Time:
- Plan: 5-15 min
- Execute: 20-60 min
Type(s) of Essential(s):
Social & Emotional Growth
Design
Critical Review
Prerequisite:
Overview
Learners play serious games on digital tools. Educators engage learners in discussion about their gameplay and encourage them to converse with peers about what’s happening and strategies.
Essentials in the Activity
Learners play games that expose them to digital games that range in game mechanics, rules, and themes, focus on a variety of topics, and are told from different perspectives and communities. Educators prompt discussion about learners’ gameplay with questions, and learners dialogue with peers and educators about gameplay strategies and game components. This activity builds learners’ self and social awareness as they share what they do and do not like about games and listen to their peers’ responses.
Goals and Outcomes
Goal: Expose learners to different types of serious games, topics, and game mechanics that change the player.
Outcomes: Learners build their social-emotional awareness and understanding by learning more about their peers and issues that impact different groups of people through games. Learners expand their knowledge of game topics and game mechanics by playing games that range in subjects, such as educational content (e.g., pre-algebra, ratios) and social issues, which may spark game ideas for their pitch.
Materials
Broadband; Digital tools with internet capability; Guided Gameplay of Serious Games Questions sheet; Digital whiteboard or dry erase board
Preparation
Complete prerequisites.
Select a minimum of four serious games or simulated experiences designed for learners’ age group, and maybe slightly younger or older. Select games that offer variation in gameplay, topic, and/or point of view. Be sure to not select so many games that there is not an overlap of three or more learners playing the same game.
On computers, open web browsers to the games’ website. On tablets, organize apps in one folder with an identifiable title (i.e., Apps to Play). List selected game titles on a digital whiteboard, dry erase board, or another board (e.g., Post-It Easel Pad). For VR or other simulations, prepare the area and tools for the selected experience.
Implementation and Completion
Ask learners to list the five changes of the Transformational Design Framework as a group and note their responses on a digital or dry erase board. Inform learners that part of the work of game designers is to play a lot of different games. Tell learners they will play a variety of games on different content areas, and as they play to reflect on the changes. Review the games listed on the board and approximate the amount of time they’ll have to gameplay. Ask them if they have questions.
While learners gameplay, encourage dialogue between learners and prompt deeper thinking with Guided Gameplay of Serious Games Questions sheet. If possible, when the gameplay time ends, label learners’ initials on the devices so they can easily resume their gameplay the next day.
Notes
The more game options presented, the more time will need to be allocated for this activity. Sources for finding serious games can be found on the Guided Gameplay of Serious Games Questions sheet.