1. James Laffey
  2. http://sislt.missouri.edu/author/laffeyj/
  3. Professor
  4. Mission HydroSci
  5. http://MHS.missouri.edu
  6. School of Informal Science & Learning Technologies, University of Missouri
  1. Justin Sigoloff
  2. Narrative Lead
  3. Mission HydroSci
  4. http://MHS.missouri.edu
  5. University of Missouri
Public Discussion

Continue the discussion of this presentation on the Multiplex. Go to Multiplex

  • Icon for: Kevin Brown

    Kevin Brown

    Facilitator
    Senior Research Scientist
    May 11, 2015 | 10:38 a.m.

    Very inspirational opening…I want to play myself! With the current severe droughts in Texas and California, I’m wondering if the game is meant to take a systems-level approach by showing how changes in one system (e.g. global warming) can impact another system (e.g. aquifer or ground water levels)? Also, can the game incorporate the human impact on hydrologic systems by building in the effects of population, agriculture, conservation, etc.? Perhaps this would make the game more scaleable to students in urban schools? I know I’m probably asking too much of one game, but I see so much potential here to teach multiple concepts!

  • Icon for: Zenaida Aguirre Munoz

    Zenaida Aguirre Munoz

    Associate Professor
    May 11, 2015 | 11:18 p.m.

    Very cool. Can you provide more information about how you will teach students scientific argumentation and how the system will determine if they’ve mastered this very complex skill or not?

  • Icon for: James Laffey

    James Laffey

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 12, 2015 | 09:04 a.m.

    Zenaida, Thanks for viewing the video and for your question. We are using Osborne’s 10 levels of argumentation as a framework for the performances and expectations of what the students will learn. The game scaffolds their learning these levels by having NPCs model the behavior and by having structures to support visualizing and representing these levels. The players must perform argumentation to advance in the game and we will use markers of these performances as embedded assessments. My colleagues, Troy Sadler and Will Romine, are also working on assessment instruments that we can use in a pre and post manner to judge the impact of game play on these competencies. regards!!

  • Icon for: James Laffey

    James Laffey

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 12, 2015 | 08:58 a.m.

    Kevin,
    Thanks for your comment….we want to play the game as well! We are not explicitly addressing systems thinking but obviously the players will be working with systems and see implications as well as need to manage implications. We do plan to include the human element as the players first are charged with harvesting water from space but eventually learn that it is not feasible and then move to first steps of colonization. We are still working out the storyline to match with learning objectives and potential technology capabilities that we can harness and deliver.

    And yes….while we target students in rural and small schools who may be dependent on online and distance learning for some aspects of high quality science ed….we also plan and expect that the game will be appropriate and engaging for kids in urban settings and in more traditional educational contexts. regards!!

  • Icon for: Joni Falk

    Joni Falk

    Facilitator
    Co-Director
    May 12, 2015 | 11:58 a.m.

    I also loved the intro… . How does the game advance users based on the level or sophistication of their argumentation? Does the system provide feedback on what a more complex argument would look like. So really I am trying to understand the theory of how a student learns to make more sophisticated arguments through this? Also where are you in your development? Have you field tested anything yet? What have you learned? Any surprises? Very exciting. I look forward to seeing the finished deal!

  • Icon for: James Laffey

    James Laffey

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 12, 2015 | 05:52 p.m.

    Joni, we are at the beginning. Last year (unfunded) we had a small team of students and faculty working on mockups and conceptualizations. We learned we were funded in december and started Jan 1, 2015.

    I think the best way to answer your question is that the system provides challenges to address more complex argumentative tasks. Early levels simply ask players to match claims and evidence while later levels require students to provide warrants for claims and then later levels require addressing competing claims, etc. The students learn from modeling, opportunities and feedback. Hope that helps answer your question. Regards!

  • Icon for: Deborah Kariuki

    Deborah Kariuki

    Facilitator
    Computer Science Teacher
    May 13, 2015 | 01:50 a.m.

    Gamification as a method of learning is very interesting. For sure students will be motivated and engaged when they can “play” while learning. How to you assess the skills that the students are learning, who updates the scenario for the concepts that the teacher/instructor is conveying to the students. This is going to be interesting when it is field tested; I look forward to learning more of what you get form both the educators and the students and how it is modifiable to meet or tackle other learning skills.

  • Icon for: James Laffey

    James Laffey

    Lead Presenter
    Professor
    May 13, 2015 | 08:15 a.m.

    Hi Deborah, I agree that “it is going to be interesting” We are really looking forward to this opportunity to create a great game for learning. I don’t think of what we are doing as gamification. Gamification generally means (to me) taking traditional tasks and adding game features like points for achievements, etc. What we are doing is creating something new that leverages the knowledgebases both from games and from learning environments. We think something like MHS will require new ways of working for teachers so we are also working to understand what that will mean and how we can best support it. Thanks for your comments.

  • Icon for: Deborah Kariuki

    Deborah Kariuki

    Facilitator
    Computer Science Teacher
    May 14, 2015 | 06:21 a.m.

    Thanks for clarifying gamification from your perspective as regards to what you are doing here with this system. I am intrigued and will certainly check back to see what the data is saying and how you will adjust to support the teachers wishing to take this challenge on new ways of teaching in using games.

  • Further posting is closed as the showcase has ended.