Kapp Notes

JANUARY 14, 2013

In 2005, Robert T. Hays, of the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division published the results of an extensive literature review on games for instruction. It is an expansive look at the literature on the effectiveness of games for learning up until the year 2005. Here is a link to the technical paper. Here are some of his conclusions, findings and recommendations: The conclusions are: The empirical research on the effectiveness of instructional games is fragmented.

Summary 278

Summary Games Instructional Instruction 278

Kapp Notes

JANUARY 22, 2013

There is an important difference between games that teach a learner how to do something and games that test what a learner already knows. Too often those two types of games are confused and an instructional designer or other person places the wrong type of game into the curriculum. Testing Games are games where the learner already needs to know the information to be successful.

Games 267

Games Teach Player Learning Objects 267

Kapp Notes

JANUARY 17, 2013

I am often asked if an instructional or training game should be “realistic” or can the game have “fantasy” elements and still be an effective learning tool. It turns out that there are several valid and research-based reasons for including fantasy as a key element in the design of games to help people learn. In the 1980’s Thomas Malone wanted to investigate why games are so much fun and motivational.

Cognitive 234

Cognitive Games Instructional Instruction 234

Kapp Notes

JANUARY 4, 2013

Ever wonder about the topic of gamification and how it works? Bloomsburg University’s Institute for Interactive TEchnologies is offering a workshop in January that will help you learn from the comfort of your own computer. Learn about gamification for learning and instruction. Based on the bestselling book, this workshop explores what is Gamification and why learning and development professionals should care?

Gamification 230

Gamification Program Behavior Instructional 230

Kapp Notes

JANUARY 30, 2013

ASTD TK 2013 has been a great time. I’ve enjoyed spending time with old friends and making new ones. Here are the slides from my presentation, my workshop on “Games and Gamification” with Koreen Olbrish will be in another post. The “Immernet”: Immersive Learning through Games, Gamification and Virtual Worlds from Karl Kapp. Here are some related resources that you may find of value. 1.

ASTD 228

ASTD Simulations Resources Comparison 228

Kapp Notes

JANUARY 23, 2013

Looking through my old (1987) “Instructional Technology: Foundations” book I came across an interesting paragraph about anxiety in learning. It was in a chapter by Sigmund Tobias called “Learner Characteristics” in the paragraph, he discusses the role anxiety can play in learning and I thought that even though we usually think of children in school having anxiety around learning, I think adults do as well.

Learner 225

Learner Cognitive Lecture Instructional 225

Kapp Notes

JANUARY 15, 2013

Most of the time a meta-analysis of studies looks at only the numbers as a means of comparison. Here is an interesting qualitative meta-analysis and the highlights of the results. Fengfeng Ke, a researcher focusing on digital game-based learning, computer-supported collaborative learning, and simulations for instructional use, conducted a review of 89 research articles that provided empirical data on the application and effectiveness of computer-based instructional games.

Research 202

Research Games Summary Cognitive 202