Concept Gaming December 3, 2002 Pasi J. Eronen peronen@cs.joensuu.fi
Presention at International Conference on Computers in Education on the behalf of co-authors: Jussi Nuutinen, Erkki Rautama, Erkki Sutinen and Jorma Tarhio
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
Contents • • • • •
Backgrounds Introduction to Concept Gaming (CG) CG – Creating Dynamics CG – Creating Intrinsic Motivation Discussion Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
Background • Concept of Concept Gaming (CG) originally developed by author colleagues Erkki Sutinen & Jorma Tarhio • Need to provide cognitive tools instead of e-materials • Computerized tools to provide ”addedvalue”, something extra in comparison to traditional low-tech methods
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
Introduction to Concept Gaming • Based on – Joseph D. Novak’s work on concept mapping methods – The paradigm of Constructivistic learning theory – Transfer of motivational elements in computer games to an educational tool
• Offering – Dynamics into concept mapping – Intrinsic motivation into an usage of educational tool
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
CG – Dynamics (1/2) • Basically original concept maps represent – One’s comprehension over subject matter at the certain moment – Static picture, a snap shot of knowledge made explicit
• We wish the learner to – Reconsider her conceptual scheme – Acquire fresh view on her concepts and relations between them
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
CG – Dynamics (2/2) • With the help of CG game schemes, the learner – Verifies her chain of thought – Reconsiders the concepts and relations that she represented earlier – Is being an active constructor of her knowledge Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
CG – Dynamics – An Example Wheels Wheels
Engine Engine
moves
moves
Car Car
is
Vehicle Vehicle
Belong to
The first scheme may change to look like the second scheme in the shuffled relations game scheme
Windows Windows
Wheels Wheels
Engine Engine
Belong to
is moves
Windows Windows
Car Car
moves
Vehicle Vehicle Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
CG – Intrinsic motivation (1/2) • Computer Games are good example of the meaning of intrinsic motivation for learning new skills • We want to transfer some elements of computer games to educational tools to improve them • Excitement, tension and revelation of unknown
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
CG – Intrinsic motivation (2/2) • Especially interesting game schemes in CG are those supporting higher learning processes – Analogies, Open problem solving
• CG helps the learner to – – –
Feel obligated to her task Think unconventionally Recognize incorrect structures
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu
Discussion • We argue that – E-learning should be using of cognitive tools instead of digital materials – Cognitive tools should be used by learner’s for their self-evaluation and development instead of offering yet another mean of student assessment for teachers – Learner should be helped to create the knowledge by herself and encouraged to think independently
Dept. of Computer Science University of Joensuu P.O. Box 111 FIN- 80101 Joensuu