Genel
Serious Games and Simulations: Theories and Applications
TA: Kadir Yücel KAYA Contact: 312 210 7519 |
Serious Games and Simulations: Theories and Applications
TA: Kadir Yücel KAYA Contact: 312 210 7519 |
Pre-week: Critical Reading and Writing
Reflection Question(s)
1- At the end of page 418, Khoo (2012) stated :
"...video games can also be equally good teachers of prosocial behaviours, and
as such, they do have a role in character education and in promoting moral values. These arguments are based on the premise that the transfer of learning from the virtual game environment to the real world is possible."
Based on this statement, critique the article (max 1 page).
(please use the techniques from Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum book)
2- Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Readings
2- Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Philosophy of the Games
Reflection Question(s)
1- What are the similarities and differences of both authors (Huizinga and Roger Caillois)? Do they agree with each other or not? Why?
2- According to your view, what are missing in both authors views?
3 - Do these two views of game&play cover today high tech computer games? If yes, Why? If not, why and how can we modify the view?
4 -Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Psychology in the Games (Flow and motivation)
Reflection Question(s)
1- How do Flow theory and Malone motivation theory match? What is the relationship between them? Is one of them subset of the other?
2- Pick any game (computer game or non-computer game) and analyze it according to the Flow theory and Malone motivation theory.
3- Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Player aggression, violence (emotional connections)
Reflection Question(s)
1 - Based on the readings, what is your position regarding the violance in computer games? Please state it in academic tone.
2 - Let we assume that a parent or an educator you are totally side with the statement "The positive association between video games and aggressive personality is consistent with a developmental model in which extensive exposure to violent video games (and other violent media) contributes to the creation of an aggressive personality". You also think that banning can never be the solution; so what methods or strategies do you apply to pull the violent game play time (or any other violent media) to minimum and to eliminate the effects as parents, educators or society.
3- Imagine, you are a computer teacher in Namık Kemal Primary School. You have some students who bully others and use violence against peers. You read Cunningham & Engelstätter’s (2011) article and they state that “violent video games lead to decreases in violent crime” (p. 1) and decided to make them play the game “Prototype”. What would you expect in students’ behaviors in terms of a change in their tendency to use violence?
4 - Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Diversity in Game Culture (Age, gender, identity and culture issues in the games)
Reflection Question(s)
1 - One game developer states " I have more left handed players than I have female players and I don't make games for left-handed people. Why should I make games for you" If there is no sufficient demand from girls, what could be the reason (less able to use technology, cultural effects, etc.) What needs to be done to eliminate the gap between boys and girls? Or should industry just ignore girls?
2 - Why there is (almost) no computer game for elderly? Should there be?
3- a)Since gamers share a common connection, that being the love of gaming,is it possible for them to regard the racist theme of the game?
b) If children play the game for a long time, does it cause for caucasians feel themselves superior over others?"
4 - Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Social Interaction and Online communities in Games and Virtual Environments (Social presence, online communication, learning communities)
Reflection Questions
How do you associate the Flow and Motivation theories creating social interactions which enhance players' motivations to play the online games?
What is the impact of transferring our social networks and communities into virtual spaces (especially online games)?
Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Learning in Games and virtual environments (Commercial games, simulations, serious games and virtual environments)
Reflection Question(s)
1 - Generally it is stated that "Learning that is fun appears to be more effective". What other components are required for more effective learning in order to promote fun? Sometimes fun is much more dominant than the learning goals in such fun computer games as educational tools. So, what is to be done to prevent the deviation of the goals of an educational tool?
2 - It is a common argument that "many computer-delivered games have not been developed by instructional designers (educators). Instead, various other groups have developed many of these products. If there exists a lack in instructional part of games, how can we overcome this problem?
3- Do you think that Dimenxian is a good game in terms of learning principles which are emphasized by Gee that good games have? What are your perceptions on the advantages/disadvantages of the Dimenxian to be used in the classroom?
4 - Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)
Design Issues of the Games (Basic game elements, narration, storytelling, scenario development, game genre selection)
Reflection Question(s)
1 - Is game design an arthistic or technical process?
2 - Designing a dental game:
Design to educate people (children and adults) on major dental operations like fillings, filling removal, filtration, removal of stains and tooth discoloration. Another goal is to help patients avoid dentist fear.
Your design document should be associated with the "Level Design" and "Game Design" articles. For your answer, you may use a table structure as shown below:
Name of Game |
|
Story |
|
Distribution Media |
|
Price |
|
Platform |
|
Game play |
|
Development Team |
|
Target Audience |
|
Level design |
|
You can add more components... |
3 - "Please study the demo levels of the game World of Goo, and comment on the
design of it considering the factors such as the architecture of the game;
its mood, style and its sound effects and graphics. Please consider the way
you experience these factors. "
4 - As always, 3 question...
Design Issues of the Games (Game design methodologies, participatory game design, Art of the games, game aesthetic, visual elements, musical components)
Reflection Question(s)
1 - Do we have to involve mature players into game design process? Isn't it waste of time? If yes, how and in which level?
2 - It is argued that young children cannot reflect on what they like, you can only understand whether they liked it or not by observing them while playing with the final product. So, do we have to get their ideas/feedback during the early stages of game design process?
3 -Playing the Game 99 Bricks (http://fizikoyun.com/99-bricks/) The legend of Garry, how would you evaluate it in terms of game design methodologies, participatory game design, game aesthetic, visual elements and musical components ?
4- 3 questions/discussion issues...
Usability Evaluation of the Games (Human Game Interaction, Usability, playability, heuristic evaluation of play, computer game criticism, game play analysis)
Reflection Question(s)
1 - Please have two participants play the “Bejeweled” game on the eye tracker, and also examine the game using the "Play Heuristics" given in Desurvire and Wiberg's article as a guideline. How would you compare and contrast usability evaluation of the game regarding the two different methods?
2- Write 3 questions and discussion issues
Reflection Question(s)
1 - What does ethic mean for computer games? Since a game is an artificial thing can we talk about ethics?Reflection Question(s)
1 - What is the future of computer games? Take a look at this issue from the SOCIO-TECHNICAL point of view. Make a literature review, determine 2-3 articles or research reports regarding this issue and reflect your ideas based on your findings.
2 - Write 3 questions/comments you want to discuss in the class (20 pts)