Designing video games that encourage players to integrate formal representations with informal play

Nathan R. Holbert; Uri Wilensky

Designing video games that encourage players to integrate formal representations with informal play

Nathan R. Holbert, Uri Wilensky

School of Education and Social Policy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper we present a case study of a player of the game FormulaT Racing - a prototype racing video game we created to explore design principles that could transform popular games into powerful learning environments - shifting between and ultimately integrating video game and school-based epistemological framings. We show a player shifting from describing acceleration and velocity in a purely game-based narrative during a pre-game interview to descriptions that seamlessly integrated both game and formal representations in a post-game interview. We contend that this change is due to novel interactions with key representations introduced throughout the game and discuss design implications for future games.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences
Subtitle of host publication	The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012 - Proceedings
Pages	119-126
Number of pages	8
Volume	1
State	Published - Dec 1 2012
Event	10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences: The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012 - Sydney, NSW, Australia Duration: Jul 2 2012 → Jul 6 2012

Other

Other	10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences: The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Sydney, NSW
Period	7/2/12 → 7/6/12

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Computer Science (miscellaneous)
Education

Cite this

@inproceedings{dd97231e9bbc46819f598e54766eb21b,

title = "Designing video games that encourage players to integrate formal representations with informal play",

abstract = "In this paper we present a case study of a player of the game FormulaT Racing - a prototype racing video game we created to explore design principles that could transform popular games into powerful learning environments - shifting between and ultimately integrating video game and school-based epistemological framings. We show a player shifting from describing acceleration and velocity in a purely game-based narrative during a pre-game interview to descriptions that seamlessly integrated both game and formal representations in a post-game interview. We contend that this change is due to novel interactions with key representations introduced throughout the game and discuss design implications for future games.",

author = "Holbert, {Nathan R.} and Uri Wilensky",

year = "2012",

month = dec,

day = "1",

language = "English (US)",

isbn = "9780578106410",

volume = "1",

pages = "119--126",

booktitle = "10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences",

note = "10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences: The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012 ; Conference date: 02-07-2012 Through 06-07-2012",

}

Holbert, NR & Wilensky, U 2012, Designing video games that encourage players to integrate formal representations with informal play. in 10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences: The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012 - Proceedings. vol. 1, pp. 119-126, 10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences: The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 7/2/12.

TY - GEN

T1 - Designing video games that encourage players to integrate formal representations with informal play

AU - Holbert, Nathan R.

AU - Wilensky, Uri

PY - 2012/12/1

Y1 - 2012/12/1

N2 - In this paper we present a case study of a player of the game FormulaT Racing - a prototype racing video game we created to explore design principles that could transform popular games into powerful learning environments - shifting between and ultimately integrating video game and school-based epistemological framings. We show a player shifting from describing acceleration and velocity in a purely game-based narrative during a pre-game interview to descriptions that seamlessly integrated both game and formal representations in a post-game interview. We contend that this change is due to novel interactions with key representations introduced throughout the game and discuss design implications for future games.

AB - In this paper we present a case study of a player of the game FormulaT Racing - a prototype racing video game we created to explore design principles that could transform popular games into powerful learning environments - shifting between and ultimately integrating video game and school-based epistemological framings. We show a player shifting from describing acceleration and velocity in a purely game-based narrative during a pre-game interview to descriptions that seamlessly integrated both game and formal representations in a post-game interview. We contend that this change is due to novel interactions with key representations introduced throughout the game and discuss design implications for future games.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84878686981&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84878686981&partnerID=8YFLogxK

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:84878686981

SN - 9780578106410

VL - 1

SP - 119

EP - 126

BT - 10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences

T2 - 10th International Conference of the Learning Sciences: The Future of Learning, ICLS 2012

Y2 - 2 July 2012 through 6 July 2012

ER -

Designing video games that encourage players to integrate formal representations with informal play

Abstract

Other

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this