Serious Games for the Classroom

2010 ◽  
pp. 264-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Wilson ◽  
Leslie Williams
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Game Based Learning ◽  
Constructivist Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Real World Problem ◽  
Structured Problems ◽  
Gaming Environment ◽  
The University

The University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center shares the process of developing a massive multiplayer online game. This chapter identifies the process used to meet the challenge for the design, prototype, development, and beta test of a digital game-based learning environment. The project’s goal was to develop a self-regulated constructivist learning environment where students work in groups to solve a series of complex, ill-structured problems. The multiuser game provides an interactive learning experience which allows students to experience authentic intellectual work in a virtual representation of a real-world context. Students are challenged through their participation in an interdisciplinary environment that leverages a real-world problem to utilize the different perspectives of the four major disciplines. The authors provide a description of the project’s efforts to develop a shared learning space that creates scaffolding of social support of other students and a gaming environment that emulates successful elements of commercial video games to ensure an engaging learning experience for all students.

scholarly journals A Mixed-Methods Study of Cognitive and Affective Learning During a Sophomore Design Problem-based Service Learning Experience

2014 ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Pierrakos ◽  
Robert Nagel ◽  
Eric Pappas ◽  
Jacquelyn Nagel ◽  
Thomas Moran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Service Learning ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Affective Learning ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Professional Engineer ◽  
Real World Problem ◽  
Structured Problems

Authentic, real-world problem solving is an integral part of the engineering profession. Yet, research suggests that engineering education is primarily focused on well-defined and well-structured problems, which do not provide students the real-world relevance, context, or experience in solving the types of problems required as a professional engineer. The addition of problem-based service learning (PBSL) to engineering curricula provides an opportunity to introduce students to a variety of real-world projects in a community-based context. Numerous studies have shown the importance and impacts of integrating service learning and problem-based learning into engineering education. Herein, the results of a mixed-methods, longitudinal study on cognitive and affective learning during a PBSL sophomore design experience are presented and discussed. The goals are to demonstrate how both qualitative and quantitative data can be used to measure student learning during a PBSL experience and to provide a framework for assessment of such experiences.

scholarly journals ALGORITHM FOR THE FORMATION OF A PERSONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT BY MEANS OF STRUCTURING THE EDUCATIONAL SPACE OF THE UNIVERSITY BASED ON OFFICE365 AND MS TEAMS SERVICES

2020 ◽  
pp. 26-40
Author(s):  
Natalya Ivankova ◽  
Oleksii Ryzhov ◽  
Oleksii Androsov
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Distance Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Cloud Services ◽  
Main Element ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Flexible Tool ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Personal Learning Environment ◽  
The University

The algorithm of formation of a personal learning environment (PLE) and learning group environment for the organization of electronic distance learning in medical higher education institutions is offered. It was noted that the introduction of the COVID-19 quarantine raised the issue of reorganization of the learning space and accelerated the process of introducing the distance learning model. The experience gained by the authors during quarantine made it possible to form the stages of deploying the learning environment in the medical higher education institution and to define the educational space of the group as the main element of this environment. The main technological steps of creating subsystems of the educational space of the university for using cloud services MSO365 were considered using the example of Zaporizhzhia State Medical University. The conditions that allow creating a hierarchy of the learning environment were defined, namely: a project of the structure of the learning environment with the coordination of departments; registration of all participants of the learning process and creation of their accounts in Active Directory of the university; automated procedure of transferring group members to AD MSO365. The paper provides an example of a hierarchy of names, which is a reflection of the structure of university departments in terms of staffing and determines the rights of access to the usage of services that ensure the implementation of the corresponding functions. The authors found that the user account is the first integrating service that allows the user to form a personal learning environment using OneDrive, web-site MS SharePoint, MS Forms and other office applications. It was noted that the user account is the lowest level of the hierarchy of the learning environment, the usage of which provides a learning space for groups. According to the authors, it is reasonable to use MS Groups to form academic groups. Using MS Teams, a teacher gets a flexible tool to form a learning environment for various organizational forms, namely: lectures, seminars, practical classes, independent work, etc. The authors proposed rules for forming group names in MS Groups and MS Teams. They presented an algorithm for deploying the department's learning environment and proposed a suggestion of structuring the subject's learning environment using MS Teams channels for a small number of groups in the department.

