Electric Worlds in the Classroom : Teaching and Learning with Role-Based Computer Games

by Slator, Brian M.

• ISBN13: 9780807746769
• ISBN10: 0807746762
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-03-17
• Publisher: Teachers College Pr
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Summary

We all know that kids like video games, so why not help them learn course content in these virtual worlds? This guidebook will help teachers (grades 6-12) do exactly that. The authors provide a diverse collection of lively and engaging virtual spaces where students engage in role-based learning. The context might be a gigantic imaginary plant cell, where students learn the role of a biologist, or it might be a shallow valley where they learn to act like a geologist. Students learn to conduct experiments, analyze results, draw conclusions, and ultimately, write their own story as they experience it.

Table of Contents

Preface Welcome to Our Worlds	vii
Part I The Big Bang of Our Worlds	1	(30)
Introduction	3	(6)
Roles, Goals, Authenticity, and Assessment	9	(13)
Simulating Virtual Worlds	22	(9)
Part II These Are Our Worlds	31	(52)
The Geology Explorer	33	(9)
The Virtual Cell	42	(7)
The ProgrammingLand MOOseum	49	(11)
The Economic Environments	60	(11)
The Virtual Archaeologist	71	(12)
Part III Other Stuff About Our Worlds	83	(62)
Assessment and Evaluation	85	(21)
Related Work	106	(16)
Technical Details	122	(15)
The Future of Virtual Worlds	137	(8)
Acknowledgments	145	(6)
Glossary	151	(6)
References	157	(16)
About the Authors	173	(2)
Index	175