1. 1 Epistemic Games By: Ali Shameem Instructional Technology Masters Student College of Education Presentation is based on David Williamson Shaffer’s book “How Computer Games Help Children to Learn”

2. 2 Overview Problem in our education system Epistemic Games Elements of Epistemic frames Epistemic frames Is it really a Game? Example of Epistemic Games :Digital Zoo Example of Epistemic Games :Urban Science Building Epistemic games: Epistemography More Information about games and Learning

3. 3 Problem in our education system Currently our Education is about –giving the learner basic skills –Preparing students to score well in standardized tests. Basic skills jobs no longer exist We should raise the bar on educational achievement Our kids and our economy will be left behind

4. 4 Epistemic Games They are a way to help students learn to think like professionals. they are based on what we already know about how people learn to be innovative thinkers how thinking is used to solve real problems in the world outside of the game This concept is based on the idea of “epistemic frames”

5. 5 Epistemic Frames –New way of thinking about thinking –the way of thinking and working of a profession or other community of practice –entails a situated and action-based form of learning based on the ways in which professionals develop these epistemic frames.

6. 6 Elements of Epistemic frame 5 elements of Epistemic frame are –Epistemology –knowledge, –skills, –values & –identity. professionals organize their work around these epistemic frames professionals use them to think in innovative ways

7. 7 Is it really a Game? The definition of a game from Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals bookRules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals A game is a system In which players engaged in an artificial conflict defined by rules That results in a quantifiable outcome

8. 8 Is it really a Game? Epistemic games are role playing games It is system A number of players involved in game play Engaged in an accurate simulation of real-life problem. –overcome obstacle to achieve the goal Defined by rules same as the ones in real life May or may not have a quantifiable outcome –The experience is considered more important –Learning through experience/interactions of game play

9. 9 Examples of Epistemic Games :Digital Zoo A game developed at the University of Wisconsin Players become biomechanical engineers and design virtual creatures. Uses SodaconstructorSodaconstructor –a virtual spring-mass modeling environmentmodeling environment –Players advance from one level of the game by producing designs for clients.

10. 10 Example of Epistemic Games :Urban Science Very similar to commercial game SimCity Why not use SimCity? –SimCity is not an epistemic game. Role-playing game of professional urban planning. designed to re-create an urban planning practicum. iPlan is the epistemic game engine used in Urban ScienceUrban Science

11. 11 Building Epistemic games: Epistemography Build based on the way professionals develop skills – Practica By analyzing practicum through epistemography –By looking at the kind of actions and kind of reflection-on-action that develops the epistemic frame of the profession. How can we make these learning practices available for other through games.

12. 12 Questions The following questions are asked when designing an epistemic game. –What is worth being able to do in the world? –Who knows how to do this kind of things and how do they learn how to do it? –How can we make these learning practices available for the others? Technology that can create simulations.

13. 13 More Information about games and Learning Details on all of these games are available at Shaffer's Web site, Epistemic Games (www.epistemicgames.org).www.epistemicgames.org

14. 14 Questions ?? Thank you