INTEGRATION OF PERSUASIVE MULTIMEDIA IN DESIGNING LEARNING APPLICATION FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (29) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azliza Othman ◽  
Wan Ahmad Jaafar Wan Yahaya ◽  
Balakrisnan Muniandy
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Multimedia Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Persuasive Technology ◽  
Constructivist Learning ◽  
Constructivist Learning Environment ◽  
Self Protection ◽  
Lack Of Knowledge

This paper focuses on the design of learning application with the purpose to provide knowledge on child sexual abuse (CSA) to children ages 7 to 9 years old. Currently, children are not aware of prohibited adult touches to their body due to lack of knowledge on CSA. Moreover, information on how to avoid potential of CSA and self protection is still lacking. In such situation, they need to be educated and made aware of the danger of sexual abuse. In providing a better learning aid, this study incorporates multimedia learning and persuasive technology in developing a learning application named Persuasive Multimedia Learning Application (PMLA). Additionally, this study also adopts the components in constructivist learning environment (CLE) for the organization of the contents in designing PMLA. Then, perceived motivation test was conducted to assess children’s learning experience after using the application. The results show that the integration of multimedia and persuasive technology has potential in motivating children in using the application and facilitating them for better understanding on CSA.

scholarly journals A New Approach to Teaching Biomechanics Through Active, Adaptive, and Experiential Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 139 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anita Singh
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Real World ◽  
Adaptive Learning ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Healthcare Industry ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Real World Problem

Demand of biomedical engineers continues to rise to meet the needs of healthcare industry. Current training of bioengineers follows the traditional and dominant model of theory-focused curricula. However, the unmet needs of the healthcare industry warrant newer skill sets in these engineers. Translational training strategies such as solving real world problems through active, adaptive, and experiential learning hold promise. In this paper, we report our findings of adding a real-world 4-week problem-based learning unit into a biomechanics capstone course for engineering students. Surveys assessed student perceptions of the activity and learning experience. While students, across three cohorts, felt challenged to solve a real-world problem identified during the simulation lab visit, they felt more confident in utilizing knowledge learned in the biomechanics course and self-directed research. Instructor evaluations indicated that the active and experiential learning approach fostered their technical knowledge and life-long learning skills while exposing them to the components of adaptive learning and innovation.

scholarly journals Key Factors Needed for Developing a Higher Education Cross-Campus Learning Environment in a Nordic Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaun Sydney Nykvist ◽  
Veruska De Caro-Barek ◽  
Robin Støckert ◽  
Dag Atle Lysne
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Flexible Learning ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Pedagogical Approaches

The use of digital technologies and online tools to support both students and educators has become synonymous with transforming learning within Higher Education, particularly within post graduate courses. It can be argued that the recent push for transforming Higher Education aligns itself with the notion that postgraduate students need more flexible learning opportunities while still retaining access to high quality, engaging and collaborative pedagogical approaches. This paper reports on an exploratory case study that focuses on cross campus/university collaboration and flexible learning opportunities for students studying a masters level degree in the area of Music, Communication and Technology (MCT) within a Nordic context. The research question guiding the study is “What factors do educators in a hybrid cross-campus learning environment identify as essential for providing a supportive learning experience for students?” A pedagogy, space and technology (PST) framework underpins the development of this program and forms the basis for its development. The findings from our research identify three themes that need to be considered when attempting to design and implement high quality learning opportunities for students studying a largely synchronous hybrid music, communications and technology program. These themes were flexibility, trust and the human element, and ownership. The findings also highlight the need for a renewed focus on pedagogical approaches that can be adapted and continually revised to meet the changing needs of students in a synchronous hybrid learning space.

scholarly journals The influence of online problem-based learning on teachers’ professional practice and identity

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve Wheeler ◽  
Peter Kelly ◽  
Ken Gale
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Professional Practice ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Online Identity ◽  
Structured Problems

In this paper we describe the design of a managed learning environment called MTutor, which is used to teach an online Masters Module for teachers. In describing the design of MTutor pedagogic issues of problem-based learning, situated cognition and ill-structured problems are discussed. MTutor presents teachers with complex real-life teaching problems, which they are required to solve online through collaboration with other teachers. In order to explore the influence of this online learning experience on the identity and practice of teachers, we present the results from a small-scale study in which six students were interviewed about their online experiences. We conclude that, within the sample, students’ engagement with online problem-based learning within their community of practice positively influenced their professional practice styles, but that there is little evidence to suggest that online identity influences real-life practice.DOI: 10.1080/09687760500104088

scholarly journals Containerization: Practical infrastructure and accessibility efficiency for the Virtual Learning Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Bryce Antony
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
Structured Learning ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Dynamic Learning ◽  
Learning Space

