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Learn about the potential of educational RPGs in enhancing learning outcomes, blending assessment methods, and engaging students. Explore the development of web-based RPGs using a WYSIWYG environment accessible to student producers. Discover the Behind the Message pilot project aimed at teaching reporting techniques through immersive gameplay. Find out how to leverage student resources with minimal training for developers to create sustainable educational games. Join the conversation on the future of educational gaming and upcoming projects in the field.
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Educational Gaming for the Rest of UsWYSIWYG Production of Scalable, Beautiful, Web-based RPGs Jude Higdon, Ed.D. Director of Innovative Learning and Academic Technology College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota
Why Educational RPGs? • *Can* provide instructional environments that blend elements of authentic assessment, discovery learning, and structured pedagogy. • Has the potential to provide enhanced learning and motivational outcomes for students. • (Some) instructors love it, and would like to be able to power pedagogy through games.
Why *Not* Educational RPGs? • Build model • Monetarily and time intensive • Boutique expertise • Examples: • River City • Games+Learning+Society • Croquetlandia • Buy model: Offerings often fall short of pedagogical goals • Bottom line: Not yet…
NOT SO FAST -- Maybe we can? • Thinking Worlds: • Inexpensive development licenses • WYSIWYG development environment • Web-based delivery • Ready-to-use libraries of scenes, objects, and characters • Development environment scaffolds the process of game development
Can we? • Our Goal: See if we could create an online RPG game in a sustainable way: • Using only student producer resources • In a short development time cycle • With little to no training for developers
YES WE CAN! (So far, at least...) • Pilot project: Behind the Message • School of Journalism and Mass Communication Game (Nora Paul and Kathy Hanson) • Game to teach basic reporting techniques including: • Story angle instincts • Research protocols • Interview skills
GOAL SUCCESS? Use only student producers? Yes! Short development cycle? Sort of...game play in a year, with one part-time UG worker. Little to no training for developers Yes! Conclusions
Next Steps • Augmented reality versions of this and other games • Expand the pilot • Work with the AHC Simulation Center • NIH funding for some simulation evaluation projects
Thoughts and comments? Let's have a (virtual) coffee! jhigdon@umn.edu