Some Interesting Research
• Kids play computer games regularly
– Ages 2-7 play ~43 minutes/day
– Ages 8-12 play ~56 minutes/day
– Ages 13-17 play ~78 minutes/day
• Most kids play computer games
– 92% of kids ages 2-17 play video and computer games
(Gentile & Walsh, 2002)
• Low income kids play computer games at home
– Game play is their primary reason for using computers
(Jackson et al., 2005)
NMSU Learning Games Lab
NMSU Learning
Games Lab
http://www.learninggames.org
Barbara Chamberlin, bchamber@nmsu.edu
Jeanne Gleason, jgleason@nmsu.edu
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Learning in Games or Play
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Content-based
Technology skills
Learning to learn
Working with others
Planning and design
NMSU Learning Games Lab
NMSU Learning Games Lab
• Testing space for
games we develop
• Expanding the “fun”
into educational games
• Provide exposure to
newest trends
• Expose gamers to
design process, foster interest
in related careers, develop
analytical skill
NMSU Learning Games Lab
NMSU Game Development
• We’re educational
game developers
• We do regular testing
with our games and
audiences
• We’re falling behind
NMSU Learning Games Lab
NMSU Learning Games Lab
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Research Strategies
• No “one” set of preferences for kids or for games
• No “one” set of
methodologies for
gathering information
about game preferences
NMSU Learning Games Lab
What do kids do
in the Learning Games Lab?
• Play games
• Review games
• Learn game
principles
• Engage in game
design
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Lab Think Tanks
• 1 week sessions
• 2 week sessions
• School holiday
sessions
• After school clubs
• College student game analysis class
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Paper and pencil and forms
– UGGGH!
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Blogs
– Develop writing and
analytical skill
– Gives authors an audience
– Free on blogger.com
– Consultant blog
• Question of the day
– Researcher blog
• Observation, agenda
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Focus Groups and
Interviews
– Establish questions
ahead of time
– Paper printouts as
prompts
– Group, 2, 3 or 4
at a time
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Game Design Activities
– Start specific
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•
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•
Design a character
Revise an existing game
Group work
Encourage drawing and
storyboards
• Design a game that teaches
______
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Game Learning Activities
– What is a game?
– Game types
activity
– How to make a
game that doesn’t stink
– Who makes games…
look at game credits…
what does each person on the team do?
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Video closet
– Specific question posted
– Good for reflection
– Immediate editing good
for access
NMSU Learning Games Lab
Game Review Strategies
• Podcasts
– Review of games for
game developers
– Student written and
produced
– Develops many skills
outside of game analysis
– Informs ed game
developers
NMSU Learning Games Lab
PR for Games and Play
Game based learning is valid
• What are the learning goals
and objectives?
• “Games” to kids, “educational
software” to adults
• Exit poll with kids, “What did
you do and learn today?”
• Newsletter home that recaps
learning
NMSU Learning Games Lab
References
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Jackson, L. A., Von Eye, A., Biocca, F., Barbatsis, G., Zhao, Y., & Fitgerald, H. E. (2005).
How low-income children use the internet at home. Journal of Interactive Learning
Research, 16(3)(Fall 2005), 259-272.
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Gentile, D. A., & Walsh, D. A. (2002). A normative study of family media habits. Applied
Developmental Psychology, 23, 157-178.
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Michigan State University conducted a longitudinal study of 140 low-income children and their
Internet use at home; participants reported game play as their primary reason for using their
computers (Jackson et al., 2005).
American children aged 2-7 play computer games an average of 43 min/day, children aged 8-12
play an average of 56 min/day, and children aged 13-17 play an average of 78 min/day (Gentile &
Walsh, 2002) .
National Institute on Media and the Family. (2001). Sixth Annual Video and Computer
Report Card Retrieved October 19, 2005, from
http://www.mediafamily.org/research/report_vgrc_2001-2.shtml
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According to a national survey conducted by the National Institute on Media and the Family, 92% of
kids age 2-17 play video and computer games (National Institute on Media and the Family, 2001)
NMSU Learning Games Lab