Containerization: Practical infrastructure and accessibility efficiency for the Virtual Learning Environment  Context and motivation: Containers are transforming modern application infrastructure, providing advantages for accessibility and allow many instances of existing legacy applications to be run at the same time on the latest operating systems. This can implement an ideal virtual learning environment which offers a dynamic learning space where instructors upload activities and resources to enhance learning. The goal is to provide a structured learning environment suited to both the student and the instructor, where materials are easily accessed, and that many files can be transferred at one time. The system should cope with the demands of many students occupying the same virtual learning space, providing each student with individual learning experiences. There are challenges when instructors attempt to adapt the learning environment to meet the learning objectives. Technology barriers to the education provider, primarily in the form of high cost of technology infrastructure requirements need to be overcome before widespread adoption of a virtual learning environment is seen. The potential to overcome these barriers through the application of containerisation provides the motivation behind this presentation (Katz & Council of Independent, 2016; Puvaneswary & Siew Hwa, 2019).   What will be demonstrated in this presentation? The use of containers provides the ability to supply many instances of the same application running on a single machine. Each instance is isolated, along with any associated dependencies, allowing efficient utilisation of system resources, such as processing and memory. The presentation will demonstrate how many instances of the same application can be activated and the resource advantages gained. The presentation will show a system that has been used to provide a complex structured virtual learning environment to level 7 students and discuss how the system was utilised to provide a positive, individualised learning experience to the students. Security and confidentiality is maintained within each containerized instance. The presentation will show how the system can be configured to be self-healing, respond to scheduling, and to automatically restart single instances as required.   The implications for future practice The presentation will show how the advantages of containerization can be integrated at many levels of the virtual learning environment, providing many separate and individual instances of the same application. The number of instances can be easily adjusted as required, and resources are automatically allocated, reducing support overhead and cost of infrastructure. The implications are that each instance can provide a unique experience to each student, whilst reducing the workload of the instructor, and minimizing the cost to the education provider.     References Katz, P. M., & Council of Independent, C. (2016). High-Tech or High-Touch? Online Learning and Independent Higher Education. Innovations in Teaching and Learning. Research Brief 5: Council of Independent Colleges. Retrieved from http://ezproxy.aut.ac.nz/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED569215&site=eds-live Puvaneswary, M., & Siew Hwa, Y. (2019). Navigating the Shortcomings of Virtual Learning Environments Via Social Media. International Journal of Virtual and Personal Learning Environments (IJVPLE), 9(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.4018/IJVPLE.2019070101    

scholarly journals Problem-Based Learning and Civic Engagement—Shifting the Focus of Learning in Public Policy Education

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 630-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris McInerney ◽  
Maura Adshead
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Constructivist Learning Environment ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Innovative Teaching Method

AbstractThis article describes the development of an innovative teaching method to help political science students deepen their comprehension of public policy through engaging with real world scenarios. It describes the development of a constructivist learning environment (CLE) (Jonassen, 1999) for students in a postgraduate public policy module, fashioned by integrating a problem-based learning (PBL) approach with civic engagement processes. The article concludes by examining the potential of this approach as a teaching method and reflecting on student and staff feedback as well as on benefits described by partner organizations and the broader public.

scholarly journals Developing Project Managers’ Transversal Competences Using Building Information Modeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (19) ◽  
pp. 4006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francisco Zamora-Polo ◽  
Mercedes Martínez Sánchez-Cortés ◽  
Antonio Manuel Reyes-Rodríguez ◽  
Justo García Sanz-Calcedo
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Building Information Modeling ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
Information Modeling ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Building Information ◽  
The University

The emergence of building information modeling (BIM) methodology requires the training of professionals with both specific and transversal skills. In this paper, a project-based learning experience carried out in the context of a project management course at the University of Extremadura is analyzed. To that end, a questionnaire was designed and given to students who participated in the initiative. Results suggest that BIM can be considered a virtual learning environment, from which students value the competences developed. The emotional performance observed was quite flat. Similarly, students valued the usefulness of the initiative. Students expressed a desire for the methodological change of the university classes, and thought that BIM methodology could be useful for other courses. The results obtained show a line of work to be done to improve the training of students and university teaching.

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