Comments on: Learning about instructional design from video games

By: Kelly Ahlfeld

Kelly Ahlfeld — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:07:53 +0000

Chad,

I’ve just discovered your blog, so I’m commenting on an old post, but I want to thank you for this indepth look at your thoughts about what you were learning while gaming. I am fascinated by this topic of how we can use more of what video games offer our students (especially that they can fail or die and start again) in schools. As the mother of two young boys who like to game, I’ve seen such a variety of good and bad related to their play, but I’m really interested in more of the good — the learning and teamwork they use when they play, their lack of concern about failing and trying again (which actually developed as they played more games — they are now willing to try and fail more than when they first started playing games). Most of the negative aspects I’ve seen are hopefully addressed by time limits and the efforts to have them experience all kinds of activities in their day, from reading books to sports to chores, etc. I really want to do some more work on making my students’ learning more like video games, and your post has rekindled my desire to do that. Thanks!

By: Chad

Chad — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 10:33:07 +0000

Thanks for the comment, bibliosk8. I actually was a skater until I broke my arm in the 8th grade. Now THPS 4 helps me relive those days (without the cast and pain). It’s kind of funny that you mentioned that many turn to skating after playing the game, because I definitely had inclinations to pick up the sport again. I guess this goes to show you how immersive some video games can be. I realized that I did not have the time or the patience to try to skate again, so the desire to get back into the sport waned. Thanks for commenting.

By: bibliosk8

bibliosk8 — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 14:51:04 +0000

Regarding your notes on progression in the Tony Hawk game: Your experience of having to find simpler goals to accomplish, and your feeling of satisfaction after having accomplished them, is very much like the experience of learning to actually ride a skateboard. As a skater for 32 years, I can tell you I’ve seen many, many new skaters go through this. I’ve also seen many new skaters in recent years who learned to play the Tony Hawk games FIRST. After getting pretty good at the game, they decide to actually learn to skate. They are often very frustrated that their electronic skill doesn’t translate at all into real-world ripping. They also discover that falling actually hurts. You don’t just bounce back up.

By: Paul R. Pival

Paul R. Pival — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:03:42 +0000

Not being a gamer myself, I have always chosen not to spend any time reading about how games can be relevant to learning This post is the first one I’ve really read, and I’m glad I did! Thanks for making the explicit tie-in to different ways we can be designing our tutorials, Chad.

By: Tanuki

Tanuki — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 18:26:35 +0000

Main reason it’s hard to play the games you mention is that they tend to require fast reflexes. I’m a generation older than you, and I just can’t manage it — nor would a library catalogue (I hope!) require it.

Complex RPGs would be more to the point.

But, in principle, you have an intriguing idea, there. Thanks.

By: Edwin

Edwin — Sat, 15 Jul 2006 09:03:40 +0000

Nice post!

In my opinion though, the best learning curve can be seen in huge games like Zelda, San Andreas, and RTS-games/mmorpg’s like command and conquer generals and World of Warcraft.

Of the games mentioned above, I played Tony Hawk. Brilliant game but as a matter of fact u only need to get used to all the different moves and just try over and over again to accomplish the missions. But it never really changes through the game.
The mapbuilding option is more interesting.

But in a game like zelda, u keep on developing new skills, the world changes, the creatures change: u really develop a character.

Interesting stuff when it comes to learning indeed.

Greetings,

Edwin