This Fantasy Stock Market® game is not as boring as it looks. Do you like to make money? Do you think you will need money in your future?
“Since 1998, Fantasy Stock Market® has provided a fun, interactive and competitive way to learn about investing and the stock markets to over 1/2 million individuals and 10,000 Leagues”
Kind of like Monopoly, but with the stock market. This game can be solo-play or team-play in the classroom. Do we want to try this game as a class and join the league?
Reviews
League Play (Teams)
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

14. Revenge of the Logic Spiders
                                                                           
Revenge of the Logic Spiders
“Revenge of the Logic Spiders helps students apply deeper levels of comprehension and logic to their schoolwork and to standardized and aptitude tests. The game is fun, challenging, and an effective independent learning program. Each activity sharpens reasoning and comprehension through multiple-choice word problems that become progressively more challenging. Each possible answer must be read and analyzed carefully. Only the correct inferences and deductions allow students to escape the hungry spiders.”
This web site has lots of games recognized for their excellence and for test preparation. You know all that test prep stuff, right? Free demos, too. Check it out.
Recognized as helping in test preparation
Awards and Honors
Download free demos
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

15. Successful Examples of Games Implemented in Learning
Professor Chris Dede and his team at Harvard Graduate School of Education
Financial Education - Jump$tart Coalition
Proof of Learning: Assessment in Serious Games
Here are some proven experiences of DGBL improving our learning.
The third bullet, Proof of Learning, gives examples of business applications using DGBL. One of these days, you will be in the working world, and games will still be with you.
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

16. How Learning in the Classroom is Changing
Professor Chris Dede and his team at Harvard Graduate School of Education
Engaging Viewers, Virtually
Handhelds, Avatars, and Virtual Aliens
Know anyone using games for learning?
This guy, Chris Dede, works at Harvard Graduate School of Education. He believes in games. Let’s look at some of his projects.
Later – would you like to have him as a professor? Why?
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

17. Financial Education Jump$tart Coalition
Show Me The Future
“You’ll have a whole new identity including occupation, income, whether you’re married or single, whether or not you have kids, and more.   You have a checking account with a register, which will contain the money you earned as your new identity.  Then you get to make choices, like the kind of house you’ll live in and what you’re going to eat, based on your identity.  Every choice you make costs money, which will be deducted from the money in your checking account.  The trick to the game is to see if you can make ends meet and still have some cash at the end.”
JumpStart (or Jump$tart) Coalition is made of over 300 organizations who want students to learn about money. All the aspects of money: how to spend it, how to save it, how to invest it, how to plan ahead) They offer a long list of games. They also offer teaching materials.
A few of the other games offered:
Consumer Jungle
Easy Street
Mathematics & Economics: Connections for Life
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

18. Proof of Learning: Assessment in Serious Games
Who is the user of serious games?
“In Houston, Texas, a new hire steps onto a simulated offshore drilling platform and rehearses safety protocols. In Washington, D.C., a firefighter surveys a digital raging forest fire and chooses locations for trenches and firebreaks. A soldier in Iraq prepares for an upcoming mission using a detailed simulation of the urban battlefield. And a high school student in Portland, Oregon, manages the political campaign of Abe Lincoln as he tries to beat out Rudy Giuliani in the presidential elections of “
All these are users of serious games.
“Games and game technology are poised to transform the way we educate and train students at all levels. But these games and repurposed game technology, collectively called "serious games," have yet to be fully embraced by educators. It's not enough to declare that "games teach" and leave it at that.
Teachers aren't going to hand out a game to a bunch of students and simply trust that the students have learned the material. Serious games, like every other tool of education, must be able to show that the necessary learning has occurred. Specifically, games that teach also need to be games that test..” Assessment in Serious Games
This is from The Think Services Game Group, “a division of United Business Media ( who delivers essential information and enables community within the game industry through events, services, and media. The group's flagship products include the world-leading Game Developers Conference® and the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com.”
These guys use learning games to make money. Does that sound good to you?
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes

19. Go Games !!
A little animated gif for you (Closed Caption: “If you can learn from games, then Go Games! It’s a good thing!”
Intro . Pathfinders . History/Theory . Advocates . Activity Page . Games . Successes