Learning with Digital Games: A Practical Guide to Engaging Students in Higher Education

by Whitton; Nicola

• ISBN13: 9780415997751
• ISBN10: 0415997755
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2009-09-08
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Written for Higher Education teaching and learning professionals, Learning with Digital Games provides an accessible, straightforward introduction to the field of computer game-based learning.

Author Biography

Nicola Whitton is a Research Fellow in the Education and Social Research Institute at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her website for Learning with Digital Games can be found at http://digitalgames.playthinklearn.net/

Table of Contents

Series Editor's Foreword	p. xiii
Acknowledgements	p. xv
Introduction	p. 1
Background to the Book	p. 2
The Higher Education Context	p. 4
Structure of the Book	p. 8
Web Resources to Accompany the Book	p. 11
Examples Used throughout the Book	p. 12
Theory	p. 17
Recognizing the Characteristics of Digital Games	p. 19
Defining Digital Games for Learning	p. 19
Ways of Defining Games	p. 20
Game Characteristics and Learning	p. 31
Understanding the Pedagogy of Digital Games	p. 35
Learning and Motivation in Higher Education	p. 36
A Study on Adult Attitudes to Games	p. 38
Digital Games and Engagement	p. 41
A Rationale for Digital Games in Higher Education	p. 44
Identifying Types of Digital Games for Learning	p. 55
Types of Digital Game Available to Educators	p. 55
Types of Learning that can be Facilitated with Games	p. 64
New Directions in Digital Games for Learning	p. 68
Practice	p. 75
Integrating Digital Games Into the Curriculum	p. 77
Analysing the Learning Context	p. 77
Gaming Online and Face-to-Face	p. 83
Models of Integration	p. 85
Designing a Digital Game for Learning	p. 89
Pedagogic Design Considerations	p. 89
Designing Digital Games for Learning	p. 97
Assessing the Impact of Digital Games on Learning	p. 103
Assessment of Learning from Digital Games	p. 104
Researching Learning with Digital Games	p. 106
Ethics of Researching Learning	p. 113
Technology	p. 117
Using Existing Digital Games for Learning	p. 119
Differences between Games for Entertainment and Learning	p. 120
Types of Existing Game for Learning	p. 125
Obtaining Existing Games	p. 130
Developing New Digital Games for Learning	p. 135
Creating New Games for Learning	p. 136
Skills Required for Game Creation	p. 139
Developing a Functional Specification	p. 140
Creating a Balanced Game for Learning	p. 143
Software for Creating Games	p. 148
Evaluating Digital Games for Learning	p. 153
Iterative User-Centred Design	p. 153
Evaluating Digital Games	p. 159
Case Studies	p. 167
Who is Herring Hale?	p. 167
Marketplace	p. 171
PeaceMaker	p. 174
Red Frontier	p. 178
The Retail Game	p. 183
World of Warcraft	p. 187
Conclusions	p. 191
Areas for Future Research	p. 193
Challenges for Learning with Digital Games	p. 196
Glossary	p. 199
References	p. 201
Index	p. 207
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