[GAMBIT-UROPS-summon] Space still available in this Spring game studies class:

[Richard Eberhardt]

There is space still available in this Spring game studies class:

Learning to play - playing to learn
Theories, Methodologies and Paradigms of investigating learning processes in digital games 
 
Instructors: Konstantin Mitgutsch & Scot Osterweil 
Lecture:  Wednesday 9.30-12.30  (E15-335)
CMS.602/CMS.998 Topics in Comparative Media Studies

        
Players use digital games as intermediate playgrounds for their interests, passions, values and beliefs. Computer games entertain us, please our needs, challenge our abilities, make us engage with other players and provide us with novel experiences. The course looks at the phenomena of mediated learning experiences and encourages reflection on deep and meaningful learning in games. On one hand we will investigate how learning in games takes place; on the other hand the question of how players connect their learning through playing games to other "real life" settings will be highlighted. Over the course we will examine basic theoretical assumptions on mediated learning experiences and meaningful learning patterns developed through playing digital games. The main focus of the course is the development of three essential forms of reflection on learning in games: First, theoretical basics will be outlined and discussed. In a second step different methodologies of studying players' experiences and learning patterns in games will be explored and tested in the field. Third, different design patterns for learning processes in games will be examined and a case study will be conducted. Through the readings, lectures, discussions and experiments the students will have the opportunity to develop a critical understanding of the potentials and limits of fostering learning in digital games and how to use qualitative research in the area of game studies.
 
Idea:

In this class the students learn to understand the potentials of learning environments, explore their experiences with learning in games, get involved in qualitative research and develop a deeper understanding of learning processes, learning in games and educational game design. The students will also participate in different research projects related to games and learning.


Topics:

Games as learning environments; Different forms of learning in games; Analyzing games as learning tools; Methods of researching learning processes in games; Evaluating educational Games; Educational Game Design; Curiosity, Teaching and  Learning Patterns.

http://cms.mit.edu/academics/courseInfo.php?courseID=CMS.602