1. Is playing video games a “waste of time”?
Semiotic Domains
Is playing video games a “waste of time”?

2. Important Terms
Semiotic Domain: Any set of practices that recruits one or more modalities to communicate distinctive types of meanings.
Affinity Groups: The groups of people associated with a given semiotic domain.

3. Active Learning Experiencing the world in new ways
Forming new affiliations
Preparation for future learning

4. Experiencing the World in New Ways
Learning new ways to situate the meanings of words, images, symbols, artifacts, etc. when operating within specific situations in new semiotic domains.

5. Experiencing the World in New Ways
Ex: Pikmin can be used for different things depending on the situation that Captain Olimar is in.

6. Forming New Affiliations
Learners joining new affinity groups associated with new semiotic domains.
Ex: Interacting with other Pikmin players in forums, chat rooms, school, etc.
Pikmin at GameTalk

7. Preparation for Future Learning
Learners gain resources to prepare them for future learning and problem solving in that domain and in related domains.

8. Critical Learning
Seeing the domain at the “meta” level as a “complex system of interrelated parts”
Innovating within the domain

9. “Meta” Level Thinking
Thinking about the game as a complex system of interrelated parts meant to engage and manipulate the player in certain ways.
Opens up critique of the game;
Can lead to novel moves and strategies.

10. Innovating Within the Domain
Producing meanings that are seen as novel or unpredictable.
Taking what you know and creating something new within that domain.

11. Summary
When a person plays a video game and learns actively and critically, they are:
Learning to experience the world in a new way;
Gaining the potential to join and interact with a new affinity group;
Developing resources for future learning & problem solving in the domains the game is related to;
Learning how to think about domains as design spaces that engage & manipulate.